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Hi everyone,
Look at me posting twice in a fortnight! It's freaking 2020, and boy do I have a Jukebox for you. Before I get started on that, however, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who's messaged me, retweeted or showed their support following my last post! It wasn't an easy one to share, but it means the world that so many people believe in me - I'm trying to really channel things into writing. It's becoming more and more of an outlet and I'm so grateful I get to share that with you all.
I've been listening to a pretty stable playlist for most of November and December, so I have quite a few songs to mention today. Spoiler - lots of Glee. Come on, you should know me by now! As always, I've compiled all of these into a Youtube playlist, however I have realised that this is probably not the best way for you to listen to them, so follow this link to get this playlist on Spotify. Let's dive right in!
Glee - No Surrender
It seems only right to start with a song from the saddest episode of TV I have ever watched. From Glee's Quarterback tribute episode, No Surrender is originally by Bruce Springsteen and the original version is awesome - but this one is much slower, and much more emotional. Lyrically, this song really touches me - losing a friend is heartbreaking and nothing speaks to me more than this simple, slow guitar. I'm planning to do a cover of it soon! Although it is kind of impossible for me to listen to it without tearing up - it reminds me of Quarterback, obviously, and how much I miss Cory Monteith, but also about how much I miss life with my friends from seven or eight years ago! It's a sad listen but well worth it.
Glee - You Get What You Give
I figured it was best to get all of the Glee songs on this list out of the way! You Get What You Give is a song from the final episode of the third season, or as most gleeks agree, the golden age of Glee. It's the seniors' leaving song for the remaining juniors in the glee club, and I just get inexplicably emotional when I hear it. Not only was it the end of some of the characters' time in glee club, it was the end of Glee as we knew it. I think this was the perfect, perfect song for the moment - a goodbye to youth, innocence and looking forward to the future. 'Don't let go, you've got the music in you.' If those words don't sum up glee in a nutshell, I don't know which do. This is such a good song. You can party to it, cry to it, jam to it - pretty much everything. What I love most about it is hearing all of the glee club's voices melding together, and gosh, Cory Monteith's voice soaring for his last lead number in the club. I listen to this song so much, on a daily basis. It makes me feel sad, but it's also very empowering.
Glee - Glory Days
Okay, let's be honest, I could squeeze in all of Glee's Graduation Album onto this list with the amount I listen to it. This is another song from the final episode of season 3, from the senior graduation scene. Another Bruce Springsteen cover, this is also a great song, listen to the original too! It's a song about remembering your golden days, and it's also a perfect choice for the scene. I think the glee music team really got it right for the end of season 3 - season 3 on a whole. Although it's upbeat with a sick guitar part, it actually makes me a little bit emotional! But then again, what doesn't.
Glee - Shake It Out
This is the final Glee song, I promise! Shake It Out is originally by Florence and the Machine, but this version is heartbreakingly beautiful. I'm hoping to cover this soon too! It's just put together so well - the harmonies give me chills. The lyrics are beautiful too - it's definitely a song to listen to if you're feeling down and need some positive reinforcement. The emotion behind it is brilliant.
Patrick Martin - Both Of You
Funny story actually - I was at the O2 Arena Birmingham, waiting to see Kodaline, when Patrick Martin made an entrance as the opening act. He's an American singer, and onstage he was hypnotic. With his amazing boots and his stage presence, I was left wanting to see his full live concert! I was front row and also standing next to his parents which is an odd coincidence! Out of all the songs he played, the one I loved most was Both of You. Patrick told the audience that it was about one of his friends who'd had his girlfriend cheat on him with another friend - and it's SO CATCHY! I love that it deals with the pain of losing BOTH the girlfriend and the friend, because a lot of music doesn't seem to address losing the friend too! And gosh we were raving to it down in the front row. Cherry on top was when he walked past the barrier later and hi-fived me. *drops dead* I'd urge you to listen to his new EP, Wonder Years on Spotify because he really is a talented singer!
The 1975 - It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)
I don't really have much to say about this one. Catchy. Amazing melody. Love, love, love. It was my morning alarm for a good few months. I also had a worrying dream about Matty Healy chasing me through Oxford - do with that information what you will.
5 Seconds of Summer - Out Of My Limit
Aha! Did you think this playlist might be 5SOS free? You thought wrong! This is BABY 5SOS - such an old song now that I think about it, but I've recently just been absolutely jamming to it. I've always loved it, I mean, come on, but I've really been listening to their old stuff recently. Out Of My Limit is a wonderful, wonderful song about wanting a girl who's out of your league. I think we can all relate to that one.
Lady Gaga - Dope
And you didn't think I was going to omit my one and only mother monster from the list did you? I've been neglecting Lady Gaga for a while; I'm feeling due for a big Joanne album listen, or to be honest, all of her albums. I've never actually listened to Artpop all the way through...I KNOW I'M SORRY! Dope! Dope is very very depressing. I covered it on my youtube channel what seems like eons ago, but just listen to it. You can hear Gaga's incredible emotion through every single freaking word. It's a masterpiece. When the bass drops it feels insane - and then confusing because it's so sad...but awesome all the same. The first line always gets me real hard - I've listened to this song in some pretty hard times. 'Corks off, it's on' is a melody etched into my mind. Beautiful.
Fleetwood Mac - Never Going Back Again
I listened to Rumours on repeat for a lot of last summer, but the song that really stood out to me was Never Going Back Again. Simple, hard-hitting lyrics and the guitar - need I say any more? This song is a definite hall-of-fame incredible incredible record. I also like reserving this song for sad times, but honestly it's just all round beautiful.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - In The Heat Of The Moment
I heard this song on the Netflix show, Umbrella Academy! If you like Oasis and a kind of pop/rock sound, this one's definitely for you. Noel Gallagher sounds old-school amazing - it's hard to categorise the song but it's just good listening. Simple as that.
Michael Jackson - Human Nature
Legend legend legend. Michael Jackson, Human Nature. Bloody amazing song. Yes, I'll admit, I first heard it on glee but the original is so so good. It's everything good about MJ - great beat, silky voice, sick lyrics....not much more you can ask for.
Harry Styles - Sweet Creature
Oh boy. I mean, I haven't even listened to Harry's newest album, but if it's as good as the last one, I'm gonna be deceased. Sweet Creature was my favourite song off his self-titled first album, because it showcases Harry's voice and his incredible soulful ability to write songs that really touch you. He is undoubtedly a standalone star, and listening to Sweet Creature only affirms that for me. His voice is just freaking beautiful, I'm sorry.
5 Seconds of Summer - Teeth
TEETH! TEETH! God, 5SOS keep outdoing themselves. Teeth is so. damn. catchy. It's a beat, okay. I've loved the hype, the buildup, the music video and the song itself so much! It's a brilliant, brilliant song - dark, a great hook, LUKE HEMMINGS YOUR VOICE WHOAH, and the BASS riff. Whew. It's hot. I promise you. Just listen to it.
Waitress Soundtrack - She Used To Be Mine
Now this is a departure from the rest of the list! She Used To Be Mine is from the musical Waitress, written by Sara Bareilles. It's a song that I've related to so much. It's about losing that past you - the you who you used to be so full of life and ambition, and how that you doesn't belong to you anymore. It's heartbreaking. I've watched so many different performances of it on youtube, but I think my favourite is the one I first heard - Jessie Mueller's. I can't really say much about it apart from the fact that it hits the right place. A vulnerable place. On a happier note - my best friend Heath and I are going to SEE Waitress in London in THREE WEEKS! If you know me, you know that I'm practically DYING with excitement.
Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice It's Alright
My college son Gabe introduced me to this song! I'd never listened to Bob Dylan (!) before that, and whilst some of it might not be my style, this song really is. I love it for so many reasons - fabulous (sometimes a little vindictive) lyrics, beautiful guitar, and a refrain that hits hard! This really is a legend at work. Gabe and I are planning to perform it together at an open mic in college soon!
Taylor Swift (ft. Shawn Mendes) - Lover
And it's the last song! Lover by Taylor Swift, especially the version featuring Shawn Mendes - it's dreamy. Everything about it is dreamy. So, so well written - so well produced. The chorus is always in my head. Taylor keeps showing new sides of her and as you know, I'm a sucker for a love song. I think this song encapsulates fairytales and the magic of love - it's a great one to end on.
If you made it to the end of this, you deserve some kind of award. That was a lot to get through. Serves me right for not posting in forever. But I hope you enjoyed it! Do go have a listen to all of these (I've linked the playlists at the top of this post) and let me know what you think in the comments! Follow me on my social media (top right) if you want to read my twitter ramblings or just, you know, want to be in the know. Apart from that kids, all that's left to say is a very happy new year and decade - I'll (hopefully) write soon!
Love,
SS xx
Camila Cabello - Living Proof