Castles… Palaces… | 5ive Songs

On the 18th edition of 5ive Songs, we select five songs that are associated with castles or palaces in some form or fashion. 

OOn 5ive Songs, we (I) keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff.  There’s a topic, five songs, and a short blurb that doesn’t exceed a paragraph.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On this edition of 5ive Songs, we select five songs that are associated with castles or palaces in some form or fashion.

1. Father John Misty, “The Palace”

God’s Favorite Customer • Sub Pop • 2018

Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) gets real about mental health throughout the course of his 2018 LP, God’s Favorite Customer. Among the most haunting songs from the album is the piano-driven “The Palace”. The incredible slow “The Palace,” as aforementioned, explores Tillman’s mental health as well as marital issues. Whether “The Palace” where Tillman has made his home for a period of time is actually a truly glorious, luxurious hotel is beside the point.  Father John Misty paints it as his ‘safe place’ from the outside world, yet he remains dysfunctional and lost. At the end, he comes to the realization, “…I think I’m ready to come home / I’m in over my head.”

2. Jake Shears, “Palace in the Sky”

Jake Shears • Freida Jean • 2018

“Promise to steal the fortune / Love is a cruel extortion of life / What the hell might as well get away / Pleading to have your grey cut.” Hmm, quite poetic lyrics to say the least. “Palace in the Sky” serves as the penultimate track from Jake Shears’ underrated, self-titled, 2018 debut album (Note: he’s best known as the flamboyant, openly gay front man of Scissor Sisters). “Palace in the Sky” is a ballad where Shears sings beautifully with great sincerity. There are some truly poetic lyrics that contribute to the success of “Palace in the Sky.”  Furthermore, the backdrop shines with prominent piano, electric guitar, and heavy drums.  The sound reminisces back to the 70s yet fits current times.  Revisiting the lyrics, the centerpiece is the chorus, which occurs three times.

“And the stars align
But the world’s aflame
Your palace in the sky
Is burning blue tonight
Your palace in the sky
Is burning through the night
Your palace in the sky.”

3. Ed Sheeran, “Castle on the Hill”

÷ (Divide) • Atlantic • 2017

“And I miss the way you make me feel, and it’s real / We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill.” “Castle on the Hill” is one of the best songs from Divide, the third studio album by Ed Sheeran. The record embraces a singer-songwriter, pop/rock sound. He superbly constructs a narrative and autobiographical approach, particularly on the verses. The chorus (excerpted at the top of the blurb) is a major selling point, as he delivers enthusiastic, energetic vocals.  Beyond thoughtfully composed verses and chorus, the bridge is also incredibly strong.

4. Sam Smith, “Palace”

The Thrill of it All • Capitol • 2017

“I’m gonna miss you / I’m still there / Sometimes I wish we never built this palace / But real love is never a waste of time, mmm.” On “Palace,” the ninth track from The Thrill of it All (2017), Grammy-winning pop musician Sam Smith is chocked full of emotion over lost love.  Shocking, right? Nah – of course not! “Palace” features a familiar script, particularly regarding Smith’s music.  Even so, like numerous songs about broken love, it’s quite authentic and totally worthwhile.

5. The Flaming Lips, “The Castle”

Oczy Mlody • Warner • 2017 

“And the castle gets mistaken for a ship that’s floating in the clouds / And the castle is brighter than a thousand Christmas trees / And the castle can never be rebuilt again / No way.” Whatever you say Wayne Coyne/The Flaming Lips – whatever you say! A great overall soundscape, led by a sick groove, characterizes the final castle/palace cut on this list. “The Castle” features excellent vocal production; the use of reverb and supporting vocals establishes the chill vibe.  As always, vibe is everything. Approached narratively, each verse adds something different, while each chorus is varied. “The Castle” represents one of the better songwriting moments on Oczy Mlody.

Castles… Palaces… 5ive Songs No. 18 [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Capitol, Freida Jean, Interscope, Pixabay, Sub Pop, Unsplash, Warner]