Music has always been an integral part of my life. Every song is a story from the writer, and there are so many approaches to how artists communicate their stories through music, whether through the lyrics, the instrumentals, or both. Trying to pick just 5 of my favorite tasks was about the hardest thing I’ve ever done. When I listen to songs I like, whichever one plays at that moment seems to be the most amazing song ever. Songs have so many layers to them. They have many details, like melodies, stories, emotions, messages, vocals, instruments, harmonies, odd sounds that somehow fit in, and so much more. I love how there are infinite ways to be creative when making music and endless stories to share!
Anyways, here are my top 5 songs (at least for right now!)
1. Risk - Gracie Abrams
This is one of my all-time favorite songs because I love its melody. It is such a fun and catchy song, and it never fails to lift my mood. I often love songs that are more on the acoustic side with less production, with the main instrument being the guitar. I play the guitar, so as soon as I heard this song for the first time, I became obsessed with learning how to play it. Another reason this song has a special place in my heart is that this song is what led me to listen to other Gracie Abrams songs. I had known her before, but now I truly listened to and appreciated her songs. That’s why she is one of my favorite artists! I love the way she writes and her voice.
2. Good Times - All Time low
Picture this: The evening sun lighting up the streets and beaches of a city in purple, pink, and orange colors. A group of friends running along the coast, walking through the city streets laughing, riding their skateboards with the calm evening wind. As the group settles on the beach around a campfire, the sunset colors illuminating them slowly fade with the sun dipping beyond the horizon. While it was one of the best nights of their lives, it would be the last time they did this together because life would soon push them to part ways for schools, careers, and dreams. This scene is painted in my mind every time I hear this song. It reminds me of youthful years spent with no worries about the real world that lies ahead. It makes me nostalgic for a time when I was carefree. I also love the style of this song and its melody. This is just a great feel good song!
3. Long live - Taylor Swift
Whenever I listen to this song, I remember high school, and all the memories I made with my friends and teachers. My friend and I put the lyrics of this song on our graduation cap, so this song reminds me of our graduation, which was such a bittersweet experience . Additionally, this song makes me think of the tours Taylor has been on, most recently, the Eras Tour! Her tours and shows are always magical with all the dazzling lights, outfits, and excited fans who are cheering, weeping, and screaming the lyrics to every one of her songs, with their bejeweled costumes. The amount of effort that goes into the tours, both on the fans’ part and Taylor’s part, creates such a joyful and exciting space, highlighting the community that Taylor Swift has formed. While I have not been able to attend any of her tours, I always get chills when I watch videos of them. This song celebrates her relationship with her fans, and no matter what journey she goes on, this song will forever be a reminder of her legacy.
4. 2 days into college - Aimee Carty
I found this song just before I started college last year and was immediately obsessed with it. The way the song flows with the playful piano and Aimee’s voice is really satisfying. I’m don’t know what it is about her voice, but it entranced me. I also really like the song’s message: we have time to figure out what we are going to do with our lives and not stress about it, and whenever I listen to it, I feel reassured. It is such a playful song, and I love the humor in it!
5. I look in people's windows - taylor swift
The concept of this song is such an interesting way of portraying a feeling of longing. I had this scene in my mind long before I heard this song: A person walking along a long, cold, empty road at night. While walking, they come across a house with warm light spilling through the window. The scent of freshly baked pies wafts through the frigid air. Inside, a group of people lounging and talking, their faces pink, like their evening had been filled with hearty laughter. As the person passes the house, they wonder what it would be like to be a part of this group and this life. One so different from their own, to experience something new. Instead, the only thing they can do is continue walking past the house. When I heard the song, I felt it had been written for this scene. It fit so perfectly! The picture it paints in my mind is one of the reasons I enjoy listening to this song. I also like how simplistic the production is, and how her voice floats over the instrumentals is so satisfying. Additionally, I love that the song is short, just like a quick glance through a window as you walk by.