All of My Picks For The 30-Day Song Challenge

Something that I enjoyed doing during the month of April in quarantine was taking part in the 30-Day Song Challenge on my Instagram story. And technically I failed, forgetting it do it somedays, forcing myself to double up on others. But I did get through it to the end.

This was a really fun challenge, as it got me to reflect on some songs that I haven’t thought of or heard in a while. So I wanted to share with you all 30 songs I selected, and my reasoning for each choice. Feel free to read along in chronological order, or use the image below to guide you to the song choice you’re most interested in.

Day 1

A Song You Like With a Color in the Title

“Blue Blue” by Iamamiwhoami

I decided to set the tone for the month with a song by one of my favorite music artists, Iamamiwhoami. I am constantly using the etherial sound of the eclectic Swedish music group to calm my mood and surround myself with good vibes, so naturally “Blue Blue” came to mind when choosing a song with a color in the title. Much of what inspires Iamamiwhoami’s music has to do with nature: the woods, the earth, the ocean. And this song - along with its music video set in and around water - off of their visual album “Blue” is no exception.

Day 2

A Song You Like With a Number in the Title

“Fifteen” by Goldroom (feat Chela)

Being that I’ve been in a nostalgic mood during quarantine, the song “Fifteen” by Goldroom came to mind as a song with a number in the title. This dreamy electropop song gives all of the feeling of looking into the past and romanticizing youth and its freedoms.

Day 3

A Song That Reminds You of Summertime

“Lying to You (Satin Jackets Remix)” by Goldroom

I swear I didn’t choose this song because I had Goldroom on the brain. This is genuinely one of the songs that most makes me think of summertime. I listened to this song during one of the most formative summers of my life. It was the summer before I met Steven and my life changed forever. I was at a job I hated, going out with someone who wasn’t nice to me and generally not doing my self-esteem any favors. It was the summer I learned to take care of myself and let go of everything that I knew deep down wasn’t good for me. And those actions led me to someone who always wants me to be fulfilled and happy with myself. Moreso than just beach views and drives along Highway 1, this song reminds me of that transitional time.

Day 4

A Song That Reminds You of Someone You’d Rather Forget

“National Anthem” by Lana Del Rey

When it comes to songs about people you’d rather not think about, who else would come to mind but Lana Del Rey. Lana’s music has of course gotten me through some tough relationships and breakups through the years. And “National Anthem” was the one I related to the most. I love what it says about the falling in love with people because of their power and wealth, and the downside of where a life of excess can bring you. Combined with its nod to JFK, Jackie and Marilyn, this song is one of my favorite Lana jams of all time, despite its reminding me of darker times.

Day 5

A Song That Needs to Be Played Loud

“Heartbeats” by The Knife

When I think of a song that needs to be played loud and proud, “Heartbeats” by The Knife is one of the first that come to mind. This high energy synthpop bop has this almost electricity to it that makes me feel the need to bob my head or tap my foot. There’s a good reason why it’s been an indie darling since its release in the early 2000s.

Day 6

A Song That Makes You Want to Dance

“Call Your Girlfriend” by Robyn

One of my favorite songs to move to at the Castro clubs is “Call Your Girlfriend” by underrated pop icon Robyn. In another one of her dance masterpieces, Robyn tells the tale of the new man in her life and the difficult task he has of breaking up with his existing girlfriend. And while the sentiment isn’t the warmest and fuzziest of topics, the lyrics are tight and fun to sing to, and the beat - especially the breakdown at the bridge - is infectiously danceable.

Day 7

A Song To Drive To

“Midnight City” by M83

One of the first songs I fell in love with in college was M83’s “Midnight City.” As memed to death as this song is, I think it’s a total indie winner that still holds up all these years later. Now it’s become one of my favorite songs to listen to while driving at night. It’s upbeat, it’s dramatic, and it’s a total blast that makes your car feel like it’s going 20 miles faster it is - which helps when you’re cruising along the traffic-heavy freeways of California.

Day 8

A Song About Drugs and Alcohol

“Game” by Mating Ritual

Due to my chronic migraines, I’m not much of a drinker. So my pick for song about drugs and alcohol isn’t about getting wasted at the club. Rather, it’s a song that I perceive as being about the effects excessive drinking can have on someone’s life and personality. I know it’s a bit of a downer to think about, but it’s a pretty great song by one of my recent musical discoveries, Mating Ritual.

Day 9

A Song That Makes You Happy

“Go To Be Real” by Cheryl Lynn

After a childhood in the ‘90s (when this song was on every radio station all day long) and 100 viewings of Paris is Burning, this song always takes me back to that very decade - despite it being released in the late ‘70s. Cheryl Lynn’s voice and the disco feel have made this song a dance classic for the ages, and its prominence in the documentary about the 1990s ballroom culture in New York City has cemented it into another generation of popular culture. Here’s to passing along “Got To Be Real” to many generations to come.

Day 10

A Song That Makes You Sad

“Chasing Kites” by Iamamiwhoami

While my senior year of college should have been an exciting time full of wonder and possibility, it actually ended up being a very sad year for me. By that fourth year, many of my friends had left school to start working, while others transferred to schools outside of San Francisco. So needless to say, after my breakup with my college boyfriend I was feeling more than a tad lonely on campus. Things were made worse when two of my closest friends - a couple - announced that they were moving to Los Angeles to start a new chapter of their lives. But the timing of all of these events - while depressing at the time - marked an important time of transition for me. The moment I realized that I had to make a new start as a working woman and graduate. And as my friends packed up their apartment where so many of my amazing college memories took place, this song played on repeat. And a deeper listen to the lyrics reveals that its message is about growing up and realizing all things must come to an end so that new chapters can start. I am still in touch with all of the friends I had to say goodbye to in one way or another that senior year, but the feeling of separation from all of them at the time really helped me learn what I was made of.

Day 11

A Song You Never Get Tired Of

“All You Wanted” by Michelle Branch

I was a huge fan of Michelle Branch as a kid and loved that I got to hear her music playing during every stroll through the mall, every trip to a coffee shop and every car ride to piano lessons. Given the impact her music had during the early 2000s, it’s hard to imagine that she was only 18 years old when some of her biggest hits. There was a maturity in her songwriting abilities. Her dramatic lyrics paired with the an easy-listening alternative rock sound makes her songs easy to listen to over and over again even 19 years later.

Day 12

A Song From Your Preteen Years

“Come Clean” by Hilary Duff

Speaking of dramatic lyrics, one of the songs that I perceived to be the most dramatic of my preteen years was “Come Clean” by Hilary Duff. I remember purchasing her Metamorphosis as soon as it became available, and watching the music video for this song over and over again. It’s introspective and darkly lit, and shows Hilary lounging all over her home waiting for her boyfriend to come home while watching the rainfall all around her. As an 11 year old, I thought it was the most grown up thing I’d ever seen.

Day 13

A Song You Like From the ‘70s

“Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees

Technically the song I posted on this day was “Daydream” by Wallace Collection, but since that was technically a ‘60s song, I decided to pick “Stayin’ Alive.” Since I grew up with my mom constantly playing the Bee Gees, I can honestly say I really dig this song. And of course, it always brings back great memories of watching John Travolta walk the streets of New York in Saturday Night Fever.

Day 14

A Song You’d Love To be Played at Your Wedding

“Time After Time” by Margaret Whiting

I’m a sucker for old songs - so it should come as no surprise that my vote for the song I’d like to dance to at my wedding is the old standard “Time After Time,” which has a timeless way of describing undying love. My favorite rendition is that of Margaret Whiting.

Day 15

A Song You Like That’s a Cover By Another Artist

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper

It’s unbelievable to imagine that Cyndi Lauper is not the originator of the song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” It was first recorded by Robert Hazard in 1979, however Lauper took it to a whole other level by making it one of the quintessential songs of the following decade. Being a “girl” herself - and an individualistic one at that - her rendition gives the song a whole new meaning and resonance, making it an excellent example of what a cover should be.

Day 16

A Song That’s a Classic Favorite

“Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley

With much of my family being from Hawai'i, I was brought up listening to a lot of Elvis’ songs. My first favorite was none other than “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You,” and my current favorite is “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” but one of his classics that I think always deserves more attention is “Suspicious Minds.” I remember being so happy when it was featured “Lilo and Stitch,” bringing many of The King’s hits to a whole new generation.

Day 17

A Song You’d Sing Karaoke Duet of

“Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye

After having to hear a hundred different renditions of “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” and “Summer Nights” at karaoke, I think it’s time to shake things up with a newer classic: My favorite hit song of the 2010s, “Somebody That I Used to Know”. This one hit wonder - by great underrated indie acts Gotye and Kimbra - was a breath of fresh air in the midst of the predictable pop songs on the Billboard 100, and its quirky music video has cemented it in pop culture history of recent times. I’d love to sing this with Steven the next time we karaoke. Just don’t let me forget my face paint.

Day 18

A Song From The Year You Were Born

“Finally” by CeCe Peniston

While this song was originally released in 1991, it didn’t become a smash hit until my birth year, 1992. It has since become one of my favorite dance songs of all time. Its infectious beat combined with CeCe Peniston’s powerhouse vocals make it a song that compels me to get into the groove. To me, it will always be one of the greatest representations of the R&B-infused house music of the ‘90s.

Day 19

A Song That Makes You Think About Life

“Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman

When it comes to thought-provoking songs that capture the ups and downs of life, I think of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” It tells the story of a working class woman dreaming of/working towards a better future for herself and her loved ones. The lyrics are poignant, with a message that everyone can relate to and take something away from. And the song’s deep folk influence combined with its soft rock and pop sensibilities made it a classic folk rock song for a newer age. It’s classic Americana, and a song that has always inspired me.

Day 20

A Song That Has Many Meanings to You

“Halcyon” by Orbital

The first thing that the Day 20 prompt reminded me of was my article from 2018 about the musical history behind “Halcyon and On and On” by Orbital. It’s a remix of their song “Halcyon,” which samples an EDM song by Opus III, which is a cover of a song called “It’s a Fine Day” by Edward Barton and Jane Lancaster. Talk about inspiration-ception. Over time, the meaning behind the original song has morphed depending on how it inspires each artist. I find the evolution of music over time to be fascinating, and feel this song is a true testament to it.

Day 21

A Song You Like With a Person’s Name in the Title

“Annie” by Vanessa Carlton

I took piano lessons all throughout my youth, and one of my favorite contemporary pianists was Vanessa Carlton of “A Thousand Miles” fame. And the song that immediately stood out to me the most on her second album, Harmonious, was a song that started with an invigorating piano riff titled “Annie.” Vanessa wrote the song for a fan of hers named Victoria, who had been diagnosed with cancer and was given a short while left to live. It’s a very hopeful and thoughtful song that I think does a beautiful job of paying homage to its inspiration.

Day 22

A Song That Moves You Forward

“Shake it Out” by Florence and the Machine

Freshman year of college was a formative year for me, as it is for many. I was learning how to live on my own, as well as to juggle classes that cost $300 a credit, and experiencing the first heartbreak of my adult life. And one of the things that helped me get through it was no joke - watching How I Met Your Mother. As unrealistic and over the top that show was, it really touched me when I didn’t know what to do with all of my feelings and couldn’t see the silver lining in anything. Watching Ted Mosby get rejected by Robin for the umpteenth time in the Season 7 episode “No Pressure” and then walk outside to realize he was finally free to meet the actual love of his life was very uplifting. And the song that plays at the end of that episode, “Shake it Out” by Florence and the Machine made that scene just that much more impactful. It became my anthem for whenever I failed or was rejected. It was a reminder to stay hopeful. And it still works to this day.

Day 23

A Song You Think Everybody Should Listen To

“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush

I’m a firm believer that one of the most underrated pop songs of all time is “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush. Kate Bush was always regarded as an eccentric or experimental artist. Known for her unorthodox dance moves and costumes and considered somewhat of a risk when it came to televised performances, it also didn’t do her many favors when religious groups took offense to this song’s original title “A Deal With God,” and its concept of God letting you trade places for a day with someone of the opposite sex to see things from their perspective for a change. There are so many reasons why this song was underplayed and underrepresented, so I like to do my part to share it with others. Please enjoy.

Day 24

A Song By a Band You Wish Were Still Together

“Bitch of Living” by the original Broadway cast of Spring Awakening

It’s not really part of my personality to get upset over the break up of a band. In fact, I’m always complaining when I think a band has stayed together for too long and has used up every creative idea they had as a unit. So instead, I decided to answer the Day 24 prompt with a song from an original Broadway cast that I felt was too short-lived: The original cast of Spring Awakening. The production - which only lasted two years and one month - included Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele and John Gallagher Jr. And while it was met with favorable reviews for its great music and ability to get teenage and young adult butts into theatre seats, it in many ways has been forgotten by the general public. And something about the chemistry of that original cast was in my opinion just never met by later productions. As someone who didn’t take her first trip to New York City until a year after this show had closed, this is a musical act I really wish had stayed together longer.

Day 25

A Song You Like By an Artist Who is No Longer Living

“River of No Return” by Marilyn Monroe

When I thought of great music artists who are no longer with us, so many classics came to mind. Michael, Whitney, Elvis, Freddie, Judy…but one musical act with the same cache whose musical career is frequently overlooked is Marilyn Monroe. Known for her beauty over all else, people tend to gloss over her acting and musical work. Sure, she wasn’t the most skilled vocalist, but she did a lot of her own singing in many films, which was quite ambitious at the time for movie stars who weren’t singers first and foremost.

I remember listening to Marilyn’s greatest hits on repeat when I worked in the vintage/retro lingerie store on Haight Street, Dollhouse Bettie. And while her sassier and more sultry songs like “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” are fun to listen to, the song "River of No Return” from the 1954 song of the same name stood out to me as one where you could moreso hear the heart and soul of Marilyn. As fans of Marilyn know, she was not a happy woman behind all the glitz and glamour. Her lifestyle and workaholic personality resulted in a string of failed relationships and long stints of unrequited love. And this is the song that I find to be the most representative of her personality, rather than her persona as a Hollywood bombshell. And that’s what makes it my absolute favorite Marilyn tune.

Day 26

A Song That Makes You Want to Fall in Love

“Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac

“Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac to me will always be romance in a nutshell. This upbeat soft rock ‘80s song was a precursor to the dream-pop genre, which is probably why it appeals too me so greatly. It not only reminds you of romantic love, but the exciting anticipation of realizing you’re falling in love in the first place. Wanting to be with someone everywhere is the sentiment of someone who is downright smitten, and this song captures the beautiful simplicity of it all.

Day 27

A Song that Breaks Your Heart

“Somewhere In Time” by John Barry

While the 1970 film Somewhere in Time has become notorious for its sappiness and melodrama, that doesn’t stop me from tearing up whenever I hear the theme from the movie. Being that this John Barry-composed number reminds me of the loss of loved ones, you’d think it was a sad song from beginning to end. But in fact, it ends on a hopeful note, that reminds me of my belief that we’ll all get to be with our loved ones someday in the future. It’s the bittersweetness of this song - and of this film - that makes me cry every time I hear it.

Day 28

A Song By an Artist Whose Voice You Love

“Breathe In ” by Frou Frou

Last summer, Steven and I were lucky enough to see Imogen Heap perform live in San Francisco, knocking a huge item off my bucketlist. And she was just as skillful and fascinating as I always hoped she’d be. Imogen Heap’s music (through her solo career and with her band Frou Frou) influenced me greatly growing up. Watching YouTube videos of her treating her own voice and mixing/layering her sound bites in real time opened my eyes to all the possibilities in composing music. And seeing it done in person was just as rewarding. I think she’ll always be one of my favorite music artists of all time and definitely one of my favorite vocalists.

Day 29

A Song You Remember From Your Childhood

“I Can’t Tell You Why” by The Eagles

When it comes to songs played on repeat during my childhood, “I Can’t Tell You Why” by the Eagles immediately comes to mind. To my knowledge this was the song that my mother played the most when I was growing up. I have known every note in the guitar riff of this song ever since I was four years old. It will always be a stand-out rock song for me, as well as a testament to my mother’s good taste in music.

Day 30

A Song That Reminds You of Yourself

“Upswing” by Prinze George

Back when I first discovered the band Prinze George on Spotify, I didn’t realize I was hearing a song that would carry me through so many difficult moments in my life. This was the unhappy summer I mentioned before in Day 3 of this list, where I was at a job that I hated and was dating someone who wasn’t nice to me. The first time I heard this song, I immediately related with its first set of lyrics: “When the miles extend, when I can’t pretend anymore, when my power bends, when I’m face to face with the dust on the floor.” I was feeling like I was chasing success in a company where I couldn’t exercise my talents, and that I was spending too much time with someone who didn’t care about my happiness. I felt powerless and pathetic for so long until I realized that I had the power to leave all of it. I didn’t have to continue to breaking my back trying to mold myself into someone that the people around me could learn to love. I could better myself in a way that was satisfying to me, and find a place to work and a relationship to be in that had its arms open to the real me. I needed to do myself a favor and find where I belonged so that I could enjoy my life and my own sense of self. And that’s what “Upswing” is all about. Realizing that just because you’re in a challenging place doesn’t mean that you’re not on the right path to something better.

I listen to this song all the time: On my commute, when I’m on a leisurely drive, or even when I’m feeling distraught over something. It’s uplifting, it’s poignant, and it’s downright beautiful. It reminds me of a difficult point in my life and a difficult lesson I had to learn, but it also encourages me to rise to the occasion.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this list. Challenges like these are fun ways of casually sharing more about yourself on a platform like Instagram stories. But I am also glad for all of the reflection it’s caused me to do. It got me to go back and appreciate a lot of fantastic songs and think about many facets of my life. Please share any songs that these challenge prompts have forced you to think about in the comments below. I am loving seeing the memories it stirs up for others. Until we meet again!