Calling All Music Lovers: Results

Time to announce the winners! 😉

First and foremost, thank you so much to every single writer who submitted! This entire challenge was so, so fun, and it was super interesting to see how different we all are in what sort of art and music touches us the most. You guys all gave me such great music to listen to, and your words touched and moved me. Music is a beautifully universal language, and I’m glad we could all pay it our respects in our own way.

Please check out everyone’s amazing contributions down below:

1. Michelle Liew

2. Frankie Martinelli

3. Savannah K. Wilson

4. Mike Singleton 🌜 Mikeydred 🌛

5. Kendall Defoe

6. kp

7. Kayleigh Fraser ✨

8. Angie the Archivist 📚 🪶

9. Paul Stewart

10. Mackenzie Davis

Now onto the fun part—the results!

In third place is Frankie Martinelli’s “The Price I Pay by Billy Bragg” which also happened to be the first submission I received! This piece is brilliant. I listened to the song while reading about Frankie’s intimate connection to it and their unique situation with no longer being with a lover, but still viewing them with kindness and respect as their one and only. There is such an utter strength and beauty to acknowledging the specialness of true love, even if it dwells in the past, and I was stunned and deeply touched by Frankie’s work here.

In second place is kp’s intricately detailed and self-reflective “Not Rap, Please” about the album “KOD” by hip hop legend J. Cole. kp very impressively goes into each song on the record and analyzes it in detail. They touch on nearly all the significant topics and issues Cole addresses on the record; self control, meditation, economic disparities, and addiction in all its many forms are just a few examples. kp’s love and respect for both the rapper and the record shine through so brightly here, and their passion made this already great piece even better. It’s such a good, clear breakdown of the album that also offers a lot of personal insights and realizations throughout it. Amazing work, kp!

As for first place — a huge congratulations to the inspirational and spiritually powerful “Strong Tower” by Savannah K. Wilson!

Savannah delves into the record “Strong Tower” by Christian rock band Kutless. She brings us back to her seventeen year old self as a closeted trans woman who had just lost her father. Her description of the battle between self love and the judgment and rhetoric of conservative circles is immensely powerful, and the way she weaves the song titles into the piece gave it such a unique and creative flair. The contribution was both deeply emotional and beautiful at the same time, showing us as readers the hope that the album was able to instill in her. Her expression of faith in a truly kind God, one who loves unconditionally, was inspiring, and it made me smile to read that she has found happiness in her spiritual journey. Music can always help us find ourselves and realize we can endure, even when it feels impossible, and I really loved those sentiments here. Savannah, first place is yours!

Prizes should be fully awarded in a few days’ time! I have a lot of reading and commenting to do 😊♥️

Again, thank you guys so much for participating! I enjoyed every single submission I got and I appreciate you all. Until next time!