Day 31: My Favorite Song of 2018 So Far

DAY 31: MY FAVORITE SONG OF 2018 SO FAR

The Chainsmokers "Sick Boy"

Here is a bonus day not included in the actual challenge list. And, I think it's fitting as a bridge for the direction of this blog, as I plan to turn it into a music blog at this point. You'll just have to check in tomorrow to see what February's theme will be! I heard "Sick Boy," and have liked it ever since. The group has definitely changed up their sound a bit since their first few hits that made them famous. I don't think it makes this song any less likable. From what I researched (I use genius.com for most of my lyric searches and meanings, BTW), this song is about the differences between the east coast and west coast of America. However, based on the lyrics, no matter which side you pick, it seems that you'll never be enough for either coast. Each side has its own pros and cons, especially when it comes to lifestyle. With fame only comes a bigger audience, as The Chainsmokers have experienced in their climb to the top of the charts. So, with one month already gone in 2018, here is a good song to end the month on. 

Day 30: A Song That Reminds You of Yourself

DAY 30: A SONG THAT REMINDS YOU OF YOURSELF

Hands Like Houses "I Am"

Hands Like Houses is a band that I discovered at my first Warped Tour in 2013. I've been hooked ever since. At my third Warped Tour, I had the pleasure of not only hearing them again, but getting to meet them. They're a great group of guys, and my signed poster is one of my prized possessions. I first heard "I Am" while I was in London, and immediately loved it. It also left me not so patiently anticipating their next album. To me, the lyrics to this song are all about taking action, especially in your life and in this world. The song talks of those people who don't try to make a difference when they easily could. Then there's the narrator, who vows to do more than just sit idly by. I've always kind of viewed myself of someone of action. I'm a big believer that if you're going to do something, do it yourself and mean it. I also strive to make an impact on others. I believe I'm a genuine person who says what I mean and tries to put action behind that. I think this song speaks on that more than anything, which, aside from the fantastic instrument play of this song, is probably why I love it so much. I hope you'll enjoy it too. 

Day 29: A Song You Remember From Your Childhood

DAY 29: A SONG YOU REMEMBER FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD

Fall Out Boy "Sugar, We're Going Down"

Since my childhood music taste was often influenced by my sister, it's no surprise that I first heard "Sugar, We're Going Down" while listening with her. Fall Out Boy was another one of those bands she saw at Warped Tour right as they started to gain fame (lucky her). "From Under the Cork Tree" was one of the albums she purchased there, and I swear she listened to it all summer. With "Sugar, We're Going Down" being their first smash hit, I got a double dose of it between that album and the radios. I didn't get tired of it though, and I can't help but think back to those times riding in the car with my sis whenever I hear this song come on. I encourage you to go ahead and jam out to this classic.

Day 28: A Song By an Artist with a Voice That You Love

DAY 28: A SONG BY AN ARTIST WITH A VOICE THAT YOU LOVE

Salt Cathedral "Holy Soul"

In keeping with the spirit of this challenge, I will not double post an artist. However, at the very top of my list for this kind of category is Bishop Briggs. I absolutely love her voice. Salt Cathedral has their own strong, soulful voice though. This is a duo from Colombia, and I also saw them perform at Firefly last summer. That's truthfully the first time I had heard of them. But, after watching them perform, I was hooked. "Holy Soul" has a smooth rhythm to it, which immediately kind of makes you want to relax. The actual music video was not shareable here, but I recommend watching it if you have the chance, as the story it tells is pretty powerful in my opinion. So, here is the wonderful voice of Juliana Ronderos singing "Holy Soul" for today's selection. 

Day 27: A Song That Breaks Your Heart

DAY 27: A SONG THAT BREAKS YOUR HEART

Young The Giant "Mr. Know-It-All"

Ever since I've heard this song, I've felt like it kind of describes my generation fairly well. So many of us are glued to our phones these days, or any other type of media outlet in general. We live our lives through social media and the images we've created of ourselves on there. I mean, there's a whole TV show about finding people who create fake profiles and live vicariously through them. I've seen plenty of examples where someone forgets how to actually interact with other people when there isn't some sort of screen in front of them. The lyrics of this Young The Giant song describe this scenario perfectly. The characters in the song are too distracted by their phone to generate any sort of serious connection. The line, "Even though we sit together, you feel so alone," feels like an accurate description of a lot of human interaction tends to be now. That, quite frankly, does break my heart that society has become this way, because I believe there's a lot of value in having a genuine conversation with someone. It's a lot of work to talk and get to know someone, but it's also extremely rewarding. "It's such a tragedy when people hardly speak," but I hope maybe this song will change your mind.

Day 26: A Song That Makes You Want to Fall in Love

DAY 26: A SONG THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO FALL IN LOVE

The Maine "Into Your Arms"

Yet another band that I've enjoyed for quite awhile, and also had the privelage of seeing at Warped Tour a few years back. This has always kind of been one of my personal love songs. I've always resonated because the song talks of that shy guy who is afraid to go talk to a girl he finds attractive. That quite frankly describes me in a nutshell. I've never really been outgoing when it comes to that. I think that's why this song has always stuck with me. At the same time, it of course makes me want to fall in love, because obviously the main character in the song has fallen in love with someone, even if he's too afraid to act on it. Hope you enjoy today's pick.

Day 25: A Song by an Artist No Longer Living

DAY 25: A SONG BY AN ARTIST NO LONGER LIVING

Michael Jackson "Thriller"

I don't think there's a lot of explanation needed with today's selection. "Thriller" is an all time classic, especially around Halloween. You've heard it time and time again, and you've probably even attempted to do the iconic dances that came out of the music video. Michael Jackson is one of those pop music icons that will certainly live on well past his time. He provided so many great hits even when he was just a child. I believe he is still one of the top grossing artists year in and year out. That tells you everything you need to know about his legacy and the popularity of his music. I think he's the perfect choice for today, and "Thriller" is a great song to listen to on his behalf. 

Day 24: A Song By a Band You Wish Was Still Together

DAY 24: A SONG BY A BAND YOU WISH WAS STILL TOGETHER

Vampire Weekend "A-Punk"

I'm trying not to post the same artist twice, otherwise Yellowcard would've probably been here again today. However, from what I researched, the original group of Vampire Weekend split up a year ago. While I still believe they are making music, I think that at least counts here. First of all, I didn't know Vampire Weekend had been around for approximately ten years now. Maybe I'm just getting older and losing track of time. This was the first song I ever heard from them. If the catchy tune doesn't pull you in, perhaps the music video will. The group is shown in some version of a fast forward playing along to the song, with some synced choreography that makes it a pretty cool one to watch. Hope you'll give this song and this group a listen.

Day 23: A Song You Think Everyone Should Listen To

DAY 23: A SONG YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD LISTEN TO

Glass Animals "Youth"

Glass Animals has been one of my favorite artists ever since I learned about them from a friend. I personally think all of their songs are great. So, I'm using today's post as a plug for all of their music, and "Youth" is a great start for that. Their second album, "How to be a Human Being," is a collection of songs that tell stories the group overheard on one of their tours. This particular song is a story about a mother who had to give up her child. The music itself is really great to jam out to, but the lyrics are just as fantastic. One of the main reasons I went to Firefly this past summer was to see Glass Animals perform. Their live performance was truly phenomenal, and I still get chills thinking about the fact that I had the opportunity to see them. So, with that being said, check out "Youth" and check out the rest of Glass Animals music soon.

Day 22: A Song That Moves You Forward

DAY 22: A SONG THAT MOVES YOU FORWARD

Timeflies "Once In A While"

This is a song I stumbled upon while building up my dance music playlist. It's been a great addition to my music library ever since. The reason I chose this song as a moving forward song is very much for the message it sends. The crux of the song talks about always being so busy. Typically, that business comes from having to do things for others, whether that's at work, in your personal life or with any other things that pop up. Then, the song talks about taking that moment for yourself. To me, that point where you take time for yourself is how you move yourself forward. By taking a deep breath and relaxing, you're allowing yourself to move forward. Without rest and relaxation, we're only dragging ourselves down mentally, physically and emotionally. So, take a listen and remind yourself that sometimes you just need to have some fun!

Day 21: One Of Your Favorite Songs That Has a Person's Name

DAY 21: ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS THAT HAS A PERSON'S NAME

OutKast "Ms. Jackson"

"Ms. Jackson" is arguably one of the best songs of the 2000s. It never gets old to listen to, and you can't help but sing along when you hear it. This is another song that I grew up listening to through my sister. It was one she played on repeat quite a bit. I encourage you to watch the music video, as I think it is also really well done. I love the periods where the animals get in on the singing action. I could honestly sit here and rave all day about how much I love this song. But, to keep it simple, this is a classic song, from a group that gave us a few great early 2000s songs. Enjoy!

Day 20: A Song That Has Many Meanings For You

DAY 20: A SONG THAT HAS MANY MEANINGS FOR YOU

Forever The Sickest Kids "Coffee Break"

Forever The Sickest Kids has always been one of my all time favorite bands. I can listen to their albums on repeat for weeks at a time. I got to meet them at Warped Tour 4 years ago, and they are just as cool as their music. I chose "Coffee Break" as today's song because it has meant different things to me over the years. I remember listening to this song in high school and foolishly thinking that my life would never get this busy. Naivety is pretty common at that age, so I'm not surprised that I had that mindset. Now, as I focus on the fact that I rarely get a breather from life, between work and being an adult, I've not sure I've ever resonated with a song more. I've found the value in these tiny breaks you get to take, just for a small breather. You can feel the emotion in the lyrics, as the character in this song feels the stress that the weight of the world throws on him. It's a song that I enjoy listening to, and I hope you do as well.

Day 19: A Song That Makes You Think About Life

DAY 19: A SONG THAT MAKES YOU THINK ABOUT LIFE

Empire of the Sun "Walking on a Dream"

First of all, this is another one of those catchy, upbeat songs that's hard not to move along to. However, if you listen to the lyrics and do a little digging, this song in a sense is talking about life. You can interpret the lyrics in many different ways. I've always liked to analyze "Walking on a Dream" as a song about how we sometimes get caught going through the motions in life. Then, we find something, in this case, love, that makes us step back and get out of the rut. I think the line "is it real when two become one" is that question we all ask ourselves when we love someone. This is especially true when we think we may have found "the one." As human beings, we all have times where we doubt ourselves, especially the ability for another human being to love us. It seems only natural then to question when we really have found someone that contradicts that. As you can see, after you stop nodding your head to this song, you start to actually break down and consider the lyrics. That's why "Walking on a Dream" is a great choice for today's topic.

Day 18: A Song From the Year that you Were Born

DAY 18: A SONG FROM THE YEAR THAT YOU WERE BORN

Ace of Base "All That She Wants"

For as many times as I had heard this song in my lifetime, I never realized that this song was released in 1993. It's rather catchy in an odd sort of way. "All That She Wants" certainly has all the sounds of a 90s song, and the music video screams 90s as well. This song is written as a warning to guys out there of a girl supposedly only looking for another casual boyfriend. She's not looking for anything serious. From what I could research, this song hit the top of the charts in a few countries, including the U.S. It's a song that certainly lives on well past the 90s, and it's today's choice for the blog.

Day 17: A Song That You Would Sing a Duet With for Karaoke

DAY 17: A SONG THAT YOU WOULD SING A DUET WITH FOR KARAOKE 

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"

Another classic song appears for today's selection. I think it's almost impossible not to sing along to this song when it comes on. I don't think "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" needed it's cameo in "Remember the Titans" to become even more popular than it already is. However, it certainly reminded us just how great of a song this is. There's nothing quite like an extremely upbeat song that professes your love for your significant other. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell provide us with fantastic voices to fit this song. So, whether you're having a duet with your love or not, this is a great pick for karaoke. Enjoy!

Day 16: One of Your Favorite Classical Songs

DAY 16: ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CLASSICAL SONGS

George Gershwin "Rhapsody in Blue"

I'll be honest, I'm not really a big classical music listener. I enjoy it when I hear it, but I can't say I would go searching for it. I appreciate the genre, and learned a little about it in college with my music course. For today's selection, I picked a longer song. "Rhapsody in Blue" is a pretty well known song within this genre. You've probably heard it before, even if you never actually knew the title or the composer. It is enjoyable to just sit back, close your eyes, and take a listen. So, if you've got 20 minutes to kill, go ahead and give "Rhapsody in Blue" a listen.

Day 15: A Song That is a Cover by Another Artist

DAY 15: A SONG THAT IS A COVER BY ANOTHER ARTIST

Palisades "Happy"

While I don't listen to as much hardcore stuff as I used to, there are still a few bands that I like from that genre. Palisades is one of those bands, and their cover of "Happy" by Pharrell is one of my all time favorites. The Punk Goes Pop series that releases every few years or so is pretty fantastic in its own right. Some of the covers done by those bands are just as solid as the originals. This particular cover is one that I turn the speakers all the way up to in the car, just to enjoy the instrumental aspect of this song. Even if you aren't into hard rock, I think you just may enjoy this cover by Palisades.

Day 14: A Song You Would Love to be Played at Your Wedding

DAY 14: A SONG YOU WOULD LOVE TO BE PLAYED AT YOUR WEDDING

Ed Sheeran "Thinking Out Loud"

To be perfectly honest, I haven't really actually thought about songs I would actually like to be played at my wedding. However, this is certainly one that comes to mind when you simply sit back and analyze the lyrics. I would not be surprised if it has been a wedding song for many couples in my age range. Ed Sheeran has certainly found a lot of success over the past few years, and that includes plenty of love songs. I remember seeing a statistic one time that claimed 90% of songs are about love in some way, shape or form. It is one of the strongest emotions, so that comes to no surprise to me. Whether it's a song about a breakup, or one about your unrequited love for someone, music seems to be a great way to express how you're feeling in that moment. Whether "Thinking Out Loud" has a special meaning to you or not, hope you enjoy today's selection.

Day 13: One Of Your Favorite 70s Songs

DAY 13: ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE 70s SONGS

Earth, Wind, and Fire "September" 

When it comes to stereotyping music in the 70s, disco and groovy jams is what most people tend to think about. A lot of the bands and music that my dad tends to like falls in the range of the late 70s and most of the 80s. That's basically when he was my age. Earth, Wind, and Fire is one of those bands, so I've heard quite a bit of them throughout my lifetime. I enjoy their sound, and many of their songs certainly make me want to groove. "September" is one of those classic songs that most people will recognize when they hear it. And, in my opinion, it's a song you can't help but start to move to when you hear it. I can also appreciate a band that uses some musical instruments besides guitars and drums. The combination of the brass instruments as well as the saxophone make this a great song for the ears. Hope you get to remember "September" and enjoy today's selection. 

Day 12: A Song From Your Preteen Years

DAY 12: A SONG FROM YOUR PRETEEN YEARS

Gwen Stefani "Hollaback Girl"

"THIS SHIT IS BANANAS, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!" Everyone knows those lyrics right there, and that may be partly why this was one of the most popular songs of 2005. And, in 2005, that makes me 11 years old. This was another one of those songs that my sister played on repeat quite a few times. It's easy to sing along to, and the beat is extremely catchy. This is one of those classic songs that, having to actually reflect on the year it came out, I can't believe is over ten years old now. As a side note, Gwen Stefani was the first live concert I ever went to. I won tickets on the radio to her Sweet Escape tour, which had Akon touring alongside her. Enjoy "Hollaback Girl," and don't go too bananas while you're listening! 

Day 11: A Song That You Never Get Tired Of

DAY 11: A SONG THAT YOU NEVER GET TIRED OF

Bishop Briggs "Pray (Empty Gun)"

This was another pretty tough topic for me. If a song is on one of my playlists, there's a good chance that I don't get tired of it anyway. However, I've been playing Bishop Briggs on repeat quite a bit, especially "Pray." She's got an extremely soulful voice, and, when paired with her lyrics, she's got some pretty amazing songs in my opinion. I had the pleasure of seeing her perform at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, DE last summer. Even her live performance didn't disappoint, and she was practically a ball of energy the whole time. She's fairly new on the scene, but I definitely recommend giving her songs a listen. You can start here, with "Pray."

Day 10: A Song That Makes You Sad

DAY 10: A SONG THAT MAKES YOU SAD

Twenty One Pilots "Stressed Out"

Now, just because the topic says sad, doesn't mean I shed a tear when I hear this song. I think it's a fantastic song. The sad part about this song is the truth that it speaks to. As we start to get older, especially in high school and beyond, life just continues to get more stressful. At 17 or 18 years old, we often get forced to try and essentially figure out what we have to do for the rest of our lives. It only gets worse from there as you start to have bills to pay etc. We all have plenty of moments where, as "Stressed Out," indicates, we'd rather go back to the innocence of childhood. We only had to worry about the next time we might play with a friend, or when your parents would tuck you into bed. This song is sad in the sense that it reminds you that you're no longer just some young kid who has virtually no responsibility. Hopefully you haven't grown tired of this song and the excessive amounts of time it was played on the radio, and can enjoy it for today's sad song.

Day 9: A Song That Makes You Happy

DAY 9: A SONG THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

MGMT "Electric Feel"

I discovered this song during the summer of 2010, and it has constantly remained my "happy" song ever since then. Every single time I hear this song, I can't help but smile and be put in a good mood. The beat is just so damn catchy, and the words are easy to sing along to. When "Electric Feel" comes on, you just feel the radiant vibes that are coming through the speakers. MGMT tends to be known for these smooth, melodic songs. "Electric Feel" is the icing on the cake of their style of music. Personally, this ranks in the top 10 of my all time favorite songs. I recommend this song for anyone who is having a bad day, as I think you'll cheer up pretty quickly. As the lyrics go, "do what you feel now," and give this fantastic song a listen.

Day 8: A Song About Drugs or Alcohol

DAY 8: A SONG ABOUT DRUGS OR ALCOHOL

Arctic Monkeys "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?"

This album by Arctic Monkeys had a few pretty big hits back in 2013, including this song here. Whether or not you use alcohol or drugs, this song is pretty catchy. I'd venture to say that most people can relate to being a situation like this as well. Drunk texting is a pretty common occurrence. And, while I personally have never used drugs, I imagine it's a similar situation when you're high. Most of the time, the outcome that you're looking for in this situation is not the one you're hoping for. If you get the chance, look up the actual music video to this song, as it's a pretty accurate depiction of the events that occur when you drunk/high text. This is a song that never gets old in my opinion, and I can play it on repeat for awhile. Hope you enjoy the track, and hopefully you aren't the person who's getting contacted when someone is high.

Day 7: A Song to Drive to

DAY 7: A SONG TO DRIVE TO

Eminem "Lose Yourself"

This topic was a little difficult for me for the simple fact that if I like a song, I've probably driven to it before. I still live in the past in the sense that I love making and listening to CDs in the car. So, as I build playlists, I play DJ with my own music and make what I personally think are great mixes. Anyway, we drive to songs for lots of different reasons. It could be that we're upset, and we blow off steam by cruising around and blaring some heavy rock. Sometimes, we're sad and we just need to drive and sing the latest break up song. Today's pick is another one of those songs that I can almost guarantee has been driven to plenty of times. "Lose Yourself" is a classic song that comes from the movie 8 Mile, which is a profile of Eminem as he grows up in Detroit. It's arguably his most popular song of all time. This song is used for all sorts of purposes: maybe on a workout playlist or as a pump up song before a big game or presentation. Regardless, I'd bet that when "Lose Yourself" comes on the radio, you and all your friends can immediately rap all the words. 

Day 6: A Song That Makes You Want to Dance

DAY 6: A SONG THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO DANCE

POWERS "Beat of my Drum"

"Beat of my Drum" by POWERS is one of those songs that you immediately start to dance to as soon as it comes on. Inherently, the chorus of this song is literally telling you to dance to the song. Although, I don't think you needed the song to tell you that to actually do it. I've always been a sucker for feel good beats like this. I just can't help but smile a little and move to the music when I hear songs like this. A little bonus tidbit on this song, especially if you like baseball. MLB Network's offseason show, Hot Stove, is using this as their theme song this winter. So, if you're feeling you need to warm up in this bitter cold, go ahead and move to the beat of the drums of this great song!

Day 5: A Song That Needs to be Played LOUD

DAY 5: A SONG THAT NEEDS TO BE PLAYED LOUD

Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ "Lean On"

I did it. You did it. And, I think I can safely say most of the world did it throughout much of Summer 2015. What's that you ask? When "Lean On" came on the radio, you were turning your radio up. That's why I think it's the perfect pick for today's song. We all inherently knew that this was a song that needed to be played loud. It's impossible not to start jamming out and dancing when it comes on. And, I think we turn this song up loud because we hope others will join in with us, whether it be friends or complete strangers. "Lean On" was, if not the top song of that summer, definitely in the top 5. With cold weather gripping most of the country right now, I think we could all use a little reminder of when it's 80 degrees and sunny outside. So, pretend you're driving along the coast with the windows down, and make sure you blast "Lean On" at volume 100 for all your friends to enjoy with you. 

Day 4: A Song That Reminds You of Someone You'd Rather Forget About

DAY 4: A SONG THAT REMINDS YOU OF SOMEONE YOU'D RATHER FORGET ABOUT

Passenger "Let Her Go"

Maybe I'm cheating on this one a little bit, but I don't necessarily have anyone I'd rather forget about. So, I'll treat this post more as a dedication to some friendships that aren't quite the same anymore. Whenever I hear this song, quite frankly, I sing it with quite a bit of emotion. It truly does make me reflect on a few instances where I wish things could be different, or had turned out differently. It never does good to dwell too long on the past, but, at the same time, your experiences make you who you are. I don't hate this song. It's quite the opposite actually. It's just that it relates so well to certain situations in my life. And, I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks about that when this song plays. Whether I'm cheating on this post or not, this is a great song, and one that certainly makes you step back and miss what you don't have anymore.

Day 3: A Song that Reminds You of Summertime

DAY 3: A SONG THAT REMINDS YOU OF SUMMERTIME

Yellowcard "Ocean Avenue"

I'm really entering the vault here with this song. My first exposure to this song was when my I would take car rides with my sister when she was in high school. She actually got to see Yellowcard play at Warped Tour in 2004. 10 years later, I took my sister to Warped Tour, where she got to see them again, and me for the first time. There's nothing quite like having that heavy violin play! I think of summertime when I hear "Ocean Avenue" for a few reasons. The first one is definitely thinking back to the summer of listening to them with my sister. I also think of summer with this song because when I hear it, I imagine sitting on the beach, just hanging out with friends. "Ocean Avenue" to me, acts like an anthem for looking back on those more carefree days as teenagers, spending your summers adventuring and wondering what life is going to be like as you grow older. And, as you now reach that point of "growing older", you want to go back to those days of not having to be all grown up. In the meantime, I still take the opportunities to play this song with the windows down during the summer, and do some reminiscing of my own. 

Day 2: A Song You Like with a Number in the Title

DAY 2: A SONG YOU LIKE WITH A NUMBER IN THE TITLE

Phoenix "1901"

This is another fairly popular song. I chose this song because it's just so catchy. It comes on and I just immediately want to start dancing to it. This was the first song I ever heard by this group, and it only led to more discovery of their music, which I'm a fan of. From what I found, the song, according to the band, is about Paris in 1901. If you really pay attention to the lyrics, there seems to be a reference to the Eiffel Tower. Here's a nice little history tidbit for you: most people thought the Eiffel Tower was ugly when it was built for the World's Fair in the late 19th century. Parisians had planned on knocking it down shortly afterwards. However, it survived, and now stands as one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. Whether you like this song for its historical context or not, I think few would argue that it's not a great song to enjoy. For me, it's one of my favorites, even if they are singing "fold it" instead of "fallin'" in the chorus!

The First Challenge & Day One: A Song You Like With a Color in the Title

THE FIRST CHALLENGE 

As I begin this journey, I start with a 30 day challenge that involves an interest that's near and dear to my heart: music. Most of us have been listening to music for as long as we can remember. As we grow up, our music tastes evolve, and we come to create our own unique playlists that help get us through our lives. That's what makes a 30 day music challenge so interesting to me. In a way, by completing it, I will have created another one of these unique playlists that will, when completed, ultimately tell a small story. So, with that, here is the list I will be using over the next month:

DAY 1: A SONG YOU LIKE WITH A COLOR IN THE TITLE

Mayday Parade "Black Cat"

Mayday Parade is a band I just kind of stumbled upon in high school, when I hit a pretty heavy punk rock phase. Nevertheless, the album this song comes from, "A Lesson in Romantics", is pretty solid all around. I've always interpreted "Black Cat" to be a song about a relationship that becomes suffocating over time. As the story goes on, jealousy gets in the way of something that seemed so good, and everything breaks down. I've jammed out to this song countless times over the years, especially on those days when I just didn't feel like dealing with people anymore. Whether it's due to a relationship or other things, we can certainly feel suffocated by life at times and all it throws at us. That being said, this is a good song to sing to and shake off some of those feelings.