Songs for the Taurus

TAURUS: You will never find true happiness. Whatcha gonna do, cry about it? The stars predict tomorrow you'll wake up, do a bunch of stuff, and then go back to sleep. -Weird Al Yankovic

Despite being in the weird time warp that is COVID-19 Quarantine, the calendar stops for no one and it's already time to showcase our next astrological sign - Taurus. The playlist I collected for ya'll is overall one of the most chill and meditative playlists I think I've ever made, which is a pretty good description of Tauruses as a whole. These earth signs are dependable, grounded, reliable, (can be) materialistic, loyal, and practical, and being around them can be a nice, zen break from the crazy day to day life a lot of us lead. They're supportive, they're good at staying calm, and, like every other sign, are pretty much the best.

Six Feet Under by Billie Eilish (written by B. O'Connell, F. O'Connell)

I wasn't familiar at all with this single of Eilish's before doing research for this post, but I LOVE it now. It's got more of a dont smile at me feel than WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP in my opinion. The lyrics and melody are both really beautiful and calming. Eilish's narrator showcases Taurus characteristics of loyalty, clinging to the familiar, and practicality in knowing that while she wishes she could go back to the way things were, realistically this relationship is over and it's time to move on.

Help, I lost myself again/But I remember you/Don't come back, it won't end well/But I wish you'd tell me to/Our love is six feet under, I can't help but wonder/If our grave was watered by the rain/Would roses bloom/Could roses bloom again

Piano Man by Billy Joel (written by W. Joel)

You literally cannot talk about Taurus music legend and real-life piano man Billy Joel without talking about this song. I actually read a Buzzfeed article last week that listed Piano Man as a song people would LOVE to see turned into a movie or TV series, and with its list of compelling characters I completely agree. It's a karaoke favorite, a piano bar staple, a radio hit, and has been covered tons of times over the years (my personal favorite was Darren Criss's cover on the Joel inspired episode of Glee). Joel's narrator in Piano Man showcases a lot of classic Taurus traits - he's dependable, he's reliable, he's supportive (and a damn good listener) while at the same time minding his own business, and creates a cozy, comfortable ambiance in the bar that makes everyone feel at home.

It's nine o'clock on a Saturday/The regular crowd shuffles in/There's an old man sitting next to me/Making love to his tonic and gin/He says, "Son, can you play me a memory?/I'm not really sure how it goes/But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete/When I wore a younger man's clothes"/Sing us a song, you're the piano man/Sing us a song tonight/Well, we're all in the mood for a melody/And you've got us feeling alright

Clock Don't Stop by Carrie Underwood (written by B. Daly, C. DeStefano, H. Lindsey)

Even though I have a weird back-and-forth...not dislike but I guess more of an annoyance with Underwood, I way more often then not enjoy her music. Clock Don't Stop is from her 2015 Storyteller album, which I think has some of the better writing of any of her albums for sure. Underwood's narrator is showing some different Taurus characteristics from the first couple of songs here - she's trying to repress her anger at her partner, she hates being talked over and not being able to get a word in during this argument, and she hates broken promises and empty words (And we'll make it right tomorrow, but tomorrow's not a sure thing - SUCH a good line).

Red dress, spilled wine, caught in a stupid fight/He's wrong, she's right, no kiss goodnight/Ring ring, telephone, act like I'm not home/Can't hear the tears cry on the other end of the line/And the minutes turn to hours, and they're flying like a jet plane/And we'll make it right tomorrow, but tomorrow's not a sure thing/The clock don't stop ticking away, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah/The clock don't stop ticking away, away/Always hanging on the wall, no it don't care at all, it won't slow down, it won't wait/The clock don't stop ticking away, it's ticking away

Don't Stop (Live) by Fleetwood Mac (written by C. McVie)

This is a personal favorite of one of my favorite people in the entire world, Taurus or otherwise - my best friend and solid rock of 16 years, Katie. Disclaimer - when she sent this to me I got a little choked up with nostalgia because I had this song be the background of the video I made her asking her to be one of my bridesmaids.

"Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac. Never fails to cheer me up and keep looking forward. The past is in the past. Also the reminder to smile can be immensely helpful some days. Live version with the USC marching band is preferable. That whole album (The Dance) is actually incredible."

If you wake up and don't wanna smile/If it takes just a little while/Open your eyes, look at the day/You'll see things in a different way/Don't stop thinking about tomorrow/Don't stop, it'll soon be here/It'll be better than before/Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone

When You Look Me In The Eyes by Jonas Brothers (written by J. Jonas, K. Jonas II, K. Jonas, N. Jonas, P. Bianco, R. Boyd)

Ooooh boy this is one of my favorite JoBro songs of all time. Fifteen-year-old Jordan thought this song was THE most romantic thing she'd ever heard in her life (to be fair...current Jordan still kind of thinks that...sue me). Twenty-four-year-old Jordan begged her then-fiancé-now-husband to let her include this song in their wedding and was told no but it's fine I'm fine. Twenty-seven-year-old Jordan unashamedly screamed this song at the top of her lungs in a packed arena less than a year ago seeing them live for the fourth glorious time. All of that aside, the boys narrate this song with some key Taurus traits like loyalty to the one they love and clinging to the familiarity and comfort of that precious relationship with someone they truly care about.

If the heart is always searching, can you ever find a home/I've been looking for that someone, I'll never make it on my own/Dreams can't take the place of loving you/There's gotta be a million reasons why it's true/When you look me in the eyes and tell me that you love me/Everything's alright when you're right here by my side/When you look me in the eyes, I catch a glimpse of heaven/I find my paradise when you look me in the eyes

Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves (written by D. Tashian, I. Fitchuk, K. Musgraves)

Musgraves creates such a calm atmosphere with the title track from her 2018 album Golden Hour. This is also such a great love song - while it's not over the top grandiose with a lot of flowery language, the simplicity of it just makes my heart so happy and makes me want to grab my husband and start dancing in the living room (yes, it's also a good Two Steppin' song). Musgraves's narrator displays Taurus characteristics throughout the song like being grounded, reliability, taking her sweet time and not rushing life or love, maintaining a calm exterior, and loving being included in her partner's life and world.

All that I know/Is you caught me at the right time/Keep me in your glow/'Cause I'm having such a good time with you/Baby, don't you know/That you're my golden hour/The color of my sky/You've set my world on fire/And I know, I know everything's gonna be alright

The Blessing by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, & Elevation Worship (written by C. Brown, C. Carnes, K. Jobe, S. Furtick)

This personal pick comes from one of my former (& one of my favorite) singing partners, future last name twin, and sister friend Victoria. This Taurus sees things on a different level than a lot of other young women her age, and getting to know her as long as I have has been a blessing in and of itself.

"Well, because I listen to music so much, my favorite song is constantly changing, but for this season and time I would say my favorite song is The Blessing by Elevation and Kari Jobe. Just because the lyrics are verses straight from the Bible and it's such biblical truth that it is giving me peace, comfort, and security."

The Lord bless you and keep you/Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you/The Lord turn His face toward you/And give you peace/The Lord bless you and keep you/Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you/The Lord turn His face toward you/And give you peace/Amen, amen/Amen/Amen, amen/Amen

This Is Me by Keala Settle & The Greatest Showman Ensemble (written by B. Pasek, J. Paul)

I think most people are in universal agreement that this is the quintessential song from The Greatest Showman soundtrack, and not without good reason. Settle is such a POWERHOUSE and delivers so much emotion in this anthem that it's no wonder people are still singing it two and a half years after the movie's premiere. There are a LOT of Taurus traits that can be found here in this song - being grounded in who you are, being supportive to others, developing an action plan to be the best you that you can be, repressing anger at a world treating them so unfairly, a love of being included in this family that they created, and hating superficial kindness, broken promises, empty words, and a lack of basic manners - just be nice to people, it's really not that hard.

I am not a stranger to the dark/"Hide away," they say, "'cause we don't want your broken parts"/I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars/"Run away," they say, "no one will love you as you are"/But I won't let them break me down to dust/I know that there's a place for us/For we are glorious/When the sharpest words wanna cut me down/I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out/I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I'm meant to be, this is me/Look out, 'cause here I come/And I'm marching out to the beat I drum/I'm not scared to be seen, I make no apologies, this is me

Never Again by Kelly Clarkson (written by J. Messer, K. Clarkson)

Clarkson herself is a Taurus, so a lot of these characteristics are just going to naturally flow from her music. Never Again shows the narrator developing an action plan (OF REVENGE), repressing her anger (albeit not very well), and hating those broken promises and empty words of her ex, as well as the blatant lack of basic manners...DO NOT break up with someone in a letter, what is this, 1650? Do it to their face, cowards.

If she really knows the truth, she deserves you/A trophy wife, oh, how cute, ignorance is bliss/But when your day comes and he's through with you/And he'll be through with you, you'll die together but alone/You wrote me in a letter, you couldn't say it right to my face/Well, give me that Sunday school answer, repent yourself away/Does it hurt to know I'll never be there/Bet it sucks to see my face everywhere/It was you who chose to end it like you did/I was the last to know you knew exactly what you would do/And don't say you simply lost your way/They may believe you, but I never will/Never again

Better Than by Lake Street Dive (written by B. Kearney, M. Calabrese, M. Olson, R. Price)

I'd never heard of Lake Street Dive before researching this post, but this song has for sure made me a fan. This song is so relaxing to listen to on all levels - I enjoy the tune, the lyrics, the entire experience. The narrator shows some Taurus traits through her practicality in how she knows she should live her life, taking her sweet time getting herself to where she needs to be, being selectively social, and minding her own business.

I could spend ages reading the news/I could spend days singing the blues/But I turn up the TV light/Give up without a fight/Better than pretending to know what's wrong and what's right/I could spend ages asking myself why/There's a million ways that I can say goodbye/But I turn down the lights/Come on, baby, come inside/Better than being some fool's bride/Better than pretending to know what's wrong and what's right

Good as Hell by Lizzo (written by E. Frederic, M. Jefferson)

Man, I love Lizzo - she is just so much fun, and I have mad respect for her flute skills. I'm in an extremely healthy relationship but can still rock the hell out to this breakup anthem like there's no tomorrow. Lizzo, another Taurus, showcases a lot of her astrological characteristics here - some materialism, practicality, making goals on the path to luxury, developing an action plan for surviving a breakup, pampering herself, and a hatred of inconsistency in her partner's feelings.

Woo, child, tired of this bullshit/Go on, dust your shoulders off, keep it moving/Yes, Lord, tryna get some new shit/In there, swimwear, going-to-the-pool shit/Come now, come dry your eyes, you know you a star, you can touch the sky/I know that it's hard, but you have to try, if you need advice, let me simplify/If he don't love you anymore/Just walk your fine ass out the door/I do my hair toss, check my nails/Baby, how you feeling, feeling good as hell/Hair toss, check my nails/Baby, how you feeling, feeling good as hell/Feeling good as hell/Baby, how you feeling, feeling good as hell

What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong (written by B. Thiele, G. Weiss)

This personal Taurus pick is from my fabulous mother-in-law, Beth. I was actually pretty shocked when she called me and told me THIS was her favorite song since I've seen the woman's collection of hard rock albums, but her reasoning was perfect.

"Gosh, okay, I really do think my favorite song is that Louis Armstrong song What A Wonderful World. I know it gets played all the time all over the place, but every time I hear it I just think about [my son] and how I'd sing this to him when he was young and how even though he's a grown man, I still want all of those wonderful things for him. So it'll come on when I'm in the grocery store or something and I just can't stop smiling because I love it so much."

I see trees of green, red roses, too/I see them bloom for me and you/And I think to myself, "What a wonderful world"/I see skies of blue and clouds of white/The bright, blessed day, the dark, sacred night/And I think to myself, "What a wonderful world"/The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky/Are also on the faces of people going by/I see friends shaking hands, saying, "How do you do?"/They're really saying, "I love you"

When Will My Life Begin by Mandy Moore (written by A. Menken, G. Slater)

I think Rapunzel is a perfect example of being a Taurus out of all the Disney princesses. She's dependable, loyal, supportive (even to those who don't deserve it (*COUGH MOTHER GOTHEL COUGH*), giving comforting hugs to her friends, having a hard time asking for help, loving both giving and receiving thoughtful gifts, loving plants and animals, loves being listened to, and hates broken promises and empty words.

Seven AM, the usual morning lineup/Start on the chores and sweep 'til the floor's all clean/Polish and wax, do laundry and mop and shine up/Sweep again, and by then it's, like, 7:15/And so I'll read a book, or maybe two or three/I'll add a few new paintings to my gallery/I'll play guitar and knit and cook and basically/Just wonder when will my life begin

Sheep by Mt. Joy (written by M. Quinn, J. Cooper)

Mt. Joy is another band I was completely unfamiliar with prior to getting ready for this post, but like Lake Street Dive they're extremely chill to listen to. I really like the musicality and the story of Sheep. The narrator displays Taurus characteristics like practicality, developing an action plan, and repressing his anger at the state of the world.

Kids get high in the basement sometimes/And tell themselves not to watch the screen/its blood haunts me, I can't fall asleep/'Cause it's ruthless, and don't tell me you're ruthless, too/When there's blood on the streets of Baltimore/Kids are getting ready for a long war/Maybe I was born in the wrong skin/But those sheep are rolling in the mud again/And whoa, it haunts me/Tell me it haunts you, too/You cut it up, you cut it up/But it's still the red, white, and the blue/You cut it up, you cut it up/But it's still the red, white, and the blue

Devil Like Me by Rainbow Kitten Surprise (written by S. Melo)

The inherent dancer in me immediately started choreographing this song the second I heard it the first time - it's got a great beat. I really like the lead singer's voice with this style of song - the whole package is just tied together really nicely with an alternative music bow. The narrator of this song shows off Taurus traits like not asking for help, minding his own business, and repressing his anger at his situation.

My heart and soul were never mine to own/What you care to die for, what you care to die for/We die alone, we'll all die young/What you care to die for, what you care to die from/Snow glistens on the ledge, whiskey on the bed/Shake it out and light a cigarette/Miss me when you, you wish you weren't right/Shake me all out if I'm wrong for you, for you/Shake it all out when I'm gone, I, for you/Is the devil so bad if he cries in his sleep while the earth turns/And his kids learned to say, "Fuck you," they don't love you/Does the devil get scared if she dies in her dreams where the earth turns/She cries 'cause she's nothing like you, is she like you/What you want from a devil like me, devil like me/You see, the devil don't mean to be evil, he just regrettably forgets to exceed expectation

Drifty by Sjowgren (written by Sjowgren)

I tried looking up more information on Sjowgren after hearing this song because I was so intrigued by it, but there's just not a lot of info out there on this artist right now. I love her voice, the simplicity of the guitar on this track, and just how relaxing and meditative this song is. The narrator displays Taurus traits like loyalty, clinging to the familiar, and a love of being heard.

If I called you out of the blue/Wondering what you were up to/Would you want to spend your time/Sharing thoughts between our minds/When you leave someone, their love lingers on/Like a fresh wound with no one to love/When your love is over and you got so used to falling into/Someone outside of you, you'll get so blue/You'll be so blue

I Know Places by Taylor Swift (written by R. Tedder, T. Swift)

This is one of my favorite songs from Swift's 1989 era. The contrast between the minor key doom and gloom of the verses and the modulation to major and bright lights of the chorus is, in my opinion, very well done. Swift's narration of this song shows Taurus traits of loyalty, being supportive, developing an action plan for this questiioinalbe relationship, working under pressure, and maintaining a calm exterior.

You stand with your hand on my waistline/It's a scene, and we're out here in plain sight/I can hear them whisper as they pass by/It's a bad sign, bad sign/Something happens when everybody finds out/See the vultures circling, dark clouds/Love's a fragile little flame, it could burn out/It could burn out/'Cause they got the cages, they got the boxes and guns/They are the hunters, we are the foxes, and we run/Baby, I know places we won't be found/And they'll be chasing their tails trying to track us down/'Cause I, I know places/We can hide, I know places/I know places

On the Road Again by Willie Nelson (written by W. Nelson)

Finishing up this playlist selection is one of my all-time favorite Taurus musicians, country music legend Willie Nelson. On the Road Again is without a doubt one of his most well-known songs and it is so much fun to listen to. Nelson bleeds some of his Taurus-ness into this song with themes of loyalty, being supportive, being selectively social with his close group of friends, a love of creative projects, and a love of being included.

On the road again/Just can't wait to get on the road again/This life I love is making music with my friends/And I can't wait to get on the road again/On the road again/Going places that I've never been/Seeing things that I may never see again/I can't wait to get on the road again/On the road again/Like a band of gypsies, we go down the highway/We're the best of friends/Insisting that the world keep turning our way/And our way is on the road again

Happy Taurus season, little Bulls! Hopefully you got some good new and classic music to listen to and enjoy. See ya'll next week!