Songs I Wish I Wrote

Hello friends!! Hope you’re well and doing grand.

Today’s post is an interesting one, it’s one I’ve had in my Drafts for a while, and I’ve finally gotten around to working on it and getting out for you guys! The beauty of university break my friends.

Every now and then I listen to a song, and I’m astounded. Like picking my jaw of the floor, tears in my eyes, shooketh to my core. There are simply some songs I wish I wrote first, so I thought I’d collect a few of them for you all and share them in today’s post!

Let me know if you enjoy this post in the comments below.

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Human – Jon Bellion: Now, surely you didn’t think we’d be getting through this list without some Jon Bellion? I still remember listening to this song, continuously gasping at all the things Jon says in it. The lyrics are so bloody straightforward – it honestly blew my mind that he was so courageous so say what he does in the song. It’s such a simple message, but I would have been so terrified to release it into the world. This song is in my top five songs from Jon Bellion.

Circle – Allen Stone: It took me some time to come across this song while making my way through my Allen Stone binge back in April, but once I found it, I obsessed over it for a solid month. The chorus is the strongest part of this song for me. Allen’s voice is also incredible strong in this song.

It Runs Through Me – Tom Misch: Tom Misch is a genius and no-one can convince me otherwise. I first listened to this song properly while watching his COLORS performance of it, and I was naturally, astounded. My only issue is that his incredible solo from the video isn’t included in the recorded version as he only did it to fill in for the lack of rap from De La Soul in the COLORS version. This song, is technically so impressive. If I had any theoretical knowledge, this song would be the benchmark.

I’ll Still Have Me – Cyn: I stumbled across this song totally randomly, the music video was recommended for me a few months ago, but I’m so glad I found it. It has such a beautiful message, and I love Cyn’s voice so much.

Never Knock – Kevin Garrett: Kevin Garrett will forever be one of the most underrated artists of all time in my mind. I heard this song first as an acoustic version, with just him, playing a guitar in front a completely silent crowd. Again, he’s technically such a strong performer, but this song game me such emotional chills when I first heard it. There’s really not a lot to this song, other than Kevin’s amazing skill to pull together really heavy, heavy words and ideas in the most delicate way. This song really exemplifies this.

Mine – The 1975: I love The 1975, but this song, this song really does it for me. Close your eyes, and you’re walking through New York, into a dark, warm jazz bar with a guy playing the piano at the back and it’s the cosiest song I’ve ever listened to. And the entire idea of the song, that marriage isn’t the defining feature of love, you don’t have to legally own someone to be theirs, I think it’s such a beautiful sentiment. And when that brush stick starts hitting the snare drum and the saxophone kicks in??? Thank you Lord.

The Heart Is A Muscle – Gang Of Youths: GOY have this knack for writing spiritually enlightening music, that demands you bang your head and scream along to the lyrics like you’re at a heavy metal concert. To date, listening to this song in the mosh pit for Gang of Youths with my two best friends, was the most therapeutic thing I’ve ever experienced. This song says so much, but it’s really the instrumentation and the music and most importantly the performance of this song that makes me wish I had the talent or heart to come up with it first.

Sleep On The Floor – The Lumineers: This is my road trip song. This is the road trip I’m yet to take but have committed to, whether I’m on my own or with a group of friends or with my family, it doesn’t really matter to be honest. This song invokes so much within me, and it’s not a genre I find myself listening to often, but The Lumineers know how to get me going.

Miracle Love – Matt Corby: By now, we should know the love I have for this man and his music. His music is so cathartic and emotional, and this song is one of my favourites. Watching him perform it live was magical.

Love On The Brain – Rihanna: This song made me wish I wrote it first for how it just digs deep into the archives of classic instrumentation, leaning back into a blues/gospel sort of genre that I’ve always loved. Rihanna’s performance of it is also insanity.

Gravity – John Mayer: A classic. An absolute classic that cannot be touched. I’ve yet to find a version of this, a single cover, that touches the original. First off, it’s John Mayer, and he has a super distinct tone to his voice that has aged so, so, well. And then you have to consider that not only does John Mayer sing, but so does his bloody guitar, and his playing style is so intrinsic to this song in particular. Lyrically, it’s not super complicated and I think that’s why so many people love it.

I’ve Couldn’t Be More In Love – The 1975: Another 1975 song. I know. This song is like the best possible 80s love song got reimagine and repurposed for right now, and I love it so much. There’s nothing that can quite compare to the keys in this song, and Matty’s singing in the chorus is possibly my favourite vocal performance from him ever. Especially towards the end with the choir, when he really kicks off. So great. So beautiful.

Bright – Kehlani: A real throwback from the mixtapes. This song was super powerful for me later in my teenage years. It came out in 2015, and for majority of that year and the year after, this song was a really inspiring song for me, one I referenced back to for so many issues and struggles. It’s got such a universal message and of course Kehlani’s voice is always magical.

Boys Will Be Boys – Stella Donnelly: This is my favourite song from Beware of The Dogs. My absolute favourite, and it’s the one that made the most waves when she first released. It’s a huge critique of societal culture and the complacency and double standards show towards the raising and treatment of girls and boys. It’s such a gutsy move to release a song as blunt as BWBB but she does it so beautifully. There’s no theatrics with this song, just a guitar and Stella’s voice and it’s perfect.

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There you go! Let me know if you’ve listened to any of these songs, before or after reading my post, because I’d love to get your thoughts on it! Are there any songs you wish you had written? Feel free to share them in the comments!

x

Priya

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