Music Analysis Heart Map! by Leah Slaven

Norah Jones

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 16:41:39 UTC

If my childhood had background music it would no doubt be every song Norah Jones has ever written. When this album came out my parents had been married for two years and it was their favorite music. By the time I was born in 2005, my mom had collected every single CD for her first two albums and they were always on repeat, in her old Toyota, in my bright pink and green toddler bedroom, in the living room at Christmas. I've recently gone back and really gotten into all of these albums as I'm about to turn 20, thinking about my parents falling in love and listening to these songs in their early 20s.

Taylor Swift

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 16:47:15 UTC

Taylor Swift is my absolute favorite artist OF ALL TIME. I cannot claim to be on "OG" Swiftie since the beginning of time, but I really began to discover her music around the beginning of high school and the rest is history. The way she brings women together, writes so beautifully and poetically, and stands up for herself time and time again is awe inspiring. Seeing the Eras Tour absolutely changed my life and it was amazing to be a part of such an incredible piece of history.

Invisible String

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 16:54:30 UTC

This is probably my favorite TS song. The way in which she describes being tied to someone in such a beautiful way is why I love her more poetic writing so much. "One single thread of gold, tied me to you."

Sweet Nothing

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 17:01:02 UTC

This is my favorite love song of all time. It is beautiful, and I feel as though it represents the most pure and simple and honest love. My favorite line is "They said the end is coming everyone's up to something
I find myself runnin home to your sweet nothings. Outside, they're push and shovin', you're in the kitchen hummin. All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing."

The Nearness of You

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 17:07:35 UTC

Another love song (Can you tell I love love??) This song reminds me of being in the kitchen on my birthday when I was super little, eating brownies covered in heart sprinkles and watching my mom blow up every shade of pink balloon (I'm a February birthday of course)

Back to Manhattan

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 17:10:05 UTC

This has become my new favorite Norah Jones song since becoming a "grown up". It reminds me of my love for New York City, cold fall days, soft rain, and of course love!

Lana Del Ray

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 17:13:17 UTC

I have no idea how I've been missing out on Lana for so long! Her voice is absolutely ethereal and evokes such a strong sense of nostalgia combined with feelings I don't think I've ever experienced before, which is certainly an interesting mix. It exudes old money, glamour, and mystery that I LOVE!

James Taylor

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 17:17:47 UTC

Similar to Norah Jones, James Taylor is very reminiscent of childhood for me. He is my dad's favorite artist and he would always have him on in his truck bringing me to school on a super cold morning or when he drove the whole family to Mississippi for Christmas. I also think it's is interesting how Taylor Swift was named after him! I love songs like Sweet Baby James, Copper line, Fire and Rain, and Carolina In My Mind.

Pageant Material

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 17:22:40 UTC

The last thing I would describe myself as would be a country music girl, but I love this album with my whole heart. It brings out a lot of feelings about growing up in a small southern town (good and bad!) and has just such a glittery aesthetic about it that I adore.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 17:27:10 UTC

My Hunger Games loving self aside, the absolutely AMAZINGLY done soundtrack of this movie has brought a newfound interest in the soulful folk songs of deep Appalachia and all the history there. I un-ironically listen to this soundtrack all the time. One of my all time favorite songs in on this album, "The Garden" by Sierra Farrell.

Broadway

leahkslaven — 2025-01-23 17:38:12 UTC

It would be remiss to not add a note on my love for so many Broadway musicals and their unique songs and sounds. There's too many to list, but more often than not you can find me belting a great number of Broadway originals around my apartment and in the car.