Paige's Playlist, May 11, 2020: "The Goose and the Wren" by Hop Along
This song is definitely not in everyone's taste, and I will acknowledge that up front. It's very rough around the edges, and pretty long at over seven minutes long. It's a song you have to put a little bit of effort into in order to fully appreciate, as the lyrics don't make too much sense unless you're paying attention. And yet, this song is one of my personal favorites. The song is about war and the effect it has on people, and from the very start it presents the material with an incredible amount of heart. The storytelling ties in anecdotes to this overarching friendship between the goose and the wren, and I love how the song casually builds even during its softer moments to the chaotic, beautiful ending that provides a sense of hope and community even in the face of pain and loss of friends and self. It's a song that I enjoy because of its flaws, because while the experience isn't for everyone, it certainly left an impact on me.