I love hearing someone discuss a topic that they themselves love passionately. We are never more likable than when we are...

There are a bunch of great songs that use phone calls as a framing device; Jim Croce’s “Operator”, ELO’s “Telephone Line”, Todd...

We're all feeling pretty cooped up right about now, but no worries – just put one of these amazing tunes and travel to your heart's...

John Darnielle is one of those songwriters with such a specific and singular lyrical voice that his songs are unmistakable even without...

"Pink Flamingos" by Rickie Lee Jones: Here is a song that will take you to church. Eventually. The service may take place in a seedy...

"The Waters of March" by Antônio Carlos Jobim: I absolutely love this song. Jobim’s lyric feels almost stream-of-consciousness, as if he...

Music has always felt more than a little witchy to me, and songs have always felt more like spells in their power to conjure and...

Okay, it’s no secret that I like a good "drunk song" (not to be confused with a "drinking song," which is something you sing while...

January 14, 2020 Just how hard it is to come up with a strong opening line for your song? Somehow, you have to grab the listener's...

December 25, 2019 Tis the season. Here is a run-down of some of my favorite songs about a certain carpenter from Bethlehem. These songs...

I can’t remember the first time I heard the term "Personal Mythology" – maybe it was in an interview with Rickie Lee Jones – but it...