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Last Active 10-23-20 2:50 pm
Joined 06-09-09
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| Music Snapshots Vol. 4
Music Snapshots is a series that focuses on specific moments/snippets in songs that I love, highlighting what makes them so special for me. Feel free to share your own favorite moments from songs you enjoy. | | 1 |  | The Hold Steady
Boys and Girls in America
"Hot Soft Light" (1:53 - 1:57 mark)
There are plenty of highlights from Boys and Girls in America, particularly within the first five songs, a murderer's row of rockers followed by the emotional "First Night." For me, one of my favorite moments comes from “Hot Soft Light” during the second chorus. While piano is featured throughout the whole song for the first leg of this song, it’s mostly working in the background, allowing the guitars to do the bulk of the talking (a primary instrumental choice on this album). But in the second chorus, as Craig Finn utters the line “It came on hot and soft and then tightened up its tentacles,” the keys come in blistering hot in sprawling fashion, a nice songwriting choice to reflect how quickly an illicit activity that may have recreational intentions at the onset can quickly turn into a more serious, dire situation. | | 2 |  | Camp Lo
Uptown Saturday Night
"Park Joint" (1:45 - 1:50 mark)
Uptown Saturday Night, the debut album from Camp Lo, is a true underrated gem from hip-hop in the late 90’s. With its blend of soulful and funky beats and the dynamic chemistry between MCs Geechie Suede and Sonny Cheeba, it’s an album that delights at almost every turn and packs an abundance of fun energy. While there are a few different points within the album I could focus on, my favorite moment may come towards the middle of “Park Joint” during Geechie’s verse where he raps “My [Bon]ocular, occupy the ocean, off the octagon/The ooohs! and onyx through the opal, Villa Valore.” His flow melds with the bass within the primary beat so perfectly that it always blows my mind how effortlessly he makes it seem. It’s bars and delivery like this that make me fully appreciate the technicality that goes into the genre. | | 3 |  | Tammy Wynette
Stand By Your Man
“Stand By Your Man” (2:16 - 2:34 mark)
“Stand By Your Man” explores forgiveness, understanding and showing support for the one you love through the bad times in spite of what others may think. Tammy Wynette’s vocal performance on this song is amongst the upper echelon of my favorites from a female performer, ever. There’s a striking conviction in her delivery, which comes in full force towards the end of the song as she belts out “Keep giving all the love you can! Stand by your man!” It’s a powerful moment that drives home the sentiment of one’s unwavering loyalty and resilience in the face of obstacles life throws their way. | | 4 |  | Gordon Lightfoot
Summertime Dream
"Not Supposed to Care" (0:51 - 1:03 mark)
“Not Supposed to Care,” feels like a gut punch every time I listen to it. Despite what the song title might suggest, it’s more than evident that the narrator still possesses a strong affinity and love for the person they are singing to, in spite of their relationship ending previously. There’s a line within the first verse where Lightfoot croons, “If it rains or it snows, may it be safe and warm and never grow old” that really cuts deeply. There’s such a genuine sincerity and warmth within Lightfoot’s voice that cuts through the sadness within the lines themselves, that though the person he deeply cares for and loves may be with someone else, he still wishes them the best and wants them to understand that he will always be there for them, no matter how much time and distance passes between them. It's a level of understanding and acceptance that is incredibly bittersweet and evocative. | | 5 |  | The Dillards
Wheatstraw Suite
"She Sang Hymns Out of Tune" (3:11 - 3:15 mark)
The closer from Wheatstraw Suite has consistently been the go-to calming song for my son when he’s cranky or upset (thankfully this has not been deployed as much as of late, knock on wood.). There are a lot of little details that spring to my memory when this song plays: the feeling of his head nestling against my shoulder that almost feels like a lock and key, the way his body relaxes against my chest as I hold him upright, the calmness in his breathing, the way he will sometimes squeeze my hand or finger when I’m walking around with him. But the very last utterance of “she sang hymns out of tune” that closes out the song also reminds me of a subtler memory, where he would softly coo the word “tune” when the song would end. In a way, it would feel like an exhale of relief, a signal that he had finally found the inner peace he was searching for. This song will always hold a special place in my heart. | |
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