It only took me three! months! to complete this month-long! challenge!
Day 26 – A song that makes you want to fall in love
Corinne Bailey Rae – Like a Star
I had are a lot of songs that fit this criteria! It’s almost like there are a lot of love songs out there!
This song came out in 2005/2006, just as my adolescence was getting started, and I’m pretty sure it was the first song that really made me really tap into what love feels like. Or, at least, made me feel like I knew what love was. At that point, romantic love was… several years away.
Now that I think about it, I remember hearing this song after dating my current boyfriend for a bit and thinking, Finally, yes, that’s him! (Cue the awws)
Honorable mentions: Johnny Balik – I Need It (I’ll admit that this song is a little saccharine, but then again, isn’t that what love is?), Foster the People – I Would Do Anything for You (back when I danced in college, I really wanted to choreograph a flirty little fan dance to this – I still think it would work), Ripe – First Time Feeling (we went to a Ripe concert this year for Valentine’s Day, per my request, so I was very happy that this ~very romantic~ song came out right before our show to make it a true Valentine’s Day), Tessa Violet – Crush (I’ve had a lot of crushes in my day and, let me tell you, this right here is what it feels like)
Day 27 – A song that breaks your heart
Taylor Swift – Death by a Thousand Cuts
For those who haven’t watched the movie Something Great, I’ll break it down for you: a woman goes through the many stages of grief after a breakup from her former boyfriend of 10 years. It’s simple, and, after watching it a second time, honestly not the most interesting movie, honestly? But the concept of it – having to recover from the breakup of a relationship that had lasted for so long already – scared the absolute shit out of me.
I heard that this Taylor Swift song was inspired not by any of her own well-publicized breakups, but by Someone Great, and I was immediately sucked back into that same panic and fear for the future that the movie put me in originally. I’m already a pretty big fan of Taylor Swift’s pop songwriting, and this song is a great example of why – it’s melodic, frantic, and longing. Like the movie, it scared me, someone who is still very much currently in a loving and stable relationship, for a possible future where me and my partner are no longer together. I don’t even want to think about it!
Honorable mentions: OK Go – Needing/Getting (I was so in love with this music video that I never actually listened to the lyrics until recently – they have nothing to do with the video, but wow, what a bummer), Lorde – Supercut (speaking of Someone Great!), Brockhampton – SUGAR (do you love me, love me, love me? oh!)
Day 28 – A song by an artist whose voice you love
Duffy – Warwick Avenue
I personally thought “Mercy” was overrated and got incredibly annoying very quickly! I don’t think that’s a hot take.
On the other hand, Warwick Avenue suits Duffy’s voice a lot better. I’ve sung along to this song many, many times and could only dream of having her sexy rasp!
Honorable mentions: I got so stuck on Duffy that I couldn’t think of anyone else for this!
Day 29 – A song you remember from your childhood
MYMP – Tell Me Where It Hurts
I was raised on a steady musical diet of The Beatles and original Filipino music. I don’t have any specific commentary for any of these songs, but I do want to give a shoutout to Filipino rock/alternative/easy listening in general! I thought Filipino music was just sweeping love ballads for a long time, and to their credit, those ballads are not bad either, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn about more modern (and youthful!) rock bands as well.
Honorable mentions: Eraserheads – Ang Huling El Bimbo, Parokya ni Edgar – Harana
Day 30 – A song that reminds you of yourself
fun. – At Least I’m Not As Sad As I Used To Be
I know that most of this song is very specific to Nate Ruess’s own experiences as the singer of a rock band (relatable, to me especially, obviously), but something about the chorus really sticks with me. Things are hard, but they were harder before, so you gotta just keep moving forward, etc etc!
Honorable mentions: Watsky feat. Kate Nash – Hey Asshole (this song is a very specific mood, but when I’m there, I’m there), Motion City Soundtrack – LG FUAD (I’m a mess, I’m a wreck, I am perfect and I have learned to accept all my problems and shortcomings ’cause I’m so visceral, yet deeply inept – mic drop), The 1975 – Sincerity is Scary (sometimes I’m the narrator, sometimes I’m the girl that the narrator is talking about – minus the “when we are lovers” part, of course)
Trisha Serquina 