#365songs (196 / 365)

Another song that I listened to like seven or eight times in a row in a car driven by a friend. Unlike the other one, this actually is one of its artist's best songs.

This one was at night, in Portland. I don't remember where we were going. My friend said he thought it was one of the best vocal performances of all time. I don't know that it would be near the top of such a list for me but I think it's a defensible opinion. I don't think my friend talked about this, but when I came around to Channel Orange on my own, I also was surely aware of the intrigue about Frank Ocean — formerly (and maybe still contemporaneously with "Bad Religion?") part of the famously edgelord-y OFWGKTA ("Odd Future" for short) collective alongside Tyler, the Creator — essentially coming out as bisexual via this song. Sure, I think he'd made a post on Tumblr or some shit before that. But "Bad Religion" feels a lot more real than a screenshot of a text file. It feels a lot more real than a lot of other songs, actually. Almost a cappella for much of its length, which feels right because even if you don't think it's one of the best vocal performances of all time you've got to admit it's a great one. That climb up on "if it brings me to my knees"... whew.