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On the “Can You ‘Place’ These Songs’ playlist, we highlight 10 songs that are either named after, reference, or are loosely associated with a particular place.

Ah, another playlist! Who would have it any other way? This particular playlist features 10 songs that are either named after a place, reference a place, or are loosely associated with a place…somehow. In some cases, the place ‘fuels the fire’ on a given song, while in other cases, it’s not necessarily key to the song’s success. Among featured artists are Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Camilla Cabello, and Harry Styles. 

 

 

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1. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “Cumberland Gap”

Album: The Nashville Sound

Southeastern, 2017

Place Referenced: Cumberland Gap (Kentucky, Virginia & Tennessee)

“Cumberland Gap,” the second song off of The Nashville Sound, continues the excellence of the Grammy-nominated album by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.  Contrasting the opener, “Cumberland Gap” has more of a rock edge.  Electric guitars add a grittiness to the sound.  Additionally, the tempo is quicker.  The chorus is simple, yet irresistible:

“Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.”

What’s the context? Isbell paints a picture of living life in a box, without more variation and aspirations.  Hence, living the life in (around) the Cumberland Gap – literally or metaphorically – can seem like a deathtrap of sorts because of limited opportunities.

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2. Camila Cabello, “Havana”

Ft. Young Thug

Epic, 2017

Place Referenced: Havana, Cuba 

“Havana” gave Camilla Cabello her first big hit as a solo artist. After the meh “Crying in the Club” and the fun, but overshadowed “OMG,” “Havana” was the song that resonated.  And why not? There’s Latin influence within the production, sound vocals by Cabello, and an irresistible, infectious hook.  There’s acquired taste Young Thug too, but Cabello holds down this gem herself like a champ.

 

 

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3. 2 Chainz, “Riverdale Rd”

Album: Pretty Girls Like Trap Music

Def Jam, 2017

Place Referenced: Riverdale Rd., College Park, Georgia

“Riverdale Rd,” the second song from Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, keeps the trap alive and well.  2 Chainz is backed by sordid, malicious production work, specifically the looped synth.  Ultimately, the production work serves as perfect fuel for the fire.  2 Chainz keeps it simple and at times, downright stupid.  On the first verse he boasts, “My pocket pregnant, don’t want no abortion.” Cringe-worthy! Take Chainz with a grain of salt.

4. blackbear, “Santa Monica & La Brea”

Album: cybersex

Interscope, 2017 

Place Referenced: Santa Monica, California; Santa Monica Boulevard; La Brea Avenue 

On “Santa Monica & La Brea,” the closing track from cybersex, blackbear sings about a relationship. On the chorus, he has a number of things – good and bad – going through his mind.  Naturally, sex is part of that.  While “Santa Monica & La Brea” has a lot of hypothetical stuff going down, there’s also some authenticity.  On the second verse, when he talks about the state of his liver, he’s being legit, considering he’s mentioned his drinking problems previously.

5. Lorde, “The Louvre”

Album: Melodrama

Republic, 2017

Place Referenced: The Louvre, Paris, France

Youth is a prevalent theme throughout the course of Melodrama, the sophomore album by Lorde. Youth plays a role on the album’s fourth song, “The Louvre.” The title alone suggests drama.  From the start, it’s clear that Lorde and her boo are caught up in young, dangerous love.  The lyrics are poetic, embracing the alt-pop sensibilities soundly. On the first verse, she sings:

“Well, summer slipped us underneath her tongue / Our days and nights are perfumed with obsession / Half of my wardrobe is on your bedroom floor / Use our eyes, throw our hands overboard.”

It gets even more passionate as the song progresses. The rush is real:

“Megaphone to my chest / Broadcast the boom, boom, boom, boom / And make ‘em dance to it.”

She knows it’s risky and superficial, but being young, she’s willing to “Blow all my friendships / To sit in hell with you.” 

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6. Childish Gambino, “California”

Album: “Awaken, My Love!”

Glassnote, 2017

Place Referenced: California

“California” has the arduous task of following up the biggest hit from “Awaken, My Love!”, “Redbone.” Nonetheless, it continues to show Glover’s eccentric genius…or just his eccentricity. On “California,” he suggests that “she must’ve fucking lost her mind.”  Perhaps, but he seems to be the crazy one, at least in regards to this particular song.

 

 

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7. Harry Styles, “Ever Since New York”

Album: Harry Styles

Columbia, 2017

Place Referenced: New York

Following two raucous numbers, Harry Styles settles things down on the eighth song from his self-titled album, “Ever Since New York.”  The vocal production on the chorus is absolutely stunning – smooth as silk (“Oh, tell me something I don’t already know”). Lyrically, there are some truly thoughtful, poetic moments, including the second verse:

“Brooklyn saw me, empty at the news / There’s no water inside this swimming pool / Almost over, had enough from you / And I’ve been praying, I never did before / Understand I’m talking to the walls / I’ve been praying ever since New York.”

Clearly, whatever went down in New York has affected Styles deeply. The result is one of the best songs of his debut album. 

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8. Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, “Telluride”

Album: The Rest of Our Life

Sony, 2017

Place Referenced: Telluride, Colorado

“Telluride” has a tough act to follow on The Rest of Our Life (follows the gorgeous title track) , but ultimately “passes with flying colors.” “Telluride” is filled with superb musicianship from start to finish. McGraw and Hill sound awesome during their respective solo turns. Hill gets things off to a fast, alluring start.  As great as both have been separately, they sound like soulmates when singing together. Additionally, they get a lift from soulful background vocals.  There’s ample soulfulness to be had here, as this song combines the best of southern soul and traditional country.

9. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “Tupelo”

Album: The Nashville Sound

Southeastern, 2017

Place Referenced: Tupelo, Mississippi

“If I get out of this hole I’m going to Tupelo,” Jason Isbell proclaims on “Tupelo,” a mid-tempo, country-tinged number. Tupelo, Mississippi isn’t the most rousing choice for escapism, but he addresses that as well.

“There is a girl out there that will treat me fair…/ There ain’t no one from here that will follow me there.”

Tupelo, like the Cumberland Gap, can be viewed both literally and figuratively. Ultimately, more trouble would find the singer/songwriter any place he goes, even as he seeks to escape personal hell.

10. David Rawlings, “Cumberland Gap”

Album: Poor David’s Almanack

Acony, 2017

Place Referenced: Cumberland Gap (Kentucky, Virginia & Tennessee)

“Cumberland Gap, it’s a devil of a gap / Cumberland Gap, it’s a devil of a gap.” How were we lucky enough to get two songs in one year about The Cumberland Gap?

David Rawlings, like Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, sings about the famous, sometimes infamous place.

“Cumberland Gap, it’s a devil of a gap / That’s what the scouts all tell ya / Sure enough it may get tough / If it doesn’t kill ya, kill ya.”

Photo Credits: Southeastern, Epic, Def Jam, Interscope, Republic, Glassnote, Columbia, Sony, Acony

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