DISCLAIMER: This list of songs will inevitably grow by a metric fuck ton as I randomly procure the time to sit my ass down, listen to EVERYTHING in my mental playlist, and write about it to share my personal thoughts. All of these songs have shaped my personal perspective on lot of things in my own life. They’re songs from my life’s soundtrack based on who I grew up around and what I was exposed to over the years. Some of these are very brief…. Look, some of these Gen-Z kids have the attention span of a goldfish so I’ll be surprised if any of them make it past song #3.
For whatever reason logging this list of songs is therapy to me. Because obviously God put me on this earth to sit around and analyze music, so here I am. doing what I apparently was meant to do.
My simple hope is that this list of songs reaches someone that needs to hear one of these songs for their own life’s situation, and it helps them cope. Maybe they’ll discover and artist or song on this list whose musical artworks and words will impact them the exact same way they did to me.
Many of these songs I grew up listening to because my parents, grandparents, other family or friends I grew up with were blasting these songs and artists in my presence. I think you will find it to be an eclectic mix of multiple genres, but the common thread you will notice with all of these artists and songs is their creator’s God-given ability to craft a song that punches you in your damn mental gut. That’s what they’ve done to me. Because there are so many, these are listed in no specific order. They’re all tied for #1 depending on what happened in my world at varying times throughout my life.
Bob Sager – Still The Same
There are so many women who’ve came and gone from my life, and this song tells the tale to remind me that shit has been going down between men and women long before I was born. I remember Seger – and this song specifically – banging through my father’s speakers when I was a kid. In fact, I have the original vinyl he gave me. That said, I’m laying the wax down on this song. Fucking music gold.
Buck Owens – Got A Tiger By The Tail
This is a Cherryh Butler song in my life – circa 2011-2012 in my life’s timeline – while working at Networld Media Group. Thank God for country music. That’s all.
“I’m about as helpless as a leaf in the gale with that woman.”
Carrie Underwood – Jesus Take The Wheel
I can’t count how many times when I’ve felt like giving up in life because I just can’t go on with the onslaught of bullshit that life sometimes throws our way. And when I’ve reached those points this song has given me the strength and motivation to endure as I literally asked Jesus to take the wheel of my life. Any here I am….proof that he does when you ask him to.
Cody Jinks – Hippies & Cowboys
The moment I heard this song I was hooked on the melody. The lyrics hit like bricks and the heartfelt story Cody sings of is almost transcendent to my own life, in some way I can’t explain other then the fact that I can identify personally with almost everything he sings of in this song. At some point in my life’s timeline, I identify with what he sings of. I like two dollar beers, I like three dollars wells, at some old honky tonk bar I know by the smell. Some old drunk on a bar stool on Merle Haggard tune, yeah that’s my kind room.
Cody Jinks – We Get By
The story of my life, essentially. When this song came out I thought he he wrote this song about my life. That’s the beauty of songs and songwriters. They can write something about themselves, but it also somehow applies to your life, too. Cody is musical Jesus in my world.
Cody Jinks – I Can’t Complain
Another song that was written which plays out like my own personal mentality. Yes, I’m crazy. Yes, I’ll never change. I’ve heard it all before. I don’t care, but I can’t complain.
Cody Jinks – A Memory & A Dream
Fucking musical Jesus once again writes and records a song which seems like was inspired by my own life’s story. After at least three near death experiences logged in my own life, this song conjures memories of my life, overall. I’ve been screamin’ at the world since the time I could talk.
Cody Jinks – I Would
The ultimate love song. This song reminds me of the exact feelings I felt and thoughts I inhibited in the days I was with Cherryh Fucking Butler. Motherfucker if this song doesn’t still make me think of this woman even tough it was written approximately 10 years after my relationship with Cherryh ended. Whatever the fuck. If I could, I would…
Cody Jinks – Sober Thing
Although I have not yet embraced complete sobriety as a lifestyle choice, this song’s story and message was written in such a way which makes me feel guilty for not doing so. Cody is musical Jesus in my world and this song is definitely something which inspires me want to do better. Some day.
Cody Jinks – Same Kind Of Crazy As ME
Almost as if this song was written about my life and personal perspective. I’ve always wondered if Jesus and God were the same kind of crazy as me. Just like good ole’ Cody also wonders, himself. Tattoo this on my chest before I die…
Cody Jinks – The Plea
Sung from the perspective of traveling troubadours’ love letter back to his momma, Jinks songs seem to always have a storyline that I can adapt back to my own life. Almost as if it were written according to my own life’s story, which obviously it wasn’t. Oddly or ironically, is all it is. Nevertheless, Cody Jinks is musical Jesus to me, personally. A true gift to humanity, if humanity will just fucking listen.
Eagles – Desperado
Because I believe that I will likely spend the rest of my life, alone. Because I only seem to want the ones I can’t get.
Eagles – Take It To The Limit
Because this song is about exactly what I have done in almost every life situation, relationship or scenario I’ve found myself in. And yet still here I am without while still taking it to the limit, one more time…
Eagles – Lyin’ Eyes
In all my life’s experiences with women and relationships, this song’s story still remains true in the modern age. And while it’s not my intent to come off as overly sexist with this song’s endorsement, there are unfortunately many women who still operate according to this song’s story. Guys, take note. This song is about at least one woman who you’ve ever known or loved in your lifetime.
Ryan Adams – Fuck The Rain
My ultimate go-to artist for when I get my heart ripped out of my chest by the succubus types of dames I have fallen for over the years. Ryan Adams, although a bit of an asshole as a human himself, and has had questionable relationship drama of his own, seemingly inspires most of the songs he writes. He is frustrated with this world we live in. Like me. Nevertheless, is one of the greatest songwriters of our modern time. In my opinion, of course.
**For the record: A shit ton of more Ryan Adams songs will inevitably be added to this list when I procure the time to write it.This is just song numero uno, so far. Yet another artist who composed songs which explain my entire prior relationship with Cherryh Butler.
My Morning Jacket – Victory Dance
I just happened to be one of the few journalists in front row attendance to MMJ’s album release party for Circuital at The Palace in which they opened their set with this song. Triumphant appeal would be how I would describe this song. I was mesmerized and drawn into the musical spectacle I witnessed on this very special night sitting five rows back as they performed this song for the first time to an audience. As this song’s subject matter applied to my own life, it is one of the songs I link to my escape from the very city where both myself and this amazing band hail from.
My Morning Jacket – Wonderful
Probably the most gut punching, feel good song on circuital. I remember being tear jerked at The Palace Theatre on the premiere night they performed this album on the day of its release. It was one of those magical moments that I got to experience from 3 rows back. My Morning Jacket’s live performances are better than their records.
My Morning Jacket – Movin’ Away
Reminds me of the my final bow with my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and is the literal soundtrack for why I moved out. Good riddance to that city, unfortunately.
My Morning Jacket – Circuital
Reassures me of the fact that everything in life follows a circular motion. Everything comes back around. History repeats itself. Both in humanity’s history, your past, and life. The rhythmic progression of this song is mesmerizing and easy to get lost in.
My Morning Jacket – Steam Engine
This song was the soundtrack of my relationship with the love of my life, Cherryh Butler. We used to lay in the sheets and experience the touch you need so much, just like the song’s lyrics implies. That came to life with her. MMJ & Ryan Adams was the soundtrack of many of my relationship memories with Cheryl, but this song was the song I remember playing when I dropped her off at SDF from the last time in our relationship arc when she came a visited me at my home in Louisville. This song can still tear jerk me to this day when I listen to it.
My Morning Jacket – Master Plan
This song reminds me of the my inevitable plan I would initiate in 2020 to work on my own. And although the song was written and delivered to satisfy a metaphorical context of a relationship arc, for me it was the song which I had been working on in my head for years on finally professionly breaking out on my own. Which I still am enjoying to this point in my life in 2025. Music and songs hit everyone differently.
Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings – There Ain’t No Good Chain Gang
Besides this being another song introduced to me at a very young age in life by my Grandmother, this song contains a very important life lesson for all men no matter your age: There ain’t no good in an evil hearted woman. Please do not try to argue this point. You’re wrong.
Johnny Cash – The Man Comes Around
Probably my #1 musical interpretation of my understanding of the book of Revelation, undoubtedly sung by someone who understands it much better than myself. And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree. I am ready to be judged exactly as I am, when the man comes around.
Johnny Cash – Man In Black
Because it’s my favorite color. To wear. I remember my grandmother, my Mother’s mother – playing Johnny Cash to me as a child, and this song is one that stands out in my childhood memories.
Johnny Cash – A Boy Named Sue
Written by one of my favorite poets and authors of all time, and recorded by one of my musical heroes, this song reminds me of my entire childhood and teen years, even though I had a Father who was semi-present in my life. However, I was picked on growing up quite severely, but the personal animosity that this song’s story describes is something I have carried around within me to this day. And although I’m not named Sue, the gravel in my gut in the spit in my eye is something I also inherited from my father.
Johnny Cash – The Beast In Me
This song was written as almost if was about me. I’ve got on within me, too. When this song came out and I heard it for the first time, I cried. This collaboration between Rick Rubin and Johnny Cash was God-sent, just like this song is to me personally.
Johnny Cash – Hurt (Nine Inch Nails Cover)
This is the GREATEST cover of a song which has ever been recorded thanks to the work of Rick Rubin. Even Trent Reznor himself admitted to this upon hearing Cash’s moving and nerve shattering rendition of a song which describes the feelings of self-torment. At one point in my life, I contemplated suicide. This song was my soundtrack for those feeling. Hurt is something that I’ve unfortunately lived with for most of my life in some form or fashion, but this song in both NIN’s version and Cash’s version has helped me endure.
Waylon Jennings – I’ve Always Been Crazy
Look, I am just going to say that this song’s title describes my entire mental persona. I’ve always been crazy but it’s kept me from going insane. OK?
Waylon Jennings – Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way
When I moved to Nashville in 2018, I thought to myself “son, you finally got it made.” And while I set out to preserve that three chords and the truth kind of sound in the artists I worked with, I was metaphorically slapped upside my head with the reality of the post-bro country era I moved to Nashville in – where pop-country still refined supreme – yet I was still asking everyone around exactly what this song’s question raises.
Waylon Jennings – Closing In On The Fire
This song didn’t jump out to me until his Grandson, Whey Jennings, hired me to run his PR/Publicity in 2023. From whatever reason I felt that my earning of a Jennings’s family member’s trust in helping shape and direct his musical life’s path meant that I was closing in on the fire. I’ll just leave it at that because at this point in history, much remains to be seen and done to fully realize what good ole’ Waylon was likely implying on this song’s meaning.
John Prine – When I Get To Heaven
The moment I heard this song for the first time I cried. I was in my first year of living in Nashville when this alum and song came out. What an amazing human being John Price was, and the songs he wrote were nothing short of poetic. I was lucky enough to be in Prine’s presence about one year before he passed away, and not long after he released this song and album. I feel like everything he sang about in this song went exactly as he explained, and he is right now up there drinking a vodka and ginger ale, smoking a cigarette that is nine miles long. I have some little version of this in my own head for when I die. I’ll tell you how it goes in another writing….
Johnny PayCheck – Take This Job & Shove It
It was the first song which came on the radio just about 10 minuted after I had quit where I was working for the world’s biggest asshole in 2016. I would still push this bastard in his mouth if he appeared before me to this day. And almost 10 years to the date, here thereafter, I now represent the estate of the man who recorded this song and made it a household anthem. How fortuitous, right?
Pink Floyd – Dogs
If you ever want to hog time on a juke box at a bar somewhere, and you have the option to play this song, play it. It’s 17+ minutes of some of the most mesmerizing guitar hooks and musical bridges that David Gilmore & Roger Waters recorded. Although, one of the band’s more off-kilter songs, from their 1977 Animals album, which is packed with songs about exactly what you’d expect. Animals. Roger Waters keyboard & synth work that mimics dogs barking always seems to fool my Greta everytime. It pisses her off cause she thinks another dog is intruding.
Pink Floyd – Young Lust
No comment needed. Just listen to the song’s story.
Tupac Shakur – Dear Mama
Tupac blew my mind when I finally dived into his 1995 album, . He is a ghetto poet and this song is nothing more than a sweet ode to his own mother, based on his story, loving her unconditionally no matter what. What’s not to respect about this as a human being. This is basically the only rap song I know the lyrics by heart. That’s how it hit me when it came out and I was a naive 17 year old listening to gangster rap and being moved by it, while having a father who was a white cop. Hard to relate, right? Nevertheless, the song reminds me of the love I hold for my own mother, even though Tupac’s story is a far cry from my story.
Willie Nelson – Time Of The Preacher
This song is quite possibly the greatest country song, from one of the greatest country albums, sung by one of the greatest country singers. I will fight you if you disagree in the slightest with anything said here within about this song. Got it?
Guns N Roses – November Rain
The ultimate rock n roll love ballad about a relationship that went wrong. It was the first usia video on MTV that I could not turn off or over when it came on. The song was originally intended to be on Appetite For Destruction, but Axl decided it wasn’t finished yet. By the time it did came out, because I was just becoming old enough to understand the song’s meaning, having just experienced one of my first relationships which started off sweet, and ended sour.
Guns N Roses – Yesterdays
A song that reminds us all that we grow and learn through life. Just keep moving forward no matter what, and by all means when you look back to yesterday, just remember that is has nothing for me.