Happy May! I honestly can’t believe how fast this year is going and that this month is almost over. Without any further adieu, here’s what songs I’ve been listening to the last two months:
April
“AA,” Walker Hayes
Walker Hayes is just trying his best on latest single, “AA.” In addition to steering his kids off the path of self-destruction, Hayes is also avoiding addictive substances like alcohol and cigarettes all while hoping his wife doesn’t figure out that she “married down” (his words, not mine). Though a bit more emotionally heavy than its predecessor, “Fancy Like,” “AA” is still pretty catchy. I’d even venture to say that it has the potential to become a viral dance trend on TikTok. Maybe even Nick Saban can get it on the fun? (Hayes and his family just met the football coach before his concert with Kane Brown in Alabama and got his reaction to being name-checked in “AA”).
Standout Lyrics: Coffee cup, cold and black/Wish it had a little shot of Jack/Besides that, can’t complain/Just tryna do the dang thing/Might change the oil in my truck/I ain’t paying no thirty-five bucks/Kids need shoes, mama needs Levi’s/And I’m just tryna keep my daughters off the pole/And my sons out of jail/Tryna get to church so I don’t go to hell/I’m just tryna keep my wife from figuring out/That I married up and she married way, way down/In Alabama where they love Nick Saban/Tryna write a song the local country station’ll play/Hey, I’m just tryna stay out of AA
“HEARTFIRST,” Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini gives fans a taste of her yet unannounced fourth studio album with lead single, “HEARTFIRST.” The song is breezy and fun, making it the perfect summer track.
Standout Lyrics: Who knows what’ll happen, ain’t that always kinda magic/When you don’t know who’s holding the cards/Could be a wish I never knew ya or permanently tattoo ya/Only the moon knows what’s in the stars (what’s in the stars)/Mm, that voice in my head says to slow down/But it can’t feel your hands on my hips right now/It may not be next year, what I need/Then again, maybe it might be/Could be forever or we might break/That’s just the kind of risk that we take/My head is yelling that I could get hurt/But I’m gonna jump right in/Baby, with my heart first
“Boondocks,” Anne Wilson
Anne Wilson may primarily sing Christian music but that doesn’t mean she’s afraid of getting a little rowdy. She does exactly that on this boot-stompin’ cover of Little Big Town‘s song, “Boondocks,” which embraces country living.
Standout Lyrics: I feel no shame/I’m proud of where I came from/I was born and raised in the boondocks/One thing I know/No matter where I go/I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks/It’s where I learned about living/It’s where I learned about love/It’s where I learned about working hard/And having a little was just enough/It’s where I learned about Jesus/And knowing where I stand/You can take it or leave it, this is me/This is who I am
May
“Love You Like I Used To,” Russell Dickerson
Russell Dickerson reflects on how his love for his woman has changed on this upbeat track that is equal parts sweet and infectious.
Standout Lyrics: What we got ain’t got no ending, like a band of solid gold/It’s sweeter with time like strawberry wine/It gets as good as it gets old and/Oh, we thought we knew what it meant way back then/Oh, but I keep fallin’ all in/Higher than I’ve ever been/Oh no/I don’t love you like I used to/This gets better every time you kiss me like this/It’s stronger the longer I’m with you, yeah/More than every single day before/Didn’t know I could ever love you more than I did/But, baby, I do/I don’t love you like I used to
“Crazy,” Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline shines vocally on this classic country song that oozes nostalgia.
Standout Lyrics: Crazy, I’m crazy for feeling so lonely/I’m crazy, crazy for feeling so blue/I knew you’d love me as long as you wanted/And then someday you’d leave me for somebody new
“For The Good,” Riley Clemmons
Christian artist Riley Clemmons creates a praise-worthy worship song using Romans 8:28 to meditate on the goodness of God.
Standout Lyrics: Lord, Your ways are higher/You know Your plans for me/You give purpose and a future/Even when I can’t see/So, I will pray through every heartache/I will cling to this faith/Though I’m walking through the valley/I’ll believe when You say/I’ll believe when You say/For the good, for the good/You work all things together/For the good, for the good/Your promise stands forever/You alone are my greatest hope/I trust You on the broken road/You work all things together like only You could/For the good
And those are my monthly song picks for April/May. Let me know what you think of them, give them a listen on Apple Music or Spotify, and tell me what tunes you’ve had on repeat for the last two months. Until next time…keep calm and music on.
All Things Music 
One response to “What I’ve Been Listening To: April/May Edition”
[…] Happy Summer! I hope you’re enjoying some time off and relaxing, reader. It’s been a busy couple of months for me, but not so busy that I haven’t had time to listen to some music and share my June/July song picks with you. Read on to find out what I’ve been listening to: […]
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