[Invisible Children Music: We firmly believe that music has a necessary role in giving social movements tremendous amounts of momentum. It is a universal language, and at Invisible Children, it’s important for us to be a part of that language.]

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This is a blog we are very happy to write because we’re currently entirely consumed with an infatuation with Clare Maguire‘s music. She’s a British singer/songwriter who has been making an impressive resurgence into the music world following a break after the release of her debut album Light After Dark in 2011. First, she shared a demo called “Happy Anniversary,” then a cover of Joni Mitchell’s classic “The Last Time I Saw Richard, and most recently another demo entitled “Changing Faces.” The last song currently stands as one of the most immediately classic love songs in years. It’s raw, real, and stunning.

We reached out to Clare for two reasons. The first was to normalize the amount of blogs we write about her, and the second was to get her involved in our Five Songs That Matter To series. Listening to any trace of Clare’s music indicates that her influences are vast and her experiences are many.

She responded with the following five tracks and explanations.

Thanks, Clare.

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01. “Jolene” – Dolly Parton

This has always been one of my favourite songs, I idolise Dolly. She is one of the greatest songwriters ever. She also has the incredible ability to make you cry one moment and laugh the next. “Jolene” is a story many of us can relate to when we’re feeling a little insecure!

02. “Tangled Up In Blue” – Bob Dylan

Bob may not be the best singer technically, but he is when it comes to conveying a story. The emotion he uses for every word emphasises the lyric perfectly, leaving you lost in his story.

03. “Dry Your Eyes” – The Streets

Mike Skinner is one of my favourite lyricists of all time. He observes, he writes, and it strikes a chord with the listener. This is one of my favourite songs of all time.

04. “Wannabe” – Spice Girls

My youth was spent with the Spice Girls. Only the other day I was talking to someone about how genius this song is. All the details, the vocals, the melodies. It’s an undeniable pop gem.

05. “Red Lights Indicates Doors Are Secured” – Arctic Monkeys

This is the first song I listened to once I got sober, so I guess it acted as a huge moment for me. The pace, the reality, the grit. Listening to this brings me to life.

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Fall as equally in love as we are with Clare’s newest song “Changing Faces:”

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Read our other blogs in the Five Songs That Matter To series:

Malika Quemarias / Jedidiah Jenkins / Alex Naser-Hall / Krista Morgan / Bethany Bylsma