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Playlist #
1

Chapter I: Time to Pretend

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1

Gorilla

Little Simz

Liner Notes: 

Any opening track to a well curated playlist(s) needs to be particular. It not only needs to sound like an opener, it needs to "feel" like one as it sets the tone . Little Simz's "Gorilla" was the obvious track this year. In fact, I wish I could sample the synth-filled bass line that cycles throughout the song and make as the "transition" between each song of this playlist.

This is the beginning of Chapter I.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

big art collector, silent investor, film director
Beatin' on my chest goin' apeshit, put him in the grave shit
Fame life what you make it, yeah, it is

All lyrics:

Sim Simma
Who got the keys to my bloodclaat Bimmer?
Big time driller, monkey to gorilla
Who is this woman that I'm seein' in the mirror?
Drink '42 and smoke cigar
Name one time where I didn't deliver
Silent figure
I was just on the ends, droppin' gems with my friends
I got a 3310 and a pack of blems
Then got the gold, full black, circle back again
Rappin' when nothin' progressive was happenin'
Ooh, pain tolerance, couldn't break us
Pay homage if you respect how we came up, cool (cool)
Tryin' to get to the paper
Hitter from Jamaica might do me a favor, true (true)
Big Simma dippin' ten toes in the ice cold river
Bank got bigger
Been a different species, tunes in the locker
Been waitin' to unleash these
It's a no show if you can't guarantee fees (no, no, no)
I ain't got one threat to consider
Heaven and Earth attached to one killer (one, one)
Rest in peace to Mac Miller, new Simz drop to shake the whole shit up
What's next? (Ayy)
We'll be here for months talkin' about prospects
Stayin' about my job, yes sir
When rain is against her I'm weather-resistant
On my polyester (grrah, grrah, grrah)
Run through the jungle, they should've never let her (woop, woop)
Cut and wounds, I hope never will fester
Mmh, yeah, big art collector, silent investor, film director
Beatin' on my chest goin' apeshit, put him in the grave shit
Fame life what you make it, yeah, it is

Cuttin' through the jungle in a all black fitted
Hat low, incognito livin'
Introvert, but, she ain't timid
My art will be timeless, I don't do limits (no)
Be very specific when you talk on who the best is
How can I address this?
Basically, the rest is almost like to me what a stain to a vest is
You ain't drop nothin' in my eyes I'm impressed with
Please, don't be offended (please)
But I'm not in the business of pretendin' (no)
I got lines if you wanna get rentin'
Go find the agony aunt and get ventin' (vent)
Stop floodin' my mentions with bullshit
Talkin' on Simz like she's someone you went school with, awkward (awkward)
From day, been a cool kid, rap stars hopin', the faith, I'm restorin'
Don't ask my opinion on shit
Cause to make you feel good about yourself is exhaustin'
I got bangers out in the world soarin'
And I got bangers in the vault I've been hoardin'
Yeah, true I got tennis in the mornin'
Before I start swingin' that man's gonna need a warnin'
Red light whenever I'm recordin'
Red light on the forehead of the informant
See, I'm the only one on gorilla
Simz is back here, just got realer, yeah
No choice now but to feel us
I know the streets will love it, like I brought Mike Skinner
Said, "Simmer down, little homie, simmer"
All that talk get you rubbed out quicker
I'm cut with a different scissor
From the same cloth as my dear ancestors
That's why this shit gives you the shivers, I'm that cold

Higher
Goin' higher
Higher
Goin' higher
Higher
Yeah, we are
Higher
Say what?

Hey, sound so special inside the world we live in
It's so rare to find it, huh
Huh, go peep that, yeah
It's about time
We got the just dues for the work
we put in over a decade in this bitch, you know
Yeah, man, woo

Say he never called another woman, "Mi Amor"
So, I opened up the way and now he adore
Did it on the wave, I don't play, get you sea sick
Charged up, fully barred up, I'm unleashin'

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2

Fentanyl Tester

JPEGMAFIA, Danny Brown

Liner Notes: 

I saw JPEGMAFIA this summer wiith the kids (at Pitchfork) and was completely mesmerized by both the energy and talent — so much so I made my way to the front row by myself a couple of songs into the set. A general rule of thumb for all concert goers... the experience is always better from up-front. And for those who may disagree, I can certainly vouch that it is significantly different — particularly when you're the only 40 something your eye can see.

For those of you that listened to old-school hip-hop in the late 80s, you'll certainly recognize the "It Takes Two" nod via JPEG in the first verse. The song (and entire album for that matter) is a joint collaboration with Danny Brown, who is no less talented.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

I wanna rock right now
Hittin' whippets and eating halal
Get to clippin' while whippin' these sounds
You get hit, you gon' sing like Bilal, uh
Back it up
See that bitch, I'm actin' up
'Cause something right here ain't adding up

All lyrics:

I know you want it
The thing that makes me
You know I'm just sayin' man, ah (what the guys, guys go crazy for)

Is it the car, the clothes, the money, the jewelry, the cribs, the drugs or the hoes?
Is it the ket', the meth, the weed, the lean, the molly, the boi or the blow?
You can get rocked like Chrisean
How you hating and broke, no fixin' 'em
Riding dick like these rappers are Sybians
Try to press 'em, they lost like Gilligan

I got Jay for my Bey
'Bout the money, call me Mr. Slate
Weirdo rap, I'm the numero ace
Put together like Danity Kane

Fuck your feelings, I'm stuck in my ways
Local niggas be stuck in they place
They don't say none of that shit to my face
'Cause they know I take shots like Klay

I wanna rock right now
Hittin' whippets and eating halal
Get to clippin' while whippin' these sounds
You get hit, you gon' sing like Bilal, uh
Back it up
See that bitch, I'm actin' up
'Cause something right here ain't adding up
Smack it up
One hunnid, ain't no wack in us

Push it to the maximum
I do what I want to
Stay you ain't no accident
Mashing 'em, knocking 'em out park
The way we smacking 'em, immaculate
If I'm in area, that's hazardous
Way out there we too far gone
Leave me alone when I get in my zone

Just fall back, I'ma put you on
Lost out here, can't find no home
Goin' up, so tap in
I'm about to take you for a spin
So buckle up
Nigga, we about to go in
Hands on the wheel no accident
Hands on the wheel no accident

Came through kicking doors off hinges
Look at him, he's so expensive
Make her hop all in my mentions
When she see it, so extensive
Set it up, I'ma knock it all down
Give me a ring, I give you rounds
Lost and found, when you hear that sound
I just wanna see you jump around

Welcome to my house of pain
Where you can get everything
Coming down like April rain
Yes, you may just say my name
Pull up on me, we outside
I'm about to take you for a ride
No one's safe, so run and hide
No one's safe, so run and hide

Let me tell you what I'm gon' do
Tell no lies, just tell your truth
I'm a big dog like Marmaduke
Park itself when I come through
Pull up and I'ma be outside
I'm about to take you for a ride
No one's safe, so run and hide
No one's safe, so run and hide

Milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
And they're like, it's better than your-
Right it's better than yours
I can teach you, but I have to charge
My milkshake, milkshake, milkshake, milkshake
Milkshake, milkshake, milkshake, milkshake
Teach you, it's better than
Teach you, but I have to charge

My milkshake, milkshake, milkshake, milkshake
Milkshake, milkshake, milkshake, milkshake
Teach you, it's better than
Teach you-

Milkshake, milkshake, milkshake, milkshake
Milkshake, milkshake, milkshake, milkshake
Teach you, it's better than
Teach you, but I have to
My milkshake, milkshake, milkshake, milkshake
Milkshake, milkshake, milkshake, milkshake
Teach you, it's better than
Teach you, but I have to

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
And they're like, it's better than yours
Damn right it's better than yours
I can teach you, but I have to charge
I know you want it, want it, want it, want it

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2

Newcastle

Lankum

Liner Notes: 

I spent some time in Dublin this fall with Grace and her girlfriend Jenny (see the liner notes for "End of the World"). Grace and I spent some time walking "Dublin Bay" — referenced in this song.

Lankum is a multi-instrumentalist Irish folk band from Dublin. It would be hard not to see the influence The Pogues have had (directly or otherwise) to any emerging Irish folk band.

Regardless, Lankum has captured that mysterious Celtic vibe that will truly mesmerize anyone willing to listen. I recommend finding yourself a quiet place to park your car one day, throwing your seat back, and listening to this song a couple times through. I may have done such a thing.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

Why should I not love my love?
Why shouldn't my love love me?
Why should I not speed after her
Since love to all is free?

All lyrics:

Come you not from Newcastle?
Come you there far away?
Oh, met you not my true love
Who dwells near Dublin bay?

Why should I not love my love?
Why shouldn't my love love me?
Why should I not speed after her
Since love to all is free?

Her father, once my true friend
Now turns me from the door
Her mother owed me worthy
Now bids me love no more

Why should I not love my love?
Why shouldn't my love love me?
Why should I not speed after her
Since love to all is free?

Her squire, once my true friend
But now my rival be
While I, Willie, madly wail away
To sail the stormy sea

Why should I not love my love?
Why shouldn't my love love me?
Why should I not speed after her
Since love to all is free?

In spite of flame and danger
With her Willie, she will roam
My arms, her safe defenders
Her breast, my happy home

Why should I not love my love?
Why shouldn't my love love me?
Why should I not speed after her
Since love to all is free?

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3

The Hillbillies

Baby Keem, Kendrick, Lamar

Liner Notes: 

I had the opportunity to see Kendrick and Baby Keem perform together a year and a half ago. This was no doubt one of the best shows I've ever seen.

For those of you that don't know, they are cousins.

And for those Bon Iver fans, if you listen closely, you'll hear a sample from the song "PDLIF".

FAVORITE LYRIC:

Huh, she's organic, skin is glowin', my heart is goin' (like wow)
Split personality, two phones, two emotions (like how?)
Girl, you get the notion
It's not hard to notice

All lyrics:

I don't buy much, I buy land, bro
Cologne, Germany
Four McDonalds, every time I land, bro
Big Jay Rocks in both hands, bro, and all that
And I'm best dressed, movin' forward, yeah
Tiny Taz Arn', yeah, all that, Compton cowboy, all that
Yeah, big protein
One-hundred and fifty grams of protein (uh)
Y'all gotta stop playin', bro, I swear, bro

Uh, we gon' fuck up the world
Excuse me, but is that your girl?
If she tell, that's a good referral
Heebee-jeebie talk crazy to me
But Kendrick know I like irregular girls
I'm not good with the regular girls
Damn near want a veteran girl

I just might change your life
We ain't wearin' no Giuseppe jeans
We ain't doin' none of normal things
Do you know what formal means?
Critics sayin' that I lost the plot
Principles, yeah, I'd rather not
Messi, 'bout to come in hot

'Dot, uh, we gon' fuck up the world
Excuse me, but is that your girl?
Didn't mean to possess your girl
Baby, I'm high-profile, don't ever tell 'em you met me, girl
They gon' think that you rep me, girl
5'7", I'm Messi, girl

I'ma pass you to Neymar, he got time for your bestie, girl
Niggas know that I'm best-dressed, too high-profile to access
I ain't even gotta fact check, all I'm wearin' is Wales Bonner
Feelin' good, I might wear no-
Matter of fact, let's stay platonic

I just fucked, ain't that ironic?
You could pick the bunk or bed
Either way, I'ma want some head
Messi live through me instead
We grew up 'round triflin' hoes
You ain't did nothin' that I don't know
It's cool, baby, I'm too high-pro'
I'm Baby Keem, I wouldn't call it close

Messi, get them girls off the stage, 'cause somebody's gonna get taken
Somebody's gonna invade on a one-on-one conversation
I'm ducked off from the world, I'm immersed in the PlayStation
And I ain't worried 'bout her, it's a thousand hers out waitin'

We gon' fuck up the world
Excuse me, but is that your girl?
Didn't mean to possess your girl
Baby, I'm high-profile, don't ever tell 'em you met me, girl
They gon' think that you rep me, girl
5'7", I'm Messi, girl

Famous, but I'm not for sale, why you tryna possess me, girl?
I mean, you know what upset me, girl
Was like that when you met me, girl
'Cause he'll put you in princess shoes
Elevate you, respect you too
Here's 10K, I'm in a sexy mood
Don't let the homies touch you, move

Yeah, niggas know that I'm best-dressed
Wear Martine when I board jets
They sardines and I'm big fish, eat caviar when I'm depressed
Take selfies, I'm in Czech Republic, Cornell, he gon' check the budget
Borrowed two-million from my cousin
Never gave it back, 'cause it's nothin'

Fuck it (yeah), new devotions (uh-huh)
Huh, keepin' focus, starship, is that a foreign? (A foreign)
Huh, she's organic, skin is glowin', my heart is goin' (like wow)
Split personality, two phones, two emotions (like how?)
Girl, you get the notion (aroused)
It's not hard to notice (yeah, yeah)
That's a deep, deep, deep, deep, deep ocean (that twat)
Shorty say she celibate, I'ma keep hopin' (she's not)
Shorty say she in love with me, I'ma be open (I'll try)
(And you w-, and you w-)

Messi, get them girls off the stage, 'cause somebody's gonna get taken
Somebody's gonna invade on a one-on-one conversation
I'm ducked off from the world, I'm immersed in the PlayStation
And I ain't worried 'bout her, it's a thousand hers out waitin'

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4

Lenny

Atka

Liner Notes: 

The premiere roll-your-window-down-on-a-sunny-spring-day song from the favorites this year.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

I need you, I need you
I always will
To break my back from bending
And mirror my sins

All lyrics:

Man like gods, throwing rocks around the room
Punching walls, smashing doors
Imma get who hurt you

I need you, I need you
I always will
To break my back from bending
And mirror my sins

Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause for no one

Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause for you

There's no one
Yeah no one
Like you
There's no one
Yeah no one
Like you

You scream grow up yet
You sit there frozen in time
I love you but you are bored
Say you have nothing to gain from this

Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause for no one

Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause
Lenny fights a cause for you

There's no one
Yeah no one
Like you
There's no one
Yeah no one
Like you

#
5

Little Plastic Castle - Tune-Yards Remix

Ani DiFranco

Liner Notes: 

While I wasn't officially sending out my "favorites" in 1998, I was making mix-CDs and Ani Difranco's "Little Plastic Castle" was on it.

I did get a chance to see her play live finally this past year with Emily and Ellie as she opened for Brandi Carlyle.

And while she did play this classic from the archive, it was NOT this version. When this came across my recommended songs this past year, I was quite surprised, but I loved it!

This remix comes courtesty of the Tune Yards.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

In a coffee shop in a city
Which is every coffee shop
In every city
On a day which is every day

All lyrics:

In a coffee shop in a city
Which is every coffee shop
In every city
On a day which is every day

I picked up a magazine
Which is every magazine
Read a story then I forgot it right away

And they say goldfish have no memory
I guess their lives are much like mine
And the little plastic castle
Is a surprise every time
And it's hard to say if they're happy
But they don't seem much to mind
(Yee-haw)

From the shape of your shaved head
I recognized your silhouette
As you walked out of the sun and sat down
And the sight of your sleepy smile eclipsed all the other people
As they paused to sneer at the two girls from out of town
And I said, "Look at you this morning
You are by far the cutest
But be careful getting coffee
I think these people want to shoot us
Or maybe there's some kind of local competition here
To see who can be the rudest"
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

People talk about my image
Like I come in two dimensions
Like lipstick is a sign of my declining mind
Like what I happen to be wearing
The day that someone takes a picture
Is my new statement for all womankind
And I wish they could see us now
In leather bras and rubber shorts
Like some ridiculous new team uniform
For some ridiculous new sport
Quick someone call the girl police
And, and file a report
(Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah, yeah, yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, uh)

In a coffee shop in a city
Which is every coffee shop
In every city
On a day which is every day

#
6

Sugar Babies

Spoon

Liner Notes: 

When Anna moved out, it left some "empty spaces" — one of which was the living room, which simply had my piano in it. Phineas has been upping his game on the piano for the past year and has "officially" surpassed myself as the better pianist — particularly reading music, speed, complexity. It's impressive.

Anyway, he made the comment about how "grand" the piano sounded without any furniture in it and while I've added a few chairs, I've largely left it empty and converted it to a "music room" — including a full drum set courtesy of David Haskins.

I've now hosted a few different friends / musicians for various "jam sessions" over the past few months.

This song reminded me of some of these moments as it is certainly the most "jammy" song I came across this year. This is also perfect for any "summer playlist".

FAVORITE LYRIC:

Listen now you don't know what you've got
You left it to no choice what you got
What you got

All lyrics:

Don't you worry when the late stars at night
Light the way for sugar babies
I remember yesterday before their houses and their planes
Before they touched the hand of fate sugar babies

They want know how much they've changed
They wanna know how I feel about it
Do I think they seem the same
Or do I hear their voicеs talking to them

At the bar, don't forget lеs au revoirs les sugar babies
They saw me in the storefront standing still
They walked on by they couldn't chill
They'll say hello next time now maybe

Listen now you don't know what you've got
You left it to no choice what you got
What you got

Til that boy says where's your credentials
Now where's your credentials
Now where's your credentials
I want to know
Whoa
Whoa
I want to know

They wanna know how much they've changed
They wanna know how I feel about it
Do I think they look the same
Or do I hear their voices talking to them

Sayin where's your credentials
Now where's your credentials
Where's your credentials
I want to know
Whoa
Whoa

Hey

Whoa
Whoa

Whoa
Whoa

#
7

Pan and Broom - Eve Maret Remix

Bright Eyes

Liner Notes: 

Bright Eyes has made a bit of a comeback on the favorites over the past few years.

Oberst has gone a bit "electronic" with his latest projects, which I've appreciated.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

Out of the blue
Saw you fall down the stairs
It was me pushing you
Innocence
Tell me the truth
Is that blood on your hands
Or just chocolate and fruit?

All lyrics:

One, two, three
One, two, three

Out of the blue
Saw you fall down the stairs
It was me pushing you
Innocence
Tell me the truth
Is that blood on your hands
Or just chocolate and fruit?

That isn't what I heard
This world went down in flames and man-made caves
An island of lepers
That's no kind of place to stay

Came into view
I just fly through the light
Like the dust in the room
Reminisce
Walk through the zoo
And I sweep up my dreams
With a pan and a broom

Not sure what comes after
Life just went down a drain of rainy days
Way up in the rafters
I float where the organ fades

If it's not all that important then why make a fuss at all?

Just whistle a tune
While you're digging a grave
On a hot afternoon
Happiness
Left here too soon
With a map and a bag
On a plane to Tulum

Best medicine's laughter
What a practical joke we have to play
Let's wait for the rapture
Man the phone banks, we're talking snakes

If it's not all that important then why make a fuss at all?

"Michael, everything's under control"

#
8

On Division St

Nation of Language

Liner Notes: 

I was at Pitchfork this summer with my kids awaiting Bon Iver's set when "Nation of Language" started playing this song. It was like New Order and The Cure had band sex and gave birth to this trio — who are, quite predictably, from Brooklyn.

And no, Jenni (Grace's girlfriend) and I searched long and hard to figure out if they actually sampled New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" but it's merely a similar bass line and synth arpeggios.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

You buried me
Right where I belonged
And still I'm waiting there
I'm waiting there

All lyrics:

You buried me
Right where I belonged
You buried me
Right where I belonged
And still I'm waiting there
I'm waiting there
I'm waiting there

On Division Street

I would like to find the answers I was always rudely denied
I would like to find the answers I was always rudely denied

A song so sweet
From back when I was born
The loving creak
Of floorboards by the door
Hopeful I waited, hopeful I called
But no one would answer at all

On Division Street

I would like to find the answers I was always rudely denied
I would like to find the answers I was always rudely denied

On Division Street

On Division Street

I would like to find the answers I was always rudely denied
I would like to find the answers I was always rudely denied

#
9

Boyhood

The Japanese House

Liner Notes: 

A song about pretending.

A song about regret.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

I could have been somebody who
You wanted to have around to hold
I should have jumped when you told me to
I wanna change but it's nothing new

All lyrics:

I could have been somebody else
But I've been out looking for me
It doesn't matter what I tell myself
For a moment there I swear I saw me
I went to meet to somebody new
Changed beneath the evening light
And she held me kind of like you do
I hope you know

I could have been somebody who
You wanted to have around to hold
I should have jumped when you told me to
I wanna change but it's nothing new
And if I grow, I'm gonna get so old
Will you hold me like you always do?

I used to be somebody else
And I'm still out looking for me
I go out and try to chase myself
Find someone that might restore me
I could have been somebody new
And I'm talking to myself again
But I don't know who I'm talking to
I think it's you

I could have been somebody who
You wanted to have around to hold
I should have jumped when you told me to
I wanna change but it's nothing new
And if I grow, I'm gonna get so old
Will you hold me like you always do?

I could have been somebody who
You wanted to have around to hold
I should have jumped when you told me to
I wanna change but it's nothing new
And if I grow, I'm gonna get so old
Will you hold me like you always do?

#
10

Johnny Dang (with Paul Wall & DRODi)

That Mexican OT

Liner Notes: 

I mean... can you imagine someone rapping any faster?

FAVORITE LYRIC:

I'm just rhyming words I don't even know how to rap

All lyrics:

Tobi just do it
Ayo is that Mexican OT?
That good dope, got me, looking, just like Johnny Dang

Louis Vuitton umbrella when I walk through the rain
In the kitchen whipping chicken counting bread like Canes
Good dope got a Mexican looking like Johnny dang
Knee deep in muddy water still carrying my K
Right pocket got money left pocket cocaine
Bullet proof white Cadillac riding in a tank
Ima dirty bay baby from dirty bay with a dirty k
Slide down ya block light it up in flames

Chopping down the block while the lac doing jumping jacks
Smoking on a wood yellow timber like a lumberjack
Suppressor on a mac10 sounding like its bubblewrap
Throw the TV in the shower Ima give his ass a bubble bath
Yoppas and choppas lil bitch I got a whole lotta of that
With the steal imma kill yeh I got em falling back
Got me feeling like a baby just feening so where my bottle at?
I'm just rhyming words I don't even know how to rap
Every time they see me best believe I be flossed up
Got crossed up dick in the dirt then I bossed up
I be catching these plays, fuck around and get mossed up
I be eating the booty like salad get it tossed up
Pop trunk on a hater while we waving goodbye
I'm from Lonestar sipping lean with pecan pie
I don't play by respect for that we gon die
Time Is money so best believe Ima be on time

Louis Vuitton umbrella when I walk through the rain
In the kitchen whipping chicken counting bread like Canes
Good dope got a Mexican looking like Johnny dang
Knee deep in muddy water still carrying my K
Right pocket got money left pocket cocaine
Bullet proof white Cadillac riding in a tank
Ima dirty bay baby from dirty bay with a dirty k
Slide down ya block light it up in flames

In the lac smoked out
Long 4s poked out
Keep Ps in the drought
Getting money down south
Feeling like Johnny Dang
Got diamonds in my chain
Hit ya bitch in the guts with this big ol thang
I got ice on my neck like it's swollen
They cold than a bitch ya these diamonds look frozen
Real players get chose so you know that I be chosen
Got exotic in my pocket grab a slapwood and I roll it
I stay out the way don't be all in the mix
Call me for 7s don't call me for 6
I ain't selling no grams bitch come buy a zip
See the streets getting dry finna go and take a trip let's dip

Ay
Hold up wait a minute
If I get it then I spend it
When im in it can't pretend it
Keep it tinted with my business
Im relentless
Leave no witness
I got two rent houses and them bitches get rented
Bitch I been a boss for a minute

Louis Vuitton umbrella when I walk through the rain
In the kitchen whipping chicken counting bread like Canes
Good dope got a Mexican looking like Johnny dang
Knee deep in muddy water still carrying my K
Right pocket got money left pocket cocaine
Bullet proof white Cadillac riding in a tank
Ima dirty bay baby from dirty bay with a dirty k
Slide down ya block light it up in flames

I got ice all over my body looking like a snow man
Big rocks in the grill dancing like a slow jam
My chain so heavy I'm walking like an old man
Try me and you gone get tagged like a spray paint can
Smoking something from slow can I'm getting throwed
It's getting cold put on a coat my ice froze
Riding 4s I'm poking out on nice toes
Drive slow my trunk up and the lights glow
And I'm sitting so low to the ground I might scrape it
Nothing fake candy the paint I might flake it
Riding down 288 my top vacant
Thinking you gone run up on me then you mistaken
Getting baked braking em off leaving em stained
I came thru dripping a puddle you thought it rained
Everything flawless from the grills to the chain
I done spent lot of change now I'm looking like Johnny Dang

Louis Vuitton umbrella when I walk through the rain
In the kitchen whipping chicken counting bread like Canes
Good dope got a Mexican looking like Johnny dang
Knee deep in muddy water still carrying my K
Right pocket got money left pocket cocaine
Bullet proof white Cadillac riding in a tank
Ima dirty bay baby from dirty bay with a dirty k
Slide down ya block light it up in flames

#
11

Glorious Game

El Michels Affair

Liner Notes: 

A little shoutout to the "glory days" of playing games.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

Too abstract for y'all to retrace
You all would be safe but y'all are deep fake

Too fake for me to waste time
Too two-faced for me to say "Fine"

All lyrics:

Okay, I'm too Black for y'all to erase

Shoot too straight for y'all to replace

Too abstract for y'all to retrace

You all would be safe but y'all are deep fake


Too fake for me to waste time
Too two-faced for me to say "Fine"
I'm the one-man army, Ason


The baseline is we just ain't the same kind

Gloves and mask off, time to blast off

Baton I'll pass off, rhyme your ass off

If we clash, I'll haul the trash off

Then haul the cash off and ball in Nassau

That's all, it ain't too much talk

All y'all chumps, it ain't enough chalk

Y'all thought the name was just Thought?

C'mon, I'm too strong for y'all to cut short

You see light like mine once a lifetime

When some young gun becomes an icon

But somehow they'll cut down the flight time

Unless they send that heat down the pipeline

My mind is hard to explain

Call y'all all aboard for this train

I float like a nautilus, mane

Damn, I love this glorious game


Ahh, pimpin' ain't dead, baby
Mackin' ain't dead, baby, ooh, these are the glory days
Pimpin' ain't dead, baby
Mackin' ain't dead, baby, I swear, these are the glory days


I might put my fur on and talk my shit
I might put my game on and take your bitch
I might put my fur on and talk my shit (My shit)
I might put my game on and take your bitch


Okay, I'm proof that we all should get free

Direct from the streets of S.P.

Who alone tryna be the next thing

For real, I'm just tryna be the best me, so

No gas, I'm high in octane

Which icon am I if not flames?

Goddammit, guess who not lame

And locked the block down before the blockchain

Stop playin', the stakes is too high

Some say life's a trip, then you die


Patience brings all things in due time

If you's a real one, well, that's a true sign

My time the valuable kind

Take these words to rendezvous by

Y'all style on the comical side

I drive psychological vibes

Seekers, keep this close to your chest

Weakness killed this culture, more or less

Your projects is such a snorefest

No paycheck, just exit stage left

My grind is hard to explain

I contain one marvelous brain

I float like a nautilus, mane

Damn, I love this glorious game


Ahh, pimpin' ain't dead, baby
Mackin' ain't dead, baby, ooh, these are the glory days
Pimpin' ain't dead, baby
Mackin' ain't dead, baby, I swear, these are the glory days


I might put my fur on and talk my shit
I might put my game on and take your bitch
I might put my fur on and talk my shit (My shit)
I might put my game on and take your bitch


These are the glory days
These are the glory days


I might put my fur on and talk my shit
I might put my game on and take your bitch
I might put my fur on and talk my shit (I might put my fur on and talk my shit)
I might put my game on and take your bitch (I might put my game on and take your bitch)

#
12

Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?

McKinley Dixon

Liner Notes: 

While this isn't pure jazz per say, it's close.

And I've decided I need more jazz in my life.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

'Cause if the heart pulls the rest up at the seams
Then that fist gon' grip something that could tip the balance beam for his

Beloved, paradise, jazz

All lyrics:

Beloved, paradise, jazz
Beloved, paradise, jazz
Beloved, paradise, jazz (Keep my braids)
Beloved, paradise, jazz

Braids for the summer, I'm less likely to falter
Gold fingertips rusted, now the color has altered
Deny food from the hand, matriarch is insulted
The house is crumbling, hurry out the backdoor bolting
The rubble recently reset my bones
Black skin to concrete, within it I feel at home
Surrounded by all my niggas, it's a feeling I missed
I was once nothing and then suddenly I was fixed
One filled with so much heat, praise sun 'fore I hit the street
'Cause if I loosen grip a little, results finna be bleak, oh well
Light escaping, tryna grab it at the wrist
I was once nothing, then a heart sprang out from the fist
Hellish and unkempt, lungs filled with ragged breath
Open mouth to speak, pop that boy 'fore he can step
'Cause if the heart pulls the rest up at the seams
Then that fist gon' grip something that could tip the balance beam for his

Beloved, paradise, jazz (Yeah)
Beloved, paradise, jazz
Beloved, paradise, jazz
Beloved, paradise, jazz, jazz, jazz

The sun lends cracks to both sides of my eyes
My gums still black, how else you tell that I lie?
Showing off my canines, glow too bright for the reverend
And though they all go, me and dawg might see different heavens
Time alone has never once been a crutch
The worst thing for a god is you realizing they can be touched
Saw me aiming at the heavens, sun can't give me a kiss
'Cause blacker-the-berry less likely, when he shoot he gon' miss
Wake up

Held you with my arms, I barely felt the beating
This a side of my heart I ain't really shown too many seasons
Running up those stairs, tryna catch you right before you leavin'
I ain't make it, I guess it all gon' happen for a reason
As I stand up on the balcony and look to the ground
Money kept me moving but the heart wasn't found
When I was standing on the edge about to fall off that cliff
What kept me on was looking up and seeing my hand in your grip, my

Beloved, paradise, jazz, jazz
Beloved, paradise, jazz
Beloved, paradise, jazz, jazz
Beloved, paradise, jazz
Beloved, paradise, jazz (Jazz, jazz, jazz)
Beloved, paradise, jazz (Paradise, jazz, jazz)
Beloved, paradise, jazz (Jazz, paradise, paradise)
Beloved, paradise, jazz (Paradise, jazz)
Beloved, paradise, jazz (Jazz, Jazz)
Beloved, paradise, jazz

#
13

Born For Loving You

Big Thief

Liner Notes: 

It's sweet. It's catchy.

But don't be fooled, it's a setup.

(see their follow-up on the next playlist)

FAVORITE LYRIC:

When the hard times come and the hard times stay
When they stick around and won't go away
When it seems there's nothing you can do or say
Nowhere you can turn

From the last breath of my first death
To this lifetime and lifetimes left
Congratulations, no regrets
It's true

I was born for loving you

All lyrics:

After the first stars formed, after the dinos fell
After the first light flickered outta this motel
1991, momma pushing like hell
Tangled in blood and vine

From my first steps to my first words
To waddling around looking at birds
To the teenage nightmare, mine and yours
Thank God we made it through

'Cause I was born for loving you
Just something I was made to do
Doesn't matter what dreams come true
I was born for loving you

Now we're here, but where is here?
Sometimes we both disappear
Into that shadow box of fear
That tiny old abyss

From the first kiss to the first fuck
I don't think it's just good luck
Take me to the back of your pick-up truck
Show me a thing or two

'Cause I was born for loving you
That's just something I was made to do
Doesn't matter what dreams come true
I was born for loving you

When the hard times come and the hard times stay
When they stick around and won't go away
When it seems there's nothing you can do or say
Nowhere you can turn

From the last breath of my first death
To this lifetime and lifetimes left
Congratulations, no regrets
It's true

I was born for loving you
That's just something I was made to do
Doesn't matter what dreams come true
I was born for loving you

Just something I was made to do
Doesn't matter what dreams come true
I was born for loving you

#
14

Hunter

Jess Williamson

Liner Notes: 

What an opening line...

FAVORITE LYRIC:

It's a life of delusion and love is the cure
Remember when it was for fun and for free?
All of my visions they danced around me
When you're young you'll live through Hell for the dream
But Hell is a real place

All lyrics:

I've been thrown to the wolves and they ate me raw
Worked both sides at the Shangri-La
Thrown back a few more and I mopped up the floors
It's a life of delusion and love is the cure
Remember when it was for fun and for free?
All of my visions they danced around me
When you're young you'll live through Hell for the dream
But Hell is a real place

I want a mirror not a piece of glass
We went a hundred down the highway
I been known to move a little fast
I'm a hunter for the real thing
My love is pure as the Universe
Honest as an ashtray
Baby it's fine, I'da blown your mind
But I guess I'm gonna give you space

Beautiful people, eternally young
City of Angels gets stuck in your lungs
So I don't check the weather in Texas no more
I just close my eyes
When you walk as a woman whose only known love
It's easy to miss the signs
You bowed down to me like I was sent from above
But who's in your bed tonight?

I want a mirror not a piece of glass
We went a hundred down the highway
I been known to move a little fast
I'm a hunter for the real thing
My love is pure as the Universe
Honest as an ashtray
Baby it's fine, I'da blown your mind
But I guess I'm gonna give you space

I want a mirror not a piece of glass
We went a hundred down the highway
I been known to move a little fast
I'm a hunter for the real thing
My love is pure as the Universe
Honest as an ashtray
Baby it's fine, I'da blown your mind
But I guess I'm gonna give you space
Baby it's fine, I'da blown your mind
But I guess I'm gonna give you space

#
15

Charm You

Samia

Liner Notes: 

I think this is Samia's third year in a row to make the favorites. This one almost got left off, but Emily reminded me about it!

She's gone a smidge pop-py on this album, but I apparently can't complain amidst my own curations this year.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

I don't wanna charm anyone this time
I don't wanna make anybody mine
Mostly it's just I don't wanna end up crying

All lyrics:

Getting all lit up about the outdoor malls
Baby, let me show you the synthetic pond
Couldn't we believe it was the hand of god
Making water boogie to a Ke$ha song?

You are so disarming with your honest smile
Tepidly confessing that you swallowed a fly
I just saw my whole life flash before your eyes
And I don't wanna charm anyone this time

Ooh, ooh
Ooh

Kissing you'd be kissing on the USA
I'd be so afraid of what your daddy'd say
I could fetishize you for the whole damn day
Flying while I'm lying that I hate LA

What if we could shut up for an hour or two?
Quiet, memorizing what the people do
Wouldn't have to try and find myself in you
I don't wanna charm you
I don't wanna make you mine

Half life of my mystifying
Isn't long enough for trying
I don't wanna charm anyone this time
I don't wanna make anybody mine
Mostly it's just I don't wanna end up crying
I don't wanna charm you

I don't wanna charm you
I don't wanna charm you
I don't wanna charm you

#
16

Time To Pretend

Charlie Hickey

Liner Notes: 

This year's namesake is a cover of MGMT's fantastical original of the same name, which is arguably one of the best "summer songs"of all time. And it did make the annual favorites back in 2007.

As the story goes, this song was intended to be a throw-away song — the (once upon a time) college band's parody of life post-college (a.k.a. "Time to Pretend").

This cover done by Charlie Hickey stayed on the rotation throughout the year — maybe because it somehow retains its playful and captivating essence amidst being stripped down.

Or maybe because it's light-hearted construct actually hits a little too close to home?

FAVORITE LYRIC:

I'll miss my sister, miss my father
Miss my dog and my home
Yeah, I'll miss the boredom and the freedom
And the time spent alone

There is really nothing, nothing we can do
Love must be forgotten, life can always start up anew
...
We're fated to pretend

All lyrics:

I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw
In the prime of my life
Let's make some music, make some money
Find some models for wives
I'll move to Paris, shoot some heroin
And fuck with the stars
You man the island and the cocaine
And the elegant cars

This is our decision, to live fast and die young
We've got the vision, now let's have some fun
Yeah, it's overwhelming, but what else can we do?
Get jobs in offices and wake up for the morning commute?
Forget about our mothers and our friends

We're fated to pretend

I'll miss the playgrounds and the animals
And diggin' up worms
I'll miss the comfort of my mother
And the weight of the world
I'll miss my sister, miss my father
Miss my dog and my home
Yeah, I'll miss the boredom and the freedom
And the time spent alone

There is really nothing, nothing we can do
Love must be forgotten, life can always start up anew
The models will have children, we'll get a divorce
Find some more models, everything must run its course
We'll choke on our vomit and that will be the end

We're fated to pretend
(I say yeah, yeah, yeah)
We're fated to pretend

#
17

Party of the Century

Katy Kirby

Liner Notes: 

Apparently Katy asked her band to make the track like an Ed Sheeran song.

They refused.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

'Cause baby, you're a time-bound entity event, like me
And we're the party of the century
That makes you like a sunset
That makes you like a snowstorm
That makes you like a drought
That makes you like a war

All lyrics:

You think it's ethically suspicious
To bring someone into a world like this
But you've got the best smile anyone could ask to inherit
And baby, I know you're so good with kids
You're my worst survival strategy
Last safety match I've got to light up
Happy anniversary, I'm happy as I'll ever be
And I still wanna make love in this club

I've been stealing pies from windowsills
Double-triple backflip off the high dive
Bribing you back to me with sugar cubes
But is that really such a crime?

'Cause baby, you're a time-bound entity event, like me
And we're the party of the century
That makes you like a sunset
That makes you like a snowstorm
That makes you like a drought
That makes you like a war

#
18

Every Day Like the Last

Wye Oak

Liner Notes: 

This is the second appearance of Wye Oak on the favorites (the first being "AEIOU" in 2020).

It's an interesting question.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

Did you really want to live a life every day like the last?

All lyrics:

It might be true
It might be easier for me, if not for you
I might be free
To live a life of some prolonged tranquility

Alone with my thoughts
My mind can do its wandering
A bed to die in

Did you really want to live a life every day like the last?
To make a trade of future promise for a hopeless past

Forget what you know
Afraid of what you want the most
A living ghost

Everyday like the last
Everyday like the last
Everyday like the last
Everyday like the last

#
19

Soft Landing

billy woods, Kenny Segal

Liner Notes: 

while billy woods caught the attention of a broader audience for this year's Maps album, he's no stranger to the hip-hop scene. in fact, billy woods is considered a legend in underground hip-hop.

the entire album is worth the listen — if for anything, the (seemingly) adhoc style in which woods writes. but don't be fooled. woods' intelligence runs deep — which, in part, trickled down from his parents who were both highly educated (i.e. his father was a phd marxist and prominent in zimbabwe's liberation war to independence).

in other words, this track may seem like a casual take on a "soft landing" but it is immersed with social commentary, biography, lyrical dissonance, and various nods — one of which is nina simon's "feeling good" throughout the refrain.

and if you're wondering, yes... "billy woods" is an all lowercase kind of guy.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

The worst people'll wiggle out the rubble
Maybe "Suicidal Thoughts" was the "Everyday Struggle"
For a brief, sweet, moment it was nothing in the thought bubble
From up here the lakes is puddles
The land unfold brown and green, it's a quiet puzzle

All lyrics:

Excuse me, uh, on those drinks?

It's 2:1:1 on the daiquiris
It ruins the whole day when my baby mother mad at me
Spliff could prolly jump your car battery
Birds-of-paradise in the menagerie
A single death is a tragedy, but eggs make omelets
Statistics how he look at war casualties
Killin' is one thing, what sticks is how casually
Nonchalant, 5 in the morning, what I grew up on

God bless this sweet home, my beloved heart
124 bluestone crouched on thin haunch
While I get dome from the living
Conch fritters crispin' in the kitchen

Grew gaunt in prison
My own warden, celly, and superintendent
Flaunt flagrant disassociation
Dissonant cadence
Free political dissidents from they cages
But leave 'em open
We got lists of names, pages and pages
Wouldn't want to waste the space the previous regime gave us

This message is to inform you your service will be suspended
For non-payment
Midnight ravens
Head in the loud clouds, both feet on the fuckin' pavement

Birds flyin' high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on, you know how I feel
Birds flyin' high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on, you know how I feel

My daily routine narrated by an Attenborough
Over the instrumental to "Keep It Thoro"
My chain banged glass ceilings, Joe Burrow
When the contract came, white man read while I sit, brow furrowed
Rappers leant out
2nd Amendment with the beam
It worked for William Burroughs
It could be nuclear winter with an earthquake

The worst people'll wiggle out the rubble
Maybe "Suicidal Thoughts" was the "Everyday Struggle"
For a brief, sweet, moment it was nothing in the thought bubble
From up here the lakes is puddles
The land unfold brown and green, it's a quiet puzzle
Before we take off, I call mom and say, "I love you"
Complimentary beverages
When we land, I text my ex and say-

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Amsterdam where the local time is 6:30
Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened until the signs have been switched off
Any devices for messaging, calls, or internet access must remain switched off until-

Birds flyin' high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on, you know how I feel
Birds flyin' high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on, you know how I feel

-Smoking area
We hope you enjoyed your flight today and we thank you for choosing easyJet
On behalf of the captain-

#
20

Mayors A Cop

MIKE, wiki, The Alchemist

Liner Notes: 

So, I got arrested this year.

Not a statement I ever thought I'd write here or anywhere else for that matter.

Interestingly enough, when it has come up with friends and/or acquaintances — most feel the need to keep it quiet and/or avoid the matte — presuming I don't want anyone to know. I've thought about it, and I guess I just don't really care one way or another what other people know and/or think about me — particularly related to this incident.

I'll attempt to keep this as brief as possible, but all of of this went down the night of our first open house (March 2023) for Subourbon — the new private whisky bar I helped open this year. My business partner (Eric Schlickman) and I had very little sleep the prior two nights — staying up painting and getting the space ready. After the opening I drove about 40 minutes north to a birthday party for a friend of mine. And on my way back home, I struggled to keep my eyes open for the long drive.

Side note: I do own a Tesla, with autodrive, that most presume drives you whether you are asleep or not. But, Tesla will not drive if you aren't paying attention or have your eyes closed. But regardless, I was too tired to be driving and should not have made the long drive. No question - this was on me.

Anyway, the moment the car arrived at the house, it parked itself (on the street) and I subsequently fell asleep for a few minutes. Of course, the officer asked me if I had been drinking. And while I did have a few drinks over the course of the evening, I did not think I had too much to drive.

Now, to be fair... I almost always get asked if I've been drinking or if I'm high when I get pulled over anyway as "apparently" I look stoned all the time.

But long "short story" shorter, I took a field sobriety test and believed to have passed it easily, but the officer started aggressively questioning and threatening me and subsequently decided to arrest me on my front lawn (via 3 other officers) when I challenged his questions.

The whole point of me telling you this story is that the moment I was tackled to the ground, with my shoulder hitting the curb, and a knee on my back — I couldn't help but wonder how this would be going down if I was a black man, not in Glen Ellyn, and not in my own front yard.

And while I have no means of truly understanding what it means to be black in this country, for just a moment, I got a glimpse. I got to witness what it was like to feel judged from the onset, what it's like to have a reasonable conversation escalate very quickly, what it's like come face-to-face with someone abusing their authority and power (IMO).

I did take a breathalyzer. I was under the limit. I was still kept in jail for 3 hours. I was then asked to take a drug test. No drugs in my system. And yet I still spent almost 8 months and a LOT of money fighting the charges that remained in spite of these results.

This song is referencing the complicated and conflicting realities that often exist in our political and/or justice system. And I can, without a doubt, vouch for this, but not necessarily because of my arrest. Rather, I can speak to it based on the numerous court cases I had the opportunity to witness throughout this process. At one point, I counted 75 people that were going before the same judge I would be addressing. 72 of the people were black or brown skinned. 3 of them (one being me) were white.

The worst part of it was realizing that I was going to get out of it — and not just because the case was bullshit (I'm sure plenty of the other cases were too). But because I had the means and resources to get out of it.

This story doesn't fix the problem. And this song doesn't fix it either.

But I can tell you I think and act differently about the matter(s) now. And I hope that a greater awareness comes to us all — however this may show up in each of our lives.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

The mayor's a cop, the blues quadrupled up
The block is hot, shit, this how they chose to use the guap
With this amount of human laws
Could've been for schools or parks

All lyrics:

The mayor's a cop, the blues quadrupled up
The block is hot, shit, this how they chose to use the guap
With this amount of human laws
Could've been for schools or parks
Coats in the winter and the summer something to cool 'em off
Food and warmth 'cause once the leaves on the trees start falling off
People want me heat to keep their ears from falling off
Temperature dropped then back up to the top
From the deepest BK block back up to the Bronx
What you wanna hurry back for? Ain't journey that far
Nah, not getting off 'til the very last stop

And they appear as lost, the air is mad hot
I be mixing, quickly staring off, bearing mad 'grabb
Shit be busy with them scary thoughts, fear to ask God
I be thinking who gon' take the ball, don't care for mascots
Me and Wik' we 'bout to take it all, the years padlock
Just listen, this shit could break the fall
Be your last try on this mission
Shit be taking long and be the bad guys, baby villain
Finna break the walls and free the chastised, my nigga
We really in this, deeper than rap lines
The spliff it make my brain dissolve and even pass time

Even so Jesus know I needed that line
Weeded out my ego but, no, he can't lie
Only half the time it's only right, I need to have pride
While I laugh, cry trying to balance out both sides
If I capsized or if I go drought dry
Walk out the desert a martyr, the water baptized
From where I'm at, I must've been a'ight in my last life
That's right when I'm thrown back in the cast iron
City that's mine, they ask "Why? Wiki that's lies"
Ask MIKE, his songs be rallying up all sides

Nigga, trust, yeah, we having a bunch, the talk right
From the jump when you battle with trust, the fall high
But it's up, I done swam through the mud and tall times
Remember first lil' batch of that buzz, I called mom
It's your son, giving back for that love in a dark time
Too above it, too attached to that ruckus and hard grind
Gettin' numb, too much gas in my muzzle to guard pride
All them months through that map like I'm puzzled, bizarre rhyme
I stay in touch trying to tackle these struggles and scarred mind
All this bludgeon in my memory muscles and archive
It be tough, we be banking on luck for long life
When they ask me why I give it so much, we on ice

Must've thought it was dust, I lost sight
Saw a light on the darkest of nights, I caught fire
And know we calling your bluff, no off nights
Jaw tight, on the move for my blood, we hardwired
And, son, you could do it for hype, it's alright
All while we gon' do it for love, not titles
It's true, that's how I grew from them cuts and shark bites
War crimes when we loot for the bucks, the guap vital
Lot of people on my side need a piece of the pie
Slice lead to suffices that's why I'm not idle
That's why I be deep in the crisis, just tryna keep the lies
Stop deceiving when you know that's not like you

#
21

Petrichor

Kipp Stone

Liner Notes: 

The song "Petrichor" by Kipp Stone is a track from his album "66689 BLVD Prequel," which showcases some of his most personal work to date. The album, including "Petrichor," represents Stone's introspective journey, focusing on his internal world and emotional landscape. The lyrics of "Petrichor" delve into themes of self-reflection, the complexity of human emotions, and the search for clarity amidst life's challenges. Stone's approach to this album was notably unique, as much of it was freestyled, and he recorded the entire project by himself, emphasizing a deeply personal and introspective process. This approach allowed Stone to explore and express his thoughts and feelings in an unfiltered manner, contributing to the raw and authentic vibe of the track and the album as a whole.

The concept behind "66689 BLVD Prequel" is about Stone striving to become the best version of himself, using insights from his life and "unofficial" therapy sessions to navigate his path. The album signifies a journey of self-discovery and improvement, where Stone metaphorically "kills" off parts of himself and others that hold him back, aiming to adopt only the positive traits that push him toward his ideal self. The narrative of the album is a reflection on personal growth, with "Petrichor" fitting into this larger theme of introspection and evolution.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

Dead in the water
'Cause we ain't like we were before, yeah
Lock up your sons and daughters
There's no one left to trust no more
I'm caught in your spiral in Petrichor
Ready for revival
I wanna be reborn

All lyrics:

I wanna be reborn

Petrichor on the floor of your mind
I'm sorry for this pain I caused
The rain I left behind
Petrichor, we're left paralysed
A battlefield of vortex we shattered from the fight

I've got an ache in my heart
Can't fix this hole in my head
Didn't think we could restart
Maybe we're better off dead

Dead in the water
'Cause we ain't like we were bеfore, yeah
Lock up your sons and daughters
Thеre's no one left to trust no more
I'm caught in your spiral
Can't find the cure
Ready for revival
I wanna be reborn

Suffocating, living in regret
Medicate me 'til there's nothing left ('til there's nothing left)
A perfect storm for suicide
A look into the other side
Tear me apart and I'll paint the walls red (I'll paint the walls red)

I've got an ache in my heart
Can't fix this hole in my heart
Didn't think we could restart
Maybe we're better off dead

Dead in the water
'Cause we ain't like we were before, yeah
Lock up your sons and daughters
There's no one left to trust no more
I'm caught in your spiral
Can't find the cure
Ready for revival
I wanna be reborn
I wanna be reborn

Wake up from your slumber at the gates of Hell
Break the lock and burn down your cell
The earth is quiet but the Mother's well
Internalise your healing
Eye of the storm will let it pass
Pick up the pieces, broken glass
Rain will fall but grow the grass

I wanna be reborn

Dead in the water
'Cause we ain't like we were before, yeah
Lock up your sons and daughters
There's no one left to trust no more
I'm caught in your spiral in Petrichor
Ready for revival
I wanna be reborn
I wanna be reborn

#
22

I Bend But Never Break (feat. Brittany Howard)

Rob Moose, Brittany Howard

Liner Notes: 

The first of two collaboration songs by "Rob Moose" — this one with the talented Brittany Howard.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

I've been softened by kindness
Humbled by sorrow
I've felt deserted

I'm not finished
But fear will never stop me
I am not without worry
But that will never stop me

All lyrics:

I bend but never break
I am not finished
The fear will never stop me
To reach up
I will define strength divine
To figure this world out
It seems so big in this experience
It'w enough to blow me down

I bend but never break
I straighten my back
I breathe in deep
Here I am, in me
I crawl, I weep
I pray, I try again
I lift my head, I raise my chin
I crawl, I cry
I bend but I never break

I've been softened by kindness
Humbled by sorrow
I've felt deserted

I'm not finished
But fear will never stop me
I am not without worry
But that will never stop me

This world has tried to hold me down
I bend but never break

I bend but never shall I break

#
23

Watchman

Gregory Alan Isakov

Liner Notes: 

I "think" this is Isakov's first appearance on the favorites. He's been recommended to me over the years and I never quite found a song that I wanted to listen to multiple times (one of my litmus tests). However, this one kept my attention for whatever reason(s)... Not so much the obvious metaphor Isakov is playing with here, but the idea of a love being "untested" and "never rested" certainly prompted questions.

The outro was familiar to me.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

So take me however I seem to be, haunted I know
Our love got lost out there
Arm in arm, we'll light our torches
And search the fields behind the houses
Our love is hungry and cold

All lyrics:

Our love was untested, never rested
Slipping through our city fingers
Always dressed up, but never picked up
Watch every headlight cruising past our door

Oh oh oh
Who's gonna pick us up?
Oh oh oh
The night is starting to ache
Oh oh oh
Who's holding the reins?
Oh oh oh

And that sonar satellite that sings to us in Universe
We're just hard stone but so easily broken
Like crumbling ruins off the coast of Spain

Oh oh oh
I'll keep watch tonight
Oh oh oh
When the coyote come
Oh oh oh
I'll be your watchman
Oh oh oh
While they're just flashes
They're just flashes

So take me however I seem to be, haunted I know
Our love got lost out there
Arm in arm, we'll light our torches
And search the fields behind the houses

Oh oh oh
Our love is hungry and cold
Oh oh oh
Here in the first snow
Oh oh oh
Leave a trail of stones
Oh oh oh
So we can make it back
Oh oh oh
Our love is hungry and cold
Oh oh oh
Our love is hungry

#
24

Tide

The Antlers

Liner Notes: 

Speaking of Kelly... she introduced me to The Antlers a decade ago. This song stayed on rotation late-summer / early-fall this year.

I can appreciate its open-posture for the uncontrollable forces that shape our existence.

It's patient... it swells in and out... like a tide. :)

FAVORITE LYRIC:

I was young when the water was rising
But didn't drown
Every tumbling wave capsizing
Knocked me around
That was the first time I learned that
Time and tide wait for no one

All lyrics:

Time and tide wait for no one
Wait for no one
Wait for no one

I was young when the water was rising
But didn't drown
Every tumbling wave capsizing
Knocked me around
That was the first time I learned that

Time and tide wait for no one
Wait for no one
Wait for no one

I got stuck when the water receded
Dropped in the sand
It was tempting to read as defeated
Throw up my hands
But I was once more reminded

Time and tide wait for no one
Wait for no one
Wait for no one

Staring out from the edge of erosion
At what the tide took back
Floating off where the moon meets the ocean
Whatever I lack, well I'm not swimming out after it

Time and tide wait for no one
Wait for no one
Wait for no one
Time and tide wait for no one
Wait for no one
Wait for no one
Time and tide wait for no one
Wait for no one
Wait for no one
Time and tide wait for no one
Wait for no one
Wait for no one

Time and tide wait for no one
Wait for no one
Wait for no one

#
25

Stupid Idiot

Kelly Reed

Liner Notes: 

A couple of years ago, I walked into the studio with Kelly (formerly i.e. kokoro) and Brok Mende (of Chicago-based "Friends of Friends Studio") to help produce this album. It's not the first time I had the opportunity to collaborate with Kelly, but this one was my favorite.

Kelly has many talents... mesmerizing vocals, creative composition, and one of the best lyricists / writers I've encountered — the latter of which is true outside of music as well. And, she can be quite funny (sometimes).

This is the first of two songs in this year's compilation.

"Stupid idiot" is an internal struggle — a roller-coaster of emotion and thought that you are sure to experience here.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

Stupid idiot
Now you've made your bed
You've done all the damage you can do
So take some time and think it through again
You're a marionette
Do a dance so they can't penetrate
The darkest day
The deepest game

All lyrics:

Stupid idiot
You've done it again
You had time to make it right
But then you put our hope in foxholes
You forget
You're a statuette
In a city where they feast on bullets
Buying time where you can't pay the rent

Stupid idiot
Now you've made your bed
You've done all the damage you can do
So take some time and think it through again
You're a marionette
Do a dance so they can't penetrate
The darkest day
The deepest game

When they put you in the hospital that night
And they tried to clip your ankle
What a sight to behold!

Stupid idiot
Are you better yet
Can you make it out alive
Or will you quit just like you always have?
Will they notice when
Your trail's gone cold
The city sounds will tell your story, then.

#
26

What Was I Made For? [From the Motion Picture "Barbie"]

Billie Eilish

Liner Notes: 

I was predominantly a fringe admirer of Billie and Phineas until I got to experience the duo (and they really are a duo) at Lollapalooza this summer. Here's what surprised me...

Their chemistry. Her energy. And... her energy.

Speaking of being a bit surprised, how about that Barbie movie?

Billie debuted this song at Lolla that evening and a perfect fit for "Time to Pretend".

FAVORITE LYRIC:

Think I forgot how to be happy
Something I'm not, but something I can be
Something I wait for
Something I'm made for

All lyrics:

I used to float, now I just fall down
I used to know but I'm not sure now
What I was made for
What was I made for?

Takin' a drive, I was an ideal
Looked so alive, turns out I'm not real
Just something you paid for
What was I made for?

'Cause I, I
I don't know how to feel
But I wanna try
I don't know how to feel
But someday, I might
Someday, I might

When did it end? All the enjoyment
I'm sad again, don't tell my boyfriend
It's not what he's made for
What was I made for?

'Cause I, 'cause I
I don't know how to feel
But I wanna try
I don't know how to feel
But someday I might
Someday I might

Think I forgot how to be happy
Something I'm not, but something I can be
Something I wait for
Something I'm made for
Something I'm made for

#
27

To Be Enchanted (Voice Memo)

Sleeping at Last

Liner Notes: 

One of the most surreal and "worlds-colliding" moment I had this past year was hosting Ryan (a.k.a. "Sleeping at Last") at Subourbon (the private whisky bar I helped open this past April). This show was somewhat of a "dip-his-toes" back into live performance test for Ryan, who has largely refrained from performing for live for over 10 years.

It's been a little strange writing about Ryan over the years. The first time came in 2003 with the release of Ghosts, when we were not yet friends. But over the years, Ryan has become one of my closest friends — one that has supported me through many life stages and changes, including "this one."

But these past two years have been incredibly difficult for Ryan as well, who recently lost his mother unexpectedly. Ryan and his mom had the sweetest mother-son relationship I've ever witnessed. This song is from his EP Mother — dedicated to his mom, who happened to also be his manager and best friend, Kim O'Neil.

Occasionally, Ryan sends me a track to help vet the medley for any unconscious similarities that may be out there. When he sent it to me, it was an actual "voice memo". I responded that I didn't recognize anything, but he needs to release the track "as is" (in voice memo form). I'd like to think this release was my idea, but he "claims" he was already going to release it this way! ::rolled-eyes-emoji::

FAVORITE LYRIC:

I've never related more to anything or anyone before
I can't explain it

All lyrics:

I believe I've seen a ghost and I don't know who it is
It just follows me around, pretending to exist
I've never related more to anything or anyone before
I can't explain it

I see longing in its eyes
I can't quite put my finger on it
There's just something about its face that makes me sad
It's as much afraid as it's haunted

I've never related more to anything or anyone before
I can't explain it

Politely, I asked, "Are you real?"
It said, "Here, let me prove it"
It placed its hand in my hand
Neither one of us could feel it
"Don't kill the messenger", it begged
"You're alive, quit acting like you're dead"
Like a mirror, it spoke so clear
"Don't you recognize the reason why you're here?"

"To be enchanted

To be enchanted"

#
28

Love / Lover / Friend

Caroline Rose

Liner Notes: 

Sorting out "who we are" on our own is tough. Sorting out who we are in the midst of another relationship, healthy or otherwise, can make it even harder. This is, in part, due to our tendency to want to make matters either/or. And I'm not sure it's that simple.

We are not a lot of things.

We are a lot of things.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

I'm not a rag doll
With which you can always play
I'm not a house key
A key that you can always change

I am your love
I am your lover
I am your friend

All lyrics:

I'm not your mother
I'm not your brother
I am not your son

I'm not your keeper
Your debt collector
I am not a puppeteer pulling strings

I'm not a rag doll
With which you can always play
I'm not a house key
A key that you can always change

I am your love
I am your lover
I am your friend
Your friend

Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, oh
Yeah, oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah

#
30

The Parting Glass

Boy Genius, Ye Vagabonds

Liner Notes: 

Speaking of Ireland...

This track is not from Boy Genius' recent, highly acclaimed, record... the record. (Stay tuned for that feature.)

Rather, this is tribute song to the late Sinead O'Conner, who covered the traditional Scottish/Irish hymn back in 2002.

"The Parting Glass'" history goes back to the fifteenth century and was sung in tandem with serving a guest a "parting glass" before they headed out on their travels. Kind of like a modern day "roadie" you could say.

I think I'm going to have Emily and I learn on the piano and we'll start making this the "last call" song at Subourbon.

And in the spirit of the song, this feels like the appropriate place to close this chapter.

FAVORITE LYRIC:

Of all the comrades that e'er I've had
They are sorry for my going away
And of all the sweethearts that e'er I've had
Would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call

Good night and joy be with you all

All lyrics:

Of all the money that e'er I spent
I spent it in good company
And of all the harm that e'er I've done
Alas, it was to none but me
For all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall

So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

Oh, if I had money enough to spend
And leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town
Who surely has my heart beguiled
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
I own, she has my heart enthralled

So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

Of all the comrades that e'er I've had
They are sorry for my going away
And of all the sweethearts that e'er I've had
Would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call

Good night and joy be with you all
Good night and joy be with you all

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