2007 in Review: 10 Favorite Songs

I love music. To me, it's one of the greatest proofs that humans are something special in this universe, and that there's more to life than what we can see with our eyes.
As a result, I listen to music all the time. When I'm at home. When I'm at work. When I'm walking to and fro, I'm probably humming or even singing out loud.
So here are the 10 songs that I loved the most in 2007:

10. Deathbed (Relient K) — It's fascinating enough that I posted on it in July. It's the tale of a man's final minutes before passing away. Does he regret his life? Is he ready for death? As the music alternates between meditative, boisterous and symphonic, a moving story surfaces. For me, it was a surprise to hear from a band most often associated with teenage angst.

9. Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley) — He was one of the greatest singers of all time, and he drowned at age 30. His interpretation of Leonard Cohen's song is considered one of the greatest performances ever. And the way he interweaves darkness, love and spiritual longing is truly remarkable.

8. Coming Around Again (Simon Webbe) — My good friend Pandora helped me find British singer Simon Webbe this year, and this song never failed to bring a smile to my face. It's one of the greatest celebrations I've heard of the truth that, though this world can be a dark place, He's working it together for good.

7. Lulliby (Regina Spektor) — I also discovered Regina this year, as did many of you. She's one of the most prolific, creative artists out there today, gathering inspiration from everyday occurrences, brand names and classical composers. This simple lullaby (purposefully misspelled) doesn't completely make sense, but I love it all the same.

6. Miracle Drug (U2) — This isn't a typical song, even for U2. It somehow manages to combine a love song, a plea for divine love, a call to help the suffering and a consideration of how scientific advancement can help the cause of the kingdom. And boy, does it sound great!

5. Summer on the Westhill (Kings of Convenience) — One of my favorite chill bands. They're really fabulous songwriters, too, these lads from Norway. This is an uncomplicated, beautiful song confronting the beauty of life, its changes and our longing for things to work out right.

4. Belief (John Mayer) — John Mayer could possibly be the most talented singer-songwriter at work today. He's managed a feat that most creative artists could only dream of: popularity. From an incredible recent album, this song works through the complicated issue of our need for faith and our desperate attempts to use it as a sword instead of the beautiful armor that it is.

3. Empty Me of Me (Chris Sligh) — It's still in demo stage (for his upcoming album), but this song by our friend Chris is destined to be a long-term favorite. Chris is clever enough to write great turns in the poetry of his lyrics without distracting from the power of the song. And this meditation on our need for sanctification comes at you sideways, since you think it's just going to be a song about dealing with fame. It's really about you and about me.

2. Falling Slowly (Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova) — One of the most emotionally satisfying love songs I've heard in a while. Glen wears his soul on his sleeve as he sings, and Marketa joins in with the vocal equivalent of an angel. And it doesn't hurt to hear this for the first time while watching the film Once.

1. My Heart is Weighed and Found Wanting, Kabul (The OaKs) — I discovered this band on Virb, and they quickly became my new favorite. Many of their songs are inspired by conflict zones (another, for instance, is dedicated to Hugh Thompson who stood in front of the tanks at the Mai Lai massacre). This quiet number searches through the mysteries of the fallen human heart. I love the double meaning to "show yourself a man."

Comments

[Chris Sligh]

I am honored to be mentioned in the same list as these amazing songwriters and songs. Thanks for that, buddy. I'm undeserving.

Can't wait for you to hear the whole album. I'll email you some stuff soon, I promise.

Glad to see things seem to be going well over there AND you're discovering new music! Awesome!

Love you guys,
Chris