Friday’s Five Tunes with Lauren Ray

Lauren Ray by Rebecca Miller

Always wondered what pop stars themselves listen to whenever they are not on stage or writing new music? It’s time to find out! Every week, A Bit of Pop Music will bring you Friday’s Five Tunes, a selection of five favourite songs by a current pop artist. This week Lauren Ray tells you all about the songs she loves the most.

Lauren Ray is a singer-songwriter based in London, who is going to release her debut album very soon! We Will Need Courage will be out on the 1st of July and it is shaping up to be quite an impressive introduction, with the beautiful singles ‘Drive’ and ‘Man’. This week she tells A Bit of Pop Music all about the tracks she loves to listen to herself, including her favourite quotes from the lyrics.

Laura Marling – Rambling Man
“This is one of my favourite Laura Marling songs and I’ve probably listened to it a thousand times. It is a song that I wish I had written – I have the upmost respect for her as a writer.”

‘Let it always be known that I was who I am’
‘It’s hard to accept yourself as someone you don’t desire, as someone you don’t want to be’

Ray LaMontagne – Hannah
“I came across Ray LaMontagne’s album Trouble whilst I was at University and fell completely in love with the whole thing so it was hard to pick just one of his songs. If anyone is not familiar with this album I highly recommend taking a moment, finding somewhere to chill and just listen to it from start to finish.”

‘I never knew a man could fall so far ‘til I landed here’
‘I’ll lay down this bottle of wine if you just be kind to me’

First Aid Kit – Waitress Song
“I love these sisters! They are incredible live and their songs are fantastic. I can’t really explain why I love this particular song so much – perhaps it’s the feel good sound matched with the beautifully dark, storytelling lyrics that they do so well.”

‘It’s a dark twisted road we are on and we all have to walk it alone’
‘I’d walk across that tight rope, head held high. So close to death, I’ve never felt more alive’

The Lumineers – Cleopatra
“I love this song from their new album because of the story they tell. I think it’s a beautifully written song and I heard them talking in an interview once about the woman taxi driver who it’s written about and how they hope that when she hears it she will feel that her story has been respected.”

‘But I was late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life. And when I die alone, when I die alone, when I die I’ll be on time’
‘So I drive a taxi, and the traffic distracts me from the strangers in my backseat, they remind me of you’

David Gray – Babylon
“I was introduced to David Gray and his White Ladder album by my older sister who I remember playing it on repeat. I love it but what I like is that whenever I hear any of the songs – particularly ‘Babylon’ – I remember being a kid again and I remember my sister as a teenager which is what is so great about music. I chose this song to cover for my EP and love performing it live every time.”

‘I’ve been a fool to ever open up my heart, to all that jealousy, that bitterness, that ridicule’
‘If you want it, Come and get it’