Artists like New Zealand’s Lorde have a once-in-a-lifetime career. Between a breakout debut track, a flawless sophomore album, Melodrama, and an authentic musical vision, it’s no wonder fans can’t get enough. Although her music is largely appreciated for its raw lyricism and addictive instrumentals, one song stands above the rest 12 years later.
If you’ve ever felt consumed by nostalgia that roots itself deep in your stomach after stumbling across old photographs or videos, odds are you’ve allowed “Ribs” by Lorde to hold your hand and guide you to the other side. There’s something so immediate about this song that evokes heavy emotions in listeners before she even starts singing.
Some might say that’s just the magic of Lorde, but others see this one song as something more. There’s no lack of painfully honest lyrics in her vast discography, but the lines “And I’ve never felt more alone / It feels so scary getting old” speak to so many different people at so many different stages of their lives.
The 10 songs below evoke similar feelings, whether that’s missing a friend you haven’t spoken to in years or reminiscing on a memory that still finds its way into your conscience.
10
Scott Street by Phoebe Bridgers
If you’re a fan of Lorde, it’s likely that you’re also a fan of Phoebe Bridgers. The queen of melancholia is no stranger to delivering some of the most poignantly sad lyrics in her music. Her debut studio album, Stranger in the Alps, features some impressive “Ribs” counterparts, but nothing comes close to the devastation caused by “Scott Street.”
Running into an old friend, an ex, or an estranged family member is never easy unless you still reach out to each other occasionally. The stomach-dropping feeling that Bridgers gets across in the last two minutes of “Scott Street” where she repeats the line “Anyway don’t be a stranger” is something that feels equal to the bridge of “Ribs.”
9
American Teenager – Ethel Cain
Another queen of bringing out the most raw emotions in listeners is Ethel Cain. “American Teenager,” the second track off of her Preacher’s Daughter album, is one of those songs that keeps you coming back for another listen, no matter how painful that might be.
It’s the most upbeat song on the album, which serves as an eerie transition into the haunting themes of the rest of the tracklist. It also samples the guitar solo from Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” giving it an added layer of nostalgia as you struggle to recognize where you’ve heard that instrumental before.
8
Guys – The 1975
There are plenty of songs by The 1975 that were considered for this list, but I decided to go with one that’s a bit more underrated than the rest. “Guys” is one of the most painful songs for anyone who lived with their best friends in a small apartment or dorm room to hear. It’s a beautifully honest depiction of friendship.
Frontman Matty Healy looks back on different moments in the band’s career, citing the moment they decided to form The 1975 and the first time they went to Japan as the best things to ever happen to him. The song ends with the line “You guys are the best thing that ever happened,” leaving listeners reeling for a hug from their best friend.
7
Lovers Rock – TV Girl
The hypnotizing instrumental of “Lovers Rock” by TV Girl is enough to land it a spot on this list. That, paired with the straightforward delivery of every lyric, makes it a song that could easily accompany everyone’s most cherished memories.
The beauty of “Ribs” is in the instant effect it has on listeners. “Lovers Rock” feels similar in the way it starts with sweeping notes that leave no room to doubt which song it is. While listening, it’s certain to make old images and scenery flash through your mind.
6
BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish
The newest song on this list is one that’ll undoubtedly hold “Ribs”-level status in the future. Billie Eilish’s “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” is a stunning portrayal of love, whether you see that as romantic, platonic, or familial. Either way, everyone’s likely to have someone in their life that they feel strongly enough towards to state “I’ll love you ’til the day that I die.”
In a similar fashion to Lorde’s song, the real kicker doesn’t come until the last verse, where Eilish sings, “I knew you in another life / You had that same look in your eyes / I love you, don’t act so surprised,” once again leaving listeners feeling every word straight to their core.
5
Space Song – Beach House
The instrumental of Beach House’s “Space Song” is one that causes anyone familiar with it to double over. Even without the gentle vocal delivery of Victoria Legrand, the song would likely result in the same unmistakable emotions based off the background music alone.
When it comes to the lyrics, however, “Somewhere in these eyes, I’m on your side” is one that cuts through to listeners with every listen. The simplicity of such a straightforward statement of support will always prove that less is typically more in music.
4
Tongue Tied – GROUPLOVE
Despite the upbeat nature of GROUPLOVE’s “Tongue Tied,” this song brings out many of the same themes and emotions as “Ribs.” The layered vocals and celebratory delivery make listeners want to jump up and down while also taking a second to think about the nostalgia that comes with such unbridled joy.
It goes without saying that a song like this on an album called Never Trust a Happy Song is fairly up for interpretation. Some may see it as nothing more than a happy song, while others recognize the pain that lies underneath.
3
Where’d All The Time Go – Dr. Dog
With a title like “Where’d All the Time Go?,” it’s pretty easy to assume what kind of song Dr. Dog wanted to create. The incredibly emotive vocal delivery of Toby Leaman and Scott McMicken paired with the background harmonies make this song feel much older than 15 years.
It feels reminiscent of something by Paul Simon with its comforting yet haunting final product. Where “Ribs” invites listeners to stay present and appreciate those around them, “Where’d All the Time Go?” begs the exact question that everyone asks themselves at least once in their lives.
2
Dog Days Are Over – Florence & the Machine
When you’re younger, summer is a time of true freedom. Freedom from homework, deadlines, and responsibilities. Florence + The Machine declares the end of these hot August days in “Dog Days Are Over,” their biggest hit to date. As a whole, this song serves as a painful reminder while also acting as a gentle guide for listeners in any kind of transitional period.
Your own dog days may be done, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still appreciate each moment as it happens and look forward to the future. Florence + The Machine reminds us that looking back isn’t always a bad thing, especially with the perfect song to accompany us.
1
End of Beginning – Djo
If there was any song in today’s music landscape that acts as the “Ribs” equivalent, it’s “End of Beginning” by Djo. The viral sensation is from his second studio album, a project full of introspective soundscapes that everyone should listen to in its entirety.
While “Ribs” looks back at precious moments of friendship, “End of Beginning” confronts change in the form of a move from one location to another, something many people face in different forms. Whichever ending you currently face, this song offers support, something that’s bound to be a clear continuation of “Ribs” and its own ending.
