5. Bastille, “Four Walls (The Ballad of Perry Smith)”

Album: Wild World, 2016

Virgin

“‘Being brought up one way and trying to see another way is very difficult.’” The somber “Four Walls (The Ballad of Perry Smith)” is among the most beautiful, thought-provoking moments of Wild World. Wild World is the intriguing sophomore album by British alternative collective, Bastille, fronted by Dan Smith.  As beautiful as “Four Walls (The Ballad of Perry Smith)” is, the subject matter isn’t beautiful.

“These four walls to keep you /…These four walls to contain you / Supposed to save you from yourself… / And now we’re faced with two wrongs… / I don’t know, oh, I don’t know.”

Perry Smith was a mass murderer who was executed by hanging.  Dan denounces the mass murder’s actions, but argues against execution and capital punishment as atonement.

“We could be born to anything and now what, now what? / What you have done is terrible, and now you, and now you / Now you carry it with you / You carry it with you / You carry it with you.”

6. The Killers, “Rut”

Album: Wonderful Wonderful, 2017

Island

In the context of Wonderful Wonderful, “Rut” has a tough act to follow after a killer opening duo (“Wonderful Wonderful” and “The Man”) – no pun intended.  Nonetheless, the magic continues.  Incredibly meaningful, according to Newsweek, “Rut” is about the wife of frontman Brandon Flowers, specifically her PTSD. Ultimately, it’s dynamic, powerful, and uplifting, particularly the key lyric, “Don’t you give up on me.”  “Life to Come,” which follows, keeps feels like a companion cut to “Rut.”

7. Sam Smith, “Lay Me Down”

Album: In the Lonely Hour, 2014

Capitol

On In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith dabbles in the plight called love, specifically unrequited love. Openly gay, he implies his sexuality throughout the album.  Understanding his perspective, it fills in the blanks for the listener, revealing a larger significance. On “Lay Me Down,” Smith is particularly devastated.  His love is gone, and he misses everything about him.

“Told me not to cry when you were gone / But the feeling’s overwhelming, it much too strong.”

He tugs at the heartstrings on the chorus. It’s relatable to anybody who’s experienced heartbreak:

“Can I lay by your side, next to you, you? / And make sure you’re alright / I’ll take care of you / I don’t want to be here if I can’t be with you tonight.”

The music video amplifies the significance from the LGBTQ perspective.  Initially set as a funeral, it ends in a same-sex marriage at a London church.  The Church of England is notably divided about homosexuality.  The funeral scene seems to be symbolic – subject to interpretation.  Perhaps Smith lays his past to rest and embraces the present.  Perhaps it represents the death of the old guard and birth of the new – freedom to marry whoever.  Regardless, he makes a statement which serves as a catalyst for conversation, debate, and discussion.

8. Aaron Neville, “Louisiana 1927”

Album: Warm Your Heart, 1991

A&M

“Louisiana, Louisiana / They’re tryin’ to wash us away / They’re tryin’ to wash us away.” “Louisiana 1927” was written in the aftermath of a devastating event, the 1927 Mississippi River Flood.  Interestingly, the flood, which affected Louisiana dramatically, has been the source of several songs.  Randy Newman wouldn’t write and perform the classic until 1974 on Good Old Boys. Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Newman classic earned renewed popularity.

“The river rose all day – the river rose all night / Some people got lost in the flood / Some people got away alright / The river has busted through clear down to Plaquemine / Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline.”

It should be noted that there’s a famous cover of the Randy Newman classic “Louisiana 1927” from his 1974 album, Good Old Boys.  The cover is by veteran New Orleans R&B musician Aaron Neville.  Arguably, for some, the Neville cover from Warm Your Heart (1991) has become the definitive version.  Regardless, it’s the beautiful lyrics that emotion that stands out, regardless who happens to be singing it.

Photo Credits: Def Jam, Warner Bros., Columbia, Beeswing, Virgin, Island, Capitol, A&M