Good music often provides the perfect background songs for our ordinary daily activities. Music also allows us to relive a story narrated by lyrics in our imagination or allows us to escape to the beats and sounds of different instruments. By making some songs very personal to us, we often forget to acknowledge the inspiration that made it possible for these songs to exist. Here at the Clog, we’re taking the time to acknowledge the meaning and inspiration that went behind some of today’s popular songs:

John Mayer’s “Gravity:” Mayer’s “Come Back to Bed” was actually an early attempt at creating “Gravity.” It took some time for him to actually put the words and instrumentals into a cohesive and powerful song. In a concert in December 2005, Mayer explained that “Gravity” is a song so important to him that he could listen to it for the rest of his life. When addressing where the song came from, he stated, “I was in LA, and I was there for the summer, just writing tunes, and I was in the shower. And I don’t know where it came from, but it’s the damn truth you know, and I just sang, ‘gravity…is working against me.’” He also expressed that “Gravity” took on a more significant meaning; this was a song about “making sure you still love yourself … making sure you still have your head on”.

Jason Mraz’s “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry):” Mraz’s musical remedy would not have been created if it wasn’t for his friend Charlie Mingroni. Mingroni was a close friend of Mraz’s who had cancer. This significantly impacted Mraz. When facing your own personal battles, Mraz sings that “the tragedy is how you’re gonna spend the rest of your nights with the light on.” This song was made to relax the mind and soul even through one’s hardest times.

Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team:” This song was inspired by a gig Sheeran did at a homeless shelter at the age of 18. When listening to people’s stories, Sheeran was fascinated by the extreme struggles that many faced. This was especially the case when discussing substance abuse. Drugs like cocaine, a “Class A drug,” had been discussed and served as the direct inspiration for the song’s title. In an effort to mask addressing the serious issue of substance abuse, Sheeran successfully attempted to make the song upbeat.

These artists show us that by taking inspiration as it comes and transforming it into art is something very powerful. By sharing something you personally created, you can offer someone else an interesting set of lens to look through.

What inspired a work of art that you’re proud of? Share with us in the comments!

Image source: Kia Clay under Creative Commons 

Contact Karen Kwaning at kkwaning@dailycal.org.

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Atlantic Records/Courtesy

Ed Sheeran loves two things: alcohol and cuddles. This is what I’ve grasped from extensively listening to the singer-songwriter’s + (pronounced Plus).  From the get-go, however, Sheeran’s acoustic grime is compelling, and his blend of folk and rap has earned him incredible success in the UK.  With supporters from Perez Hilton to Jamie Foxx to One Direction, Sheeran seems to be on the verge of breaking through the American market with his latest batch of D.I.Y. schoolboy songs.

The first single off the album, “The A Team,” is a poignant track about a drug-addicted prostitute, no doubt intended to tug at heart strings and expose listeners to the legitimacy of Sheeran’s talent right away. “The A Team,” however, feels at odds with the rest of the album, which is generally autobiographical. From there, + remains sullen, transitioning rather awkwardly into Sheeran professing, “I wanna be drunk when I wake up.” Despite the hype, + is bland and at times terribly cheesy, with lyrics like “I should run you a hot bath, fill it up with bubbles” on “Wake Me Up” or “cover me up, cuddle me in” on “Kiss Me.”

What is frustrating is that Sheeran appears to be a genuine talent despite these instances of severe corniness. His voice is emotively beautiful on every track and when his songs are good, they are genuinely good. Standout tracks include the hypnotic “Give Me Love” and the cocky but undeniably catchy “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You.” The momentum is too often interrupted with mundane lyrics like “if your DVD breaks today, you should’ve got a VCR because I’ve never owned a Blu Ray.” Plus is a good listen but ultimately falls short of its potential as a great acoustic album.

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