Sister” by Angel Olsen is a hauntingly beautiful track that showcases the depth of her songwriting and emotional range. Released in 2016 as part of her critically acclaimed album My Woman, the song stands out as a pivotal piece in Olsen’s discography, both for its length—clocking in at nearly eight minutes—and for its lyrical exploration of personal transformation, longing, and the complexities of identity.

“Odyssey’s “Our Lives Are Shaped by What We Love” is a soulful gem from the 1970s that encapsulates the essence of the era’s vibrant and emotive musical landscape. Released in 1972, this track stands out for its smooth vocals, lush arrangements, and heartfelt lyrics, which collectively evoke a sense of introspective reflection and romanticism. Odyssey, known for their ability to blend elements of soul, funk, and disco, created a song that speaks to the universal human experience of love and its profound impact on our lives.

“Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford is a powerful song that captures the essence of the coal miner’s life with its unforgettable melody and poignant lyrics. Released in 1955, Ford’s deep, rich voice brought a haunting quality to this tale of labor and struggle. The song, originally written by Merle Travis in 1946, is steeped in the harsh realities faced by coal miners, drawing from Travis’s own family’s experiences in the mines of Kentucky. The line “You load sixteen tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt,” resonates with a universal sense of relentless toil and the seeming futility of hard labor.

Immersing oneself in the mesmerizing strains of Fleetwood Mac’s “Hypnotized” is akin to embarking on a dreamlike journey through time. Featured on their 1973 album “Mystery to Me,” this track is a reflection of the band’s evolutionary phase, a bridge between their blues-rooted origins and the ethereal, rock-infused sound they’d come to be known for.

Ah, the splendid reverberations of the ’70s soul scene, where gems like “Lost In A Lonely World” by Ethics emerged to mark indelible impressions. The air was thick with innovation in the music world, a transitional era where genres were being pushed and pulled into new territories. While the colossal shifts of rock ‘n’ roll and disco took center stage, the refined nuances of soulful ballads like this particular track subtly permeated the airwaves.