Special Song Verses

The first issue of my 2-issue zine series that never went anywhere.

The third verse from the 3min11sec song Hexie Mountains by Orville Peck, from his 2022 album Bronco.

I’m not saying I’m not scared That the wind’ll blow and stick my stare But wouldn’t it be nice if I could hold it off again? Wouldn’t it be swell if I could get things off my chest? “Maybe you’d learn to live with what’s inside your head” The Hexie Mountains said

Orville Peck is a masterful gay cowboy. I want this verse tatted on my body- no, my soul. I don’t think an end verse has ever hit me so hard, impacted me so well. I wish he’d return to this…almost nostalgic, vibe. This verse is like he wrote it about my mentality, my headspace. Sad, yes, but comforting.

The second verse [bridge] of the 3min44sec song Fourth of July by Fall Out Boy, from their 2015 album American Beauty/American Psycho.

I wish I’d known how much you loved me I wish I cared enough to know I’m sorry every song’s about you The torture of small talk With someone you used to love

Pete used to put the band to WORK, dude, making magical-ass songs with brain-scratching-ass verses about just some guy. Who’s gonna be my Versailles at night, Peter? Huh? I wish I could just put the entire song in here, but the same goes for every song I’m putting in here, honestly. Casually beautiful-ass song. The only patriotic shit I know. Godspeed.

The first pre-chorus verse of the 3min36sec song La Camisa Negra by Juanes, from his 2004 album Mi Sangre.

Por beber del veneno maleo tu amor Yo quedé moribundo y lleno de dolor Respiré de ese humo amargo de tu adiós Y desde que tú te fuiste yo solo tengo

My boyfriend Nico showed me this song as the only Juanes-solo song he ever knew. It instantly hooked me in and I go back to it the most out of all the Spanish songs he’s shown me. Juanes’ voice just scratches an itch in me, the smoothness and the softness and the roughness of it all. His other songs that I looked into are good, too, but…this one. God.

The second chorus of the 4min35sec song Romance by Buck-Tick, which initially dropped as a single in 2005.

Ah, konna ni uruwashi Hizamazuki inori no uta wo Ah, konya mo chi ga hoshii Yami wo yuki yami ni tokekomu Ah, konna ni uruwashii Hizamazuki inori no uta wo Ah, itsushika kusariyuku Atokata mo naku kieteyuku

I got into Buck-Tick super late, like. year or so before Atsushi Sakurai died. But I’m so glad I got into them at all. Beautiful band, visuals, albums, lyric-work, everything. Romance has been a favourite of mine since the start. Miss you, Sakurai. ❤

The second chorus of the 4min4sec song Mary on a Cross by Ghost, from their 2019 album 7 Inches of Satanic Panic.

You go down just like Holy Mary Mary on a a, Mary on a cross Your beauty never ever scared me Mary on a, Mary on a cross If you choose to run away with me I will tickle you internally And I see nothing wrong with that

TikTok ruined this song for lots of people, but not me. I feel this verse too deeply. ‘Your beauty never ever scared me’ encapsulates too many ships of mine. The vulnerability, the admittance, the affection and inherent care, it’s crazy. YOU never ever scared me, not any part of you. It drives me insane for such a throwaway line. God. Love this verse.

The second verse [bridge] of the 3min21sec song Breathe by Dom Fera, from his 2019 album Breathe.

I’ll believe it if it sounds a little too right I’ll rest easy when it’s written in the moonlight And that ain’t a leap of faith No baby, I’m not brave, I’m not brace No baby, I’m not brave, I’m not brave No baby, I’m not brave

Underrated king. Indie icon. Dom Fera you can and will always be famous. Casually life-changing ass verse, Fera. Binding my soul in a single verse and whatnot. I can’t even explain him or what he means or what he was trying to say, but I understand, somehow. This verse sounds like sunsets and clouds and cool evenings. It just makes sense.

The second verse [bridge] of the 4min43sec song Take Me Anywhere by NateWantsToBattle, from his 2018 album Paid in Exposure.

It’s easy to see it, too hard to believe it But once in a while you just gotta come clean Now you try to hide it but you can’t deny it It’s falling apart, tearing up at the seams I give it my best, secretly I’m a mess But sooner or later it’s bound to rise There’s so many warnings that I’ve been ignoring Now it’s shutting down

I grew up on NWTB, and this has been a favourite of mine for a long time. It’s so raw and poignant, it points at me and calls me out. This verse is in my bones and follows me around. The entire song, at that. Nate may move on from his music, but I won’t. Not from this album. Definitely not from this fucking song.