Writing’s On The Wall The theme of 2015’s Spectre is “Writings On The Wall”, by Sam Smith. The song reminds me of the campy, Roger Moore-era James Bond themes. With Sam Smith’s crooning falsetto, it feels more in league with songs like: “Nobody Does it […]

Charleston Girl Tyler Childers is often described as a “neotraditional” country artist. His soulful, Appalachian sound blends elements of bluegrass, folk, and even R&B. Childers’ lyrics often explore themes of rural life, and the human experience. While I love nearly all of his music, “Charleston […]

West Coast Lana Del Rey’s “West Coast” is a dreamy, melancholic ode to California. Released in 2014, it quickly became a summer anthem — with its laid-back vibe and nostalgic lyrics. The song captures the essence of longing, love, and the allure of the West […]

Skyfall As the highest-grossing Bond film of all time, Skyfall raked in a stunning $1.1 billion upon its release in 2012. Adjusted for inflation, that would be $1.5 billion today. The other Daniel Craig era Bond films have massive box office numbers, but none of […]

I Remember Everything Zach Bryan is one of the biggest artists in America blending anthemic roots music, poetic lyrics, and a raw, bare bones delivery. His sold out live performances are literal revivals — with concert goers singing so loud, that they drown out the […]

Clocks To this day, Clocks is still mesmerizing. A truly compelling 4 bar progression: Eb Major, Bb Minor, Bb Minor, F Minor. That’s 3 minor shapes in a row — yet the riff sounds overwhelmingly positive — which is normally the domain of major chords. […]

Yellow Recently, early Coldplay songs have made a comeback with my teenage guitar students. I had forgotten how extraordinary these songs were, specifically from the first two albums, Parachutes and Rush of Blood to the Head. With “Yellow” I wanted to do a fingerstyle arrangement […]

[Updated from 2019] Like Real People Do Irish singer/songwriter, Hozier, is an extraordinary talent, and visionary musician. His voice is a breathy, rounded baritone. His guitar playing is comprised of an avant-garde, alternate tuned fingerstyle. If Hozier’s lyrics were stand alone poetry — he’d be […]

What Was I Made For? is the prototypical tune from Billie Eilish. However, the underpinnings show incredible musicality and restraint. Billie Eilish and her brother/writing partner FINNEAS created a very intimate song. I especially like Eilish’s choice of a delicate, breathy falsetto. She explains and demonstrates […]

Salvatore Salvatore is from Lana Del Rey’s 2015 album, Honeymoon. The melancholy pop ballad has a very “Italian” quality to it. The song worked out beautifully for guitar, and was a recommendation from one of my YouTube Listeners. It is Lana’s Del Rey’s usual crooning […]

Silver Joy Silver Joy was a perfect choice for The Holdovers. This song was used through the film as a motif. The simple E minor to F progression has a tenderness to it, without being too overly sentimental. When I heard the “Cat Stevens-like” tune […]

Nightcall Drive is a 2011 neo-noir crime film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and starring Ryan Gosling. The film follows a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. The song “Nightcall” by Kavinsky is used prominently in the film, and it is […]