Category Archives: Expressive Music

“Many Rivers to Cross” by Jimmy Cliff

A moving and expressive song of hardship and struggle

The grandfather of reggae singer Jimmy Cliff wrote “Many Rivers To Cross” at the mere age of 21, and to this day, it is still considered one of the most soulful songs of his decades-long career. The heartbreaking lyrics relay … Continue reading

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“The Fear of Losing This” by Florist

A reflective, indie-pop song asks how we can make peace with life's impermanence

“The Fear of Losing This,” by indie folk group Florist, delves into the confrontation of life’s ephemeral nature and the quest to find solace in the inevitability of loss. Emily Sprague, Florist’s vocalist and songwriter, showcases her unique ability to … Continue reading

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“This is What Losing Someone Feels Like” by JVKE

A song about the pain of losing someone, the grief that follows, and some advice about reaching out

“This is What Losing Someone Feels Like” is a poignant conversation with the person who is gone while also offering advice to listeners. The co-writer and performer — 22-year-old JVKE, pronounced Jake — was born Jacob Dodge Lawson and is … Continue reading

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“Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife” by the Drive-By Truckers

Southern rock legends, the Drive-By Truckers, create a pure expression of grief

The Drive-By Truckers, known for their narrative-driven Southern rock sound, have a penchant for crafting songs that dive directly into the heart of things. One such masterpiece is “Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife,” a track that tries to makes … Continue reading

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“Life’s for the Living” by Passenger

The re-released song, featuring a duet with Foy Vance, reminds listeners not to take life for granted

“Life’s for the Living” by Passenger reminds us that it sometimes takes the looming certainty of eventual death to challenge us to seize opportunities; to not take everything so seriously. The newly recorded version of the familiar song forces us … Continue reading

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“Under You” by The Foo Fighters

A song to angry-cry to until you feel better

When I saw the Foo Fighters perform on the main stage of the music festival Boston Calling last May, it was obvious something was a bit off. Dave Grohl, their legendarily energetic lead singer and guitarist, was uncharacteristically subdued. You … Continue reading

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