Y’all know music is my end all and be all. I love it more than bread, and I love bread.
Here are a few songs I simply cannot get enough of lately.
Saturn, SZA
I heard this song, of all places, during a Mastercard commercial during this past weekend’s Grammy Awards. Basically SZA hard launching a song none of us have ever heard before. It was lush, lyrical, lovely. SZA sings about wanting to get on a rocket to Saturn and leave the madness of this earth behind. Ughhhh it’s so so so on repeat. I hear it, I’m sweetly entrapped. And since it’s not a single yet, your Square Peg screen recorded a TikTok of the commercial because that’s what you do when you’re quickly obsessed. But it’s on YouTube now. Listen here.
Speaking of SZA…
Gone Girl, Open Arms, Snooze, I Hate U – all by SZA, and all songs I constantly have on repeat, These are honorable mentions. We have more to the list, party people.
Show Me, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Tatiana Marie Clark
Have I mentioned how much I love LOJ, who played Aaron Burr in Hamilton? If you’re not familiar with the juggernaut musical that is Hamilton, wow. Truly admire the off the grid living you’re doing. But Hamilton (and how I feel about someone positioned as the villain in a story) is for another post. A post with a thesis statement and a full-fledged, back in college essay. For now, about this song: it’s moody and thought-provoking, yes, but it’s the melody and Tatiana’s soprano vocals layered with with Leslie’s voice for me. Whew. I tend to move toward songs that have rich melodies, harmonies, and yes, the presence of a soprano. That’s the register I sing in. I heard somewhere that we tend to love music and songs that remind us of our own voices. Interesting, no? Listen to Show Me here.
Back on 74, Jungle
It just gives me a flowy 1970s feel every time I listen to it. I envision playing this while driving across the Pacific Coast Highway with the windows down. And yes, there is harmony, there is melody, and there is a high, soprano-y register. This is a relatively new band to me, so love this discovery via the socials, as well. Check out their other single, Candle Flame. Listen here and here. (And the amazing dancing in both those videos, particularly in Back on 74, will not leave you anytime soon.)
Lost Stars, Adam Levine
Want to hear a story? I was in the nail salon one day last year, getting the nails did, and my ears perked up at the song playing overhead. I recognized Adam’s voice, but not the song. Like the lover of melody I am, I was hooked by the sound. I pulled out the cell phone with my one free hand and tried to Shazam it but didn’t grab it. But did you know that I am basically Shazam? When I got to the car, I remembered some of the lyrics, added Adam Levine in the search, and quickly found the song.
According to Spotify, I listened to the song over 230 times last year? More? I don’t know. I do know that there’s something about the song that pulls at these wires in the heart, and I also know that a short story was born from the song and I’m currently writing it. So sound, creative inspiration–what more can you ask for? Listen to it here.
Of course, you don’t really believe that I’m listening to just those songs, but we don’t want to be here for six days and seven nights.
What are you currently listening to?
This Square Peg. 