X/Z Song Trader: "All My Love"
A Gen X Rocker Discusses Music With His Gen Z Daughter
About X/Z Song Trader: Steve is a musician, author and music journalist. Lucy is a diehard music fan and college student. They have always enjoyed a father/daughter bond over music. Each week one of them picks a song and they both share their perspectives. These are casual conversations based on musical connections. Opinions are their own. Keeping it positive.
This is the fourth installment in the initial series. Should we keep going?
Lucy’s Song Choice
As you are fully aware, for a little over a year and a half now Noah Kahan has been a huge part of my music rotation.
I fell in love with him initially from his infamous song “Stick Season” and haven’t looked back. Recently, though, I have found myself fully immersed in his sounds, finding an appropriate song for every occasion. If I had to choose a favorite style of music it would be songs that evoke real and raw feelings, and if one artist does that for me, it has to be Noah Kahan.
“All My Love” has become one of my favorite songs of all time over the past six months. From driving in the car screaming it with my best friends to buying tickets to see it live this summer, I have truly fallen in love with all it has to offer.
Like the rest of his music, “All My Love” is a folky/indie song where Kahan delves into his feelings, and of course mentions a dog (because what is a Noah Kahan song without the mention of a dog?).
Noah Kahan grew up in New England, somewhere in Vermont, and although I didn’t grow up there with him, through his lyrics I sometimes feel like I did.
In the chorus of this song, Kahan sings:
You got all my love while I'm still out here
With the pills and the dogs, if you need me, dear
I'm the same as I was, it's all okay
There ain't a drop of bad blood, it's all my love
You got all my love
It’s a reminder that no matter what happens, the people who truly love you will never let you fall.
“All My Love” was the anthem of my summer, wrapping up sweet high school memories with my best friends before leaving one another on our respective post-grad journeys. To me, this song is a testament to knowing that no matter where I go or what I do, the love of my family and friends will be right where I left it, waiting for me on each break and long weekend.
This is one of my favorite Noah Kahan songs, and definitely one of my favorites of all time. I’m curious to know what you think of this song, now that you have become more and more immersed in his world. Do you remember hearing this one in the car? Is on par with “Homesick” or is that still an all-time favorite for you?
Steve’s Perspective
I definitely know how much you (and your mom, sibling, aunt, cousin and friends…) love Noah Kahan.
I’ve grown to really like his music as well, but it happened slowly for me. The first few times you played “Stick Season” in the car it reminded me a little of Cat Stevens (aka Yusuf Islam) or, to a lesser degree, Nick Drake. I thought it was interesting that you were listening to something modern that had such a strong folk feel to it—not a huge leap from some of Taylor Swift’s acoustic songs or many of the ‘70s artists mom and I played for you growing up, but more modern and indie.
As I got familiar with his music, it reminded me of English singer/songwriter Michael Rosenberg who performs as Passenger. I’m guessing you heard me play his music when you were little because there was a period of time that I was obsessed with his 2012 album All The Little Lights. In particular, I like his poetic lyrics and vocal delivery on songs like “Let Her Go,” “All The Little Lights” and “Patient Love.”
And I really like the lyrics for “All My Love” too.
Kahan has a similar gift for painting relatable images, but embellishing them with specific details that really bring the scenarios to life. Like these lines:
My hands gripped the wheel, I smiled stupid the whole way home
Well, those five words still in my head, you said, "I'll never you let go"
The two phrases that stand out for me are “my hands gripped the wheel” (tension) and “I smiled stupid” (pure joy and love), because together they demonstrate the emotional complexity of a fleeting moment—especially when coupled with the implied loss of “I’ll never let you go.”
It’s pretty powerful stuff that I find similar to some of my favorite Jason Isbell songs like “Traveling Alone” and “How To Forget.”
So, I was blown away when I finally heard Kahan’s cover of “If We Were Vampires.”
Which is a long way of saying that you turned me into a Noah Kahan fan. Thank you.
And, yes—”Homesick” is currently my favorite Noah Kahan song. What can I say? I’m a sucker for rock music.
Love this series. I wasn't instantly sold on Noah but changed my mind when I heard his duets with Sam Fender and Brandi Carlile. I can't wait to check out his cover of If We Were Vampires.
Of course you should keep it going!