“A Penny for Your Truth” Playlist
These songs are a chronological soundtrack describing the progression of my life. While many songs weren’t recorded (and in some cases their cre- ators weren’t even born) during the time frame they characterize, each song’s sound and lyrics perfectly encompass that moment’s sonic texture.
I am forever grateful for each artist on this list. Please know your art has brought me lifesaving comfort during times of crushing distress, and healing wisdom in moments of unbridled joy.
1. “Thinking About Tomorrow” (IPG Dub) by Beth Orton
2. “Fugitive” by Indigo Girls
3. “Help, I’m Alive” by Metric
4. “Merry Go ’Round” by Kacey Musgraves
5. “Stealing Kisses” by Lori McKenna
6. “Stuck in the Middle with You” by Stealers Wheel
7. “Wake Up” (Live at Fashion Rocks) by Arcade Fire and David Bowie
8. “She” by The Sundays
9. “Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops” by Cocteau Twins
10. “An American Dream” by Love and Rockets
11. “India” by The Psychedelic Furs 12. “Fish” by Throwing Muses
13. “Learning to Hunt” by Guided by Voices
14. “Jane Says” by Jane’s Addiction 15. “Go!” (Club Mix) by Tones on Tail 16. “I Don’t Wanna” by The Call
17. “All That Money Wants” by The Psychedelic Furs
18. “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson
19. “Charlotte Sometimes” by The Cure
20. “Angel from Montgomery” by John Prine
21. “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
22. “Ceremony” by New Order
23. “Silent All These Years” by Tori Amos
24. “Bad” by U2
25. “Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2
26. “Bad Moon Rising” (cover) by Thea Gilmore
27. “Rearviewmirror” by Pearl Jam
28. “Pur” by Cocteau Twins
29. “Boston” (Live) by Augustana
30. “The High Road” by Broken Bells
31. “Hyena” by R.E.M.
32. “Think and Act” by Curve
33. “Salt in the Wound” by boygenius
34. “Blue and Grey Shirt” (Live) by Mark Eitzel
35. “Calling All Angels” by Jane Siberry (with k.d. lang)
36. “Heroes” by David Bowie
37. “Available” by The National
38. “Girl from Ghost Town” by Brontez Purnell
39. “Life on a Chain” by Pete Yorn 40. “The Mysteries” by David Bowie 41. “Under Pressure” by David Bowie and Queen
42. “Terrible Love” by The National 43. “Road” by Nick Drake
44. “Save Me” by Aimee Mann
45. “Ringside” by Julien Baker
46. “Pacing the Cage” by Bruce Cockburn
47. “Where Are You Going” by Dave Matthews Band
48. “Come Rain or Come Shine” by Ray Charles
49. “Orange Sky” by Alexi Murdoch 50. “Safe and Sound” by Sheryl Crow 51. “Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order
52. “Where Is Her Head” by The National
53. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
54. “Useless Desires” by Patty Griffin
55. “Fake Plastic Trees” (Acoustic) by Radiohead
56. “Sea of Love” by Cat Power 57. “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes
58. “Where Is My Mind?” by Pixies 59. “When It Don’t Come Easy” by Patty Griffin
60. “Clean” by Taylor Swift
61. “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” by James Taylor
62. “Don’t Carry It All” by The Decemberists
63. “The Joke” by Brandi Carlile
64. “Here I Am” by Emmylou Harris
65. “Ooh Child” by Beth Orton
66. “Crowded Table” by The Highwomen
67. “The Last Man on Earth” by Wolf Alice
68. “Relative Fiction” by Julien Baker 69. “Thumbs” by Lucy Dacus
70. “Lift” by Skullcrusher
71. “Powers” by boygenius
