On My Playlist: High Five for Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons needs no introduction, having dominated the international music scene with their folk indie tunes in the past five years. This band will finally meet the shores of South Africa with a South African tour in February 2016. Tickets were sold out within minutes and extra shows were added due to an increasing demand …
![Mumford and Sons. Photo: DIY Magazine.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/117/2015/11/mumfordandsons_philsharp_diy_20150423_2047x1365_2.jpg)
Mumford & Sons needs no introduction, having dominated the international music scene with their folk indie tunes in the past five years. This band will finally meet the shores of South Africa with a South African tour in February 2016. Tickets were sold out within minutes and extra shows were added due to an increasing demand for tickets. Here are five Mumford & Sons songs you need to listen to:
1. The Cave
This is one of the singles from their debut album, Sigh no More, that encapsulates this band’s lyrical and musical strong points. The song opens up with a delightful guitar riff before lead singer, Marcus Mumford’s vocals kick in. An explosion of banjo soon hits your ears and rounds off this fantastic song about holding on to hope and finding strength in pain no matter how tough the circumstances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL_Ye0h5xEI
2. Little Lion Man
This is the group’s first recognisable song and is the hit that made them superstars from the get go. This song has a bitter tone and looks at relationships and the problems that creep in with mistakes along the way. Its universal appeal and strong chorus make this song the hit it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLJf9qJHR3E
3. I Will Wait
This is probably the best sing-along song that Mumford & Sons have written in their career. The “I will wait, I will wait for you” refrain in the chorus is something that still gives me goosebumps today. Its overall lyrical message of strong love rings true for a lot of people who understand the longing feeling of being apart for a long time. A fantastic galloping melody complete with banjo and piano rounds off this great song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGKfrgqWcv0
4. Believe
This big radio hit from their newest album, “Wilder Mind” has a different appeal with the band dropping the banjo in this album and going for a much bigger sound with a lot of synth elements and drums. The arena rock appeal is strong in this song and reminds one of a song that Coldplay could have written. This is still a fantastic song with the themes of love and all its complications being a strong motif.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW6SkvErFEE
5. Wilder Mind
The title track from their new album opens up with a great drumbeat that gives the song its solid foundation. This is something different to older Mumford fans but, after a few listens, one gets to the essence of the song. A new direction for the band on a road that will surely be further paved with success.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GuboqC5oZM