Playlist: Bear Rinehart's Wilder Woods inspirations
Needtobreathe frontman Bear Rinehart is celebrating the release of his debut solo album under the name Wilder Woods and an accompanying international tour.
Rinehart shares a playlist of favorite songs with USA TODAY, with classics from Bob Marley and TLC alongside newer gems from Childish Gambino and James Vincent McMorrow.
Isaac Hayes - "Walk On By"
The smoky soul that oozes out of this track in the first 45 seconds became the North Star for the entire Wilder Woods record. We measured everything that we made against this. Can’t beat it!
The Temptations - "Ain’t Too Proud to Beg"
This song still sounds insane when it comes on in my car. We used as many of the stereo/room effects from this as we could get away with.
Bob Marley - "Redemption Song"
I’ve always been enthralled by the earnestness on this track, so we tried to emulate some of those feelings on the ballads on my record.
Childish Gambino - "Redbone"
This song is what I imagine when I hear people say the word “vibe”.
James Vincent McMorrow - "Evil"
I absolutely love the use of the choir loop on this to create the basis for the song to grow out of.
Jim James - "State of the Art"
The vocal delivery and patience on this one is so inspiring and beautiful to me.
Sam Cooke - "Bring It On Home To Me"
I love songs like this that make it virtually impossible not to smile and dance along.
Otis Redding - "That’s How Strong My Love Is"
I gravitate toward things that ache like this. Otis was so effortlessly intentional with how he kept you hanging on every inflection of what he sang.
TLC - "Creep"
I grew up on this music and it’s hard to believe how great it still feels and sounds when I put it on now.
Van Morrison - "Tupelo Honey"
You don’t have to know what tupelo honey is to know how great the love is in this one.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Playlist: Bear Rinehart's Wilder Woods inspirations
