SAME ROOM. Song and story by Stephen Andrew.
It was only when I listened back to my song that I realised what it was about.
TIME TO PRETEND by MGMT. Story by Jennifer Manoogian.
I listen to the lyrics, 'we’re fated to pretend', like a mantra. Is this what it means to be in your 20s?
ELECTRIC FEEL by MGMT. Story by Barbara Samuelson.
It was the first time I learned what a silent disco headphone system even was.
BAGS by CLAIRO. Story by Jennifer Manoogian.
My name sounds different when she says it, and often, I ignore her the first time so I can hear her call it again.
CASTLE ON THE HILL by ED SHEERAN. Story by Kate Foulds.
Mum was a practical woman. She expressed her love through deeds. Tender words and demonstrative affection weren’t her strong suit. Particularly at home.
SIGN OF THE TIMES by HARRY STYLES. Confession by Martina Medica.
You resolve to simply never think about Harry Styles, or One Direction, ever again.
UNWRITTEN by NATASHA BEDINGFIELD. Story by Angela Savage.
My daughter takes me to a movie that she’s already seen and thinks I will like. The movie is so-so, but there’s a song in it that I love.
POOL PARTY by JULIA JACKLIN. Story by Gemma Keating.
It was strange: I listened to it, and the unspoken words hanging between us were suddenly said – not by him, or me, but by this angelic voice from afar. It was an admission, an apology. No, it was a plea. No, maybe it was just a song.
HEARTBEAT AND SAILS by AUGIE MARCH. Story by Stella Griffiths.
I take off and pedal cross the road. The waa-waa synth-like drop begins, and the drums kick in as I, too, drop onto the Merri Creek path, a petite valley sectioning the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
WALKING IN MEMPHIS/MORNING ELVIS. Poem by Michael Leach.
Michael Leach joins the dots between Elvis, Memphis, Marc Cohn and Florence Welch. And teacups.