In honor of Olivia Dean coming to NYC for four days at MSG (starting on the 14th), sharing some of my favorite songs by her 💐 First up, we have…
Carmen.
Lots of songs are written about love. This one is not. @oliviadeano wrote this song about her grandmother Carmen, who migrated at 18 from Guyana to the UK. It’s an homage to our ancestors, the women who sacrificed so much and the ways we celebrate and honor them.
I recently went back home to Chicago and got to see both of my grandmothers. In each of my visits, I am reminded… I come from these women; I am, because they are.
“You transplanted a family tree. A part of it grew into me.”
“You’re stronger than I’ll ever be.”
“But you reigned over a family tree. And I’ll carefully carry the seeds.”
To grandma’s 💛
A Couple Minutes.
Soulful. Moody. Brings you back to the nostalgic moments of reconnecting with an ex-lover. Whose presence, despite moving on, will always be with you. A cousin song to the Dress by Dijon. So much so that she made her own cover, which is just… go listen.
“You’re the only one who knows that name. You’re the only one who does that face. I just wanna know if you’re okay.”
“Although it’s over, I’ll always be there.”
Touching Toes.
The body knows.
"Though I could do it myself, It's kinda nice to have some help.”
“Cause I feel love, like the real stuff. You don't know and then you know, that's how it goes.”
UFO
“I’m tryna fly a UFO, don’t really do this often.”
This really is how life feels… I haven’t a clue what I’m doing!! But oh, the beauty when we find people … (we can crash into) and safely land around.
What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays?
I went through a breakup of sorts halfway through the summer and came across this song, an OD song I’ve heard plenty of times. But this time it hit different. What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays is about the ways we begin to etch people into our days, our life, our time. And the grief that comes, the emptiness we feel, when that is gone.
“I thought you'd fight a little harder for me”
“Tired on the train this morning. Who am I gonna tell 'bout my day from hell?”
“Too bad, couldn't see what you had in front of you. I did what I had to do”
Cross My Mind. The Live at the Jazz Cafe version.
“I love it when you cross my mind.”
Just listen to the song.
Baby Come Home.
A softer sister to Beyoncé’s Virgo’s Groove. If Virgo’s Groove was written from the perspective of someone lusting for the lover, Baby Come Home was written from a place of emotional yearning. The sweet giddiness we feel awaiting someone’s presence.
“I wanna fall into arms like lovers do.”
“Baby come home, I got it bad for you. I’m not good alone, 3 in the afternoon.”
“I made you a coffee, I don't know why
Thought I heard the doorbell a couple times
Running on restless, how silly I.”
“Boy you save me, on the daily. You are some supernatural high. Can’t say no. Oh how the day goes.”
Be My Own Boyfriend.
Because why would I accept anything less than the love I pour into myself?
“I can’t do this anymore. I don’t wanna get involved. With all these men I’m so much better than.”
“No one can love me the way I can. Catch me out in Paris on my ones. Stay out dancing til the dance is done. I got me I don’t need anyone.”
“Lately I’ve been just what I need.”
“I can do whatever, whenever the fuck I want.”
I’ll let the lyrics speak for themselves.