Anna's Music World

Taylor Swift: Folklore (2020) Songs Ranked

Rating: 8.5/10

Although it was entirely unexpected, I’m very happy to be reviewing a new Taylor Swift album. I wasn’t expecting to be able to do that for at least another year, but here we are and I’m so happy. This is definitely my favorite project of Taylor’s that she’s released in a while, and I love the storytelling and sonic direction she went in for this record.

She really showed just how astounding her lyrical/storytelling skills are, because she paints these vivid pictures in your head and creates entire movie plotlines that weave in and out throughout the album, and most of the songs aren’t even about her real experiences. I feel like it’s basically impossible to deny her gift as a songwriter at this point (but we already knew that).

Without further ado, let’s get into my ranking of Taylor Swift’s surprise eighth studio album, Folklore. I’ll be ranking them from worst to best (in my subjective, personal opinion). Feel free to let me know how you would rank the album!

16. Epiphany (Track 13)

The music in this song is very beautiful, and if I’m being honest, this song is very angelic and ethereal. The lyrical content, while very sad, is also very meaningful and Taylor dealt with the topics in a sensitive and touching way. That being said, I don’t really enjoy this song when I listen to it. It’s sad, but not in a relatable way, and it’s just not a song that I could imagine myself wanting to listen to. I think ‘The Lakes’ should’ve been on the album instead.

15. This Is Me Trying (Track 9)

“They told me all of my cages were mental, so I got wasted like all my potential. And my words shoot to kill when I’m mad, I have a lot of regrets about that.” I appreciate the message of this song, which I interpret to be someone trying to get over their personal struggles (insecurity, alcoholism, etc.) in order to better themselves and bring peace to the people around them. There are a lot of great lyrics to be found in this track, but sonically it’s not appealing to me. It’s kind of monotone and the instrumental isn’t anything interesting (in my opinion, of course).

14. My Tears Ricochet (Track 5)

I don’t know what it is about this song, but it just doesn’t hit me the way that it seems to be hitting everyone else. You can tell that there was a lot of emotion in the lyrics coming from Taylor, but the song just doesn’t affect me that much. The production is cool and there are some really pretty vocal moments (like the soft, multi-layered “oohs” that open and close the track), but other than that there’s not much about this song that I really like.

13. Exile (Track 4)

“I can see you starin’, honey, like he’s just your understudy. Like you’d get your knuckles bloody for me. Second, third, and hundredth chances, balancin’ on breaking branches. Those eyes add insult to injury.” Okay, I know this is controversial. I know everybody thinks Exile is the best song ever, and I know it’s the most popular on the album. But let me have my opinion. It’s just… not all that for me. It’s not bad by any means, it’s actually a pretty good song. But it kind of just feels like the dollar-store version of ‘The Last Time’ (which is still saying a lot). Not to mention, when I first listened to this song, Justin Vernon’s voice practically reached through my earbuds and slapped me across the face. It’s honestly kinda scary when you’re not expecting it. The lyrics in this song are beautiful and the back-and-forth nature of the latter-half of the song is very nice, but it’s just not my favorite to listen to. It doesn’t make me cry and it doesn’t make me dance, so like… what does it offer me?

12. Mad Woman (Track 12)

I didn’t like this song much when I first listened to it, but it’s grown on me quite a bit since then. I think the best part of this song is the instrumental, which does a great job of creating a mood, as well as contrasting the bitterness and anger of the lyrics with a gentle piano line. Plus, the second half of the chorus, the whole “poke that bear till her claws come out” part, is really pretty and I like the melody a lot.

11. Hoax (Track 16)

I used to have ‘Hoax’ near the very bottom of this ranking, but I guess I’ve just started to appreciate how pretty and soothing it is. This song is very slow, but it’s also very gentle, haunting, and melancholy. It kind of lulls you as you listen to it. The lyrics are absolutely heartbreaking and devastating, and it upsets me whenever I think about what Taylor might’ve been writing this about. Her voice is very soft and withdrawn here, but it’s oh so pretty.

10. Peace (Track 15)

True to the track’s title, ‘Peace’ is a very calming, relaxing, and peaceful song. The little guitar line is so nice and pleasant to listen to. With the extremely simple instrumental, ‘Peace’ is more than anything a lyrical showcase. This song is about Taylor’s remorse and insecurity that she’ll never be able to give her partner a peaceful relationship due to her fame and stardom, and it’s very vulnerable and genuine. I like this song a lot, but I wouldn’t say that I love it.

9. Betty (Track 14)

So this is the final song in the “Teenage Love Triangle” trilogy, and it’s very sweet and cute. For those who don’t know, Taylor said this thing online about how, among many of the stories she told on this album, there was a trilogy of three songs that detail a love triangle between three teenagers, all from a different person’s perspective. This song is from the perspective of James, who cheated on his girlfriend Betty during the summer. This song is him explaining why he did what he did, expressing his remorse, and essentially begging to be taken back. Sure, the fact that he cheated really sucks, but this song does manage to make you empathize with him a little bit, and I think that shows Taylor’s mastery of storytelling. Plus, it’s very country-influenced, and musically, it’s just a blast to listen to. “Would you trust me if I told you it was just a summer thing? I’m only seventeen, I don’t know anything, but I know I miss you.”

8. The Last Great American Dynasty (Track 3)

“Fifty years is a long time. Holiday House sat quietly on that beach, free of women with madness, their men and bad habits, and then it was bought by me. Who knows, if I never showed up, what could’ve been? There goes the loudest woman this town has ever seen. I had a marvelous time ruining everything.” This song is such a treat. It’s absolutely delightful. Not gonna lie, when I first read the title of this song on the tracklist announcement, I was a bit worried because I thought it was gonna be some super political song. Thankfully, it’s not. It’s actually a story about the woman who owned Taylor’s Rhode Island house before she did, but in song-form! How cool is that? I also love Taylor’s vocals when she’s singing “I had a marvelous time”. When I first listened to this song I thought it was gonna place in my top favorites from the album, but due to folklore’s overwhelming quality, it’s stuck here. Still, I really enjoy this song.

7. Seven (Track 7)

GASP! IT’S A TRIPLE SEVEN!

Okay, I just wanna start out by saying that placing this song in the seventh spot wasn’t intentional. It just worked out that way. Still, it’s pretty cool. This song is so pretty and adorable and nostalgic, and I love the instrumental with all my heart. I won’t lie, the way she sings the first verse (that is, in a very high head voice) gets on my nerves, but I’m willing to overlook it because the rest of the song is absolutely lovely. When I hear this song I think of a wooden swing hanging down from trees in the middle of an enchanted forest. It’s just that whimsical and pretty. “Sweet tea in the summer, cross my heart, won’t tell no other. And though I can’t recall your face, I still got love for you. Pack your dolls and a sweater, we’ll move to India forever. Passed down like folk songs, our love lasts so long.”

6. Mirrorball (Track 6)

“I want you to know, I’m a mirrorball. I’ll show you every version of yourself tonight. I’ll get you out on the floor, shimmering beautiful. And when I break, it’s in a million pieces.” The thing I love most about ‘Mirrorball’ is the juxtaposition between the instrumental/melody and the lyrical content. If you’re just listening to the song and not paying attention to the lyrics, you’re gonna think this is just some playful, cheery little tune. But if you listen to what Taylor’s actually singing, this song is pretty sad. The music is sparkly and light, but the lyrics are about someone who tries to act breezy and charming in order to please everyone else, when really it doesn’t come naturally, and they’re just trying to mask their personal struggles (or at least that’s how I interpret them). And the contrast between the instrumental and the lyrics perfectly fits the song’s whole metaphor of the mirrorball, and that’s why Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff are geniuses.

5. Cardigan (Track 2)

‘Cardigan’ was the first single for this album, and though I think there were other songs that would’ve been a better choice, I can see why this one was picked because it’s a great encapsulation of this album’s overall sound and tone. ‘Cardigan’ is also another song in the Teenage Love Triangle, this time from the perspective of Betty (the girlfriend who was cheated on). It’s a sad but also kinda uplifting song, but mostly it’s just very dreamy and beautiful in the way it sounds. Not to mention, the music video is absolutely stunning. “A friend to all is a friend to none. Chase two girls, lose the one. When you are young they assume you know nothing.”

4. The 1 (Track 1)

Let me tell you, when I listened to this album for the first time, I don’t know what I was expecting, but this song blew me away. THIS IS HOW YOU OPEN AN ALBUM. ‘The 1’ is an extremely catchy and endearing song, and I may have overplayed it a little, but that doesn’t take away from it’s oozing charm. The melody is so soft and sweet and infectious, I love it so much. Overall, Taylor did an amazing job with this song.

3. Illicit Affairs (Track 10)

“Leave the perfume on the shelf that you picked out just for him. So you leave no trace behind, like you don’t even exist. Take the words for what they are: a dwindling, mercurial high. A drug that only worked the first few hundred times.” This is one of two songs on Folklore that tells the story of an affair, and both are from the perspective of the mistress in the situation. And interestingly enough, both songs make you empathize with the mistress (but we’ll get to that later). This song is a beautiful description of how messy and heartbreaking affairs can be for everyone involved, and Taylor’s lyricism is incredibly potent and absolutely piercing. The instrumental is a soft, refined guitar-picking pattern, and it complements Taylor’s gentle, pained vocals very nicely. Overall, this is probably the best crying song on the album for me, and it gets the biggest emotional reaction out of me. It’s full of despair and beauty and hopelessness, and I love it. “Look at this idiotic fool that you made me. You taught me a secret language I can’t speak with anyone else. And you know damn well, for you, I would ruin myself a million little times.”

2. Invisible String (Track 11)

THIS. SONG. IT’S SO CUTE AND WHIMSICAL AND ROMANTIC I LOVE IT. This song is basically Taylor detailing a bunch of little details from the past that more or less connected her to her current boyfriend, Joe, and it’s delightful. This song is so pleasant to listen to, and it shows just how romantic and poetic Taylor can be. And I love her for it. This was one of the songs that really stuck out to me in what was an otherwise slightly-less-appealing last section of the album. Since then, it’s grown on me a whole lot, and I love it even more now.

1. August (Track 8)

“But I can see us lost in the memory, August slipped away into a moment in time, ’cause you were never mine. And I can see us twisted in bed sheets, August sipped away like a bottle of wine, ’cause it was never mine.” And now we’ve arrived at my favorite song from Folklore! Yay! This is the final song I’m gonna talk about that is part of the Love Triangle storyline. ‘August’ is from the perspective of the girl that James cheated with, and while normally you wouldn’t be drawn to her character, Taylor does such an amazing job writing and singing this song that this girl, who doesn’t even have a name, has an incredibly compelling and heartbreaking story, and you can’t help but sympathize with her. This song reveals that the girl James cheated with was hopelessly in love with him and wanted more from their summer romance than she ended up getting, due to the fact that James didn’t actually love her (and she could tell). The little nuances and emotions that Taylor captures in this song are breathtaking, and her lyrics paint such a strong picture in your head of a sunny, carefree summer romance that was doomed from the start. Musically, this song is lovely, and Taylor has some great vocal moments. To wrap this up, this song is a beautiful masterpiece and it deserves everything. “Back when we were still changing for the better, wanting was enough. For me it was enough to live for the hope of it all. Canceled plans just in case you’d call and say ‘meet me behind the mall’. So much for summer love, and saying us ’cause you weren’t mine to lose.”

The Beatles: Beatles For Sale (1964) Song Ranking

Rating: 6/10

I’ve viewed a fair share of “Ranking The Beatles Albums” articles in my time, and an overwhelming majority of the time, I’ve seen Beatles For Sale ranked as the worst in the band’s catalog (excluding their EPs). Because of this, I had pretty low expectations going into this album, and unfortunately, I have to agree that this is my least favorite project from them (out of what I’ve listened to). With the exception of one song (which is in the top spot), there were no songs that I absolutely loved. This album just didn’t have the charm that a Beatles album usually has for me.

With that being said, let’s get into the ranking! I’ll be ordering all the songs from The Beatles’ fourth studio album, Beatles For Sale, from worst to best. I hope you enjoy!

14. Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby (Track 14)

This song kind of gives me Elvis vibes, but weirdly enough it doesn’t really work for me. I don’t know what it is about this song that I don’t like, but I just don’t enjoy it. The guitar solo is pretty nice, but other than that, there’s nothing about this song that stands out to me.

13. Rock and Roll Music (Track 4)

I really wanted to like this song because I like the title (who doesn’t like rock and roll music?), but I just don’t. The Beatles have a few songs that sound like this one, and I never like them. I can imagine this would’ve been fun to dance to back in the 60s, but that’s the only situation where I can imagine myself enjoying this song. (Okay, it’s not that bad, but it’s not that good. In my opinion, of course.)

12. Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey! (Track 7)

Okay, this is a song that I don’t dislike, I just don’t really like. I’m neutral on it. I think Paul’s voice goes really well with the jaunty guitar, and it creates a very fun atmosphere for this song. It’s just kind of boring to me though. Sorry.

11. Baby’s In Black (Track 3)

This is a weird song. I’m not entirely sure what it’s about, but I’m pretty sure it’s about being in love with a girl who is mourning the death of her partner, and proceeding to whine about it. I don’t know, it’s not terrible, but The Beatles could do way better.

10. I’m a Loser (Track 2)

I’ve often seen ‘I’m a Loser’ cited as one of the best songs on this record, but I don’t really think it is. John’s voice is lovely and he captures the self-pitying content of the lyrics well, but I don’t know if that’s a good thing. This song is decent, I just don’t like it the way I hoped I would.

9. I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party (Track 12)

I actually enjoy this song. It’s simple, with a constant guitar riff and pretty harmonies and backing vocals – everything you would expect from an early Beatles song. The lyrics are some of the more personal ones on this album, so that’s cool. I just find the melody to be a little repetitive, but other than that, this one’s pretty good.

8. Mr. Moonlight (Track 6)

Well, I think the opening of this song gave me a heart attack. Once John finishes screaming, ‘Mr. Moonlight’ leads into a gentle little guitar pattern with sweet vocals, and it’s pretty enjoyable. I think I would’ve liked this song better if it had been a little more delicate and ballad-like, but this song is a cover so they might not have had control over that. Still, it’s pretty good as it is.

7. Honey Don’t (Track 10)

Hey! It’s another Ringo track that I like! I can finally add another one to the list. I think Ringo did a great job with lead vocals, his playful voice suits the sound of this song. Plus, the way he talks to George within the song is really funny and adds a nice playfulness to the song. Not to mention, George’s guitar solo is great and adds a nice texture to the song.

6. Words of Love (Track 9)

The guitar in this song is really, really nice. George is so good. The harmonized lead vocals, while at first kind of unsettling to me, actually sound really good once you get into them, and once again, I am amazed by how effortlessly John and Paul harmonize. The lyrics of this song are by no means advanced, but they’re sweet. This is a solid track, and one of the more interesting on Beatles For Sale.

5. What You’re Doing (Track 13)

I love the guitar melody in this song, it’s so pretty! Paul’s vocals are also gorgeous, and Ringo’s drumming is really nice and adds a nice rhythm to the song. I love the instrumentation on the outro of the song, and overall, this is just a very enjoyable song on an otherwise bland album.

4. Every Little Thing (Track 11)

I don’t like the verses of this song that much, but the chorus is really nice (not gonna lie though, the drumming in the chorus sounds like the Law and Order SVU theme song). George’s guitar work is great, and adds a nice tone to the song.

3. Eight Days a Week (Track 8)

I’ve often seen this track lauded as the album’s best, and while I don’t think it is, it’s definitely one of the best (hence the top three placement). The music video is fun, and this is just a nice melodic tune. It’s probably the most ‘classic Beatles’ sounding song on the album, so I can see why it’s so beloved.

2. No Reply (Track 1)

This song gave me false expectations of greatness for this album, because I really enjoyed this song when I first heard it. The lyrics of this song are pretty sad, but they’re more personal, so I think that’s a good thing. This is definitely one of the more lyrically and sonically interesting songs on Beatles For Sale, and a great opener (even if it does set up high standards that are not met by the rest of the album). “If I were you, I’d realize that I love you more than any other guy, and I’ll forgive the lies that I
heard before, when you gave me no reply.”

1. I’ll Follow the Sun (Track 5)

This song is so prettyyyyy, I love it! The guitar pattern is really gorgeous, and Paul’s voice is so sweet and has this beautiful tone to it. The lyrics are really simple, but the song sounds so nice that I don’t even care. I think this song goes to show that even on a Beatles album that I don’t like that much, there will always be at least one song that I’ll fall in love with. This is a beautiful composition, and it was a breath of fresh air when I was first listening to this album because I was so relieved to hear a song that I really loved. Naturally, it’s the shortest on the album. That’s my luck. “One day, you’ll find that I have gone, but tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun.”

July 2020: Music Recap

Here’s all the songs I’ve been listening to this past month! Feel free to leave song suggestions if you want, I love discovering new music!

1. Greedy – Ariana Grande

2. Honey In the Summer – PUBLIC

Thank you Lauren Brodauf for introducing me to this song. Also, anyone who sees this should check out her YouTube channel, she’s hilarious and has great music taste 🙂

3. California – Joni Mitchell

4. Welcome Back – John Sebastian

Fun fact: I discovered this song through an Applebee’s commercial.

5. 505 – The Arctic Monkeys

No, I didn’t discover this through TikTok.

6. Coffee and TV – Blur

7. I Feel It Coming – The Weeknd

This song is SO GOOD. It’s unfair.

8. Half of My Heart – John Mayer

John Mayer: Continuum (2006) Song Ranking

Rating: 8.5/10

Continuum is often considered to be John Mayer’s masterpiece album, but it’s also a departure from the sound he had established for himself prior to the album’s release. Continuum is a blues/soul-inspired album, and though I think some songs work better than others, I do think that John created a wonderful and endurable piece of work.

In this post I’ll be ranking all the songs from John Mayer’s third studio album, Continuum, from least favorite to favorite. Hope you enjoy!

12. Bold As Love (Track 9)

Eh. I don’t love this song but I don’t dislike it. John sounds really good and the instrumentation is great. It’s enjoyable to listen to but I don’t see myself going out of my way to listen to it. It’s kind of boring, sorry to say. But no disrespect to Jimi Hendrix, who made the original song.

11. Waiting On the World to Change (Track 1)

I’m pretty sure this is one of the most popular songs on the album, so I hope that people don’t hate me for putting it second-to-last. It’s not a bad song by any means, and I like the message, as well as the descriptive nature of the verses. I guess it’s just not for me, it’s not really my sound.

10. I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You) (Track 2)

This is a broody and atmospheric song, and it’s pretty soulful. John restrains his vocals in order to give the song a more mellow and withdrawn feeling, which makes sense, but I think I would like this song better if the vocals were more showy. Still, this isn’t a bad song, it just doesn’t completely hit the mark for me.

9. The Heart of Life (Track 5)

This is such a sweet and reassuring song, I wish I could rank it higher because of that alone. It’s an acoustic track about how life, despite all the crap it throws at you, is good. This song is like a breath of fresh air when compared to the heavier songs on Continuum, but it’s not one of my absolute favorites from this album. I appreciate it though. “Pain throws your heart to the ground. Love turns the whole thing around. No, it won’t all go the way it should, but I know the heart of life is good.”

8. Dreaming With a Broken Heart (Track 10)

I used to have this way higher, but I relistened to it and it’s not quite as good as I remember it being. Still, this is a lovely song. It starts off with a gentle piano melody, and John’s soft vocals add a vulnerability to the song. As the song goes on, the instrumentation gets more and more powerful which is cool. It’s a good song, but again, not my absolute favorite to listen to. I think it’s a great addition to the album though.

7. Vultures (Track 6)

Ugh, this song has such a nice groove to it. Vultures is laid back and catchy and just enjoyable to listen to. John gives a really good vocal performance, and the way he sings the outro is just awesome. The outro of this song is just awesome in general, though.

6. Belief (Track 3)

When I was listening to this album for the first time, this was the first song in the tracklist where I was really impressed. This is such a good song. The drumming, the guitar, the melody. It’s so catchy and great to listen to, and the guitar solo is so cool. I don’t envision myself listening to this outside of the album, but I’ll always look forward to hearing it within Continuum.

5. In Repair (Track 11)

This is a really long song (6 minutes!) and I will say that I think it goes on longer than it needs to, but it’s pretty thoroughly enjoyable all throughout. The lyrics have a nice message to them, but this song just sounds great. The chorus has a wonderful melody, and the way John sings, “I could be ready” is just great. Plus, the guitar solo before the last verse absolutely shreds (there’s plenty of outstanding guitar work to be found in John Mayer’s work, though, so maybe I should stop pointing it out so much).

4. I’m Gonna Find Another You (Track 12)

“You take your sweaters, you take your time. You might have your reasons but you will never have my rhyme. I’m going to sing my way away from blue, I’m going to find another you.” This is a short little note to end the album on, but it’s pretty lovely all throughout. Honestly, John’s vocals are beautiful and the instrumentation adds a nice punch to his voice. I also love the lyrics of the song, which are about finding someone else who’s better for you after a rough breakup. And the little flourish right before the song ends is great. “So go on baby, make your little getaway. My pride will keep me company, and you just gave yours all away. Now I’m going to dress myself for two, once for me and once for someone new. I’m going to do some things you wouldn’t let me do. Oh, I’m going to find another you.”

3. Stop This Train (Track 7)

Honestly, this song really hits me in my emotions. Not to get too deep on my anonymous blog, but I’d say that growing up and watching people leave my life is one of my biggest fears/dreads in life. Not to mention, adjusting to new environments, while exciting, has always been a really scary thing for me, and that’s sort of about to happen to me in a few weeks. I’m glad I found this song, because it’s a nice, gentle reminder that there’s nothing we can do to slow life down, and we just have to keep moving forward and accept the changes that might hit us. I imagine I’ll be listening to this song a lot in the future whenever I’m about to face a big change, because a lot of the time I just want to stop the train that is my life and stay where I am. This song reminds me that there’s nothing I can do to pause life, so I might as well make the most of what’s to come.

2. Slow Dancing In a Burning Room (Track 8)

“It’s not a silly little moment, it’s not the storm before the calm. This is the deep and dying breath of this love that we’ve been working on.” ‘Slow Dancing In a Burning Room’ is often considered to be John Mayer’s best song, and I can definitely see why people would say that because it’s incredibly hard-hitting. Between the sorrowful instrumental, John’s vocals, and the piercing lyricism, this song really packs an emotional punch. Not only does this song sound amazing, but it also deals with the well-explored topic of a dying relationship in a detailed and unique way. Using the idea of ‘slow dancing in a burning room’ as a metaphor for staying in a doomed relationship, John vividly paints the picture of a relationship that’s crashing down, slowly but surely and all the emotions that are experienced as a result of this. This truly is a masterpiece in it’s own way, and definitely one of John Mayer’s greatest creations. “We’re going down, and you can see it too. We’re going down, and you know that we’re doomed. My dear, we’re slow dancing in a burning room.”

1. Gravity (Track 4)

See, I have this habit of listening to songs in bed late at night, in complete darkness where I’m really tired. When I do that, I just close my eyes and listen. That was how I first listened to this song, and let me tell you, I LEVITATED. I was absolutely dumbfounded when I opened my eyes again by how amazing this song is. Everything about it is amazing. The guitar, the lyrics, John’s vocals, the drums, the guitar, and did I mention the GUITAR? Ugh, it’s flawless. Even to this day, I still levitate every time I listen to this song. This is a very mellow and slow song, and normally I find songs like that to be boring, but this one keeps me absolutely captivated all throughout. If you can’t tell, I like this song quite a bit, and it’s very important to me. I feel like it’s message is so important. The lyrics in this song are a little vague, so I think they’re somewhat up for interpretation from every person who listens to the song. To me, this song says that if you have something really good going in your life, there’s gonna be opportunities to ruin it in hopes of getting something that you assume is even better, but you should try not to give in to that temptation (now that I think about it, I can kind of relate to this song in terms of my faith). I adore this song, and I hope anyone who reads this gives it a listen ’cause I feel like everyone should hear it. “Just keep me where the light is.”

One Direction: Made In the A.M. (2015) Songs Ranked

Rating: 10/10

Not gonna lie, it kind of hurts me to begin writing this review right now because I know that this will probably be the last 1D album I am to ever review on this blog – unless of course, they come back, which I hope happens but don’t wanna get my hopes up for. In my opinion, One Direction topped themselves with every album they released, which means that this is my favorite of their albums.

I’ve always thought that Four and Made In the A.M. are basically equal but opposite albums. They’re equally good, but they have very different sounds, so the one that you like better will basically come down to your music preference. Four has a smoother sound and is more influenced by 80s pop-rock. Made In the A.M. is reminiscent of old-fashioned rock, and has a very old-school, classic sound – kind of 60s/70s inspired. I think that may have something to do with how the songs were mixed and produced. All the songs on this album have a very warm tone to them, which is right up my alley in terms of sonic preference.

This album to me feels like a goodbye hug. It’s warm and exciting and romantic, and so, so indicative of the growth the band went through over the span of their careers. This is one of my favorite albums ever and it means a lot to me, so even though it will pain me to do so because I genuinely love and appreciate every song on here, I will now begin to rank all the songs from One Direction’s fifth studio album, Made In the A.M., from least favorite to favorite.

17. Long Way Down (Track 7)

This really isn’t a bad song by any means. As I said, every song on this album is very good, but I have to pick a least favorite and unfortunately, Long Way Down is it. It’s just a little slow, and it never really goes anywhere. There are some good lyrics to be found in this song, but I find the lyrical themes in the verses to be slightly repetitive and a bit grating. All the vocals are great though and I like the gentle guitar and drum rhythm. “Point of no return and now it’s just too late to turn around. I try to forgive you, but I’m struggling ’cause I don’t know how. We built it up so high and now I’m falling, such a long way down from here.”

16. Walking in the Wind (Track 15)

I feel so bad putting this so low, because Walking in the Wind is a very personal and sweet song. It’s just not really my sound and I’m not crazy about the melody. I will say though, Harry’s voice on the bridge is PERFECTION.

15. Drag Me Down (Track 2)

This song is so fun and it really gets you kind of hyped up. The boys all sound great. AND THE BASS IN THE VERSES IS GREAT. I love the way the chorus builds up with the handclaps, and I love Louis’ part in the chorus. And the way Harry comes in singing his heart out in the second pre-chorus is just amazing. Drag Me Down is a good song, but it’s not super deep or meaningful. I would have it lower, but the way Harry just goes off vocally at the end saved it. The man really didn’t hold back, and I love him for it.

14. Never Enough (Track 8)

Look, Never Enough is a bop, and that’s final. This song is so catchy and fun, and you can tell the boys had a fun time with it. This song is a blast to listen to, but I don’t think it’s meant to be taken too seriously, and lyrically it’s not the best (again, I don’t think it’s supposed to be, but oh well), so I’m gonna put it down here. I’m honestly so sorry.

13. A.M. (Track 17)

“You and me were raised in the same part of town, got these scars on the same ground. Remember how we used to kick around just wasting time?” This is the titular track, as well as the closer of 1D’s discography, and it’s lovely. This song has a very nostalgic and fond feeling to it. I love the song’s concept, and I would have it higher but it makes me pretty sad whenever I listen to it so I’m gonna put it here. (Also, if I’m not mistaken, this is the only 1D song to have a swear word in it, so that’s interesting.) “Won’t you stay ’til the A.M.? All my favorite conversations always made in the A.M., ’cause we don’t know what we’re saying. We’re just swimming ’round in our glasses and talking out of our asses like we’re all gonna make it.”

12. Temporary Fix (Track 14)

Temporary Fix is a bop and a half (and it kind of reminds me of Everybody Talks by Neon Trees). It’s such a fun song and it’s also great to lip-sync to. And Harry’s voice in the second verse… makes me feel things. The chorus is so infectious and irresistible. This is also one of their more mature songs in terms of lyrics, and the lyrics really tell a story which is great. The bridge of this song is absolutely amazing. Basically, I love this song a lot, but I think it’s just meant to be a lighthearted and fun track, not one to be taken too seriously.

11. Hey Angel (Track 1)

Hey Angel opens up Made In the A.M. on a bombastic and grand note, and it immediately introduces you to the unique sound of this album. With a thumping beat a straight-forward chorus, Hey Angel is a delightful song and a perfect opener. It’s very high-energy and really sets the tone for the rest of the record. The vocals are great as well. I just love the way Harry croons “hey angel”.

10. I Want to Write You a Song (Track 12)

This song is so incredibly sweet, and it feels very earnest and personal which I adore. As the penultimate track (for the standard edition), it serves as a cute little goodbye tune. I don’t really know what to say to describe what makes this song so sweet and cute. Maybe it’s the gentle acoustic guitar, maybe it’s the sound of the pen scratching on paper that persists throughout the entire song. Maybe it’s the fact that this entire song is about wanting to create a song that will bring comfort to people and remind them of good times and happy places. The final lyrics really speak to what One Direction’s music has done for all of their fans, and how even 5 years after their last album, their music still brings joy and serenity to so many people. “I wanna write you a song, one to make your heart remember me. So any time I’m gone, you can listen to my voice and sing along, I wanna write you a song.”

9. If I Could Fly (Track 6)

“For your eyes only, I show you my heart, for when you’re lonely and forget who you are. I’m missing half of me when we’re apart, now you know me, for your eyes only.” Ahhh, this song is so beautiful and lovely. There aren’t many piano ballads in the 1D discography, which makes this song very special. The lyrics are so heartfelt and poignant, and the way that they’re sung just makes them feel even more tender. The boys all sound beautiful, and that part before the last chorus where all four of them sing one line, one after the other… CHILLS. AND TEARS. This song makes me so happy but also makes me want to cry, and I think that’s beautiful. “I’ve got scars, even though they can’t always be seen. And pain gets hard, but now you’re here and I don’t feel a thing.”

8. Perfect (Track 3)

“And if you like midnight driving with the windows down, and if you like going places we can’t even pronounce. If you like to do whatever you’ve been dreaming about, then baby, you’re perfect. Baby you’re perfect, so let’s start right now.” This song is kind of magical. I’ve always thought that songs that sound the way the lyrics feel are really captivating, and they make you feel like you’re experiencing whatever is being described in the lyrics. Perfect is a great example of this. The lyrics describe late-night adventures and fleeting but passionate romance, and with the booming vocals and glossy production, it sounds just like those things. This is probably the most pop-oriented song on the album, but it’s done so well that I don’t mind at all. I love this song, and I love the feelings that it captures. ALSO DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE STRIPPED VERSION OF THIS SONG BECAUSE IT IS AMAZING AND IT MAKES ME FEEL A LOT OF THINGS. “And if you like cameras flashing every time we go out, oh yeah. And if you’re looking for someone to write your breakup songs about, baby I’m perfect. Baby, we’re perfect.”

7. Love You Goodbye (Track 11)

This song, man. It’s so raw and emotional and sad but romantic. This song is about a couple that’s already broken up, but they have to see each other one last time to properly settle everything, and the guy is pleading with the girl to spend one last night together before it’s over for good. The longing and desperation in the chorus is sung with lots of emotion and passion, and this is just a really hard-hitting song. The absolute best part of Love You Goodbye is the bridge though. LOUIS KILLS IT. He’s the one who wrote the song , and in the bridge he just sings with so much heartbreak and emotion; it’s devastating but beautiful. You can tell that he really felt it. “One more taste of your lips just to bring me back to the places we’ve been and the nights we’ve had. Because if this is it then at least we could end it right.”

6. Infinity (Track 4)

“How many nights does it take to count the stars? That’s the time it would take to fix my heart. Oh baby, I was there for you, all I ever wanted was the truth. How many nights have you wished someone would stay? Lie awake only hoping they’re okay. I never counted all of mine, if I tried, I know it would feel like infinity.” This song… makes me feel things. You may have noticed that that’s a recurring theme throughout this album’s tracklist, and that’s because nearly all of the songs on Made In the A.M. hit me in some emotional way. I think that’s one of the main reasons it’s my favorite 1D album; I have a personal connection to pretty much all of the songs. This is a beautiful and sad but kind of inspiring love song, and it just reminds me of gazing up at the stars on a cool night and reminiscing on love-filled memories. I read somewhere that Infinity could be interpreted as Where Do Broken Hearts Go, but from the other person’s perspective, and I LOVE that interpretation. In Where Do Broken Hearts Go, someone is trying to reach their ex partner in attempt to fix what went wrong between them, and in Infinity, that ex partner is just basking in their sorrow and hurt and love for the other person. I love the tie between the two songs, and even if that’s not what the songs were intended to mean, I still think it’s a cool way to think about them.

5. Wolves (Track 16)

Ugh, this song is my jam. It has such an old-school sound to it, and it’s so fricking fun to listen to. Like, try to listen to the opening seconds without getting a huge smile on your face. It’s pretty much impossible for me. Harry sounds great on the chorus, and all the boys do great with their verses. Basically, although this song doesn’t overwhelm me with emotions, it brings a huge smile to my face whenever I listen to it, and I love it a whole lot. I just think it defies what people would expect from One Direction, and I imagine anyone who listens to it would have to give 1D the credit and respect they deserve.

4. Olivia (Track 9)

“I live for you, I long for you, Olivia. I’ve been idolizing the light in your eyes, Olivia. I live for you, I long for you, Olivia, don’t let me go.” Ahhhhh this song! I love it so much! It’s so pretty and playful and merry! It also really makes me wish I was named Olivia. I’m pretty sure Harry’s said that ‘Olivia’ isn’t necessarily a person, that it could be a place or an emotion, and I just love that. I love when songs use heavy personification in their lyrics. The lyrics of this song are very cute and affectionate, but I honestly think the instrumentation of this song steals the show. THE HORNS ARE SO GOOD. AND THE STRINGS ARE AMAZING. Like, in the pre-chorus, if you pay attention to the music, the strings are making this magical, almost fantasy-like sound, and it’s so cool. Speaking of the pre-chorus, I just love that little rambling thing that goes on before the chorus hits (if you’ve heard the song you know what I’m talking about). It’s such a fun way to play with the words and just have fun with the song. This honestly sounds like a Beatles song. It’s just so summery and vintage and fun. “When you go and I’m alone, you live in my imagination. The summertime and butterflies all belong to your creation. I love you, it’s all I do, I love you.”

3. History (Track 13)

“You and me got a whole lot of history. We could be the greatest team that the world has ever seen. You and me got a whole lot of history, so don’t let it go, we can make some more, we can live forever.” This was the closer of the standard edition of the album, and just thinking about how it was their parting message to their fan base makes me want to cry. This song basically says, ‘Hey, this whole thing has been crazy. We’ve done some truly great stuff, and even though it may be over for now, we’ll come back some day and it’ll be just as great as it’s always been.’ And if you haven’t seen the music video… it’s a lot of emotion, I’ll tell you that. History is not only a fantastic song lyrically, but it also sounds great. It’s got this bluesy, old-school sound, and it’s just wonderful. This song means so much to me as a fan of the band, and I think all fans of One Direction really connect with and adore this song. It’s hard not to, because this song is pretty much the band’s personal message to us.

2. What a Feeling (Track 10)

WHAT. A. FEELING. I REPEAT: WHAT A FEELING. THIS. SONG. It blew my mind the first time I heard it, because I was relatively new to the 1D fandom and I hadn’t listened to any of their albums in full, and I was so incredibly impressed with how amazing this song is. Like, whenever I listen to this song I just can’t believe that anyone would discredit their music. The groove of this song is impeccable, and it’s basically impossible not to dance or at least nod your head along to the smooth, gliding beat. And the group harmonies in the chorus are flawless and give the song such a luminous and mystical quality. The lyrics are so clever and enticing, and they describe the scene in such a special and enchanting way. Harry is great in the bridge, and then the way that the final chorus strips back most of the instrumentation so that the four-part harmonies are front and center is just breathtaking and astonishing. This song is GORGEOUS, and I’m completely in love with it. What a feeling it is to listen to this absolute masterpiece of a song (I’m sorry, I had to). “What a feeling to be right here beside you now, holding you in my arms. When the air ran out and we both started running wild, the sky fell down. But you’ve got stars, they’re in your eyes, and I’ve got something missing tonight. What a feeling to be a king beside you somehow, I wish I could be there now.”

1. End of the Day (Track 5)

“I told her that I loved her, was not sure if she heard. The roof was pretty windy and she didn’t say a word. Party dying downstairs, had nothing left to do. Just me, her, and the moon.” Ugh, this song is so wonderful. The way the lyrics just paint a picture and set the scene in your mind is breathtaking. I don’t mean to quote so many lyrics, but this album is chock-full of lovely lyricism, so I really can’t help myself. End of the Day is practically two songs in one because the verses and the chorus have very different sounds, but it works really well. This song is about how it’s always worth it to tell someone you love them if you do, and how it’s best to just take the chance and be honest. I find this song to be really inspiring. Whenever I listen to this I think about rooftops and sunsets and little adventures. I just get the warmest, happiest, and fuzziest feeling whenever I hear this song, and I think they did an absolutely amazing job. For the longest time I considered What a Feeling to be my favorite on this album, but upon further reflection, I’ve realized that I have way more emotional attachment to this one. Every time I listen to it I’m just overcome with an emotion that’s really rare for songs to bring out in me, and it’s a beautiful thing. I just absolutely adore this song with all my heart. “All I know at the end of the day is you want what you want and you say what you say, and you follow your heart even though it’ll break sometimes. All I know at the end of the day is you love who you love, there ain’t no other way. If there’s something I’ve learned from a million mistakes, you’re the one that I want at the end of the day.”

5 Seconds of Summer: Sounds Good Feels Good (2015) Songs Ranked

Rating: 8.5/10

After the success of their debut, self-titled album, 5 Seconds of Summer had lots of expectations placed on them for their second album, which they came out with a year after the release of that first record. It would’ve been very easy for them to stick to the formula they had gone with for the debut record, but instead they opted for a more aggressive sound and entirely different lyrical themes. And honestly, I thought this was a great album. You can tell that the band really wanted to move into more emotional territory than they were in on their debut album, and you can also tell that they wanted to create an album that their fans would really resonate and connect with. This is an album for people who feel like outcasts and misfits, and though that may lend itself to very emo/angsty songs, it makes for a very commendable musical statement.

In this post I’ll be ranking all the songs from 5 Seconds of Summer’s sophomore album, Sounds Good Feels Good, from worst to best, based on a mixture of lyrics, sound, and my overall connection with/enjoyment of the songs. Hope you enjoy!

Also quick disclaimer: I’m including all of the deluxe tracks in this ranking, and because the deluxe edition of the album reorders the track list, I’m just gonna go off of the deluxe track list order. Now without further ado, let’s get into the ranking!

17. Money (Track 1)

Yeah, not gonna lie, if I hadn’t already heard other songs from the album prior to actually sitting down to listen to it, this opening track would’ve given me very low expectations of what I would be hearing. I can see why some people would enjoy this song, but it’s kind of annoying to me.

16. Castaway (Track 9)

Honestly, this song isn’t that bad. The thing with this album is that while I think it’s tracks are overall pretty solid, there’s a lot that kind of just feel like filler, and this is one of those. The chorus has a very angry sound to it, and I do think that the vocal performance does a good job of conveying the feelings of abandonment described in the lyrics. However, it’s just not my type of song and it’s not very catchy to me.

15. Catch Fire (Track 6)

This kind of sounds like a bootleg 2012-One Direction song (and I say that as a Directioner). The verses don’t sound too bad, but the chorus is kind of annoying to me. This song is just kind of boring to me. The lyrics don’t feel meaningful and the production is pretty bland. It honestly sounds like a filler track from the debut album.

14. Fly Away (Track 13)

I think this song was meant to be really catchy, and it’s just not (for me at least). I like the concept of the lyrics, which is describing a perfect place that you want to escape to it, but it’s just not my sound and it’s not very engaging to me. Oh well.

13. Safety Pin (Track 7)

The best part of this song is the lyrics. It’s a really nice song about two hurt people helping each other to become better. I enjoy this song, but I don’t love it. It’s pretty decent, but it’s not great. I will say that Michael’s part in the bridge is awesome and Ashton absolutely kills his verse. And I also really like how the outro closes the track out with nothing but chanting vocals and a drum beat. It’s pretty cool.

12. Permanent Vacation (Track 4)

Alright, I’m just gonna say it: the verses of this song remind me of the Sonny With a Chance theme song. Anyway, moving on… this is a really fun song. Michael does a great job with the vocals, the rhyming in the pre-chorus is slightly annoying but also kind of charming, and the chorus is very catchy and gets you moving around.

11. Invisible (Track 14)

“Another day of painted walls and football on the TV, no one sees me. I fade away, lost inside a memory of someone’s life, it wasn’t mine. I was already missing before the night I left, just me and my shadow and all of my regrets.” Okay, this is an example of what I’m referring to when I say that there are some seriously emo songs on Sounds Good Feels Good. That’s not an inherently bad thing, though. This is a beautiful song about feeling like you don’t belong anywhere, no one sees you, and you’re just floating through life. It’s a heavy topic, but the song handles the subject matter in a caring and genuine way. The strings at the end are gorgeous, and Calum does a great job on lead vocals. I have to confess, though: I heard the whole “Who am I? Who am I?” part of the chorus in a meme once, and because of that I can’t really take it seriously. Apologies.

10. Vapor (Track 9)

This song is very moody and has a lot of attitude, but it doesn’t feel too overwrought. It almost has a mystical quality to it. I don’t really know how to describe it. Michael is awesome in the chorus, and his vocals add a nice desperation and emotion to the lyrics. The drumming as well as the strings in this song are great. Overall, this is just a really strong track, and thematically, it fits into the album perfectly.

9. Hey Everybody! (Track 9)

I’ve seen a lot of people say that this is one of the band’s worst songs, and to everyone who says that, I’d personally just like to say that you can all fight me. This is a bop for the ages, and that’s final. And yes, I know that the verse has the exact same melody as Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran, but Duran Duran got a huge writing credit, so there you go. The chorus of this song is so fun, AND THE BASSLINE IS AWESOME. I think this song is kind of like the Don’t Stop of this album; it gets repeatedly slandered because it’s less advanced lyrically, but it’s an almighty bop that deserves love and appreciation. Also, the music video is pure, amazing chaos.

8. Broken Home (Track 12)

Sounds Good Feels Good? More like Sounds Good Feels Like Someone Ripped My Heart Out and Stomped On It. This song is so devastating to listen to, and it’s not even relatable to how I grew up. It’s just that raw and emotional. This is one of the songs that really demonstrates what I meant when I said that the band wanted to make songs that their fans would connect with. I can only imagine how many fans must have listened to this song to help get through a broken home life. The vocals in this song are so full of emotion, the lyrics are cutting and deep, and the only reason I don’t have this song up higher is because it actually makes me really sad whenever I listen to it. “I’m here alone inside of this broken home. Who’s right, who’s wrong, who really cares? The fault, the blame, the pain’s still there. I’m here alone inside of this broken home.”

7. Outer Space/Carry On (Track 17)

What a great closer for the album. Outer Space/Carry On ends Sounds Good Feels Good on a grand, inspiring bang. While Outer Space is a great, triumphant song, I think Carry On really steals the show between the two songs. After Outer Space ends, we get faded into the relaxing sound of the ocean (which is mentioned throughout Outer Space), and then after a few moments of that, the glorious Carry On begins. This song is ANGELIC. The harmonies, the message, it’s all so great. After an entire album that talks about feeling isolated and alone, Carry On ends the album with the lyric, “you know it’s gonna get better” and I love it so much.

6. The Girl Who Cried Wolf (Track 11)

I don’t know what I was expecting from this song, but it definitely wasn’t this. This is a very heartfelt song with a powerfully emotional vocal performance. I don’t know exactly what it is about this song that really resonates with me. I mean, the vocals are great, the melody is great, and all the instrumentation is great, but there’s just this special quality to this song that I can’t really place. I don’t know. I just really like this song (if you can’t tell).

5. She’s Kinda Hot (Track 2)

“They say we’re losers and we’re alright with that. We are the leaders of the not coming backs, but we’re alright though. Yeah, we’re alright though. We are the kings and the queens of the new broken scene, yeah, we’re alright though.” What an iconic song this is. From Calum’s insanely catchy bassline, to the way that Luke basically screams at you as he opens the song, this song is just amazing. There’s so much that I love about it. I love all the weird little sound effects that they have sprinkled throughout the song. I love Ashton’s verse (which blessed 5SOS fans with the incredible “alRIghT lOs aNgeLeS” meme). I love the overloaded effect on the vocals. I love the message of the song, as well as how misleading it is. You look at the song title “She’s Kinda Hot” and you think it’s gonna be some boring song about how hot a girl is, and then as you go further into the song, you realize that this is a song about doing things your own way and knowing that even if people look down on you for it, you’re gonna turn out fine in the end. This song is an anthem, and I love it so much.

4. San Francisco (Track 16)

“I wanna get back to where we started, to the summer night. You know, you know, you know, you know we got it right. Yeah, I wanna get back to San Francisco, in the fire light
You know, you know, you know, you know we had it right.“ This song is delightful. I don’t know what the right word is, but it just feels… nostalgic? Yeah, I don’t really know how to describe it, but this song just gives me such a good feeling. The chorus just has this really comforting sense of passion and wistfulness, and it’s fantastic. I also adore the use of acoustic guitar and the backing vocals. Lyrically, this song is so vivid and descriptive. It does an amazing job of painting a picture in your head of the memories that are associated with San Francisco, and it’s just wonderful. I like the interlude on this song a lot more than the interlude on the song I’m gonna talk about next. It’s pleasant, I don’t hate it, but I’m not crazy about it. That’s the only bad thing I have to say about this track. “Remember that weekend when we got out of town? Drove into infinity, I held you till you fell asleep. Without you, the smell of your perfume reminds me of when we were free, I swear that it’s still haunting me.”

3. Waste the Night (Track 8)

“Taste in your tongue, the smoke in your lungs, and I need your love, and I need your love. The salt on your skin is pulling me in, and I need your love, and I need your love.” There’s something magical about this song. True to its lyrics, it just gives off the vibe of staying up late and making the most of a night. The whole song sounds good (except the interlude, but we’ll get to that later), but I think the verses/pre-choruses really shine. The way that the vocals are mixed, as well as the tone Luke sings in, just makes for an amazing sound that I really dig (I’d even say that the verses kind of sound like something by The 1975). Also, the opening guitar sounds lovely, and Ashton’s drumming is impeccable as always. This is a really unique sound for the band, but I absolutely love it. I wish they’d make more songs that sound like this. But the interlude ain’t it. Look, I love a good interlude, but the one that’s used in this song is just weird to me (I mean, the drumming is good but that’s the only thing I like about it). Sorry. But because it’s not the entire song, I’m easily able to overlook it and pretend that the song ends after three minutes.

2. Jet Black Heart (Track 5)

“The blood in my veins is made up of mistakes. Let’s forget who we are and dive into the dark, as we burst into color, returning to life.” Michael has a spotlight on him a lot throughout this album (and rightfully so, because his voice is amazing) but this really is his song. The lyrics here are already very meaningful, but the sheer emotion that Michael manages to capture through his timbre and nuances is brilliant. He absolutely owned this song and turned it into something amazing that it just wouldn’t have been otherwise. Calum also kills the bridge. The heavy guitar, the intense drumming, and the blazing group harmonies make for an incredible and extremely memorable chorus. This song is angsty, powerful balladry at it’s finest. “‘Cause I’ve got a jet black heart, and there’s a hurricane underneath it trying to keep us apart. I write with a poison pen, but these chemicals moving between us are the reason to start again.“

1. Airplanes (Track 15)

THIS SONG. IT SHOOK ME. Honestly, we were in the last stretch of the album, I had already been listening for almost an hour, and I was starting to get a little tired, AND THEN THIS SONG CAME ON AND I WAS SHOOK. THAT CHORUS. THE GUITAR. THE MELODY. THE VOCALS. IT’S ALL PERFECTION. Okay, I’m gonna calm down. In all seriousness, this is such an awesome song. The lyrics have this great imagery to them, and I just find the message of this song to be very inspirational. It’s about wanting to prove yourself and giving everything you’ve got in order to do so after doubting yourself for a long time. At the end of the album, it’s a nice conclusion to the other, less self-assured songs on Sounds Good Feels Good. I really love Airplanes. I love the concept, I LOVE the chorus, and I think they did an incredible job with the song. It inspires me and I bop to it. What more could you ask for? “Airplanes cut through the clouds like angels can fly, we’ll never die. Sirens cut through the night like screams set on fire, rising up higher. I’ve got something to prove, nothing to lose in this city, in this city.”

Billy Joel: Cold Spring Harbor (1971) Song Ranking

Rating: 8/10

Okay, I wasn’t planning on reviewing any more Billy Joel albums. Especially not this one, since it’s usually ranked as one of his worst (it was his debut, so let’s all be nice). However, one of my favorite BJ songs ever is on this album (you’ll see which one that is at the end of the ranking), so I decided to give it a listen. And honestly, this was much better than I was expecting. Is it as advanced lyrically and musically as most of his later work? No. But is there still serious enjoyment to be had out of this album? Very much so.

With that being said, I shall let the ranking of Billy Joel’s first studio album, Cold Spring Harbor, begin!

PS: For some reason I really love this album’s title. I don’t know why.

10. Nocturne (Track 9)

Look, this is a beautiful piano piece. However, it has no lyrics, so naturally, it’s not my favorite.

9. You Look So Good to Me (Track 7)

Okay, like I said, there’s enjoyment to be had out of every song on this album, because they’re all quite good and lovely to listen to. And I’d even say that this song stands out sonically from the other songs on Cold Spring Harbor. But melodically and lyrically, it’s just not my favorite.

8. Turn Around (Track 6)

This is a really nice song. It contributes nicely to the flow of the album and Billy sounds great. However, it didn’t amaze me amidst all the other absolute gems on this album.

7. Why Judy Why (Track 4)

There are times when I really regret making song rankings the format of my album reviews, and it’s usually when I’m dealing with an album that has such strong songs all throughout – songs that are pretty much all equal in strength. That’s what I’m feeling right now, and I’m actually really struggling to come up with this ranking. Nonetheless, this is a gentle and sweet song, but it’s not a favorite.

6. You Can Make Me Free (Track 2)

We’ve now reached my favorites from the album! Yay! When I first listened to this album, when this song came on I figured it was going to be in my top 3 because I liked it so much. It’s kind of Paul McCartney-esque, which I really liked, and it’s just very pleasant to listen to. The lyrics aren’t too interesting, though, so I’m gonna put it here. I definitely like it though.

5. Everybody Loves You Now (Track 3)

THE PIANO IN THIS SONG. INCREDIBLE. It’s not very often that I would describe a song that’s led by a rapid, angry piano rhythm as a bop, but this is honestly a bop. Billy is very salty in this song, as he’s singing about someone who’s forgotten where they came from in light of newfound fame and popularity. This song also features the album’s title, when Billy sings the lyric, “But you ain’t got the time to go to Cold Spring Harbor no more.” So overall, this is a salty, fast-paced piano-bop.

4. Falling of the Rain (Track 5)

“Once upon a time, in the land of misty satin dreams, there stood a house and a man who painted nature scenes. He painted trees and fields and animals and streams. And he stayed and he didn’t hear the falling of the rain.” This song is magical. The piano is gorgeous, the melody is enchanting, and the lyrics sound like something straight out of a fairy tale. Honestly, the piano sounds like falling rain, which is adds a really special beauty to this song. Also, Billy’s voice sounds beautiful and he carries the melody so well. “So now the boy becomes the man who sits and paints all day, but the girl with the braids in her hair has gone away. And it seems that time has brought things to an end. Nothing’s changed, because you can’t stop the falling of the rain.”

3. Got to Begin Again (Track 10)

My my my, what a beautiful note to end this album on. Gentle and comforting, Got to Begin Again is a declaration of working through the ups and downs you’ll face in life, knowing you’ll wake up again the next morning and keep moving forward. I see this song as a sequel to the song I’m gonna talk about next, which is really cool. Billy sings this song with such tender care and earnestness, and he really makes this song feel like a breath of fresh air after lots of hardship and struggle. “Well, it’s been quite a while since I lifted my head, and I’m sure the light will hurt my eyes. I see the way that I’ve been spendin’ my days, and reality has caught my by surprise.”

2. Tomorrow Is Today (Track 8)

“I don’t care to know the hour because it’s passing anyway. I don’t have to see tomorrow because I saw it yesterday. So I listen for an answer but the feeling seems to stay, and what’s the use of always dreaming if tomorrow is today?” Okay, so I said that I thought that Got to Begin Again is a sequel to this song, and I’ll explain why. This song is about wasting away your hours, feeling as if nothing really matters, and getting ready to give up on life (yeah, it’s a serious topic, and the story behind this song is really sad). Got to Begin Again, after the brief interlude of Nocturne, comes right after this song, and it talks about picking your head up and choosing to carry on even though you’ve experienced great pain. This is a beautiful song, and very much worth a listen because the emotion behind the lyrics is wonderfully expressed through Billy’s singing and instrumentation that goes behind it. “Still I’m waiting for the morning but it feels so far away. And you don’t need the love I’m giving, so tomorrow is today.”

1. She’s Got a Way (Track 1)

“She’s got a way about her. I don’t know what it is, but I know that I can’t live without her. She’s got a way of pleasing. I don’t know what it is, but there doesn’t have to be a reason anyway.” Okay, if I had first listened to this album without having heard any of the songs prior, I don’t think this song would be as high up. However, this song was actually one of the first Billy Joel songs I ever listened to, so I have a very strong emotional connection to it that has caused it to take the number one spot on this list. This song just means a lot to me and I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s because it’s essentially anything that you could ever want to hear from your partner. This song, for starters, is a beautiful piano ballad that is beautifully and delicately sung, and it has this raw, rough quality to it (which is actually due to an issue in the mastering process) that makes it feel so genuine. But beyond how it sounds, it’s a song about being so completely in love with a person, that even though you can’t quite pinpoint what it is about them, you know that they’re the one for you. It’s undeniably corny, but it’s a beautiful, beautiful song and I love it to pieces. “And she’s got a light around her. And everywhere she goes, a million dreams of love surround her everywhere.”

June 2020: Music Recap

I’ve discovered a lot of great songs this past month, so here they are!

1. Positively 4th Street – Bob Dylan

2. Same Old Love – Selena Gomez

Of course, I’d heard this on the radio when I was younger, but I hadn’t listened to in a while so I sort of rediscovered it this month.

3. Heavy Metal Drummer – Wilco

I really love this song.

4. On the Loose – Niall Horan

5. We’ve Only Just Begun – The Carpenters

6. No Excuses – Alice In Chains

7. Gravity – John Mayer

I’m really excited to review the Continuum album at some point.

8. Bad Liar – Selena Gomez

Okay honestly, I’ve never been that into Selena Gomez’s music, but she does have some bangers. This is one of them.

9. Right Down the Line – Gerry Rafferty

The Beatles: With the Beatles (1963) Song Ranking

Rating: 7/10

With the Beatles is basically a perfect encapsulation of the early-Beatles trademarks. From raspy rocking tracks led by John to sweet romantic ballads led by Paul, this album is chock-full of the staples from those earlier years.

Personally, I prefer their debut album, Please Please Me, to this one, but of course, this is a very strong record as well. While I do think a lot of the tracks on With the Beatles are filler-esque, I also can’t deny that there are some seriously amazing songs sprinkled throughout the tracklist of this album.

So without further ado, I will rank all of the songs from The Beatles’ sophomore album, With the Beatles, from my least favorite to my favorite. Enjoy!

14. Little Child (Track 5)

This is the type of song that I don’t really like from The Beatles. The lyrics are nothing special, and it’s the epitome of a filler song.

13. I Wanna Be Your Man (Track 11)

Man, they did Ringo so dirty. He was always given the worst songs to sing (with some exceptions on the later albums – I’m looking at you Octopus’s Garden). I’m so sorry to put a Ringo track this low on the list, but I can’t deny that this is one of the weakest songs on the album. The melody isn’t that appealing, and it’s not catchy enough to level out the extremely fast pace.

12. Roll Over Beethoven (Track 8)

Okay, let me preface this by saying that this actually is a pretty fun song. It’s very upbeat, and it’s just a good time. Plus, the opening is awesome – the guitar in this song is insanely good. That being said, it’s just not the type of song I generally gravitate towards. I don’t really know what to say to explain why I don’t really like this song that much. I guess I’m just really big on having a strong melody, and I don’t like the melody of this song very much.

11. Money (That’s What I Want) (Track 14)

John sounds really great on this song. I think his raspy voice suits the tone of the song very well. Plus, the backing piano in this song is very cool and adds a nice quality to the song. The handclaps towards the end are really fun as well. Lyrically, it’s not my favorite concept, and I don’t think it should’ve been the album’s closer. I think they should’ve ended on a softer, more romantic note, but oh well.

10. Don’t Bother Me (Track 4)

This is a decent song. It’s not a highlight of the album by any means, but it’s not quite filler either. Plus, I like George’s voice. The way he sings the “I know she’ll always be” line is really pleasing to the ear. In summation, this is enjoyable to listen to as part of the album, but it’s not going on my Beatles playlist because I can’t see myself wanting to listen to it outside of the album.

9. You Really Got A Hold On Me (Track 10)

I like the old-fashioned rhyming in this song. Of course, it probably wasn’t old-fashioned at the time this song was written, but whatever. The piano line in this song is pretty nice as well. That’s pretty much all I have to say. This song isn’t outstanding compared to some other tracks on this record, but there are also far worse songs on With the Beatles than this one.

8. Devil In Her Heart (Track 12)

I didn’t like this song much when I first listened to this album, but it’s actually grown on me a lot in lieu of more recent listenings. The melody is pretty fun, and the background vocals are really nice. George sounds great on lead vocal, Ringo’s drumming is really good, and Paul’s bass really sticks out (in a good way). Overall, a strong addition to the album.

7. Hold Me Tight (Track 9)

This song kind of sounds like something on Please Please Me, which is definitely a win in my book. Lyrically, there’s pretty much nothing special about this song. The appeal of this song comes from the enthusiasm to be found in the instrumentation and vocal performance. The harmonies sound a little off, but it actually works pretty well in favor of the song. The drumming and guitar work is really fun, and they just add a nice burst of energy to the song.

6. Not a Second Time (Track 13)

I’d say John’s singing and Ringo’s drumming are the highlights of this song. John sounds amazing (not uncommon, but still worth pointing out) and does a great job of inflecting emotion into his voice and carrying the melody in a charming enough way that it really stands out. Ringo’s drumming pushes the song forward and gives it a nice determination and rhythm. This is the early-Beatles sound done very well, and this song manages to feel fresh and unique despite it being very similar on-paper to many other songs on the album.

5. It Won’t Be Long (Track 1)

Now we’ve reached what I think are the absolute strongest tracks on With the Beatles. It Won’t Be Long kicks off the album on a very strong note, and I was really taken aback when I played it for the first time. I don’t really know how to describe it, but this song is something of a singing match between John and the background vocals. They flip back and forth during the “yeahs” of the chorus, and though it’s really high-energy and aggressive, it’s super cool. The bridge is my favorite part of this song. John’s vocals are incredible, and he carries the melody SO WELL. I’m in love with the way he sings this song, and overall, this was an amazing way to kick off the album.

4. All I’ve Got To Do (Track 2)

This song sounds amazing. John’s vocals are great (that must be the hundredth time I’ve said that in this review), and he has such a fond quality in his voice that makes the lyrics sound really sweet, where they could’ve easily sounded arrogant. Basically, this song is about a relationship where both people are so into each other that they’re at each other’s beck and call at all times. So the lyrics easily could’ve come across as arrogant and smug, but John sings it in a way that actually makes the song sound very charming and affectionate.

3. Please Mister Postman (Track 7)

The Beatles have always done a good job with covers, but their bursting musical talent, coupled with the brilliance of the original song, help to make this one of their best covers of all time (in my opinion, of course). John really sells the emotion of this song, and he sounds great while also conveying the desperation and frustration of the lyrics. The backing harmonies and all of the instrumentation is truly great. In summation, this is an undeniably infectious and extremely enjoyable song.

2. All My Loving (Track 3)

“Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you, tomorrow I’ll miss you. Remember I’ll always be true. And then while I’m away, I’ll write home every day, and I’ll send all my loving to you.” This song is so short, and part of me wishes it was longer, but as I’ve often said, the fact that it’s short basically means that it’s perfect all throughout. This song is incredibly strong in all aspects. Lyrically, it’s charming and clever (one of the best on the album by lyrics alone). Paul’s vocal performance is amazing and very endearing. Musically, it’s very well-done and energetic. This song is very beloved, and I can see why. It’s genuine, sweet, and extremely catchy. An absolute highlight of the early-Beatles era. “I’ll pretend that I’m kissing the lips I am missing, and hope that my dreams will come true.”

1. Till There Was You (Track 6)

“There were bells on a hill, but I never heard them ringing. No, I never heard them at all till there was you. There were birds in the sky, but I never saw them winging. No, I never saw them at all till there was you.” Oh, how I adore this song. The first time I heard it, I was in the car with my grandma (she may be reading this, and if so, hi!) listening to a Beatles CD, and this song came on, and I was so instantly charmed by it that I had to ask her what it was called so I could go home and listen to it again. The lyrics are so sunny and happy, and they just paint an image in my head of a picturesque little town with hills and ponds and birds and flowers everywhere (I know this song is a cover, but still).

I read a comment about this song on YouTube, and it said something about how Paul McCartney has this really special quality to his voice that allows him to make songs like this feel very romantic and gentle and sweet without making them feel too melodramatic or cheesy/cliche. And I completely agree. Paul really pulls off this song so well. Plus, taking the breezy guitar and soft bongos into account, this song is practically perfect in every way (yes, that was a Mary Poppins reference). “Then there was music and wonderful roses. They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows of dawn and dew. There was love all around, but I never heard it singing. No, I never heard it at all till there was you.”

Also, I just love the way Paul pronounces “saw”. It sounds a lot more like “sar” and I think it’s pretty funny.

Summertime Playlist

Summertime is the time of year for popsicles, the beach, and fun memories. It’s a joyous and exciting period of time, and I’ve selected some songs that I think capture the feeling of summer. Hope you enjoy, and feel free to let me know of some songs that remind you of summer!

(Also, just a disclaimer: some of these songs are on here purely for the way they sound, and not because of their lyrical content.)

1. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

“Laughin’ and a-runnin’, skippin’ and a-jumpin’, in the misty morning fog with our hearts a-thumpin’.”

2. Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass

“There’s a port on a Western bay, and it serves a hundred ships a day. Lonely sailors pass the time away and talk about their homes.”

3. One Dance – Drake

“And that’s why I need a one dance, got a Hennessy in my hand. One more time ‘fore I go, higher powers taking a hold on me.”

4. Do You Believe In Magic – The Lovin’ Spoonful

“Do you believe in magic, in a young girl’s heart? How the music can free her whenever it starts. And it’s magic if the music is groovy, it makes you feel happy like an old-time movie.”

5. Rude – MAGIC!

“Can I have your daughter for the rest of my life? Say yes, say yes, ’cause I need to know. You say I’ll never get your blessing till the day I die. ‘Tough luck, my friend, but the answer is no.'”

6. Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra

“The sun is shining in the sky, there ain’t a cloud in sight. It’s stopped raining, everybody’s in the play. And don’t you know, it’s a beautiful new day.”

7. Cruel Summer – Taylor Swift

“And I snuck in through the garden gate every night that summer just to seal my fate. And I screamed for whatever it’s worth, ‘I love you, ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?'”

8. In the Summertime – Mungo Jerry

“In the summertime, when the weather is hot, you can stretch right up and touch the sky. When the weather’s fine, you got women, you got women on your mind. Have a drink, have a drive, go out and see what you can find.”

9. Southern Nights – Glen Campbell

“Southern nights, have you ever felt a southern night? Free as a breeze, not to mention the trees, whistling tunes that you know and love so.”

10. Sunflower, Vol. 6 – Harry Styles

“I couldn’t want you any more, kiss in the kitchen like it’s a dance floor. I couldn’t want you any more tonight. I couldn’t want you any more, kids in the kitchen listen to dancehall. I couldn’t want you any more tonight. Sunflower, my eyes want you more than a melody. Let me inside, wish I could get to know you.”

11. Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams

“But when I look back now, that summer seemed to last forever. And if I had the choice, yeah, I’d always wanna be there. Those were the best days of my life.”

12. Rescue Me – Sabrina Carpenter

“Give your heart, baby, just ease your mind to see that it’s meant to be. ‘Cause when I’m with you, darling, it’s such a breeze that I know, know you’ll rescue me.”

13. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole

“You brought a lot of a sunshine into my life. You filled me with happiness I never knew. You gave me more joy then I ever dreamed of, and no one, no one can take the place of you!”

14. The Boys Are Back In Town – Thin Lizzy

“That jukebox in the corner blasting out my favorite song. The nights are getting warmer, it won’t be long, it won’t be long till summer comes now that the boys are here again.”

15. Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles

“Strawberries on a summer evening, baby you’re the end of June. I want your belly and that summer feeling, getting washed away in you.”