New Mix: The Songs Remain The Same, But All The Meanings Have Changed
Clockwise from upper left: Lizzo, Leonard Cohen, Sinkane, Rubblebucket, Ty Segall Courtesy of the artists hide caption
Have you ever been broken-hearted and every song you hear suddenly seems to be about you and your ex? This post-election week felt a lot like that: As we began to think about the music we'd play, I noticed that songs I'd listened to a week before had a different meaning now. The messages I heard took on a more profound and prophetic tone. A track from Sinkane has the refrain, "as long as we try, we're all going to be all right." There's music from the Brooklyn powerhouse Rubblebucket with the message, "Our enemies are our greatest teachers." A song Robin Hilton plays on this week's show, by the soul singer Lizzo, includes the line "Come on now, dry your eyes / I know that it's hard but you've got to try."
Last week we also learned about the death of Leonard Cohen. He knew You Want It Darker, released last month, would be his final album, and it was clear that the message in the title track lyrics were about his mortality. Still, even "You Want It Darker" took on a more powerful meaning.
And so this edition of All Songs Considered is dedicated to this transitional time, to our inner feelings and how they affect the way music moves us.
Songs Featured on This Episode
Rubblebucket
"If U C My Enemies"
From 'If U C My Enemies'
Rubblebucket took inspiration from a Dalai Lama quote for this track: "Our enemies are our greatest teachers." Looking to replace fear with compassion to create hope for the country, the song is about forgiveness. "If U C My Enemies" is from Rubblebucket's EP of the same name, out in January 2017.
Rubblebucket
Alev Lenz
"Fall Into Me"
From 'Two-Headed Girl'
The German and Turkish singer, Alev Lenz wrote "Fall Into Me" for an episode of the prophetic science fiction TV series Black Mirror, but says her own personal fears worked their way into the song as well. It's dark and twisted, with Lenz's delicate voice floating in the abyss. Lenz released the full-length album, Two-Headed Girl, back in June of this year.
Alev Lenz
Sinkane
"U'Huh"
From 'Life & Livin' It'
This song is filled with optimism. Singer Ahmed Gallab, otherwise known as Sinkane, repeats the Arabic phrase "kulu shi tamaam," which means "everything is great." Gallab says that although times are tough, he believes in hope, love and the power of positivity. "U'Huh" comes from Life & Livin' It, due out Feb. 10.
Sinkane
Ty Segall
"Orange Color Queen"
From 'Ty Segall'
After releasing two full-lengths earlier this year (one under his name and one with the band GØGGS), Ty Segall has announced another album: a self-titled due out Jan. 27. "Orange Color Queen" is the first single. It's a love ballad Segall wrote about his girlfriend, artist Denée Petracek. Segall says he's written plenty of songs about her in the past, but "Orange Color Queen" is his best yet.
Ty Segall
Leonard Cohen
"You Want It Darker"
From 'You Want It Darker'
Last week we learned of the death of Leonard Cohen. After listening to Cohen's entire discography — and listening to WXPN's interview with Cohen's son, Adam — Bob felt moved to share a song from You Want It Darker. Cohen's final album was produced by his son and released last month. This cut represents the pinnacle of Cohen's craft, with a graceful look at his own mortality.
Lizzo
"Good As Hell"
From 'Coconut Oil'
"Good As Hell" is ostensibly a breakup song, but Lizzo's joyful anthem is really about picking yourself up, dusting yourself off and understanding you're going to be okay. "Good As Hell" is from the Minneapolis soul singer's just-released EP Coconut Oil.