Song of the Week

Jens Lekman's "A Higher Power" might provide a smoother transition from the comfortable, brisk days of fall, to the blustery, snow-filled days of winter than even nature itself. Borrowing from The Ronettes, Blueboy, and Sweden's own The Night Keys, Jens brilliantly crafts a tale of sincere, innocent teenage romance. And the result is pure pop perfection. Like many of his songs, you get the sense that this has been culled from his own experience, making it all the more intimate. The song opens with a familiar drum beat, The Ronettes classic, "Be My Baby," before giving way to the gorgeous, fluttering violin melody that is present throughout. It's easy to imagine a young Jens and his first crush, full of passion and optimism, experiencing love for the first time as they gleefully make out in church. The climax of the song, though, doesn't occur until after the last verse, when the strings give way to the soaring trumpet and the falling leaves are replaced by falling snow. It's over all too quickly.

Jens Lekman - A Higher Power [buy the album here]

Bonus:
The Ronettes - Be My Baby [buy the album here]
Blueboy - So Catch Him [buy the mp3 here]