I finally saw the Twilight movie yesterday. I had been looking forward to it for a long time, and it did not disappoint. The performances were amazing and the cinematography was breathtaking. The song choices for the movie were fantastic and I loved all of them. But which one is my favourite? That, dear readers, is a question for you to decide.
Here are the Top 5 Songs From The Twilight Movie.
#5 “Not Gonna Happen” By Chance The Rapper Featuring John Legend
An amazing song with a simple message that fits the film perfectly: “not gonna happen”. I love how the message of this song is conveyed through the music, as the intensity builds and builds without warning, which is such a risk in a live performance.
The “not gonna happen” factor is something that all of us have experienced at one point or another in our lives. Maybe you’ve been rejected for a job you were convinced you would get. Maybe you’ve been waiting for a bus for an hour and it hasn’t arrived yet. Maybe you’re sick of all your friends talking about their new lifestyles and how amazing they are. Whatever the reason may be, if you’re feeling down, this song will give you a boost of confidence.
#4 “Bishop Not Here” By Silentó Featuring Lil Wayne, BJ The Chicago Kid, & Quavo
Although “Bishop Not Here” doesn’t appear to be apart of the Twilight franchise, it reminded me of the series immediately. The song is about a young man who leaves the faith behind and seeks his own path.
It wouldn’t be a secret that I wasn’t a huge fan of the religious upbringing in the Twilight series. I didn’t feel the need to be baptized at the age of 10 just because the most popular girl in school wanted me to be her boyfriend. Nonetheless, I connected with this song because I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to question whether or not god exists, and I know what it’s like to leave the faith behind.
As a born-again Christian myself, this song really hit home with me. I loved how the message was delivered by musicians who are actually a part of the hip-hop community. Silentó and his band are incredible, and I can vouch for how tight their songwriting is since I’ve been a part of a similar experience myself.
#3 “Sober” By Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
Speaking of faith, this song is about how god saved Nas from his own mistakes. He admits in the song that he isn’t the best at taking advice, but when god speaks to you, you have to listen.
This song doesn’t appear to be part of the Twilight franchise, but it embodies everything that is quintessential to the series: good music, acting, and memorable hooks. Letting go of the past is something that Lil Nas X has experienced himself. After years of struggling with addiction, he decided to enter a 12-step program. Just when he thought his life couldn’t get any worse, it did. But after accepting that he needed to change, everything started to turn around for the rapper.
As much as I like “Sober”, I have to give the edge to “Not Gonna Happen”. Not only is it better suited for the movie, but it’s a more memorable tune. Plus, I really like how John Legend adds an emotional bridge at the end of the song.
#2 “God Is Ornery” By T-Pain
T-Pain, a rapper who rose to fame on the strength of his unique voice and distinctive style, returned to his Christian roots with this song, which is part of the G-Ride collection. It’s not entirely clear why god is ornery in this song (is he being a prick or are there bad weather conditions in Heaven?), but it’s clear that he doesn’t like being messed with.
This is the kind of music that always makes me imagine myself in a different place. There’s something about the sound of the piano and the background singers that give me a thrill every time I hear it. I absolutely love T-Pain’s style, and his songs always make me feel like Im transported somewhere else, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
#1 “Prayers” By Kendrick Lamar Featuring Beyoncé
This is the best song in the Twilight franchise. Period. Full stop. It’s rare that I find myself speechless after listening to a song, but “Prayers” managed to do that.
“Prayers” is an emotional song with a message of hope that is both uplifting and chilling. Kendrick Lamar has spoken about how he wrote the song after the tragic death of his friend and colleague, Ray Gilligan. Gilligan died after falling off a cliff while hiking with friends. The group was traveling from Mexico to the United States when one of the friends, Stephen Barker, called an ambulance for Gilligan, who was pronounced dead at the scene. This song is a testament to their friendship.
“Prayers” is one of the best songs of the year, and it will go down as one of the best songs of all time. It’s so good that it makes you want to go on a walk, get some air, and let the beauty of music wash over you. Letting go of the past and embracing the future is a theme that Kendrick Lamar explores in this song. Like with all of his work, this song will make you think, and it will make you feel. And that, my friends, is unparalleled in its potency.