Words That Sing

Clay shares a personal sampler from three albums by Crosby, Stills & Nash, tracing the group’s distinctive harmonies and its blend of folk and rock. A special edition with stories, reflections, and plenty of music.

This week on Words That Sing, Clay introduces the songwriting of Taylor Goldsmith, frontman of Dawes. From “A Little Bit of Everything” to “Somewhere Along the Way,” these songs hold vivid stories, hard-won tenderness, and the reminder that everyone has a story worth hearing.

Some music can make a moment feel like it might last forever. This week, Clay returns to the 1970s and to the soaring harmonies of Seals & Crofts. Their songs invite us to linger: in the warmth of a summer evening, in the company of someone we love, and in the life unfolding right now.

In Episode 24 of Words That Sing, Clay turns to the songs of Don Henley for reflections on innocence, change, forgiveness, and the challenge of remaining human in uncertain times. Revisit some of Henley's best work where he invites to pause, listen, and think together.

In today's episode Clay celebrates the remarkable range of Tim O’Brien—bluegrass pioneer, gifted songwriter, master instrumentalist, and adventurous collaborator. From his years with Hot Rize to his work with Darrell Scott and his striking interpretation of Bob Dylan, these songs travel through the Western landscape, Appalachian history, loneliness, freedom, and the hidden life within us all.

Clay remembers writer, farmer, poet, and conservationist Wendell Berry through stories, personal memories, and songs about land, home, farming, community, and belonging.

Featuring music from Woody Guthrie, David Mallett, Pierce Pettis (among others) this episode is a musical thank-you to a man who spent his life asking us to notice, and to protect, the irreplaceable things — the land, our fellow creatures, and the people we love.

In Episode 21, Clay celebrates The Wailin’ Jennys, the Canadian-born folk-roots trio known for exquisite three-part harmonies and thoughtful songwriting. Drawing from folk, bluegrass, Celtic, pop, jazz, and blues traditions, Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, and Heather Masse create music that can be tender, mysterious, joyful, and deeply contemplative. Clay shares some personal favorites—including songs of love, freedom, belonging, and hope—from a group whose voices seem to meet in a state of grace.

This week, Clay presents a special mélange of songs about remarkable people and the lives they touched. We encounter a starry night, a leader and his band, an empty garden, and a blackbird learning to fly. Together, these musical portraits speak of beauty, loss, gratitude, and remembrance—and remind us what we may discover when we stop merely hearing familiar songs and begin listening to the stories within them.

In this episode we celebrate Maine singer-songwriter David Mallett, who left home for Nashville only to discover that the heart of his music remained in Maine. Through songs including “Garden Song,” “I Knew This Place,” and “Celebration,” we meet an artist whose deeply rooted stories speak to the whole human family.

In Episode 18, Clay celebrates the songs of Darrell Scott—a masterful storyteller whose music embraces crooked roads, open hearts, family, sorrow, and hard-won joy. From intimate reflections to an irresistible closing anthem, these are songs that meet us in the fullness of being alive.