Inspire Great Music for Fall 2020

Sometimes, you find a really good song that speaks to you on an emotional level. It might be a new song that was just released, or an old song you have never listened to before. Regardless, the music and lyrics represent your emotions and reflect how you're feeling. The songs make you happy, or they might give you a reason to cry. They express your emotions in a way that words can't. That's the power of good music--to "speak" for you when you don't have the words. 

This fall season, I have been listening to a lot of diverse music that speaks to me in ways other songs haven't. Some of these songs aren't new, but they're important to listen to right now. I will smack the "repeat" button on these songs all season long. 

Here's what I'm currently listening to, so get ready to listen and be inspired. 

1. "Exile" - Taylor Swift, featuring Bon Iver 

Taylor Swift's folklore album (photo/Stillwater, OK).

In July, Taylor Swift surprised everyone with the release of her latest album, folklore. The album is my favorite of hers since her Red album in 2012. It is reminiscent of her earlier music, which I love. Swift's folklore album is heartfelt, reflective of one's interior struggles, and beautifully poetic. Swift writes poetry for music, and I have found myself listening to her new album over and over again since it was released. 

My favorite song from the album has to be "exile." I loved it the first time I listened to it, and I still love it three months later. The song reminds me of the music from her Red album, especially her song "The Last Time." 

With "exile," Swift wrote about two ex-lovers (voiced by Swift and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon) who are conflicted about what led to their breakup. Vernon's character feels completely blindsided by the breakup, while Swift's voice reflects that she had felt trapped for a long time. He missed all of her signs. He didn't see how unhappy she was. They must confront the truth of the matters. 

Swift always delivers beautiful music, but "exile" is just so darn amazing. The lyrics, the melody, and the repetitive beat of the music are coupled together in a song that makes you feel every emotion in the dictionary. 

2. "Stick That In Your Country Song" - Eric Church 

Eric Church (photo/The Boot)

Eric Church always demands your attention with his music. That's no different with his latest single, "Stick That in Your Country Song." Church is talking directly to the country music industry, in which he expresses that there needs to be more heart and soul in country songs. We don't need songs about girls, drinking, etc. 

Instead, we need songs about war, veterans, current events, etc. Songwriters need to reflect on what's actually going on in the world. This is incredibly important right now with a global pandemic, protests, racial injustices, and the 2020 presidential election. We need songs about these events--because these are the songs that will matter in 10-20 years from now. 

Does another repetitive song about girls or drinking really matter right now? No, not to Eric Church. Not to the real country fans who want songs about America and the issues we're facing right now. Country songs used to reflect on the issues. What happened to those songs? Where did they go? Can they come back? 

Church dares songwriters to "stick that in your country song." I love his important message. I love the beat and rhythm of the song. It's a bold song, but one we need right now. I think Johnny Cash would smile with pride if he heard the song. 

3. "Love Above All" - Connor Kirk 

Connor Kirk (photo/connor_kirk_music via Instagram)

We need to love one another--especially now when there is so much division, anger, and heartache in the world. We need to turn away from hatred. Love is the only thing that matters. 

That's exactly what Connor Kirk wrote about with his recent single, "Love Above All." The Nashville songwriter believes in finding love amidst this chaotic world. The songs on his new album, Fire in America, are filled with hope and encouragement. However, they also understand that it's difficult to find love when there is so much tension between neighbors, family members, and friends. It's hard to fight for love, but we need to believe in love. We need to chase after it. 

If you have been following my blog, you know that I believe in the same themes Kirk writes about in his songs. "Love Above All" speaks to me on an emotional level. It's my favorite of the songs on his album. We could always use more love in this world! 

4. "Hear You Me" - Jimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World (photo/The Ringer)

Do you ever hear a song for the first time in years and it takes you right back to a distant memory? That's what happened recently when I heard Jimmy Eat World's 2001 single "Hear You Me." This was a very popular song featured in movies and television shows in the early 2000s, most notably A Cinderella Story and One Tree Hill. 

This song is purely nostalgic, which is why I'm featuring it in this post. It's an ode to someone who had passed away. Sometimes, a loved one dies before we have a chance to say goodbye. We don't have the opportunity to tell them exactly how we feel. We miss that opportunity, so we can only hope and pray that they know. We hope they know how we felt about them. We hope angels will lead them in, and that they're okay. 

It's a reflective song that I still love to play on repeat after all of these years. I'm pretty sure I will always love this song. 

5. "Nothing's Going to Stop Us Now" - Starship 

Starship (photo/Pop Expresso)

The 1980s had the best music, didn't it? I will never grow tired of listening to music from the decade. I recently listened to Starship's 1987 single, "Nothing's Going to Stop Us Now." The song was the theme for the romantic comedy film, Mannequin. The song was even nominated for Best Original Song at the 1988 Academy Awards. 

I have heard this song before, but it's been a long time. After listening to it, I slapped the repeat button over and over again. It's a powerful rock ballad that you can't resist singing along to, no matter how many times you listen to it. 

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People love to bond over good songs, whether they're old or new. They love to dance and sing together. Listen to the music that inspires you, serves as a reminder of the past, makes you want to dance, and the songs that remind you to always make time to have fun. 

These songs (and so many others) have made me feel happy this fall season, so enjoy them. Listen to them when you're feeling lonely, or when you're in the mood to dance. Music is always a companion--always. 

-KJL-


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