by Ricky Cummins

In 2021, I found Conan Gray on the CMA music awards on TV. He has been my favorite artist since then. 

Gray has four albums, 112 songs, and has 5.36 million subscribers.  Quick disclaimer, some of his 112 songs are covers, or features. Also, some songs are translations. Conan Gray is a 26-year-old singer and songwriter and former YouTuber. He started his YouTube channel in 2013. Gray became popular in 2019-2020. Gray has also starred in the movie SOUR Prom.

His music has a type of rhythm that I have not found anyone could recreate. When I think of Conan Gray, I think of his songs “Heather,” “TCTAB,” and “Manic.” These three songs have been some of my favorites for some time now but all of his songs are a work of art.

I love “Heather” for the reason that the song is relatable. He sings about everyone having a “heather.” I interpreted this song as being about someone who has left him for another person and he has been jealous and frustrated. Gray sings in the chorus, “Why would you ever kiss me? I’m not even half as pretty”. I believe he is feeling used and confused. His envy and jealousy shows in the lyrics “But how could I hate her? She’s such an angel. But then again, kinda wish she were dead.” 

I think of “TCTAB” because once again, it’s relatable. TCTAB stands for “The Cut That Always Bleeds.” I believe that he named this song after one of his toxic relationships. This relationship was hard to get over because they were leaving and coming back over and over again. The lyrics “I don’t love you anymore, a pretty line that I adore, five words that i’ve heard before,” prove this. He keeps falling for this person every time they come back when he sings. “’Cause I could be your lover on a leash, Every other week, When you please.”

Last but not least, “Manic”. “Manic” is a catchy and overall a well rounded song. It pretty much talks about his experience with an ex that spreads around rumours. In the pre-chorus Conan stands up for himself when he says, “You should turn back to your rat pack, tell them I’m trash.” I think he says this because he is getting over the rumors and stories about  him and he feels that what others say doesn’t affect him. By telling people to call him trash feels like an “I don’t care what you say or do,” statement. This also shows in the lines in his chorus. “Tell all of your friends that I’m crazy and drive you mad. That I’m such a stalker, a watcher, a psychopath.”

If you like Pop or any of the sub genres indie, acoustic, and bedroom, there is a good chance that you will like Conan Gray. Teen Vogue has also called him ”the pop prince for sad internet teens.”

One thing’s for sure, teens today will find his lyrics relatable to their own lives.

Albums	Popular Songs
Sunset Season	“Idle Town,” “Generation Why,” “Crush Culture
Kid Krow	“Comfort Crowd,” “Wish You Were Sober,” “Maniac”
Superache	“The Exit,” “Family,” “Memories”
Found Heaven	“Found Heaven”, “Never Ending Song,” “Fainted Love”