This song, “Made Up My Mind” by Jonah Kagen and Lily Meola, tells the story of a discussion between a couple about what they would do if the other died too soon. Playing off of the tragic emotions surrounding grief and the loss of someone you love, this song asks you to consider if you’d want your partner to move on after you’re gone or if you’d want to be their “last goodbye”. With lyrics like “I couldn’t take another breath without you” and “It’s not a life I wanna live without you here”, Kagan and Meola convey that deep love that you can feel with a person, mingled in with the intense fear of having to consider a life without them. The crux of the song centers around the idea that neither of them can answer these questions, because life is so unpredictable and no one wants to truly think about what they’d do or what they say. As a listener, I was fascinated and compelled by the emotions shown in this song because of how interesting the premise was, and how it really makes you think about what you would do. What would your life be like without the people you love most? Would you be able to move on or would you still be clinging to what your life was like before they were taken from you?
“Made Up My Mind” is a beautiful song that perfectly mixes an emphasis on vocals with the guitar based melody that’s underlying throughout the whole three minutes. Opening with a strum of that guitar and a gentle hum in the background, you’re drawn softly into the song before Jonah Kagen leads you into the first verse with understated but clear vocals. This choice emphasizes the lyrics, focusing the listener on the story being told. The chorus picks up the pace, with richer instrumentation and echoing vocals, but it dips back down as Lily Meola takes over in the second chorus. The strumming guitar keeps the rhythm and the tension constant and brings the energy back up as Kagen and Meola join together for the second chorus before reaching a new high on the bridge. The song comes to a close with another soft rendition of the chorus, making this song both the perfect length and the perfect pattern of vividness and peace.
Jonah Kagen is a singer and songwriter from the great city of Savannah, Georgia. He’s been involved in music his whole life, first picking up the guitar at the age of six, and now at the age of twenty three he’s made a name for himself in the music industry. He released his debut EP, georgia got colder, in December 2022, and with over 2.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify and a recent spot supporting Maisie Peters on her US tour, it’s clear he’s gathering an impressive group of fans with his unique sound and captivating lyrics. On this song, he’s paired with singer/songwriter Lily Meola, who boasts a large fanbase herself. Born and raised on the island of Maui, and having grown up listening to artists like Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Ella Fitzgerald, Lily’s life has shaped her musical mind. She’s toured with the likes of Willie Nelson, even featured on one of his albums, and has shared the stage with other legends like Steven Tyler, Kris Kristofferson, and Alice Cooper. Use the links below to explore both of these amazing artists’ music!
Written By Morgan Fischer
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