iPick, YouListen

“Swim”
by Jack’s Mannequin

“Swim” is without a doubt my favorite song. My description can’t do justice to the deep meaning of the lyrics, which was written after lead singer Andrew McMahon’s bout with leukemia. There are some beautiful lyrics in the song, such as my personal favorites: “You’ve gotta swim. Don’t let yourself sink. Just find the horizon, I promise you it’s not as far as you think,” and, “Just keep your head above.” This song is perfect for anyone going through a hard time, but it’s also just a beautiful song with a beautiful melody that should be heard.

“Enchanted”
by Taylor Swift

Oh, this song. I hadn’t heard this gem from Tay Swiz until last year, and then it became one of my most played songs on iTunes. I even have it as a Pandora station! This is one of those songs that is half my life and half what I wish from my life. When she sings, “Please don’t be in love with someone else. Please don’t have somebody waiting on you,” I think it’s something that people think at least once in their life. And after hearing her describe that perfect night she had, I am just waiting for it to happen at one of these townhouse parties someday. Come on, Tay Swiz, don’t let me down.

“Give Me Love”
by Ed Sheeran

This is one of the most haunting songs I’ve heard in a while. The melody is poignant and moving, perfect for the lyrics Sheeran sings. Sheeran crafts his lyrics so eloquently that he can make anything sound sweet. For example, he sings, “Maybe tonight I’ll call ya, after my blood turns into alcohol,” instead of something like, “Tonight I’ll drunk dial you.” There’s also a moment in the song where he is almost screaming, “LOVE ME!” It is so raw and emotional that you can’t help but feel for him. Sheeran is a refreshing change from some of the lyrical fails on the radio these days, and the music video sticks with you for a while.

“Room @ the End of the World”
by Matt Nathanson

Nathanson is by far my favorite solo artist. This song might not be my favorite of his, but it has one of my favorite song lyrics of all time. When the apocalypse was approaching, this was my gear-up-for-the-end-of-the-world song. As for my favorite lyric, when Nathanson sings, “They sleep with hornets, and they wonder why they wake up stung,” I just think this is a hilariously true statement. You almost have to stop and ask if he really said that. But the more I listen to it, the more I love and appreciate the lyrics and the song as a whole.