Ian Murphy’s Good Songs: The Threequel

Here’s week three of “Ian Murphy’s Good Songs.” The theme is whateva, nothing specific.

expectations (feat. Chappell Roan)

expectations (2026)

Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan

I had to! You couldn’t have a “Good Songs” without this monumental remix. I love Chappell Roan! I love Olivia Rodrigo! It’s a catchy song!

On a related note, please watch the music video. It’s an excellent homage to TV game shows of the ‘90s. There’s also a great Instagram Reel from “the official @oliviarodrigo fan account” showing off some of the behind the scenes to how some of these digital effects were made — with real, old television equipment

Sofiisko Gradsko

Udar (2015)

Jluch

Ilia Osichenko was a great first host for me on Radio AURA’s “American Idiot,” and “Sofiisko Gradsko” was a great choice to highlight during our song share. Meaning “Sofia City,” the capital city of Bulgaria, Jluch sings about his home, what it has become, and asking: “Will I drown in the darkness? Will I burn in the light?”

As an FYI, this one shows up on Spotify as “Софийско градско,” though you might be able to type in the name and artist and have it show up.

Why Does the Sun Shine? (The Sun Is a Mass of Incandescent Gas)

Severe Tire Damage (1998)

They Might Be Giants

Did you know They Might Be Giants have an extensive history writing children’s songs? They wrote the vast majority of the music in “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.”

I love how one band can create the defining cover of “Istanbul (Not Constantinople),” to the point that I would wager most don’t know it’s a cover; write songs like “Birdhouse in Your Soul”; and still have time to cover goofy children’s songs from the ‘50s.

Cat

Minecraft – Volume Alpha (2011)

C418

I’m going to be sad for a moment. Our family cat, Gus, passed away last week after somewhere between 14 and 18 years of life. We’re not totally sure; he was picked up from a relative alongside another cat, Sid. Sid passed away a few years ago, and since then, Gus has held down the fort as the elder of the house.

C418’s “Cat,” much like memories of Gus, reminds me of when I was a younger kid. Playing Minecraft, playing in the yard, playing with the many cats that I’ve had throughout my life. It’s childish, but when the bass drops…

I miss you, Gus.

Gus peers out from his cat cove. // Photo by Ian Murphy

Gus and Sid nap together on a bench in Ian’s living room. // Photo by Ian Murphy

Dreams

Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)

The Cranberries

“Dreams” is a love song, but it’s also about looking ahead to the future. We have to play the hand we’re given, good or bad. Sometimes, we have bad times, but we’ve heard this story before. Our cat-friend passes away, we move to a scary and new place on the other side of the world, we struggle at work, but we can handle it.

By the same notion, vocalist Dolores O’Riordan proclaims, “And now I tell you openly, you have my heart, so don’t hurt me.” We have to love life to live it. We’ll be hurt from time to time, but we have to withstand it. Good things are coming.

Oro Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile

26 Years Celebration (1987)

The Dubliners

Bonus song!

These days, this song is more well known as an Irish war tune from the Irish War of Independence. While exact origins are dubious, the title translates roughly to “Oh, you are welcome home.”

Daniel Spaight was very gracious in sharing numerous Irish folks songs on his episode of “American Idiot,” and while we didn’t close out the episode with “Oro Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile” — that honor went to “Eileen Og” — I think this plays well as a closer for this week.

As always, every song I’ve featured on “Good Songs” is available on The Leader’s Spotify playlist.