Song Rec September 2023
This is the first installment of Song Rec September, a series in which Claritas contributors recommend songs they’ve found to be particularly meaningful in their everyday lives.
“The Outskirts” by Trampled by Turtles
Jacob Brogdon, Head of Campus Engagement
The stringy tune settles in with a sort of populist left criticism of prominent socio-political camps. With accusations such as: “Well you take from our schools to build a bigger bomb, You tell us fiery lies about the course we're on,” Dave Simonett indicts the establishment as selfish and misaligned. He imagines a world in which the people he’s speaking to have burned the Earth, “selling their soul” along the way. His resolve in the face of this destruction is avoidance: “While you're on smoky roads I'll be out in the sun, Where the trees still grow, where they count by one.” This resembles a common Christian approach to a fallen world (sometimes somewhat-mistakenly called the Benedict Option) that proposes a withdrawal from the secular world. A proper Christian response, though, doesn’t suggest driving away from the smoky roads. It says, “Yes–the world is a broken, hard place. But take heart. It has been overcome, and one day it will all be made new.”
Palmolive by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib (feat. Pusha T and Killer Mike)
Matt Pang, Blog Editor
Not only is this song a certified banger, but it also happens to hold a special place in my heart because of one particular line, “Obama opened his doors knowing I was a criminal.” For context, the rapper Pusha T is referencing the time President Barack Obama invited him and others to the White House. This makes me emotional because it’s precisely the type of friendship that Jesus has shown to me. Jesus Christ, the king of kings, or in this case the presidents of presidents, broke bread with me and called me friend despite all of my wrongdoings; despite being a criminal. In short, President Obama may have welcomed Pusha T into his home with open arms, but Jesus Christ himself personally offers us all His eternal love and friendship.
“Second Chances” Gregory Alan Isakov
Annina, Managing Editor
I’m a big fan of Gregory Alan Isakov. Two years ago, my Spotify Wrapped informed me that my music taste was “comforting.” It’s a mountain air, rainy day with a cup of tea vibe. Isakov’s song lyrics have a peculiar poetic nature to them. In Second Chances he writes “I’m mumbling in the kitchen for the sun to pay up” and “Lonely is a ring on a cold coffee cup.” He also writes “I’m all bloody knuckles, longing for home, if it weren’t for second chances we’d all be alone.” This line stuck out to me most. It reminds me of God’s infinite mercy. Not only does God provide us with second chances (plural), but He also is actively redeeming us (His creation) to be able to welcome us into His presence, His kingdom.This is the home for which our souls desperately long.
“Boomerang” by G22
Joaquin Rivera Editor-in-chief
This summer, I went to the Philippines, and along the way, I got a little into P-Pop, or Filipino pop. G22 is a particularly amazing band, and Boomerang hits really hard. It’s a love song that speaks about how even though the guy is leaving the relationship at the time, the girl knows that he will be back again. Part of the chorus goes, “I say we’re done/But I know that you’ll be back again/Even when I try to throw it/ You'll be back ’cause you love me like a boomerang.” This reminds me in some ways of God’s love for us, and how he keeps coming back for us, even “...when I try to throw it.” We’ll often go through stages of life with tumultuous feelings towards God, but it's comforting to know that he is always trying to repair His relationship with us.
“Cupid” by FIFTY FIFTY
Frank Fang, Staff Writer
In the spring of 2023, I joined the Asian American InterVarsity’s boys’ dance troupe for only God knows why, where we attempted to learn the choreography to Cupid by FIFTY FIFTY. Yes, it was fun to learn the dance, but I couldn’t shake the question: “What does this have to do with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the glory of Christian Salvation?” We performed the dances at the end of the semester, and soon after, I left for the summer to embark on a mission trip to the Philippines to work with a local elementary school. The kids really enjoyed performing dances, and we exchanged some songs such as the Cupid Shuffle and the Macarena. Eventually, it was my turn to have the AUX cord, and I played the only song I knew: Cupid by FIFTY FIFTY. In the rural setting of the Philippines, K-Pop allowed me to connect with the students since they were already familiar with most of the choreography! Afterwards, we connected the children with local church groups to continue fostering their relationship with Christ. In conclusion, I found that Jesus can even use the capitalistic, child-labor industry of K-Pop for his kingdom.