Favorite Jams Pt.2
Here it is, the second part in our ongoing series, The Bynx Fam’s Favorite Jams. As you’ll soon see, each of us has different reasons for choosing our favorite songs (an almost impossible exercise, if we say so ourselves). That’s the beauty of it, though; one’s music taste gives others a glimpse into one’s inner world.
As we mentioned in part 1, these songs are placed in no particular order. Below you’ll find John’s 10 picks and a brief explanation of the choice:
- Five For Fighting // 100 Years: Lyrically, the verses serve as snapshot of important moments in one’s life – adolescence, starting adulthood, becoming a parent, the mid-life crisis, later years, and finally death. This is my favorite song, it never fails to make me fill up, reflect on my past and serves as a reminder of the frailty and finite nature of our lives.
- David Bowie // Starman: I love ‘Starman’ as it’s the concept of hope that the song communicates. That ‘we’re not alone’ and ‘they’ contact the kids, not the adults, and kind of say ‘get on with it.’ This song was used masterfully as an emotional ad for an Audi R8.
- Foo Fighters // Learn To Fly: This song is literally about wanting to learn to fly a plane and is just a fun song about it. It’s a wonderfully inspirational song that you can use when you need the courage “to do anything”
- The Cash // London Calling: I love the early Clash work, and this particular song, partially influenced by the nuclear reactor accident at Three Mile, also addresses rising unemployment, racial conflict and drug use in the United Kingdom. A punk classic.
- The White Stripes // Seven Nation Army: This one just works me up, used all over the world as a sports anthem to engage fans.
- The Black Keys // Howlin’ For You: Basic and traditional lyrics about a guy hung up on a girl and “howlin'” for her. It has a great chorus of “Da da da da da, Da da da da da da,” and I love the guitar riffs. Apparently the band was heavily influenced by Blues legend Howlin’ Wolf, thus the connection to the title.
- Chet Baker // My Funny Valentine: This one is a great tune, when I want to chill, have a glass of wine or rum and wind down. I run pretty fast, so my relaxation usually means climbing into my bed after a hectic day and falling asleep, so this one great choice when I turn things down earlier in the evening.
- The Beatles // In My Life: Another refection song, perhaps I partially enjoy this one form the greatest group ever due to my age and a penchant for thinking of where I am and where I was. It’s a song about maturation and accepting the passage of time, and the loss that comes inevitably comes with it.
- Leonard Cohen // Hallelujah: Timeless, poetic and very emotional; the lyrics to “Hallelujah” explore themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition in a contemplative manner, while I find the melody significantly enhances emotional power of this famous tune.
- Ray Charles // Georgia On My Mind: Simply put, the voice and the longing I hear in his words about his home state hooks me; I can listen to this one over and over again, with my eyes closed as I take in Charles’ crooning. Interesting that despite Georgia being a segregational state with very visible racist policies, he still loved where he came from.
An Endless List
Ah, another list. As with any list, especially as it relates to someone’s favorite songs, it could go on and on… but we must be decisive! Regardless, our love of music is boundless, and we could write song after song, finding a compelling reason to include each one.
As always, don’t forget to check out our unique collection of music ephemera and books!
Comments are closed.