Goin’ Home
Artist: Dan Auerbach
Album: Keep it Hid
Released: February 10, 2009

Primarily known as the bluesy yet angelic voice behind the Black Keys, Auerbach uses his classic Animals-inspired strumming and chord progressions on “Goin’ Home.” Opening with a dream-like intro, this classic on-tour-homesickness song strikes a deeper chord than most with its simple lyrics and guitar/vocal melodies that seamlessly intertwine together. Taking a step back from the hardcore blues of the Keys, Auerbach plays to his strengths: His plain yet perfect lyricism and melodies and his heartwarming croon. This is the slowest song on the album, so those looking for more Keys-esque songs will enjoy it as well.

Guaranteed
Artist: Eddie Vedder
Album: Into the Wild
Released: September 14, 2007

Pearl Jam’s frontman has one of the most recognizable crooning voices of the ’90s grunge era. Vedder unplugs for this album, a soundtrack to indie film Into the Wild. Vedder’s haunting lyrics and the simple repetitiveness of the guitar evokes the kind of emotion and free spirit feeling that the movie portrayed. Catchphrases from the likes of Vonnegut (“So it goes” from Slaughterhouse Five) coupled with Vedder’s weighty tone will make you want to run through a field barefoot while listening.

Blunderbuss
Artist: Jack White
Album: Blunderbuss
Released: April 23, 2012

This is the title track from Jack White’s debut solo album, which is one of those albums that you can listen to in its entirety without getting bored. Using a slide guitar, pounding piano melodies, and signature White Stripes arpeggio guitar riffs, this song saunters through a cryptic and lyrically-full half-ballad. With thought-provoking lines like “Such a trick pretending not to be doing what you want to,” this song will resonate with all who listen to it.

Say It To Me Now
Artist: Glen Hansard
Album: Once
Released: May 22, 2007

Glen Hansard, part of the duo Swell Season who starred in the movie Once, goes solo on one powerful song: “Say It To Me Now.” It opens with a slow, beating guitar rhythm, and Hansard’s perfectly imperfect voice breaks through to start the simple and ultimate breakup song. Hansard uses chords that aren’t immediately pleasing to the ear to catch listeners’ attention and lead them to the crescendo, a “Hey Jude”-esque scream. “Say It To Me Now” is a perfect mix of melancholy strumming and desperate furiousness that will leave the listener wanting more.