The Scout staff has compiled a list of their favorite songs to listen to as November begins, along with explanations and descriptions.
Latif Love:
“Didn’t Cha Know” by Erykah Badu
Most of my generation probably knows this song from Paul George edits on TikTok, and the song has rightfully transcended eras. “Didn’t Cha Know” is one of the smoothest songs ever. Though the song has commentary about self-discovery and navigating life, you can just turn your brain off and let your soul vibe.
“Doo Wop (That Thing)” by Lauryn Hill
As I was reflecting on my childhood, I remembered how much “Doo Wop” played in my house. My mom used to tell me Hill was saying “Daphne,” as in my auntie Daphne. I thought it was a farce to protect an eight-year-old kid’s mind; now, I know the song is about the vices of both men and women. I appreciate this song for who I was then and who I am now.
Scarlett Rose Binder:
“Coming Up Roses” by Harry Styles
I’m not the most avid Harry Styles listener, but this track is the perfect background music to a cold November day. The second line – “I’ve turned back the clocks, it’s that time of year” – makes the song uniquely fitting for this week, but that’s not why I picked it. It’s soothing, and that’s more necessary than ever as the winter months approach.
“In Your Eyes” by Haute & Freddy
Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” is my favorite song of all time. It played as I walked off stage at my high school graduation, and it will play at my wedding. My loyalty to the original makes me wary of any other iteration, but Haute & Freddy covers the song beautifully. It is haunting, romantic and a testament to the power of the original song as well as to Haute & Freddy’s talent as artists.
Paul Swartz:
“XXX. (feat. U2)” by Kendrick Lamar
I’m not sure if this is my favorite Kendrick song, but it definitely has my favorite Kendrick verse. The opening and closing moments are certainly excellent, but it’s verse two that makes this track transcendent. This is as aggressive as he’s ever sounded, with a simple beat that lets his rapping shine through. The back half’s U2 feature is another highlight, tying together the best song on “DAMN.”
“Misery Business” by Paramore
One of the best rock songs of the 2000s, “Misery Business” has stood the test of time as one of Paramore’s most enduring hits. It feels like a bridge between classic and punk rock, with an otherworldly vocal performance from Hayley Williams. The pounding guitar in the second half of the chorus is one of the coolest parts of any track in their discography.
Jordan Jones:
“November 18th” by Drake
“November 18th” is a perfect fit for this month, as we enter the cold season. Drake lets listeners embrace the track’s slow feel, making it one of my personal favorites of his. “November 18th” delivers a soft yet flowing beat, all while relatable lyrics make the track complete.
“Fall for Your Type” by Jamie Foxx (feat. Drake)
Jamie Foxx and Drake create an outstanding R&B song, including a mellow verse toward the end of the track that brings the song full circle. “Fall for Your Type” is heart-wrenching, fully embracing the feeling of complicated relationships, and both Foxx and Drake understand it all too well.
Injy Wasfy:
“I Will Be There” by Zeraphine
This is one of those well-rounded tracks that has slow moments, a peak and an eventual repetitive melody that dissolves into pure instruments. It doesn’t exhaust you to get through, and it’s easy to follow at each point. The piano also adds a nostalgic element in the background, taking over during the higher-energy moments. It has a lot to come back to.
“Surreal” by Flawed Mangoes
While the band is known for its “hopecore” tracks, this one deserves a spot on their greatest list. I originally discovered it as an instrumental, and it conveyed its title very well with just the melody. So when I discovered there was a version with lyrics, I gave it a listen. Initially, I didn’t like it – but that’s because I was expecting the same song with words. In reality, the tone of the lyrics feels more upbeat than the words imply, but on days where the surreal nature of the instrumental is too much, they are a good balance.
Ethan Diamond:
“No Easy Way Out” by Robert Tepper
I recently rewatched Rocky IV, which has my favorite soundtrack of all of the Rocky movies despite its limited length. A major reason is the “No Easy Way Out” montage that plays shortly after Apollo Creed’s death, taking viewers back through moments from the first three movies leading up to that moment in the fourth.
“Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince
Here’s a fun song from Prince’s 1984 hit album “Purple Rain.” While the tracklist features two other successful Prince classics – “When Doves Cry” and “Purple Rain” – “Let’s Go Crazy” is my favorite song off of the album, mainly because of the energy he brings to the piece.
Mark Wagner:
“Magic” by Lil Skies
Sometimes, talking about too many topics ruins a song, but that actually helps “Magic.” Lil Skies makes references to living out his dreams, worrying about his son struggling and getting rid of friends who aren’t loyal to him, and it all fits together so perfectly somehow. When I first heard this in 2019, I was more in love with the music than anything, but now, re-listening and thinking about what the lyrics mean, it hits me differently.
“Head Up” by Don Diablo ft. James Newman
I’ve always been a fan of electronic music, but I love it when DJs combine with singers to add even more meaning. That’s exactly what Don Diablo does in his collaboration with James Newman, telling a story about finding the person who makes you happier than you can ever imagine. While I usually say this about any song with a beat drop, the instrumental gives me a reason to dance, especially when I watch the break dancers in the music video.
Alex Barnett:
“No. 1 Party Anthem” by Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys is just one of those bands that always reels you in with their smooth music and lyrics. “No. 1 Party Anthem” is one of many tracks off their “AM” album that immediately stops you in your tracks with its emotional relatability. I like that the album doesn’t try to sugarcoat the toxic relationships it displays, and it definitely kept this song on repeat. As the winter settles in, this song is the perfect mellow and moody tune to follow.
“Alaska” by Maggie Rogers
I absolutely adore Maggie Rogers, and all of her songs off “Heard it In A Past Life” are extremely nostalgic for me. “Alaska” reminds me exactly of what fall and winter should really feel like with its soft folk and indie blend. When I first got introduced to Maggie Rogers, it was through this song, so it feels like full circle to mark it as one of my most listened-to songs in November.
Jessica Taylor:
“Draw You Out” by Noah Kahan
As an avid Hunger Games fan, I was ecstatic when I learned Noah Kahan wrote a song for the new movie’s soundtrack. He has a way with lyrics, and “Draw You Out” proves it. I am especially impressed with how he keeps hope and light in the music. “The Sunrise on the Reaping” story is incredibly sad without many optimistic moments, but Kahan adds emotional layers that represent complex emotions well. The story is sad, but the song keeps just enough hope woven into its words.
“Say it Say” by Bella Kay
I don’t know about everyone else, but I am really tired of lies and reading between the lines. “Say it Say” is just about being real. I love how Kay manages to sound frustrated and resigned at the same time. It’s frustrating trying to read people’s minds, but that’s just a part of life. So many conflicts start from guesswork; maybe this world just needs more people to say what they mean.
Anshul Dalal:
“Buy Your Time” by Thesaurus Rex
This band is a hidden gem. The witty lyrics sound like they came straight out of a thesaurus, yet each line is hand-crafted for the listener. This song perfectly encapsulates the absolute drag that is the application season, with a chorus that makes me laugh every time.
Gabriella Vinson:
“Oscar Winning Tears.” by Raye
Right now, I have been noticing how Raye performs and expresses her music. I feel she is one of the most transparent, authentic singers out there. “Oscar Winning Tears.” is contemporary, mixed with her soul-jazzy side.
