As if to soften the deafening shitstorm/clusterfuck of current life, another in our continuing series ‘Destination‘ (last one here) with some more acoustic-like music to soothe away the myriad troubles and woe — romance of real reality in current circumstances means a great deal.

This serial has been way-mostly songs from what’s become my most-favorite ‘group,’ though not a ‘group‘ per see, but a husband/wife duo, ‘The Running Mates,’ which for the most part has been acoustic covers on a shitload of great songs, crafted so well the finished products could pass for the originals. (I write more on the ‘Mates’ here).
However, this morning in some InterWeb search of something-or-another, I came across a ‘Mates’ original song I hadn’t heard, and it’s really good. Idyllic and effortless, “Destiny,” is as good a love song as it gets — two versions below, starting first with a feel-good, appreciative ballad:

I’ll do anything
I’ll do anything
I’ll do anything that you can dream, baby
We’ll be king and queen
You and me — Destiny

Same song with a more studio sound played over clips of other lovers — newly married, old couples, whoever. Really romantically sweet video:

Another original, “Cool Kid,” though, different than most of their other work as there’s an orchestral sense and a pop/top-40 zip:

And in deep context, a cover of the Beatles’ “In My Life,” which could be applied to us all right now: (original here):

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new

Finally, the first song that drew my fondness/appreciation of the ‘Mates,’ and which has become the somewhat anthem for this ‘Destination‘ series, 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up” (original here):

25 years and my life is still
Tryin’ to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination

And once again, here we are…

(Illustration out front: ‘Art Critic’ by Norman Rockwell, found here)