FAQ*:
Starter pack: A starter pack is five essential songs from any given artist’s catalog that give you an idea of what this artist is made of.
Why: To introduce you to rad new music you may have otherwise missed out on!
Which artists? Any artist that we feel like making one on (primarily A-list acts of the genre.)
*None of these questions are asked frequently. In fact, none of them were actually asked at all.
“I Told You So” (from Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing)
While many of Keith Urban’s bigger hits are of the uptempo, feel-good variety, he’s most effective when he brings a more melancholy vibe to the table, and that’s exactly what he does on “I Told You So”. The song keeps Urban’s signature, pop-country style, but develops it in a way that makes it feel fresh and original. The instrumentation is crisp, airy while maintaining texture. The melody brings an aura of intensity while thumping along at a solid tempo. And Keith sounds as good as ever, taking control of a lyric depicting a man begging his woman to come back, while promising not to say ‘I told you so’ as long as she doesn’t apologize. It’s one of his most confident, commanding performances to date, and he does it all while sounding more technically proficient than any other vocalist in the genre. “I Told You So” is without a doubt Keith Urban’s finest moment.
“Til Summer Comes Around” (from Defying Gravity)
What makes “Til Summer Comes Around” such an astonishing single is the fact that it’s nothing like anything else in Urban’s radio discography, and yet he nails it with such ease. It tells the story of a lost summer love, nothing particularly groundbreaking topically, but the lyrics are laced with little details (such as “The boardwalk’s quiet and the carnival rides are as empty as my broken heart tonight”) giving it a whole new dimension of depth and accessibility. Urban’s soft, tender approach performance wise sells it to the listener, and the restrained production makes this song a wholly enjoyable listening experience.
“Raise ‘Em Up” [feat. Eric Church] (from Fuse)
The latest in a long line of Keith Urban hits, “Raise ‘Em Up” ranks among the finest duets in recent memory. Both vocalists exude confidence throughout the record, a trait that laces the discographies of both artists, while the production is nicely held back, as opposed to the bombastic nature of many a singles of late (and a major flaw of Keith’s own duet with Miranda Lambert, “We Were Us”.) Yes, all of that is nice, but what really makes this record stand out from the pack is the lyrics. It’s a story about the journey of life, centered around the phrase “Raise ‘Em Up”, from raising a beverage to raising your children. It’s subtly poignant, and is one of the finest songs of either artist’s career.
“I’m In” (from Defying Gravity)
One of Urban’s most underrated hits, “I’m In” is brilliant in that catches the decorated artist at his most energetic. Lyrically this one holds it’s own. Nothing particularly noteworthy outside of a few strong lines, but Keith’s refreshed performance just forces you to enjoy it. In addition, the drum machine, a prominent feature on the vast majority of Keith Urban recordings, feels invigorating while the melody is as catchy as it gets. “I’m In” ranks as one of the better, most memorable uptempo singles to-date.
“Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me” (from Golden Road)
Speaking of refreshing uptempo singles, “Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me” is textbook Keith Urban. Banjo driven, undeniably catchy, an exhilarating chorus, and a memorable hook. It all comes together to form one of his most well-known and strongest hits. Paired with a convincing performance, there’s no way one can’t enjoy this song to at least some extent. It won’t win any songwriting awards, but it is one of the most addicting and most fun moments of his catalog.