Are you a ‘lyric person’?

“You know, I’ve got this theory; there are two kinds of people in the world. There are lyric people and music people. You know, the lyrics people tend to be analytical. You know, all about the meaning of the song. They’re the ones you see with the CD insert out like five minutes after buying it, pouring over the lyrics, interpreting the hell out of everything. Then there’s the music people, who couldn’t care less for the lyrics as long as it’s just got a good beat and you could dance to it. I don’t know, sometimes it might be easier to be a music girl and not a lyric girl. But since I’m not, let me just say this: sometimes things find you when you need them to find you. I believe that. And for me, it’s usually song lyrics.” – One Tree Hill

As a teenager this quote always stood out to me. Being a teenager can be tough at times, and I think that was the first time in my life that I really turned to music to get through “hard” times. Something about music just spoke to me, and I became obsessed.

During that time I explored different artists, mostly in the same genres, and fell in love with an endless number of songs. At first it was about the beat, but then I noticed myself hearing the words more and more. They meant something to me, and they were relatable, and I became a lyric person. Somewhere along the way I found Jack’s Mannequin, and I would never be the same.

I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Jack’s Mannequin’s music hit me in a way that is literally indescribable through words. Andrew McMahon, front man for both Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin, has a way with words that drew me in. While my taste in music has evolved, Andrew’s music has always been there, and always will be. Eight years, four concerts, and countless listens later, this music has shaped me.

This week, inspired by attending the Andrew McMahon concert, I have created for you a play list of songs with meaningful lyrics. Lyrics that have meant something to me, and could potentially speak to you.

But what I’m really getting at is this: everybody should have an Andrew McMahon. I encourage you to make your own playlist of songs with lyrics that speak to you, because sometimes you just need a song to understand you when nobody can.

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