Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew is about to release a new solo album of piano ballads called Aging this Friday (11/3) via Arts & Crafts (pre-order). “Pain is a hard thing to let go until you’re ready,” Kevin says. “And that’s kind of where I was at with this record. Music, for me, is a release – it’s a place where I can go and express what it is that I want to say.”
To help celebrate the album’s release, Kevin has made us a list of his 10 favorite ballads, which range from Jeff Buckley to Talk Talk to the Bee Gees and beyond, with intriguing commentary on each pick. Read on for his list…
—
Kevin Drew Picks 10 Favorite Ballads
“Who Does She Hope To Be” – Sonny Sharrock
John McEntire played me this song in 2009. I was in Chicago. I was drinking whisky. It was late. My body took on a coma-like state of mind while being on call for every note and instrument that was being played. I sunk into the moment and felt the influential sadness of this wounded soundtrack unfold around me. It was like a back rub from the days that have left. So beautiful.
“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” – Jeff Buckley
This song made me excited to feel adult heartbreak when I first heard it. Every word from his mouth cut deep into my little 17 year old heart. It became my number one ballad for years and only now at 47 I can see how much the drama of the song influenced my photo album of relationships. Before all the other men decided to sing with a dramatic high tone flare…..Buckley was ripping his throat apart. He was an original and has not been replaced since he unfortunately went swimming in the Memphis river. No song captures a love that won’t work better than this tune right here. Heartbreaking.
“With Or Without You” – U2
What? I’m human. You think I wasn’t going to name this one of the greatest ballads of all time? The world is filled with evil. We need U2 now more than ever. This song could be the campaign slogan for how we are living in this current moment. Deal with it. It’s never been repeated or written again. OG slow song of the finest quality. Everything.
“New Grass” – Talk Talk
Justin Small of Do Make Say Think played me this song when I was 22. I’d never heard anything like it. The care towards the production and playing was so delicate it made me rethink how to approach music. Mark Hollis’s voice can choke you while at the same time give you the most passionate and powerful kiss you ever received.
At the time I thought I knew who the band Talk Talk was…..but it became quite clear that my life was missing out on a warmth I didn’t know I needed. A masterpiece.
“How Deep Is Your Love” – Bee Gees
It’s just undeniable. They are undeniable. They take you in with this song and keep you there in a safe place. They constantly ask you the same question and you are aware your answer will never be judged because they also love to remind you countless times that we are living in a world of fools. I look forward to future generations finding this song in a museum after the end of times. Perfection.
“By Your Side” – Sade
Supportive jams are usually fifth or sixth on the list. Number one is usually “I love you”. Number two is usually “I hate you”. Number 3 is usually “Where did you go?”. Number 4 is usually “I have to go”……….and then number five is usually “I’m never going to leave you”. Sade takes this supportive jam and makes it erase all the other prospects of what love songs should be. It’s a statue amongst fallen buildings. There is a reason her voice is spoken about amongst the retired angels coalition who are against robots. It can never be replicated. This song is an ageless ballad that works for every age. Beachwood Sparks do a beautiful cover of this song as well. Wonderful.
“Who Are You” – Tom Waits
When Tom Waits asks you a question, there is usually a bunch of velcro poetry surrounding it. The lyrics on this song should be put on a plaque and placed in every neighbourhood. To enter into his heart is the gift he gave us. This song always made pain comforting amongst those who feel lost and those who fight for their identity in front of their mirror. When I first heard this…..I knew my life was gonna start changing. Stunning.
“Black Boys and Mopeds” – Sinead O’Connor
She strums the chords and slowly rises out of her lungs with a romantic vengeance. It cuts hard with her historical remembrance while hugging us with melody and emotion. The whole entire record this song is on goes down as one of the greats. I can’t think of a voice that grabbed my focus more than hers. Unforgettable.
“Sea of Love” – Phil Phillips and The Twilights
A classic. Haunting within a structure of song that has influenced so many. There is a truth to these arrangements of yesterday that have so much room for more memories. Love has always meant to be beside some beautiful back up vocals and this number captures exactly that. Forever a love song for those who left.
“It’s Alright to Cry” – Rosy Grier
This one was the last song I sat and listened to with my mom before she died. Her mind was slowly going and she asked if the world had heard this song. When it ended she asked me to play it again. She then spoke about how important this song was for everyone to hear….so this is the last song my mom asked for the world to hear. A children’s classic that in the end exists for everyone. The greatest.