This list of songs is inspired by lists published by radio station KEXP-FM from Seattle in 2010, as well as the latest poll taken in 2021 by Rolling Stone Magazine. For the most part I will faithfully countdown from their lists, starting at Song #500 and going until I reach Song #1. When you see the song title listed as something like: Song #XXX (KEXP)….it means that I am working off of the official KEXP list. Song XXX (RS) means the song is coming from the Rolling Stone list. If I post the song title as being: Song #xxx (KTOM), it means I have gone rogue and am inserting a song choice from my own personal list of tunes I really like. In any case, you are going to get to hear a great song and learn the story behind it. Finally, just so everyone is aware, I am not a music critic nor a musician. I am a music fan and an armchair storyteller. Here is the story behind today’s song. Enjoy.
KEXP: The Top 500 Songs in Modern Music History.
Song #381: I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie.
Well, as you may know, the name of the band Death Cab for Cutie is based upon a song featured in The Beatles TV movie The Magical Mystery Tour. *(You can read all about that here). The band was formed in the late 1990s and has released several albums that have been nominated for Grammy Awards in the Alternative Rock categories. The band is comprised of lead singer Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer (bass), Dave Depper (keyboards, guitar and vocals), Zac Rae (keyboards/guitar)and Jason McGerr (drums).
The song “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” is Death Cab for Cutie’s biggest selling song of all-time. The song deals with Gibbard thinking about relationships and how they might extend beyond our living years, into the dark void of whatever happens after we die. It is a romantic song in the sense that it chronicles how the singer would search the Hereafter for as long as it took to find those he loved.
What really has helped Death Cab for Cutie establish themselves is the placement of their songs in well known television shows. A song like “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” with its theme of an everlasting love was well-suited for the angst-driven dramas in which it has appeared such as “Beverly Hill 90210”, “Scrubs” and “Grey’s Anatomy”. In each case, Gibbard’s lyrics, paired with the storylines of beloved television characters, helped create a greater sense of emotional depth for all involved. As such, Death Cab for Cutie were able to reach a vast audience who may never had listened to their song if not for having it be the soundtrack to the storylines of their favourites characters on tv. Smart marketing on their part.
So, please enjoy this acoustic ballad that soared to prominence because of TV. From a band who came into being because of a Beatles movie that appeared on TV, too. Here is, “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie.
The link for the video for “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie, can be found here. ***The lyrics version can be found here.
The link for the video for when this song was used in the TV show, “Scrubs” can be found here.
The link for the video for when this song was used in the TV show, “Grey’s Anatomy”, can be found here.
The link to the video for “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” by Choir! Choir! Choir!, can be found here.
The link to the website for Death Cab for Cutie can be found here.
Thanks to KEXP for helping to inspire the writing of this post. A link to their website can be found here.
***As always, all original content contained within this song remains the sole property of the author. No portion of this post shall be reblogged, copied or shared in any manner without the express written consent of the author. ©2021 http://www.tommacinneswriter.com