2022 IN MUSIC
I can't stop laughing, I don't know if I can stand it
'Cause I like you so well
I like you so well
(When I close my eyes, I see your big heart)
- “Playground”, Alison Sudol
My annual compilation of songs and albums which became meaningful to me during the previous year.
“Becoming All Alone” by Regina Spektor
I went walking home alone
Past all the bars and corner delis
When I heard God call out my name
And he said, "Hey
Let's grab a beer
It's awful late
We both right here"
And we didn't even have to pay
'Cause God is God
And he's revered
And I said:
"Why doesn't it get better with time?"
I'm becoming all alone again
Stay, stay, stay
Regina Spektor seems able to do it all: she writes funny, brash songs and throws her voice all around in experimental ways, then pens and sings something utterly beautiful and devastating. Mesmerized, I’ve listened to this song dozens of times. The song ends with a repetition of the first verse turned into a question: God, will you come grab a beer with me? Please.
My personal interpretation is that she wants things to be better in life, less pain and confusion, and wants to believe in a God who can make it all better. Even if, maybe, she doesn’t quite.
In the midst of somewhat forlorn notes, there is a triumphant hopefulness in choosing to call out. Please, call my name, and stay, stay, stay.
“Mothers” by Christina Perri
To the mothers who feel empty
That aren't sure they're even ready
To be alone and responsible
For somebody so small
…
I hope you realize
You're not alone
This one's for you
'Cause I've been there too
I've been there too
As I type this, I am laying on the living room rug, scooting my laptop and I in circles as my eight-month old follows with a big grin on his face. We pause the chase for kisses and giggles, my heart bursting with love for him. As joyous as this morning is, the first couple of weeks as a new mother were a free-fall of difficult emotions. At another time this song would have passed me by, but when I first heard it - still fragile from some baby blues and fighting new mother fears - I felt seen.
“One Too Mornings”, by Bob Dylan, performed by Angel Olsen
It's a restless hungry feeling
And it don't mean no one no good
When ev'rything that I'm sayin'
You can say it just as good
You're right from your side
And I'm right from mine
We're both just one too many mornings
An' a thousand miles behind
As usual with Bob Dylan’s work, this song is filled with poetic lines which can be interpreted in a myriad of ways. Often he sneaks in unexpected nuggets of truth; when I heard “you’re right from your side and I’m right from mine” I wanted to put those words in a frame on the wall. As is usual with Bob Dylan’s work, his poetry is filled with longing. A little despair with just enough self-awareness to let a line like “from the crossroads of my doorstep” still find a silver lining.
I appreciate Dylan’s messy rasp of a voice, yet the version which arrests me is sung by Angel Olsen. She brings a haunting balance of forlornness and optimism which left me diving into the lyrics and playing it on repeat.
Albums:
“Rolling Golden Holy”, Bonny Light Horseman
Favorite song: “California”
“Inside Problems”, Andrew Bird
Favorite song: “Make A Picture”
“Moonrise”, Granger Smith
Favorite song: the endearing and clever turn-of-phrase “Broke In”
“Still Come The Night”, Alison Sudol
Favorite song: “Playground”
“Wet Leg”, Wet Leg
Favorite song: “Chaise Longue”
“Midnights”, Taylor Swift
“Into The Blue”, Broken Bells
“Moss”, Maya Hawke
“(self-titled)”, Marcus Mumford
“Meet The Moonlight”, Jack Johnson
“Gold Rush Kid”, George Ezra
“In Our Own Sweet Time”, Vance Joy
“The Car”, Arctic Monkeys
“Familia”, Camila Cabello
“Dance Fever”, Florence + The Machine
“Second Nature”, Lucius
