Feeling hopeful and light today, breathing and hydrating and listening to so much music. I had an early interview call this morning, and then afterwards enjoyed a cup of coffee with another chapter of the book I’m reading. It is such a great read. Tackling life and death, what really living means, and all the in-betweens of being one’s self. It’s magical, and I feel like it is reaching parts of me that I need to have shook up. Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klun – highly recommend.

I’ve been living so much in music lately. It had been awhile since I felt connected to music the way I’ve been for most of my life. I’m not sure how it happened, the disconnect, but I know that it is related to how lost and messed up I’ve felt for the last year, or two, or three. Music is helping guide my journey back. It feels good, even when it’s rough going. I don’t want to waste any more time.

And now, let’s get to the songs.

GIVE ME FIVE…JULY 7, 2022

Available to listen on Spotify and YouTube

SONG 1: “CALL ME HOME” BY SASAMI

“Settle into a life that you like for a while.
Have a kid,
get a pretty wife.
Get a real job and a fake smile.”

The lyrics above remind me of Talking Heads “Once In a Lifetime’, the disenchantment with the so-called dream life. Something about the song transcends the angst and disillusion that those opening lyrics might suggest. There is hope in it all, thrown out like a life-line, a rescue, a inner tube when you are flailing in the deep end. At least that’s how I hear it today.

SASAMI was originally part of the group Cherry Glazerr, playing synth until 2018, when she left to pursue solo efforts. I was introduced to her new album, Squeeze, through a playlist a dear friend made and shared with me, recently. He included this song in the mix, and I’ve been obsessively listening to it ever since.

To hear more of SASAMI and deep dive into her music with me, head on over HERE.

SONG 2: “BILLIE BOSSA NOVA” BY BILLIE EILISH

“It might be more of an obsession.
You really make a strong impression.
Nobody saw me in the lobby.
Nobody saw me in your arms.”

My favorite track off of Billie’s 2021 album, Happier Than Ever. I love the sexy sway to it, the jazzy feel, the “bossa nova” of it all (pun intended). It perfectly fits the sung-story of secret love, trysts out of the public eye; the excitement and impatience and intrigue.

I’ve been a fan of Billie’s since her first song releases, thanks to my youngest daughter, who introduced me to her (and is actually the same age as Billie). It’s been cool to watch, and listen, to her evolve and grow. I can’t wait to see, and hear, what she does next.

To hear more of Billie, sway on over HERE.

SONG 3: “STEVIE” BY WARPAINT

“Hey, you’re my dream lover, lover.
Like no other, other.
You’re down and dirty.
You are one freaky mother.
You give me happiness.
You make me wanna,
you make me wanna dance with you.”

I’m so excited for new Warpaint music. “Stevie”, which has been speculated to be inspired by Stevie Nicks and/or Stevie Wonder (I like to imagine it is about Stevie Nicks), is groovy and swoony, and very summer-vibey.

The band describes the song like this:

“‘Stevie’ is a love song, pure and true. Sincere as it comes with a little bit of Freak. A cosmic celebration of the thing we all look for in life. And our contribution to one of the most beloved song genres.” – Killyrics source.

If you want to dive deeper into Warpaint’s music, and their new album, float on over HERE.

SONG 4: “I AM EASY TO FIND” BY THE NATIONAL

“How long have we been here?
Am I ever coming down?
I need to find some lower thinking.
If I’m going to stick around.
I’m not going anywhere.
Who do I think I’m kidding?
I’m still standing in the same place.
Where you left me standing.”

I love The National and this album is, if not my favorite-favorite, a very close second. All the songs hit in that mushy, squishy, soft spot inside. That emotional-button that everyone has.

I’ve not had the chance to see The National live, but I hope I do in the (near) future.

To hear more of The National, and see if they have tour dates in the (near) future, go HERE.

SONG 5: “RIGHT DOWN THE LINE” BY GERRY RAFFERTY

“It was you,
woman,
right down the line.”

I was nine years old when this song was released. It would play out the car speakers of our light blue Oldsmobile as my mom drove me, and the rest of her “carpool” kids home. She always sang-a-long to every single radio song. This one was no exeption.

I’d forgotten about this song for years. Decades. I knew and loved “Baker Street”, and listened to it often, but somehow this one was long gone. Recently, I hear someone online talk about the song, with it playing in the background. I think it had been used in an episode of Euphoria. It all came rushing back, the song, the carpool rides, my mom’s voice singing-a-long with Gerry’s.

Do you have any memories that this song brings back?

To learn, and hear, more of Gerry Rafferty, take a memory lane tour HERE.