30-Day Song Challenge: Day 25

DAY TWENTY-FIVE: Song I Like by an Artist No Longer Living

Amy Winehouse – Some Unholy War

I was devastated when Amy died. Her discography wasn’t as massive as many other artists before here because of her untimely death, but to choose one song by her is difficult, to say the least. ‘Some Unholy War’ is top 5 for sure. Amy always sang about love and this song became one of the strongest testaments to love being given that I know of. Loyalty, trust, and dedication is what love means to me, and that’s exactly what she sings about in this song.

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 24

DAY TWENTY-FOUR: Song by a Band I Wish was Still Together

NSYNC – Gone

I was always a Backstreet Boys fan when it came to the debate of the boy bands in the 90’s, but after hearing the acapella version of ‘Gone’ randomly scroll across my iPod one day, my whole life changed. The way those boys harmonized, you would’ve thought that they were a young Boys II Men. The physical music of the track really does the song no justice. To be able to hear them do that again would make me so happy!

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 23

DAY TWENTY-THREE: Song I Think Everyone Should Listen to

Noname (feat. Saba, Smino, Phoelix) – Shadow Man

This song touches on a subject that we all must face one day, our deaths. But it’s more significant because every artist on the song is a young black person talking about their funerals. One wouldn’t imagine a person thinking of their funerals at such a young age, but in this America, it has become commonplace. Lives lost too soon by the systematic oppression and violence from the days of slavery up to now is what this song represents, and it stands as a prayer for those who we’ve lost. Everyone should give it a listen.

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 22

DAY TWENTY-TWO: Song that Moves Me Forward

Rudimental (feat. Emeli Sandé) – Free

The first time I heard this song was during one of the more difficult times in my life. I was trying to adjust to leaving my hometown, my friends and family, and my boyfriend. Moving would be beneficial for my career, but it weighed heavily on my spirit. Emeli Sandé’s voice literally melted away most of those fears. It’s a song about having doubts regarding everything yet staying true to oneself, and in turn being free because of it. It has gotten me through many a tough day.

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 21

DAY TWENTY-ONE: Song I Like with a Person’s Name in the Title

How can anyone choose one song for this category? I find it nearly impossible. When names are added to titles, somehow it just feels more personal. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll never find my name in a song title unless the artist is a friend. But when you hear names, it’s as though you get a personal peek into the artist’s life with the said person.

Dolly Parton – Jolene

When Dolly Parton sang to Jolene, begging her not to take her man, I could see myself crooning right beside her (Why would you do that Jolene? She’s asking you nicely!). Dolly has a voice that rings out and demands attention, some much so that she gave the name Jolene a new appeal to me.

Elton John – Bennie and the Jets 

I was obsessed with ‘Bennie and the Jets’ from the moment I heard it in its entirety. I loved the stutter of the name Bennie. I loved the added artificial audience noise given to the track for a live feel. And I loved the futuristic woman that Elton John sang about.

Rick James – Mary Jane

I remember ‘Mary Jane’ from my childhood, but it didn’t hold any real significance to me until college… when I realized that I was in love with Mary Jane as well. I mean, he did say that he knew that he wasn’t the only one who loved her. And I loved Mary Jane for the same reasons that James did, making the song so much more relatable.

Prince – Darling Nikki

Darling Nikki was probably the first song that I immediately knew was about sex (and I used to sing along to Ginuwine’s ‘Pony’). It felt sexy, even before I watched Prince perform it in Purple Rain. Nikki seemed to be a bad bitch and I really wanted to be able to command the attention of men like Prince as she did, I think I still do. I use it as my confidence-song; whenever I want to turn my inner sex kitten on, I listen to ‘Darling Nikki.’ And even more interesting, THIS SONG was the reason that record labels had to start using warning labels on albums that contained explicit content.

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 20

DAY TWENTY: Song that has Many Meanings to Me

Lauryn Hill – Forgive Them Father

Although today’s song and yesterday’s song speak on the topic of forgiveness, Ms. Hill pointed out that people are selfish and stupid. There are backstabbers and cruel people in this world, and although we may forgive them, that doesn’t mean they won’t pay for their transgressions. It stands as a song of karmic justice. Some people wear two-faces and sometimes that ends with you being betrayed by them, but those who do wrong by you will always end up reaping what they sow. I.e. Cain and Abel, Caesar and Brutus, and Jesus and Judas.

Maybe Hill is also asking God not to be too heavy with His punishment, for they know not what they do…

30-Day Song Challenge: Day 19

DAY NINETEEN: Song that Makes Me Think about Life

India.Arie – Wings of Forgiveness

This song is all about forgiveness and learning to forgive. I think that’s one of life’s biggest lessons. I know that if I could forgive more people, and forgiven others sooner than I chose to, life would’ve been different for me – probably better. India.Arie’s Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship is all about the lessons that she learned up through the years of her life that influenced those songs. To me, it reads – or sounds – like personal advice from a close friend.

I mean, if Nelson Mandela could forgive his oppression, if Gandhi could forgive persecution, and if Jesus could forgive crucifixion, we can all forgive others for the wrong that they’ve done.