by Jake Aurigema

This past weekend marked the one-year anniversary of the release of Survival Songs, a powerhouse of a record created by Derek Webb that has tackled the tough conversations some of us are too afraid to have. This time last year wasn’t just another album drop for Derek Webb, it was an urgent, emotional love letter to the LGBTQ+ community, signaling his sympathy for the struggles that queer youth face everyday. By walking through this record with fearless lyrics of affirmation and identity, Derek Webb made clear that his goal was to provide a safe space for queer kids navigating a world in which they may not feel seen.

Survival Songs served as a masterclass in being human, unlearning the ways we were taught and becoming an ally to our brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors. This piece acknowledges the deep cut scars of the past while offering a hopeful path towards healing and love. Whether you’re someone who seeks to better understand queer youth or someone who had braved this storm themselves, the songs in this project act as a mirror. It reminds us all that the ultimate form of resistance against exclusion is love and relationship. Love knows no bounds, it holds no true form or binary.

For queer youth, Survival Songs is exactly what the title promises: a blueprint for survival. Tracks like “Queer Kid” and “Sola Translove Part 2 (Words of Affirmation)” offer unconditional belonging to queer people. They provide a safety net to queer youth, showing they they are seen, cherished and not alone.

It has been a full year of this masterpiece, and it still hits the same as the day it was released. Derek Webb’s Survival Songs stands as a testament to the fact that music still has the power to save lives and spread love.

This record was inspired by his child, Ash, who creates bold, expressive artwork to pair Derek’s tracks with an emotional visual! Check out “Survival Songs: The Art Project” and see more on how art can change the world.

by Jake Aurigema

Love is a complicated topic, etched into the heart of music and storytelling. In honor of the month of love coming to an end, we wanted to share with you some love songs our artists have written throughout their careers. From unexpected love to unaccepted love to apocalyptic love, our artists have been through it all.

In June of 2022, Mary Gauthier released “Thank God For You” on her album Dark Enough to See the Stars. This deeply vulnerable lyrical piece provides a flashback into Mary’s time in New Orleans and healing from her past. In a YouTube video titled “Behind the Music: ‘Thank God For You’”, Mary describes this track as “another love song, unapologetically expressing deep romantic love.” She talks about the joy of finally finding a love that works. Mary has always been an incredible writer, and this is just one beautiful example of her talent and passion for storytelling!

Aaron Lee Tasjan released Stellar Evolution in April of 2024, which featured the song “Dylan Shades”, a poignant exploration of the societal shames of queer love and accepting that you might have to let them go. His lyrics cut like a knife when he writes, “You’ve been hurt too, and so, feel free to let me know if you need to let me go.” Aaron Lee explores the concept of love many times throughout his discography, so this song is definitely in good company.

In that same vein of society taking its toll on romantic love, Josh Radnor wrote a beautiful piece called “Apocalyptic Love Song” on his project, One More Then I’ll Let You Go, in 2021. The lyric “If the world is ending, I’d prefer to be with you” ties the entire piece together, reflecting on the desire for togetherness regardless of the circumstances. The concept of unconditional romantic love invites raw passion and real emotion to Josh’s art.

Love isn’t only between romantic partners, and Ruthie Collins’ latest release, “Barefoot No Fence,s” encapsulates this perfectly. Written for her daughter, this song is all about a mothers love and how it transcends anything else she’s known. Collins sings “my love for you is endless, I want you to grow up barefoot, no fences,” painting a beautiful picture of the life she dreams of for her child.

Derek Webb likes to say that there’s one love song that makes its way onto every one of his albums and that such love song on his album The Jesus Hypothesis is based on his parents’ story; the all too common experience of losing a loved one to memory loss as they age. In the song “Car Crash,” Webb sings “I would give up the years if it meant half the pain, I don’t wanna live so long that I don’t know your name,” a heartbreaking declaration of love.

Street Corner Symphony’s song “Little Old Me” highlights how finding the right partner can bring you back to life again. The lyric “now I’m satisfied, I’ve got your company, you’re the one for little old me” shines a light on the kind of comfort you can find through love.

There’s no time to feel more grateful for love than around the holidays and Jeremy Lister paints such a genuine picture of this in “Baby, You’re the Best Gift of All” off of his Happy Holidays, Everyone album. Lister sings “I’ve got all I’ll ever need standing here in front of me,” beautifully capturing the true spirit of not only the holidays, but everyday.

These examples are only a small glimpse of how well our artists portray love through songwriting— in all its complexity, confusion, and courage. Take a listen to these pieces this February to expand your idea of what love can really mean.

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