Tags and Challenges

Songs I’m Obsessed With | the Thirty Songs Tag

Saraina Whitney

I finally have an excuse to talk about all my favorite songs, because Maidens of Green Gables tagged me for the Thirty Songs tag! 🎉

Honestly, I love music and books equally. 🎶 (And my true creative dream is to be a writer who also does original music on the side – just for fun. Hence why Andrew Peterson inspires me so much. After all, who says you have to choose one thing? 😉 )

Needless to say, I’m so excited to do this tag!

Your Favorite Song

Okay, disclaimer for all the prompts that have the word “favorite” in it: I generally am incapable of choose number one favorites either in music or books. Just so you know. So I’m taking favorite to mean one of my favorites. Otherwise I’d be stuck here all day.

My favorite song in 2023 was SKIN by Cimorelli. It’s powerful.

If I’m already broken and everyone knows it / then why should I be alive? // Cause you are more than skin / you are more than bone / You are more than a world grown harsh and cold / You are heart and soul / You are love made whole

Your Least Favorite Song

Sheesh. Um.

No offense to any of the artists, but…I don’t really like “Just Say Jesus” by 7eventh Time Down. I get the spirit of the song, but it kinda gets on my nerves. I mean, you can’t take the lyrics literally.

Also, don’t hate me, but “Smile” by Sidewalk Prophets annoys me. Like, I get it. “Smile, when you think you can’t.” We should choose joy. Yes. Definitely.

But the petty side of me can’t help feeling like it promotes a false kind of positivity where you push down any negativity and refuse to acknowledge the hard things you’re going through – the messy emotions you need to work through – and don’t tell the truth about how you really are. (Unlike “Truth Be Told” by Matthew West. Love that song.)

So I personally just don’t connect with the song.

A Song That Makes You Happy

“Come Forth,” “Yes, He Did”, “Rise Up Lazarus,” and “I’m So Blessed” by CAIN. “Introverted” by John Michael Howell. “Dead Man Walking” by Jeremy Camp.

And “I See Grace” by Micah Tyler. That one always makes me happy.

A Song That Makes You Sad

“All in My Head” by Lauren Cimorelli. And “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron. But I don’t listen to the original version – I listen to Cimorelli’s cover because it is magical and one of their best arrangements ever. (That dissonance in the chorus, guys. 😍)

A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty

I don’t know. Those songs that are overall beautiful or catchy but have questionable lyrics or are sung by questionable artists.

A Song That Often Gets Stuck In Your Head

Um, currently “That’s the Thing About Praise” by Benjamin William Hastings and Blessing Offor. I listened to it three times today, that’s why. 😂

A Song That Reminds You Of Someone

Well, my mom loves “God, Turn it Around” by Jon Reddick, so that reminds me of her. 😉

A Song That Reminds You Of Someplace

I’m drawing a blank on this.

A Song That Reminds You Of A Certain Event

Well, “The In-Between” by Matt Maher reminds me of being in the theater for Season 2 of The Chosen, and watching the music video for The In-Between before the show started to play.

I may or may not have cried.

A Song You Know All The Words To

I feel like I should choose a more fast-paced, tongue-twister of a song for this. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto. Oh, “Rapunzel” by John Michael Howell! That’s so so so fun to sing. XD

A Song You Could Dance To

“FANATIC (Blue Eyes)” by John Michael Howell. “60’s” by John Michael Howell. “Praise the Lord” by Micah Tyler. “Sunroof” by Nicky Youre (his songs have the most epic summer vibes). “Sorry, I Don’t” by John Michael Howell and Jude Barlcay.

A lot of John Michael Howell. 😛

A Song That Makes You Fall Asleep

Ha. For whatever reason, I’m rarely in a folksy mood. So chill indie folk music puts me to sleep.

I just crave more storytelling in the music itself – highs and lows that build and change. Moments of silence, key changes, angsty belts, sudden falsetto, unexpected harmonies. And a good beat. 😛

I wish I could like folksy music because the lyrics are often so beautiful and poetic, but I’ve just never found it very satisfying. At least not at this moment in my life, lol.

A Song From Your Favorite Band

I would say something from Cimorelli, but I haven’t mentioned For King and Country yet. Which is horrible because I love their songs so much! So, a song I love by them is “Matter.”

You felt the pain of a bitter defeat / Where the weight of the grief / Is more bitter than sweet / It matters, I’m telling you it matters // To the One who spoke and set the sun ablaze / To the One who stopped the storm and walked the waves / To the One who took the tree so He could say / You matter

A Song From a Band You Hate

Uh, I don’t know of a band I know enough to hate. 🤣 And for the bands/artists I would “hate,” I don’t listen to their songs. So I have no answer for this.

A Song Nobody Would Expect You To Love

“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. It’s awesome. (But is it really that surprising that I like this song?)

A Song That Describes You

“To All the Poets” by Andrew Peterson. I’m actually not really into his music just because it’s not my preferred genre (I wish it was because GOODNESS, his lyrics are pure gold), but this song was practically made for me. 😛

An Underrated Song More People Should Love

“Nails” by Matty Mullins. “SKIN” by Cimorelli. “To the Dreamers” by For King and Country.

A Song That You Often Hear on The Radio

“Rest in the Father” by Stephen Stanley. I ADORE THIS SONG. The way he belts it out is just so powerful!

A Song You Wish You Heard on the Radio

“Nails” by Matty Mullins. And Stephen Stanley has some AMAZING songs that I’ve never heard on the radio (like “Run and Hide,” “Note to Self,” and “Clean”). And of course Cimorelli songs. And John Michael Howell.

Oh, and “MIRACLE CHILD” by Brandon Lake. I don’t think I’ve heard it on the radio yet, but I love it.

A Song You Listen To When You’re Happy

“I Ain’t Worried About A Thing” by Sam Bowman. (Well, I also listen to this when I’m nervous about something.) It’s so catchy and upbeat!

A Song You Listen To When You’re Sad

Okay, so when I’m sad, I either listen to songs that reflect how I feel, or I’ll listen to songs that will cheer me up. A song that would cheer me up without being too upbeat and bouncy is SAY by John Michael Howell. It’s so chill and lowkey. Or “Is it a Sin?” by John Michael Howell. So good. (But you gotta listen to it the whole way through to appreciate the lyrical genius of it.)

And “Honest to God” by Rachael Nemiroff. I LOVE THIS SONG. It both reflects how I feel and cheers me up. 😆 Also “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake.

A Song You Listen To When You’re Angry

“Surface Pressure” (don’t hate me for actually liking the song haha), “Don’t Call Me” by Faouzia, “Forgot About You” by OneRepublic.

A Song You Want to Play At Your Wedding

“The One” by Christina Cimorelli and “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri (but maybe James Arthur’s version lol). And “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. And “A Hundred Years” by Francesca Battistelli.

Sorry, once again I’m practically sharing a whole playlist.

A Song You Want To Play At Your Funeral

I have no idea. Maybe “Well Done” by The Afters.

A Song That Makes You Laugh

“Bushes of Love” by Bad Lip Reading. (It’s a Star Wars-themed bad lip reading.) My siblings and I sing it with such heart and gusto, it’s truly disturbing. 🤣 It’s so catchy, though.

A Song That You Can Play

Uhhh…I can play “Liz On Top of the World” from the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. I think it’s my favorite song to play on the piano. 🥰

A Song You Wish You Could Play

The third movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. 😭

A Song From Your Childhood

Any old Sovereign Grace song. Like the album “Sooner Count the Stars: Worshiping the Triune God” (2014) or “Risen” (2011). Or, going even further back, “To Be Like Jesus” (2009). Or “Valley of Vision” (2006). Okay, scratch that, go all the way back to their first album, “I Stand in Awe” (2002).

Oh my goodness. I’m listening to “Sooner Count the Stars” right now. I forgot we used to listen to this ALL THE TIME. And “Alive.” I am literally reliving my childhood right now. *is slightly disturbed*

Your Favorite Duet

Hmm, I’ll go with “People Like Us” by Micah Tyler ft. Emerson Day.

Your Favorite Song at This Time of Year

My Spotify On Repeat playlist has “That’s the Thing About Praise” as my top song. Next is “Honest to God” by Rachael Nemiroff. But “MIRACLE CHILD” has also been living rent-free in my mind, so that might be my favorite song right now. ❤️

What’s your favorite song at this time of the year? Your favorite duet? Do you play an instrument? What’s a genre of music most people like that you don’t? What are your opinions on indie folk music?

38 thoughts on “Songs I’m Obsessed With | the Thirty Songs Tag”

      1. Yes! So true! (Also, you may or may not have started me and Jai on John Michael Howell obsession. *facepalm* we love his reels and didn’t realize he had full versions of those songs he makes up! So now we’re officially obsessed…lol…)

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  5. I’m gonna go ahead and do this tag for fun. XD Feel free to disregard this comment.

    Your Favorite Song – this changes about once a week for me lol, but right now I love “CAREFUL” by NF

    Your Least Favorite Song – “Baby Shark”. I’M SICK OF HEARING MY SIBLINGS PLAY THIS SONG

    A Song That Makes You Happy – “Just! For! Fun!” by Young Martian

    A Song That Makes You Sad – “MISTAKE” by NF

    A Song That Often Gets Stuck In Your Head – “Let Go” by Connor Price

    A Song That Reminds You Of Someone – “Shut Up and Dance”. Don’t ask why. 😳

    A Song That Reminds You Of Someplace – “Follow Me” by Shonlock… this just reminds me of Florida for some reason.

    A Song That Reminds You Of A Certain Event – “I’d Rather Have Jesus” by Selah. This song makes me cry every time because I have such a good memory of it.

    A Song You Know All The Words To – I could say “Baby Shark”… but I wish I could blot that song from my memory forever. So I’ll go with “JUST LIKE YOU” by NF. (in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a huge NF fan lol)

    A Song You Could Dance To – “Let Go” by Connor Price

    A Song That Makes You Fall Asleep – literally nothing lol

    A Song From Your Favorite Band – I don’t really have a favorite band, but I used to like One Direction a lot, so I’ll go with “What Makes You Beautiful”.

    A Song From a Band You Hate – I don’t really hate any bands… so idk

    A Song Nobody Would Expect You To Love – “Primo” by bizzle

    A Song That Describes You – “FEELINGS” by Cortes, “If You Don’t Like Me” by Chloe Adams, and “Seventeen” by Alessia Cara

    An Underrated Song More People Should Love – “WHY” by NF

    A Song That You Often Hear on The Radio – “HAPPY” by NF (i love this song so much I’ve just heard it wayyy too many times lol)

    A Song You Wish You Heard on the Radio – basically any of NF’s other songs cuz they’re so good. Also some more of TobyMac’s older songs because I basically grew up on those.

    A Song You Listen To When You’re Happy – “Let Go” by Connor Price

    A Song You Listen To When You’re Sad – “Let You Down” by NF

    A Song You Listen To When You’re Angry – “THAT’S A JOKE” by NF

    A Song You Want to Play At Your Wedding – “River Flows in You” by Yiruma

    A Song You Want To Play At Your Funeral – i have no idea lol

    A Song That Makes You Laugh – “Thrillin” by Connor Price (I don’t even know why it’s funny haha)

    A Song That You Can Play – “Romantic Flight” by John Powell (I can play a version of it on the piano arranged by Patrik Peitschmann)

    A Song You Wish You Could Play – “All Of Me” by Jon Schmidt, I started learning it but didn’t finish

    A Song From Your Childhood – “Lights Shine Bright” by TobyMac (or basically any TobyMac song, I was obsessed with him as a child)

    Your Favorite Duet – “Reasons” by Hulvey, Lecrae, and SVRCINA (i think this counts)

    Your Favorite Song at This Time of Year – “CLOUDS” by NF

    I like NF way too much lol

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    1. WOW. I LOVE THIS. 🙌 😆 I don’t regularly listen to NF but when I do…aghh, his lyrics are always incredible! And oh my goodness, you can play Patrik Peitschmann’s version of “Romantic Flight”? *a million heart eyes* I must learn that gorgeous song. And I deeply sympathize with you regarding the torture of enduring your siblings play Baby Shark over and over again. 😭 Thankfully, my siblings only went through a brief craze with it XD

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      1. Haha thanks! Yes, Romantic Flight is SOOO much fun! I played it for a recital last spring. It took me a while to learn. For my siblings it’s always Baby Shark, the Hamster Dance, and Catchy Song (from the LEGO movie 2 or smth like that lol)

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  6. Matty Mullins has such great songs; “Nails” is one of my favorites of his.

    I actually believe Sidewalk Prophets’ “Smile” has merit because some days, life is just too heavy and you can’t find any joy. But there is always a reason to smile when you remember the love Christ revealed when He died and subsequently rose again so we could have eternal life. This world’s darkness isn’t the end, and that is reason to be reminded to smile.

    You should check out Stephen Stanley’s other songs! My sis discovered him last July, and I’ve been hooked ever since. His voice is so powerful and you can just hear the emotion.

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    1. Indeed he does!!! 😭

      And yeah. You’re definitely right. I actually heard it on the radio today and decided I like it more than I thought I did, lol. I just have a pet peeve with that particular phrase, but the song as a whole is completely true.

      *gasps* I HAVE! His entire “Divided Frame of Mind” album is just amazing!! I’ve been listening to him on repeat. ❤

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  8. Not me googling 50% of these songs/artists…

    Okay, but seriously. “Eye of the Tiger” is GOLD.

    And it doesn’t get any better than “Bushes of Love.” 👌

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    1. HAHA! I don’t know if that means I listen to super niche/obscure songs or you do… 👀 🤭

      IS IT NOT, THOUGH?

      Ack, I’m so excited that you know about “Bushes of Love” too!!! 🤣 (We’re always the ones introducing it to other people who don’t know it even exists XD)

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      2. I actually didn’t recognize a single song in your list… lol!

        My favourite artist is actually the New Creation Worship team in Singapore. They have the best songs!

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  9. Ahhhh, “Eye of the Tiger” *chefs kiss* SO GOOD!
    Have you listened to many Casting Crowns music? I recently re-discovered their songs and they are SO GOOD! “Who Am I” and “East to West” YOU MUST CHECK OUT! XD

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    1. YES!!! 😍

      I don’t listen to them a lot, but sometimes my siblings play their music and they have some fantastic songs!! OOO. I’ll check those out!! 😉

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  10. wow, i’ve never heard of most of these songs XD i might have to go check some of them out.
    but i just wanted to say ~ the 3rd Mvt. of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata is hard, but it’s not as hard as it sounds. With practice you can do it! Good luck to you 😀

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  11. I loved reading this, your enthusiasm is awesome!! I’m just going down the line and adding all the songs I don’t know to a playlist so I can savor them properly!! Can’t wait to get listening!!

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  13. Wow, so many awesome songs listed here! I want to go through and like point out all the ones I recognized, but it’s too many to list. I am going to say that SKIN by Cimorelli is SOOOOO good and I LOVE To the Dreamers by For King and Country!!

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