The 37-year-old Seattle-born songwriter and performer Robin Pecknold rose to fame in the early 2000s thanks to his harmony-driven group Fleet Foxes. Sounding like the Northern Lights personified, the group has garnered two Grammy nominations and millions of song streams.
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But fans of Pecknold and the Foxes might not know that the lilting artist has worked with other big names in the past, even helping to pen songs for them. Here below are three such offerings, three tracks Pecknold helped write for other musicians.
[Related: 5 Songs You Didn’t Know Elton John Wrote for Other Artists]
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the songs.
1. “Better Angels,” Marcus Mumford
Written by Marcus Mumford, Blake Mills, Robin Pecknold, Tobias Jesso Jr.
“Better Angels” is featured on Mumford’s recent self-titled solo LP, which he released in 2022. The record from the Mumford & Sons co-founder includes a number of big-name collaborators, including Phoebe Bridgers, Brandi Carlile, and Robin Pecknold, who helped write “Better Angels.” On the guitar-driven, percussive track, Mumford sings about being young and not doing everything you’re supposed to.
Dawn hits, the sunrise on my breath
The fog lifts, from pretendin’ to forget
All the nights we left those Berwick Street hotels
To the corners where we wished each other well
It’s alright, I’m not tryna get ’em out of my head
It’s alright if you don’t care, then I don’t care
Is this where we begin again?
2. “Love / Hate Letter to Alcohol,” Post Malone
Written by Robin Pecknold, Louis Bell, Post Malone
“Love/Hate Letter to Alcohol,” which also features Pecknold officially, comes from Post Malone’s 2022 album, Twelve Carat Toothache. The record also includes many high-profile guest features, including those from the Weeknd to Doja Cat and more. This song in particular, as the title may suggest, highlights Malone’s struggle with alcohol. In the past, Malone, who brought Pecknold onstage during SNL, has praised the singer as “the most beautiful fucking vocalist.” The two have also previously worked with Kanye West.
I woke up on the ground
I guess I should’ve kept that shit to myself
Turns out I’m pretty good at runnin’ my mouth
But not good enough (not good enough)
You know when I go in, it’s lights out
I couldn’t hear a thing ’cause the song was too loud
Last night I had thirty-two teeth in my mouth
Some went away
Why’d you have to go and fuckin’ ruin my day?
You’re the reason why I got my ass kicked
But you’re the only way to drown my sadness
This is my love-hate letter out to alcohol
You’re the reason why I got my ass kicked
3. “Phoenix,” Big Red Machine
Written by Aaron Dessner, Nico Lang, Robin Pecknold, Vernon Mitchell
“Phoenix” comes from Big Red Machine’s 2021 album, How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? The album features guest appearances from Taylor Swift, Sharon Van Etten, Pecknold, and more. Indeed, the Fleet Foxes singer appears on the album’s song, “Phoenix,” which was one of the last songs written for the LP. Nico Lang and Pecknold wrote the verses and pre-chorus after getting the music from the Big Red Machine bandmates.
Out in the loading bay light
Watching the fog recede
Divided the flame you slowly gave to me
Sign of relief in my mind
But I only caught you the one time
Later, I’d watch you and wonder what it was like
How do you bear the full weight?
How does the long way feel?
Kneading your hand too tight against the wheel?
How do you stay in that tower?
How do you reckon your own power?
How does the wheel not turn hour on hour on hour?
Photo: Shervin Lainez / Grandstand Media
