By Elizabeth Kalaj, Web Editor
Music is such a universal yet personal language that many individuals use and experience. People worldwide can relate to the same lyrics, while others can have extremely stark music tastes. While The Quadrangle staff has their love of writing in common, they all bring unique and diverse perspectives and creations to people. This Jasper Jams allows the staff to once again share pieces of themselves, but this time through other peoples’ work instead of their own. I implore you to take this as an opportunity to peek into the minds of the people behind the articles.
The compilation of songs below were suggested by various Quadrangle staff members as a song that either encapsulates their music taste or simply serves as an interesting recommendation. I encourage you all to take a moment, open Spotify (or Apple Music) and listen to some songs you may not have heard without this article. I did, and I am now returning back to my playlists with several new additions.
Darlington County by Bruce Springsteen
Suggested by: Andrew Mannion, Sports Editor
Starting off strong with a true icon, Bruce Springsteen! I am not going to lie, I saw Springsteen in concert when Zach Bryan had him sing on stage but have never done a deep dive into his music. This song won me over very quickly being that it had such fun instrumentals with an amazing story that went from beginning to end all in one song. It talks about escaping New York and going somewhere a bit quieter. This song is a classic example of true songwriting. As a senior in college, listening to this song felt like Springsteen had foreshadowed my life.
Favorite lines: “We drove down from New York City, where the girls are pretty but they just want to know your name”
Son of a Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield
Suggested by: Grace Cardinal, Editor-in-Chief
This song reminds me of my mother. When Grace had first sent it I did not recognize the name. Yet within the first five seconds of the song, it took me back to childhood nights when my mom would play this song on repeat in the kitchen. This song is a classic reminder of a sort of forbidden and unholy love. Songs like this may not be everybody’s favorite, but they have the perfect formula that allows them to stay alive and loved for so long. I am thankful that I was able to feel extreme nostalgia when listening to this for the first time as an adult.
Favorite line: “Being good isn’t always easy, no matter how hard I try”
Superstar by Pretty Sick
Suggested by: Ivy Jaep, Production Editor
I have never heard of this song or group before, but I am so happy I have now. This song is exactly my cup of tea when it comes to the music I listen to on a daily basis. I connected to the music and lyrics on so many levels and listened to the rest of the album throughout the evening. If you liked any of the songs in my past Jasper Jams, I highly suggest you listen to this one. More importantly than any of the technicality from this song, it made me genuinely feel something. If I had to rank the songs on this list, and thank goodness I do not have to, this one would rank number one based on my first impression of it.
Favorite lines: “When everything’s easy / why do I put up a fight? / I could be a superstar / whatever you like”
The Impression That I Get by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Suggested by: Mack Olmsted, Features Editor
This song is interesting to me because it has such an upbeat tune yet is talking about such an existential thought. It talks about so many complex feelings and emotions. I can confidently say that I have never heard a song about this exact story and I love that about it. This was another automatic addition to my playlist.
Favorite lines: “I’ve never had to knock on wood / but I know someone who has / which makes me wonder if I could”
What Kind of Love by Childish Gambino
Suggested by Jill Tuthill, Assistant Arts and Entertainment Editor
This song made me feel a lot of different ways. Personally, I tend to like all genres of music and types of songs. With this song in particular, I would most likely not find myself craving to listen to this again. However, I have to give credit where credit is due, in that his voice is angelic and his speaking to singing ratio is spot on. No matter the opinion, there is no debate in the fact that this song is art.
Favorite line: “What kind of love done feel this way? / What kind of love would make me fall?”
Englishman in New York by Sting
Suggested by: Emmanouel Sofillas, Assistant Sports Editor
This is another song about the complexities of the New York world. The song indicates being unapologetically yourself, even if you seem to stick out because of it. This is another song that I would not have originally listened to on my own, but am happy to have experienced it. Times have changed since 1987, but some truths always remain the same. No matter how welcoming New York is to different cultures, it is up to individuals to hold their head up high and keep on going.
Favorite lines: “Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society / At night a candle’s brighter than the sun”
Happiness by The 1975
Suggested by: Mary Haley, Assistant Features Editor
As a diehard Swiftie, this was a hard listen being that I am not a Matty Healy fan in the slightest. However, this song really impressed me. The beat, instruments, lyrics and vocals were beautifully combined. This is the type of song I would Shazam in a bar because I would be so disappointed if I never heard it again. This is a prime example of loving the art without loving the artist.
Favorite lines: “Oh, oh, I would go blind just to see you / I’d go too far just to have you near / In my soul, I’ve got this feeling, I / Didn’t know until I seen ya”
Come With Me by Surfaces
Suggested by: Karen Flores, Staff Writer
This song recommendation came with a description of “played on a highway and the vibes were immaculate,” and after listening to it, I could not agree more. The song has a very impressive flow and I would like to reinforce Karen’s comment on its “vibes”. I will certainly be playing this on my road trip this winter.
Favorite lines: “And when the days feel like the same ol’ circle / We’ll bend the lines and make a new one / Just to find the place where time is free”
The Alcott by The National featuring Taylor Swift
Suggested by: Angelina Perez, Arts and Entertainment Editor
I have said it before and I will say it again: I could not possibly write a Jasper Jams that does not include Taylor Swift, even though I am not the one suggesting it. This song, however, is one of her lesser known pieces and I am excited to listen to it when my attention is purposely highlighted on it. This song is everything the music industry is supposed to be. There were so many amazing artists creating this in a single space and I would have done anything to be in the room when it was created. There is such a genius dialogue between the artists that tells a story from the beginning to the end of the song. This song makes me feel so deeply in ways that music is supposed to. I am very happy I got the chance to rediscover it.
Favorite lines: “You tell me your problems (have I become one of your problems?) / And I tell you the truth (could it be easy this once?) / It’s the last thing you wanted (everything that’s mine is a landmine) / It’s the first thing I’d do (did my love aid and abet you?)”