Eleven Eleven – Conan Gray
Conan Gray’s newest album, Wishbone, captures so many emotions from romance to heartbreak, childhood to adulthood. This specific song holds so much meaning, wishing for something you no longer have. I think winter is a good time to reflect before we head into spring, and the delivery of this song lets listeners reflect and wish, whether on romance or not.
“There’s black cats, broke glass, cracks on the pavement,
but I just can’t accept that it’s too late to save us.
There’s wishbones and clovers and numbers from Heaven,
and if you’d ask me, I’d deny that we ended.”
The Way Things Go – beabadoobee
Continuing on the theme of reflection, this song by beabadoobee fits smoothly after Eleven Eleven, as it expresses the next steps, moving on, and quite literally accepting the way things go.
“Passed your house when I was on a train,
in my mind, you’ll always stay the same.
I’m happy now, I ought to let you know.
But I guess that’s just the way things go.”
I’ve Seen It – Olivia Dean
This song fits perfectly with the current times, following Olivia Dean’s recent Grammy win for Best New Artist. One of her most popular songs, I’ve Seen It, captures finding love in every place, big and small. I really love how in this song, Olivia never states specifically what the song is about, leaving it up to the interpretation of the listener.
“The more you look, the more you find
it’s all around you, all the time
catches your eye, you blink,
and then it’s gone.”
White Winter Hymnal – Fleet Foxes
One of my favorite winter songs, White Winter Hymnal reflects childhood and growing up, using a tone that sounds so familiar and nostalgic. This song was famously covered by Pentatonix, but the original song by Fleet Foxes holds a lot of backstory itself, the folk-pop style adding some winter magic to the tune.
“I was following the pack, all swallowed in their coats.
with scarves of red tied around their throats.”
Heart You Hold – Jordana
This song comes from one of my favorite albums, Lively Premonition. As this album usually holds more of a summery tune, Heart You Hold specifically talks about moving on, experiencing something new, and finding out who you are. This song can hold meaning for anything, but I interpret it as moving out and finding yourself.
“Are you scared
to be away from all the friends you’ve grown to know so well?
You could be mad
at mom and dad for ripping you out from your comfy bed.”
Lighthouse – Adrianne Lenker
This song, like most Adrianne Lenker songs, paints a picture with words that a lot of artists can’t match. Her lyrical talent is extremely noticeable in her songs, and I absolutely love the tune of this specific song. I think it’s so catchy and one of her happier songs.
“Well, I’m ringing all the bells from my lighthouse, dear.
Time is just an ocean, and you’re almost here.”
Now That We Don’t Talk – Taylor Swift
Ending this list off with yet another song that shows reflecting and moving on! This has been my top song for the past two weeks now. Taylor really captures the freeing and positive feelings that come with finally letting go and allowing yourself to move on.
“I called my mom, she said that it was for the best!
Remind myself the more I gave, you’d want me less!
I cannot be your friend, so I pay the price of what I lost
and what it cost, now that we don’t talk!”
–March 2, 2026–
