Category: Song of the Day

Today’s Song of the Day is “The Circus” by Tyler Jay.

With Independence Day right around the corner, it felt right to shine the spotlight on a song by a veteran about the reality so many of us know all too well. I work with a lot of veteran singer-songwriters—and I’ve even tried my hand at writing a few songs that lean into that vibe—but Tyler Jay captured something here that I never quite managed to put into words.

“The Circus” hits different from a lot of the for-veteran-by-veteran tracks I’ve listened to.

From the production alone, you know you’re in for something special. The slow, fingerpicked chords roll out like a memory you’re not sure you’re ready to revisit. The subtle cymbal swells lift the chorus just enough—but I love how he keeps his vocals conversational, almost like he’s leaning across a table telling you a story he’s never told anyone.

And the analogy of the circus and clowns? Perfect. I think back to my own deployment days and yeah—sometimes it really did feel like a circus, and we were just clowns trying to keep the tent from collapsing. But the older I get, the more those memories shift. The what fades; it’s the who that sticks: the “clowns” I shared that time with.

There are lines in this song that stop me cold every time:

“I ain’t saying I’m some cowboy, but right now I’d go back again.”

Older me understands that in a way young me never could. Twenty years out, and I still catch myself thinking that maybe things made more sense back then. It’s not about machismo—it’s about knowing your place in the chaos, doing your job, and trusting that everyone around you is doing theirs. No fluff. No spin. Just the work and the people.

And then there’s this gut-punch of a line:

“They taught us how to be fearless men, and they turned us into liars.”

Man. That one lingers. I think about the things I did in my early 20s—jumping out of planes, IEDs, running toward the things you’re supposed to run away from—and I wonder where that fearless kid went. Life on the other side isn’t fearless at all. If anything, it’s where the fear really creeps in, and some of it isn’t explainable. That’s tough for the people around you to see—but it’s not their fault. Life’s about experiences, and that’s what makes us all so different!

Veteran or civilian, check it out if you haven’t heard it!

Today’s Song of the Day is “Sirens” by Pearl Jam. Today, I’m stepping out of the indie lane and pulling us back into the world of rock—though not quite the grungy, flannel-wrapped Pearl Jam of the early days. Sirens is a track that always stops me in my tracks. Sure, you might wonder, Why not pick an iconic ‘90s Pearl Jam banger? But this one is special. This mix is pristine—one I go back to again and again when I want to remind myself what a modern rock song can sound like at its best.

What hooks me first are the toms. They don’t just keep time—they talk. It’s like the song opens with a conversation among toms. As a producer, when I can get toms anywhere close to this level of warmth and presence, I know I’m on the right track.

Then comes the piano—those bass notes drop in, understated yet undeniable. They pull your attention without begging for it, a subtle invitation to lean in closer. The electric guitar doesn’t overpower; instead, it hovers at the edges, painting atmosphere until it steps forward for a solo that tips its hat to ‘80s rock just enough to make you grin.

And the vocals… Eddie Vedder’s voice sits perfectly in the mix, commanding but never overblown—more like an intimate conversation than a rock anthem. I love that balance. There’s a lyrical moment I keep coming back to: “I didn’t care, before you were here, I danced with laughter with the ever after.” It’s one of those lines that feels like it was waiting to be written—raw, bittersweet, and full of weight. Before I even pieced together every word, I could feel the truth in how he delivers it.

Little details stand out too—like the split word “over-whelmed.” It threw me off at first; I had to double back just to catch what he was doing. Clever. And those background vocals near the end? They don’t just fill space—they swell the whole song to another level.

“Sirens” is a masterclass in dynamics. It breathes, it builds, it breaks your heart a little, and then it soothes it again. If you haven’t listened to this one in a while—or ever—do yourself a favor: find a good pair of headphones, hit play, and get lost in it.

Check it out if you haven’t heard it!

Today’s Song of the Day is “Bloodshot Eyes” by Trampled by Turtles.

I stumbled across this band back when “Wait So Long” was buzzing everywhere, and Palomino ended up being one of the first albums I ever bought on iTunes. Funny enough, it wasn’t the big hits that stuck with me, but this quieter, hungover gem of a track called “Bloodshot Eyes.” Even back then, it always pulled me in—like I could feel every bit of the pain each lyric offered.

Lyrically, it’s brilliant. It drifts right into that blurry headspace of a man trying to untangle his thoughts through the haze of last night’s choices. And the production? There’s so much to love if you lean in and really listen. The harmonica—an instrument I usually banish from my sessions as a producer—fits here. It wanders around the beat like someone trying to find their balance at closing time. And then there’s that fiddle solo—man, it’s almost sluggish on purpose, like it’s carrying the weight of a headache it just can’t shake.

I added this track to a playlist (check it out!) yesterday because it sets a tone that’s raw and honest, perfect for the theme I was building. But, for me, it hits even deeper. I’ve got over a decade of sobriety under my belt now, and when I hear “four inches from dying, and at my best,” it lands hard. Wow! So many times I thought I was at my best back then, too. But not so much.

This song isn’t a temptation. If anything, it’s a reminder of where I’ve been and why I keep moving forward. It’s proof that music really can be a mirror for the things we’ve outgrown but never fully forget. That’s why every life needs a soundtrack.

So here’s your listen for the day: drunk, sober, or somewhere in between—put on “Bloodshot Eyes” and live with it for a few moments.

Check it out if you haven’t heard it!

Today’s Song of the Day is “Down on the Bottom,” from the Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes project. This version is sung by Jim James of My Morning Jacket — but the story behind it, of course, starts with Bob Dylan.

What I love about this track is how it feels like you’re stepping into a half-forgotten memory. I actually have the Basement Tapes on vinyl, and since this song kicks off the whole album, it always reminds me of opening up an old journal — it begins with a problem that’s been buried for years and invites you to walk with it for a while.

I recently put this at the top of a playlist I’m building (Sunset on the Side) for people who enjoy a slow, reflective walk in the woods. There’s just something so right about letting “Down on the Bottom” set the mood. The guitar tones feel raw and lived-in, with solo licks that slide in and out like passing thoughts. It’s got this dusty, retro grunginess that somehow feels brand new — like Dylan’s words woke up in a new era, wearing boots they’ve always owned.

One of my favorite things about this song — and the whole New Basement Tapes project — is that it proves you don’t have to polish an old idea into pop perfection for it to matter. Dylan’s lyrics keep that indie-folk edge, and the production (shoutout to T-Bone Burnett) respects the spirit of the originals while letting each artist bring their own touch. It’s a reminder that some songs find their moment decades later — and they’re better for it.

If you’ve never heard this version, do yourself a favor: throw it on, grab your headphones, and take it for a spin on a trail somewhere (and listen to my playlist). Let it sort out your worries for a bit.

Check it out if you haven’t heard it!

Today’s Song of the Day is “Shattered (Turn the Car Around)” by O.A.R.

I’ll admit it: I was a die-hard O.A.R. fan back in the day — “Crazy Game of Poker” and “Black Rock” were practically on repeat at parties. Those songs have a rowdy, jam-band feel that made you want to grab a drink, shout all the lyrics (or at least those you could understand), and forget what time it was.

But here’s the thing — Song of the Day isn’t just about the nostalgic hits, or even hits for that matter. It’s about those unexpected moments when a song pops up and makes you listen closer, even if it’s from a band you thought you knew inside out.

“Shattered (Turn the Car Around)” landed in my world thanks to one of Spotify’s suggestions for a playlist. I had no clue O.A.R. had a radio-friendly anthem tucked away in their catalog. Yesterday, cruising around with my newly repaired car speakers, this one came on — and I was just in a mood to give it a chance.

It’s got a completely different vibe from their early, jam-heavy stuff. “Shattered” leans toward the more polished and mainstream, but in a good way. The production is tight, the melody soars, and the whole track feels like it was built to be sung on a lonely little night drive. The chorus is huge — a little repetitive, sure — but in that comforting, driving-with-the-windows-down kind of way.

Lyrically, it’s more direct than their older songs. You’re meant to catch every word, and it works. Sometimes you don’t want poetic puzzles or scat lyrics— you want something that hits you right in the chest, plain and simple.

Whether this one’s your vibe or not, I’d say give it a spin — then go back and dive into O.A.R.’s earlier albums if you want that raw, live energy they do best. That mix of old and new is what keeps them interesting.

Check these guys out if you haven’t heard ’em!

Today’s Song of the Day is “For Nancy (‘Cos It Already Is)” by Pete Yorn. A bit of a throwback — but a timeless one worth dusting off. It first hit my radar back in college, thanks to a friend’s recommendation. I remember hearing it and blurting out, “What the hell is that?” but in the best way possible. It helped me develop an idea of what music could be — one of those early songs that sticks around in your coming-of-age soundtrack.

There’s so much to love here. For starters, the first word is literally “And,” which feels like you’re jumping straight into the middle of a conversation. That vibe flows right into the music — the driving tempo, heartbeat bassline, and jangly guitar all set things in motion immediately. Listen closely and you’ll catch this subtle synth tucked behind the intro — you might miss it the first time, but once you hear it, it’s a pleasant little distraction that makes you want to rewind.

Production-wise, the vocals are excellent. They’re stacked in layers that are intentionally different, giving the melody this laid-back, almost accidental magic. And buried behind it is this “telephone” style vocal — just lo-fi enough to keep your ears guessing. Little touches like that are what make producing songs like this so fun — you realize there’s always more room to experiment than you think.

By the time it kicks into full gear, “For Nancy” lands squarely in the sweet spot between indie and rock — punchy enough to wake you up, breezy enough to keep you hooked. Personally, I love putting this one on a running playlist. It’s got that perfect “indie-rock on the move” energy.

Check it out if you haven’t heard it!

Today’s Song of the Day is “Bodark” by Pony Bradshaw. I was turned on to this one not too long ago, and from the very first listen, it had me. That guitar intro—so simple, but so heavy—sets the tone in a way that quietly grabs you by the collar. It’s a slow burn, and a little foreboding; it’s folk music at its most honest.

The title refers to a type of wood often used to make bows, which feels fitting. There’s tension in this song; it’s drawn back and ready to snap. But it’s not all weighty metaphor—there’s room for personal connection too. When he sings, “I just want to drink my coffee in peace,” I laughed a little. Not because it’s funny, but because, yeah…I feel the same way.

As the track unfolds, it lives in this space between quiet reflection and a world that just won’t leave you alone. The vocals carry that tension effortlessly—up front, worn, and real. The guitars and steel are soaked in atmosphere without drowning the message. And just when you think the track is going to stay grounded, the bridge comes along and escalates everything—bass line and all.

“Bodark” is perfect for headphones (most of the song’s of the day will be). Take it on a slow walk through the woods or a long drive when you’ve got time to think. Pony Bradshaw joined my list of artists to explore more frequently with this one.

Check it out if you haven’t heard it!

Today’s Song of the Day is “If I Go, I’m Goin’” by Gregory Alan Isakov. This one shows up on a ton of indie folk playlists I love, but yesterday it just hit different. I actually stopped and tuned into the lyrics—and man, there’s this line that floored me: “If I go, I’m goin’ on fire, let my anger take me there.”

That’s not just a lyric, that’s an attitude.

The vibe is super moody and haunting in the best way. What really gets me is how the background instruments sneak in—you don’t even notice them at first. It’s like they drift into the room without making a sound. A little piano here, a soft banjo there…then boom: mandolin solo, steel guitar touches, cymbal swells. It’s all so perfectly layered. Listen on a good pair of headphones!

Lyrically, “If I Go, I’m Goin‘” is a quiet gut punch. The song paints a picture of an old house—but it’s more than that. There’s a sense of time passing, of dealing with grief or loss, maybe both. However you interpret it, the emotional weight is real.

Check it out if you haven’t heard it!

Today’s Song of the Day is “All Along the Watchtower” by Dave Matthews Band.I know—it’s a cover. But Dave really brings something different to the song. I caught a local musician playing a Dave-style version of it last night, and it reminded me just how powerful this interpretation can be.

This song has always hit hard lyrically—it’s cryptic, haunting, and still somehow timeless. There’s enough ambiguity in the lyrics that anyone can latch onto their own meaning, which makes it feel deeply personal, no matter when you hear it.

What I love about Dave’s take is the emotional range he brings to the table. His vocal delivery balances this weird mix of hopelessness and defiance—like he’s reading between the lines of the original and giving us a peek at the real tension behind the words.

From a production standpoint, the contrast is striking. Dylan’s version is stripped down and steady—a snapshot of its time. But Dave flips that on its head. His guitar work adds so much push and pull to the dynamics, highlighting key lyrical moments without getting in the way. You’re constantly on your toes, wondering what he’s going to do next.

“All Along the Watchtower” is a great example of how production and arrangement can breathe new life into a classic—staying true to the message, while reimagining the mood entirely.

Check it out if you haven’t heard it!

Today’s Song of the Day is “Seasons (Waiting on You)” by Future Islands. I first stumbled across this gem while cruising through an Indie Running playlist on Spotify—but after a few plays, it really started to stand out. What caught my attention was how new the track felt, yet it had this vintage soul. That kind of old-meets-new energy always gets me.

What really hooked me was the chorus. There’s this big drop—no guitars in sight—which is kind of refreshing in a “let’s-do-it-differently” kind of way. The band leans hard into synths, and when those extra layers hit in the chorus, the stereo field just explodes. As a runner, it gives me that sudden energy burst—as if trying to keep pace with the bass line wasn’t hard enough already!

The vocals really open up here, too. There’s something about them that reminds me of Elton John—not in a copycat way, but more like a nod to that emotional, larger-than-life delivery.

“Seasons (Waiting on You)” grooves with this cool, retro vibe that’s hard to ignore. The lyrics aren’t front-and-center, but after a few listens, the feeling of longing and looking back starts to creep in—which totally adds to that nostalgic mood.

Check it out if you haven’t heard it!