Song Rec September Pt. 2: The Bonus Tracks
This is the second installment of Song Rec September, a series in which Claritas contributors recommend songs they’ve found to be particularly meaningful in their everyday lives.
“Just Friends” by Charlie Parker
David Johnson, Senior Editor
What happens when you mix the greatest jazz saxophonist with a small string section and a rhythm section? Magic. Charlie Parker with String, an album recorded in 1950, fulfilled Parker’s longtime dream of playing and recording with stringed instruments. It also paved the way for other jazz musicians to follow in his footsteps, including the likes of Clifford Brown and Stan Getz (also two of my favorites). “Just Friends” is quintessential Parker yet effortlessly transgressive. For starters, he plays the traditional ballad uptempo, forever changing the way musicians approach the song. More importantly, he managed to perfectly mesh a traditional jazz sound with an orchestra. Often considered one of the most flawless jazz recordings ever, “Just Friends” displays Parker’s thoughtful, lyrical playing; intricate articulation; and ability to blend in novel and beautiful ways.
“4th Chamber” by GZA (feat. RZA, Killa Priest, and Ghostface Killah)
Matt Pang, Blog Editor
“Why is the sky blue? Why is water wet? / Why did Judas rat to Romans while Jesus slept?” Similar to Ghostface Killah, I too, question and wonder why things are the way they are. Why is it called a “building” when it’s already built? Why can't I grow a beard like Chris Hemsworth? And most puzzling of all, why do round pizzas come in square boxes? Despite these existential questions, I find comfort in the belief that God does not make mistakes, and therefore, all things happen for a reason. Furthermore, our God is so great that He can even use our doubts, poor decisions, and troubling times for good. As Augustine once wrote, “Almighty God, himself supremely good, would never allow anything evil to invade his works, unless he were so almighty and so good that he can bring good even out of evil” [Enchiridion 11].
“A Case of You” by Joni Mitchell
Chris Ho Kim, Staff Writer
Joni Mitchell’s hauntingly beautiful song “A Case of You” describes a complicated relationship between the narrator and a former lover. In the song, the narrator reminisces about the fleeting glimpses of what appeared to be true love between herself and a man. These moments are, however, few and far between often drowned by the depths of reality. Yet, the narrator desperately attempts to make him integral in her life. She sings, “You’re in my blood like holy wine,” clearly alluding to the elements of the Eucharist. As the Eucharist is taken and enters the body, metabolism runs its course, and the body uses what is consumed to produce energy. Food, quite literally, becomes a part of the body. Likewise, the narrator’s life is consumed by the man so much so that he is now a part of her. But in the next line, she says, “I could drink a case of you, darling/ And I would still be on my feet.” What she says seems to contradict what was stated earlier. However, the narrator is simply explaining that even though he is a part of her, he no longer has a hold on her. The alcoholic effects of their relationship no longer alter her behavior, and she is able to stand on her own. As you listen to this song, I implore you to think about what in your life has consumed you and how you were set free.
“City of Stars” by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling
Jason Lan, Business Manager
This song speaks to me on a spiritual level, and not just because it invites me to explore ugly crying to the end of La La Land. For context, City of Stars explores themes of chasing seemingly unreachable dreams and falling in love, set in the middle of La La Land as our two main characters struggle to realize their own ambitions in the midst of a tumultuous relationship. Stone sings in the second verse of this grand “city of stars”, this achievement of dreams, and ultimately recognizes it as “all we're looking for”, “love from someone else”. This reminds me of my own path towards Christianity, searching “through the smokescreen of the crowded restaurants” for that exact love, the love “that says, ‘I'll be here’” and “‘you'll be alright’”. When Gosling and Stone sing “I felt it from the first embrace I shared with you” and conclude that “our dreams” have “finally come true”, the image that comes to mind is that first embrace with Christ. Having that epiphany, knowing truly and finally that my King loves me beyond all comprehension, that out of love He took on human form and went to the most painful murder known to mankind so that we may have eternal fellowship with Him constantly reminds me that my dreams have finally come true in Him alone.
"Holy Roller" by Zach Bryan
Jack Kubinec, Former Editor-in-Chief
"I ain't never been a holy roller but I found God in your eyes" goes the refrain on this sappy ballad from country music's ascendent star. The song reminded me of Philip Yancey's recent memoir where the theologian counts falling in love with his wife as a crucial part of his returning to faith. Romantic love may be a poor substitute for divine love, but perhaps thirst can lead us back to the stream. As Augustine writes: "Show me a man in love; I'll show you a man on the way to God."