Category Archives: Expressive Music

Kina Grannis’s song “Birdsong” begins with just that: the soft chirping of birds, accompanied by gentle piano chords. She then begins singing about a special connection with someone, describing how they fell right into her hands and that she will … Continue reading →

On the surface, “Life Goes On” by Tupac Shakur is a gritty ode to the people we lose during a lifetime. But beneath the surface, Shakur is weaving a complex balance of perspectives that never traditionally aligned.

In his 2022 song “How Do I Say Goodbye,” singer-songwriter Dean Lewis wrestles with what it means to have a parent die. The subject material is autobiographical and intensely personal for Lewis, who wrote on Instagram that his father was … Continue reading →

“Everybody Lost Somebody” is a moving song by the rock band Bleachers that dives into the universal experience of loss and grief. While the song may seem to be about the pain of losing a loved one, it also speaks … Continue reading →

Although the song, “Smile” may not seem like one well-suited for a funeral or memorial, its sentimental overtones convey both sorrow and hope. First released by Nat King Cole on the album “Ballads of the Day,” the song encourages us … Continue reading →

When Taylor Swift’s most recent album “Midnights” was released on October 21, 2022, it was an instant hit, spawning No. 1 songs and rave reviews. But one of the lesser known songs is causing waves in a different way, resonating … Continue reading →