Listen here | Download here written by Karen Hogg When I committed to organizing The Murder Ballad Project at the beginning of 2019, I intuitively knew that I needed a song that encapsulated my reasons for doing the project in… Read More... "Songs That Matter | Something’s Wrong"
Nothing in life is linear. If a line is the shortest distance between two points, that line is only visible in hindsight. When you’re in the weeds, only able to see five feet in front of you, the path can… Read More... "Songs That Matter | In Pursuit of Morning"
Noah Baerman, “Cliff Palace” written by Noah Baerman Sometimes I’m asked where I find inspiration for music, and the answer varies pretty widely. When I’m most lucky, the feeling that compels me to compose something is so clear in its… Read More... "Songs That Matter | Cliff Palace"
William DeVaughn, “Be Thankful for What You Got” Read More... "Songs That Matter | Be Thankful for What You Got"
Bob Dylan, “Hurricane” Listen here | Download here written by Ed McKeon Pistol shots rang out in the barroom night It could be the first line of an eighteenth-century murder ballad, but it’s not. More than any songwriter, Bob Dylan… Read More... "Songs That Matter | Hurricane"
SZA, “Supermodel” Listen here | Download here written by Marquis “Mr. Qwes” Johnson Our worst selves in the most beautiful form. A haunting yet beautiful guitar riff introduces this song. It’s somehow comforting and unsettling all at once. I wait… Read More... "Songs That Matter | Supermodel"
Randy Newman, “Sail Away” Listen here | Download here written by Richard Kamins I’ve listened to music all my life, grew up on AM radio at a time when a good tube radio could pick up AM stations up and… Read More... "Songs That Matter | Sail Away"
The Stylistics, “People Make the World Go Round” Listen here | Download here written by Sean Clapis We are living in a golden age of outrage; an era in which we’re expected to take sides on any given issue. A… Read More... "Songs That Matter | People Make the World Go Round"
John Coltrane, “My Favorite Things” Listen here | Download here written by Scott Rosen Fifty or so years ago, John Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things” changed my life. I was eleven or twelve years old; it was summer vacation… Read More... "Songs That Matter | My Favorite Things"
Sufjan Stevens, “Chicago” Listen here | Download here written by Bill Carbone I’ve made a lot of mistakes In my mind, in my mind Me too. Some are immediately obvious; others reveal themselves with time and distance. I… Read More... "Songs That Matter | Chicago"