1. “Light of the Morning” by Band of Skulls: I have several songs that are perfect for an alarm clock. This is one of them.
2. “Birds of a Feather” by The Civil Wars: This song bounces between the irreverent and reverent in expressing enduring love.
3. “Love Vigilantes” by Iron & Wine: Love song of yearning for one’s wife and kids. This may be my favorite Iron & Wine song, and is one of my favorite storytelling songs (along with Johnny Cash’s “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town” and Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War”).
4. “New York City’s Killing Me” by Ray LaMontagne: I get so caught up in the hurried business of life, that sometimes I just want to get away to a quiet place with intimate friends.
5. “Lost+” Remix by Coldplay feat. Jay-Z: There have been 2 times in my life that I really felt lost. I wish this song had been written before the first time; it was there for the second time. I grew up a Jay-Z fan, and thought he deserved a nod here.
6. “As the Father Sent Me” by Matt Papa: Matt Papa’s songs are simple and rich as he bellows the scriptures. Great missional song that gives me encouragement and inspiration to live life in a manner worthy of what I’ve been called to.
7. “Neutron Star Collision” by Muse: Muse is probably the best modern-day, dramatic-rock band. I’ve always been a sucker for anthem-like love songs. This is a good one.
8. “Royal Blue” by Cold War Kids: I was recently introduced to Cold War Kids tunes. I get excited whenever they pop up on my playlists. This one is catchy.
9. “Let it Be Me” by Ray LaMontagne: Ray gets two songs on the list because he’s my favorite artist. This is my favorite Ray song.
10. “Awake My Soul” by Mumford & Sons: I get swept away bythe melody of this song.
11. “Moment of Surrender” by U2: U2 is my all-time favorite band. Their tunes have influenced most of the artists I listen to. This is a newer song that is super long and super haunting.
12. “Destroy” by Worth Dying For: I heard this track on iTunes while searching for new music. When I played it for my wife, she asked if it was a modern-day Carmen…regardless, it’s challenging, true, powerful, and I keep listening to it over and over.
View/Listen to the playlist on my last.fm page by clicking HERE
