I have always been particularly drawn to songs adorned with people’s names, from “Polly” by Moses Sumney to “Julia” by the Beatles. There is something captivating about the songs addressed to people I’ll never meet, yet the recollection of a name can evoke universal experiences of love, longing, loss, joy and nostalgia.
I believe songs like this reflect the profound impact individuals can have on our lives, even from a distance, and how melodies can immortalize the essence of a person.
This playlist encapsulates some of the people, places and feelings I associate with these “phantom identities.” Perhaps you will even find your own name in the mix.
