Melodic Legacies: Songs That Define Careers
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As we seek out some semblance of purpose in life, we often ponder how our actions and achievements will accumulate to make up our legacy. From a musician's perspective, the term legacy can adopt a new meaning. Decade after decade, artists are inspired and fueled by the work of others; this timeless spotlight, frozen with individuality and style, allows artists to dip into this pool of influence. There is a certain pressure to make one's art immortal, to outlive the ever-changing industry and the expectations of the modern moment. No matter how one wants to compose their posthumous perception, the legacy they leave behind is ultimately separate from the performers themselves. Their memory lies in the connections devoted fans have formed within the music.
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The concept of a legacy song defines an artist’s most impactful piece. A piece that wholly resembles the type of person they were. Three minutes of nostalgia immediately plunge the listener into the eye of the artist and what their melodies stand for. Frank Sinatra’s "My Way" demonstrates how a song picked from a myriad of hits encapsulates the aura and charisma of an extravagant career. The early death of Amy Winehouse following the overwhelming success of her album Back to Black tightly sealed the connection of her tragic life to her mournful music. As an audience, the minor melancholy that emits from the opening verses of "Back to Black" impacts us while actively allowing us to make ties to the complex life of Winehouse. The comparison of legacy songs between John Lennon’s "Imagine" and Kurt Cobain’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit" leaves the world with vastly different ideas of who these artists were while simultaneously capturing their essence at its core.
Other artists are not so lucky. With the recent death of One Direction star Liam Payne came a resurgence of the 2017 hit “Strip That Down.” Payne’s performances of this song and videos of it playing at his memorial went viral on social media. Listening closer, it's obvious the pop-like, casualness of the lyrics do not represent the seriousness and sensitivity of his passing. At what point does the highlight of someone's career begin to take away from their memory once they are gone?
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Being remembered by one song can be a double-edged sword. Although it solidifies an artist’s place in history, it risks overshadowing the rest of their discography. For example, Freddie Mercury’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" became so iconic that it often eclipses his other remarkable songs, despite Queen’s extensive catalog. These classic songs should act as gateways, piquing listeners' interest in delving deeper into an artist's body of work. Even though one song could solidify their reputation, their discography's richness and diversity merit investigation.
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The decision regarding the legacy song simply comes down to the beholder and their reception of the work. What resonates will remain beyond release dates. The songs that truly reflect a career worth remembering worm their way back onto radio stations, film soundtracks, and restaurant playlists years after their prime. Whether the artist looks back in pleasure or disappointment at their memorialization, they have created a piece of music remarkable enough to be unforgettable.
Strike Out,
Writer: Jacqueline Galvano
Editor: Dani Hernandez
Tallahassee