X is for X (10) eXistential songs that I love

A friend and I were talking about music this week, which has prompting some thought as to why I like some songs and musicians more than others. While I like a good nonsense pop song as much as anyone, much of my favorite music addresses existential questions and the inherent (but freeing) absurdity of existence: Why are we here? How should we live? How do we deal with regret? Shame? Loss? Memory? What does it all mean? These songs not only provide a needed break or background soundtrack; they also are food for the mind and soul.

Below are ten existentialist-themed songs that I love, in no particular order and the first ones that came to mind that I could easily share here:

  • Paul McCartney: “Fool on the Hill”
  • Talking Heads: “Once in a Lifetime”
  • Elvis Costello: “Veronica”
  • Annie Lennox: “Into the West”
  • Queen: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
  • Hamilton Soundtrack: “That Would Be Enough”
  • Prince: “Sign O’ the Times”
  • Tracy Chapman: “Change”
  • Traveling Wilburys: “End of the Line”
  • John Lennon: “Watching the Wheels”











XThis post is part of the April A to Z Blog Challenge. For more on my 2016 theme of Private Revolution, see A Is for Ambition. Click here to read all posts in the Private Revolution A to Z Challenge blog series. 

2 thoughts on “X is for X (10) eXistential songs that I love”

  1. I would like to add one to these that you have chosen: Simon and Garfunkel’s “Slip Slidin’ Away.” Great post!

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