If you know me, you know I am an audiophile. There is art in all styles of music. And my children would tell you that we are just as likely to queue up some clean hip hop as we are a gospel track or indie ballad. With nearly 80 hours of drive time each summer, we have plenty of time for discovery.

For me, a few tracks make it into regular rotation. Those are typically songs that are a bit introspective. I like to call these “perspective on life” tracks.

We’ll save the rumbling, rambling stuff for a future list. For now, let’s start off chill. I have identified the lyrics from the songs that resonate most deeply for me.

Note: I am not a fan of music with profanity. Thus, all tracks on my lists are safe for the family unless specifically marked. The song “Memoir” that concludes this playlist has two minor words. The message of the track is deeply spiritual and worthy of inclusion if for no other reason than the quote below.

Jeremy Messersmith — “There is Nowhere We Won’t Go”
“High above the northern lights, past the shining satellites,
Stars that we have never seen, far beyond our wildest dreams,
There is nowhere we won’t go.”

Tyler Lyle — “Ditchdigger”
“Those who go mining for gold get prematurely old, trying not to disappear. I’m just a poor ditch digger. When I’m gone, forget that I was here.”

Matt Wertz — “Slow Motion”
“No such thing as now or never. Me and the moon got nowhere to be.”

Consumed By Fire — “Follow Your Heart”
“You don’t have to worry about tomorrow.
Lay down all your burdens, they were never yours to borrow.
Another road may seem easy when the road you’re on gets hard.
But, don’t forget to follow your heart.”

Crowder, Taren Wells — “All My Hope”
“I’m no stranger to prison.
I’ve worn shackles and chains.
But I’ve been freed and forgiven.
And I’m not going back, I’ll never be the same.”

Gray — “October”
“I’ll never be able to treasure life enough.
When death comes, my heart is overcome.”

Cameron Bedell — “Memoir”
“Money is power, but things are just things.
Family is forever, despite what you might think.
To forgive is to be free. So, if you get the chance, you should.
Life is short, love is crazy, and God is good.”

Do you have an amazing track I should check out? Leave it in the comments below or send me an email from the “contact” link on the menu.