5 Songs I Love w/ Alexandra King

We sat down with the incredible Alexandra King to discover more about what influences her unique sound. Be sure to check out her new single 'Freckles' at the bottom, and follow her along her journey!

Ed Sheeran – “Nancy Mulligan”  

Paying homage to his family’s history, Sheeran tells the story  of his grandparents’ love, which defied religious and social  barriers. It’s both a rebel song and a family ballad, the kind  you could easily hear from the Dubliners or the likes. The  rolling rhythm, the push of acoustic guitars, and the session like production transport you to a pub in the Midlands of  Ireland. Growing up surrounded by traditional Irish music on  both sides of the Atlantic, this track feels personal,  simultaneously ancient and modern. Sheeran’s ability to  bridge traditional Irish folk with contemporary songwriting— painting vivid pictures through sharp lyrics and infectious  melodies—is something I aim to carry into my own music. In  this song, you can hear people stomping, clapping, and  raising pints as they sing along. What I love most is how  Sheeran blends cultural pride with family legacy, a resonance  deeply rooted in my own upbringing, filled with nights singing  traditional songs with family and friends. 

Bruce Springsteen – “I’m on Fire”  

Growing up in New York and spending summers at the  Jersey Shore, Springsteen was always on my family’s radio.  He wasn’t just music; he was atmosphere—his voice echoing  in diners, beach bars, and car radios. “I’m on Fire” has  always stood out to me because of what it leaves out—the  quietness that allows one of his most vulnerable and  powerful songs to shine. Its simplicity and honesty hit with a  quiet intensity that lingers. I hear echoes of my Uncle Kevin  singing it in our family band, and later, two of my cousins and 

I covered it in the style of The Staves, whose harmonies  added an ethereal layer to the spaces Springsteen  deliberately left open, without losing intimacy. Between the  original and the cover, this song has become a time capsule  of family, memory, and the harmonies I love weaving into my  own music. 

Kingfishr – “Killeagh”  

The first time I heard this song, I felt the weight of the drum in  my chest and knew it was destined to become an anthem— and it did. The soul and power in both the vocals and  instrumentation feel cinematic, like a drive through Ireland’s  rolling hills. What resonates most is how the song captures  sport not just as a pastime, but as the heartbeat of a  community. Growing up, every field and pitch in Ireland  seemed sacred, and Kingfishr nails that sense of belonging.  Musically, the layering in the chorus—voices stacked and  instruments building—mirrors the collective voice of a crowd  rallying behind something bigger than themselves. This is  more than a sports song; it’s a celebration of place, memory,  and community. Kingfishr turns this anthem into a communal  experience, embodying pride and unity—an energy I aspire to  bring into my own music. 

Noah Kahan – “You’re Gonna Go Far” ft. Brandi Carlile 

This song feels like a journey. The delicate guitar picking,  Kahan’s raw and confessional vocals, and Carlile’s soaring  harmonies create an anthem that is both a farewell and a  celebration. The chorus makes you want to shout to the sky,  while the verses read like pages from a personal journal. Its 

bittersweet message—that leaving, though difficult, can be  necessary—resonates with me deeply, as I often explore  themes of change and transition in my own writing. Kahan  and Carlile’s voices push and pull alongside each other,  creating a near-spiritual experience that demonstrates how  music can be intimate, universally moving, and narratively  layered from multiple perspectives. 

The High Kings  - “The Parting Glass”

This centuries-old Irish/Scottish folk song always feels like  the perfect farewell. Its quiet beginning, the swell of  harmonies, and the traditional instrumentation give it a  timeless quality that has made it less a song and more a  ritual. I associate it with countless nights ending in song,  someone inevitably striking up “The Parting Glass” to close  out the evening with warmth and togetherness. To me, it’s not  just a track but a shared memory, steeped in history yet alive  every time it’s sung. It’s a reminder of music’s power to  connect people across both time and generations.

Alexandra King - "Freckles"