Immortalizing music is so tricky when feelings and tastes can change so frequently or so drastically as circumstances change. Therefore, for this prompt, it made sense to approach it from a timeless type of mindset to carry some value through the feeling rather than the song or the artist. It is simply a coincidence that these are some of my favorite artists. Not at all biased.
from the private playlist, I have for myself called “maybe tomorrow you’ll know.”
Morning Sun by Melody Gardot
I wish I remembered the first time I listened to this song, but I remember it would come up on my shuffles pretty often, and just never skipped it. It has such optimistic, classic lyrics that would be timeless and yet resonate on an individual level.
The lyric I would get would definitely be “Honey child” but there are others that can be equally appealing. Appealing to that feeling of wanting to be born and raised by optimism, transformed by the sun, melt away troubles type of identity.
I Know the End by Phoebe Bridgers
There is something so cathartic in this song that kind of forces you to listen by pulling you into its destruction. Though, I find destruction to be a positive even if its lonely, angry, and tired. If I had to guess, I think many have already immortalized this song in their bodies with a wide variety of lyrics as there are so many to take from in this track.
The lyric i would get would probably be “I know, I know, I know” as it resigns into understanding there is an ending but from a transforming lens.
Good Fortune by PJ Harvey
The gatekeeper in me wanted to keep my very indie artist PJ Harvey for myself as well as one of my favorite songs by her, but it is a track that I would want to carry with me through time, which is why it made the list.
The song uses so much imagery that could be better represented in a drawing, but if I had to choose a lyric it would be “I feel like some bird of paradise” to live with the feeling of freedom that lyric can emit.
Better Version of Me by Fiona Apple
“Let the damn breeze dry my face.” A line that would get me out of bed instantly and simply changed my life. Fiona writes the most insane lyrics in such a casual way, I would love to carry a piece of her writing with me.
The lyric: “Let the damn breeze dry my face.” If anyone gets it, I want to see it. If I get it, someday I will thank this post for it.
All is Full of Love by Bjork
The intention of reminding yourself of how much love there is all around you is a timeless and grounding feeling that helps you shift perspectives by decentering yourself and opening up to receiving love from all sources.
There are some good ones to get tattooed but I prefer the classic “All is Full of Love.” Direct, simple, and effective.
Life Goes On by The Damned
An unexpectedly optimistic track by such a cool, nonchalant band, but the message is there and it’s pretty profound. It is grounding and of similar nature as other recommendations I have given already, but the wording switches the focus towards a more persistent approach.
The repetitive lyrics of “Go on and on and on” feels right to represent the song in a way that can not be easily misunderstood without context.
I think it is hard to make a commitment to feelings knowing they will morph into something else, or that the song you love today will be overplayed in your head forever and the tattoo only reminds you of an obsession rather than a feeling. Regardless, the value of connection, optimism, gratitude, and perseverance is timeless and the type I would want to carry with me everywhere.
Extra:
consider morphing lyrics into visual representations, or simply getting the album cover tattooed if it’s a good one.