Armin Thomas and Gus Lamb
Here are some of the Arts Editors’ favorite songs at the moment that we hope you take into consideration.
Gus’ Picks
iT’s YoU – Zayn
It is the best song from Zayn’s debut solo album, Mind of Mine, and this current year. Zayn’s old band, One Direction, undoubtedly has many lovely songs; however, iT’s YoU is beautiful in its own way in that it strays away from the sound of 1D and allows Zayn to showcase a piece that is utterly ethereal. I love this song so much. The way in which Zayn sings the two-word chorus is so delicate and soothing and makes me feel like I can hit any note I like if I just turn the volume up loud enough.
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Mandy – Barry Manilow
My mom has been a Fanilow for as long as she can remember, and this is her favorite song. When I hear it, I think of car rides to my grandmothers in Connecticut, when my mom and I have just gotten back on the highway after a detour to Dairy Queen, the rain is pouring, Barry is doing his thing, and my mom and I reminisce about this ambiguous woman named Mandy whom we can both find a place for in our personal lives somewhat intertwined.
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She’s Out of Her Mind – Blink-182
Off of blink-182’s new album, California, which was released this past summer, She’s Out of Her Mind is a really nice and sweet headbanger that you can play air-drums to while being undisrupted by fond, yet distracting thoughts of all the people you know who are utterly crazy, but love for some weird, unavoidable, yet comforting reason.
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Caroline – Aminé
That’s my baby.
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Second Chances – Gregory Alan Isakov
Gregory Alan Isakov is the only folk artist on my list this month. His song Second Chances preaches that if it were not for second chances, we would all be alone. I try my best to agree with Gregory, but I do feel as though he sometimes gives me false hope. Nonetheless, the song has great acoustics and intention, as does the remainder of his 2013 album, The Weatherman.
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Armin’s Picks
Revolution 9 – The Beatles
This song is an avant-garde piece done by the Beatles and it is one of their lesser-known songs. Initially starting off with a repetitive piano motif of John Lennon uttering “number 9”, it descends from relative tranquility to the chaos and indeterminacy of Revolution. Too subversive to be the anthem of the revolution, it serves as a confession of ideals for my revolution. Also, there are a lot of conspiracy theories around playing it backwards too, so there’s that.
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Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson and 2CELLOS
I love MJ. I love cellos. What’s better than this? Croatian cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser dueling it out on electric cello in a big hall is pure awesomeness. Nothing more to say here, this cover is pure gold. 2CELLOS has other great covers, and they’re actually really good at putting them together (check out 2CELLOS Thunderstruck).
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The Room Where it Happens – Leslie Odom Jr., Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Okieriete Onaodowan, Hamilton Original Broadway Cast
Easily in the top five songs in the whole show. Detailing about the Compromise of 1790 where Hamilton conceded the US capitol to Southern politicians (Washington DC) in exchange for his ability to establish a national bank. Lin’s suave brushing off of Leslie coupled with Leslie’s audible desire to be in the room where decisions are made make this song. The language and music in this number are on point, and Leslie’s control of his voice is impeccable.
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Symphony No. 9 in d minor, Op. 125 – Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven. Symphony. A chorus. Nothing more to be said. The best.
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Nessun dorma from Turandot – Giacomo Puccini feat. Luciano Pavarotti
Pavarotti owned this song when he made it famous to the world in 1994 at the World Cup in Italy. That final line of his, all’alba vincerò (at dawn I will win), is one of the most spine-tingling lines in all of music. Not only is he expressing hope of victory, he does it jumping to a treacherously high B natural and holding it defying all expectations. One of the more famous pieces of operatic work, for sure. At the metaphorical dawn, the revolution will win.
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