10. Daylight – Aesop Rock (2001)
Part of the underground, independent New York City movement of the early 2000s focused on insightful, intricate, serpentine lyrics and narratives, Aesop Rock features a unique voice that you either love or hate. His spits out literate words so quickly and in such interesting rhythms that each song seems as dense as a boulder. “Daylight” is probably his best track to date. The song’s wistful refrain – “All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day, put the pieces back together my way” – circulates around images of doom as varied as covered wagons, old-west graveyards, Apollo 13, Gotham City, and break-up drama.
notable lyrics:
Yeah, the settlers laugh,
You won’t be laughing when your covered wagons crash!
You won’t be laughing when the buzzards drag your brother’s flags to rags!
You won’t be laughing when your front lawn is spangled with epitaphs!
You won’t be laughing!
Life’s not a bitch! Life is a beautiful woman
You only call her a bitch because she won’t let you get that pussy.
Maybe she didn’t feel y’all shared any similar interests
Or maybe you’re just an asshole who couldn’t sweet talk the princess.