I really enjoyed reading this. Plus Kristin is awesome so it was fun following y’all’s banter.
I too am a Cute fanatic and Disintegration was my high school jam.
It felt like I was in a room with a couple of my friends chatting about The Cure song. And so funny that Steve never considered it for this post. But I can relate when being singly focused on a post we sometimes lose sight of the most obvious thing.
I was a bit late to the song. Only that in high school it was not my jam. I did have the CD so I was aware of it.
But it was really a few years later. Away from my protective home and in college in the Midwest after experiencing severe winters coming from Miami that I wore that song around my neck and felt it defined me.
I also live the audience and crowd participation in this piece.
Thanks, Ali! These STUDS collaborations are such a blast to put together. Kristin and I had fun dialoguing about these tunes. Let me know if you’d like to be a future guest. I’m scheduled through mid-September, so no rush.
A big fan of The Cure song (no surprise) but I appreciated you eschewing both their song and the Noah Kahan song to bring us five different choices.
I was turned on to Durand Bernarr recently and have been enjoying his latest album a lot. So that was my vote. But, quite frankly, all of the other songs were worthy.
I’d heard of the Kings of Convenience but never listened to any of their music before. Their song was lovely. And now I feel like I need to go back and re-listen to the latest Jobi Riccio album. I’d given it a listen or two but it hadn’t done much for me.
What a fantastic STUDS installment this was, thanks to you both!!
Thanks, Mark for reading and listening to the songs. After giving it a couple more listens, I think that the latest Jobi record isn’t as strong as her previous one. I was going to say debut, but I’m not entirely sure if that was her debut or not. Homesick is from her earlier record which, to me, is more polished. Meaning that the songs feel more complete.
The Cure entry is the one that got me—specifically Steve's line about Robert Smith giving a song a title thematically opposite the lyrics. That's a whole sneaky little category of its own: not the song meaning something other than it sounds like, but the title itself lying to you before the first note. A title is the one piece of a song you're handed up front, the label on the tin—so when it points the opposite direction from the words, "Homesick" for a song about never going home, it's the first and cleverest misdirection in the whole thing. Kristin noticing the word never actually appears in the song makes it better still—Smith names it after a feeling the song then refuses to be about. Great pick for the series. Now I'm going to be turning over every song whose title quietly contradicts it.
Thanks, J.P., for your thoughtful comment. That is a great category to explore, song titles that are in fact the opposite meaning/tone of the lyrics. I know there are a lot of them. The only other one that comes to mind is Every Breath You Take, but that’s not really a match. I imagine a song titled something like “Never happier” that is about being never sadder, would fit. I know there are examples of this, but can’t think of it right now.
Two that fit the bill came to me, Steve. "Born in the U.S.A."—that chorus struts like a patriotic anthem, which is why it keeps turning up at rallies, but the verses are a broken Vietnam vet with nothing to come home to. Triumphant title, bitter song; Springsteen's spent forty years correcting people. And the sneaky one: Green Day's "Good Riddance." The whole world uses it as the tender graduation-slideshow song, but it's literally titled "Good Riddance"—Billie Joe wrote it out of a breakup. The sound hugs you; the title shoves you out the door. Your "Never Happier / never sadder" is the exact shape of it. And thank you for subscribing—that's a real kindness from someone who clearly hears songs the way I do. This category's going to live in my head now.
I did think of born in the USA, but the real story of that song seems so widely known that I didn’t consider it surprisingly opposite its title. “I’m Not in Love,” by 10cc is another I thought of, where the narrator is clearly still in love.
“I’m Not In Love” is the first song that came to mind for me in this category. I’d also add “Missing You” by John Waite where he’s “not missing her at all”. But, of course, he really is!
It was late last night when I read your comment and came back to it this morning and have thought about it all day! I know there are several songs like this, and I’ll come up with some eventually lol
This was such a banger! Y’all discovering Durand Bernarr, one of my partner’s favorite artists! The “Durand Durand” joke! And IMO it’s so ok not to know who Lynyrd Skynyrd is. Also love that our STUDS resulted in a tie! Great work y’all
I know - I didn’t expect a tie. But if had to be one, having it be between Jamelia and Lauryn Hill is pretty awesome! Thanks for honoring my Durand Durand joke! I’m abnormally proud of that one. Digging his new album, Bernarr.. I’ll have to go back and check out his previous records.
It’s a good pun. Be proud of it!! I think my partner’s fave Durand Bernarr album is ‘Wanderlust’ from 2022, but i don’t remember atm. Also i’m very ok with the Lauryn Hill/Jamelia tie! Two great choices.
You two are too cool for me! I don't know any of these songs although I do know Brett Dennen, Kings of Convenience, Atlanta Rhythm Section, and of course, The Cure.
What a great STUDS edition! After listening to Noah Kahan's song, I was concerned that none of the contenders would match it, but I was wrong and glad of it. It was difficult for me to choose.
I hold multiple grudges against my hometown in SW Ohio and the whole state, so I can't say that I've ever been homesick exactly. But after I moved to Pittsburgh, I discovered that I'd missed its topography, flora, and fauna.
So I guess The Pretenders’ “My City Was Gone” resonates with you? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be precious, I just imagine you having to carry brass in your pocket when you go back to Ohio.
This comment is in honor of our discussion on communicating in song lyrics.🤓
That Grace VanderWaal... that was like hearing my bio. Pure perfection. But even better was the opportunity to get to know both of you through these songs and what home means or the ways in which you long for it.
I forgot to note the Kings of Convenience sounding like Simon and Garfunkel is funny given that they recorded Homeward Bound and that is a kind of home sick song!
I probably would too. And I imagine a lot of others as well. That’s why we decided to go with five lesser known songs for the candidates. If Substack ever allows for more than five entries in a poll…
I really enjoyed reading this. Plus Kristin is awesome so it was fun following y’all’s banter.
I too am a Cute fanatic and Disintegration was my high school jam.
It felt like I was in a room with a couple of my friends chatting about The Cure song. And so funny that Steve never considered it for this post. But I can relate when being singly focused on a post we sometimes lose sight of the most obvious thing.
I was a bit late to the song. Only that in high school it was not my jam. I did have the CD so I was aware of it.
But it was really a few years later. Away from my protective home and in college in the Midwest after experiencing severe winters coming from Miami that I wore that song around my neck and felt it defined me.
I also live the audience and crowd participation in this piece.
Thanks for a fun read.
Thank you so much Ali!!
Thanks, Ali! These STUDS collaborations are such a blast to put together. Kristin and I had fun dialoguing about these tunes. Let me know if you’d like to be a future guest. I’m scheduled through mid-September, so no rush.
Don’t need to ask me twice! I’m in. Pencil me in for your next vacancy. it reminds me of what I do with friends anyway talking about music.
Great! I’ll reach out in chat with more details soon….
A big fan of The Cure song (no surprise) but I appreciated you eschewing both their song and the Noah Kahan song to bring us five different choices.
I was turned on to Durand Bernarr recently and have been enjoying his latest album a lot. So that was my vote. But, quite frankly, all of the other songs were worthy.
I’d heard of the Kings of Convenience but never listened to any of their music before. Their song was lovely. And now I feel like I need to go back and re-listen to the latest Jobi Riccio album. I’d given it a listen or two but it hadn’t done much for me.
What a fantastic STUDS installment this was, thanks to you both!!
Thanks, Mark for reading and listening to the songs. After giving it a couple more listens, I think that the latest Jobi record isn’t as strong as her previous one. I was going to say debut, but I’m not entirely sure if that was her debut or not. Homesick is from her earlier record which, to me, is more polished. Meaning that the songs feel more complete.
Thank you, Mark!
This was so much fun, guys. I didn’t know any of these songs or artists. Lots to dive into here!
Thanks Andy!
Hope you find one that you like!
The Cure entry is the one that got me—specifically Steve's line about Robert Smith giving a song a title thematically opposite the lyrics. That's a whole sneaky little category of its own: not the song meaning something other than it sounds like, but the title itself lying to you before the first note. A title is the one piece of a song you're handed up front, the label on the tin—so when it points the opposite direction from the words, "Homesick" for a song about never going home, it's the first and cleverest misdirection in the whole thing. Kristin noticing the word never actually appears in the song makes it better still—Smith names it after a feeling the song then refuses to be about. Great pick for the series. Now I'm going to be turning over every song whose title quietly contradicts it.
Thanks, J.P., for your thoughtful comment. That is a great category to explore, song titles that are in fact the opposite meaning/tone of the lyrics. I know there are a lot of them. The only other one that comes to mind is Every Breath You Take, but that’s not really a match. I imagine a song titled something like “Never happier” that is about being never sadder, would fit. I know there are examples of this, but can’t think of it right now.
Two that fit the bill came to me, Steve. "Born in the U.S.A."—that chorus struts like a patriotic anthem, which is why it keeps turning up at rallies, but the verses are a broken Vietnam vet with nothing to come home to. Triumphant title, bitter song; Springsteen's spent forty years correcting people. And the sneaky one: Green Day's "Good Riddance." The whole world uses it as the tender graduation-slideshow song, but it's literally titled "Good Riddance"—Billie Joe wrote it out of a breakup. The sound hugs you; the title shoves you out the door. Your "Never Happier / never sadder" is the exact shape of it. And thank you for subscribing—that's a real kindness from someone who clearly hears songs the way I do. This category's going to live in my head now.
I did think of born in the USA, but the real story of that song seems so widely known that I didn’t consider it surprisingly opposite its title. “I’m Not in Love,” by 10cc is another I thought of, where the narrator is clearly still in love.
“I’m Not In Love” is the first song that came to mind for me in this category. I’d also add “Missing You” by John Waite where he’s “not missing her at all”. But, of course, he really is!
It was late last night when I read your comment and came back to it this morning and have thought about it all day! I know there are several songs like this, and I’ll come up with some eventually lol
This was such a banger! Y’all discovering Durand Bernarr, one of my partner’s favorite artists! The “Durand Durand” joke! And IMO it’s so ok not to know who Lynyrd Skynyrd is. Also love that our STUDS resulted in a tie! Great work y’all
I know - I didn’t expect a tie. But if had to be one, having it be between Jamelia and Lauryn Hill is pretty awesome! Thanks for honoring my Durand Durand joke! I’m abnormally proud of that one. Digging his new album, Bernarr.. I’ll have to go back and check out his previous records.
It’s a good pun. Be proud of it!! I think my partner’s fave Durand Bernarr album is ‘Wanderlust’ from 2022, but i don’t remember atm. Also i’m very ok with the Lauryn Hill/Jamelia tie! Two great choices.
I love Jobi so much! But here, Atlanta's song was the earworm.
Thanks for commenting and voting! I think it’s gonna be a nail biter !
Thank you, Dana!
You two are too cool for me! I don't know any of these songs although I do know Brett Dennen, Kings of Convenience, Atlanta Rhythm Section, and of course, The Cure.
Thank you, Dan!
I hope you voted, Dan! I’m serious about making some I voted stickers
You totally should!! I love stickers! lol
What a great STUDS edition! After listening to Noah Kahan's song, I was concerned that none of the contenders would match it, but I was wrong and glad of it. It was difficult for me to choose.
I hold multiple grudges against my hometown in SW Ohio and the whole state, so I can't say that I've ever been homesick exactly. But after I moved to Pittsburgh, I discovered that I'd missed its topography, flora, and fauna.
So I guess The Pretenders’ “My City Was Gone” resonates with you? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be precious, I just imagine you having to carry brass in your pocket when you go back to Ohio.
This comment is in honor of our discussion on communicating in song lyrics.🤓
You may be right; from a young age it was clear I'd be moving out. And you oughta know by now that it takes a lot to get me back in Ohio!
(This is fun! 😃)
Thank you so much Jackie! Yes, I love the Noah Kahan one, but what an excellent group of contenders!
That Grace VanderWaal... that was like hearing my bio. Pure perfection. But even better was the opportunity to get to know both of you through these songs and what home means or the ways in which you long for it.
Aww- thanks, Emm! It is a fantastic song. Did you win Canada’s Got Syrup as a 12-year-old?🤣
Came third in a Bob and Doug MacKenzie contest. Same thing... ;)
Take off!
Coo-roo-coo-coo-coo-coo-coo-coo!
Thank you so much Emm! Yes, I love that Grace VanderWaal!!
I forgot to note the Kings of Convenience sounding like Simon and Garfunkel is funny given that they recorded Homeward Bound and that is a kind of home sick song!
Yeah, they definitely get compared a lot to S&G, but when you can pull it off like they do, more power to them!
Good picks, guys. I’d still vote for The Cure, though. 😉
Thanks Ken! Yeah, my vote would totally go to The Cure as well!
I probably would too. And I imagine a lot of others as well. That’s why we decided to go with five lesser known songs for the candidates. If Substack ever allows for more than five entries in a poll…