Indie artist John Van Deusen is a treasure. He has easily been my favorite songwriter of the last five years, while also releasing three of my favorite albums in that span. Two of them were my albums of the year in 2018 and 2019 respectively. His newest and final of the I am Origami series titled Marathon Daze is five-star worthy and is on my list of AOTY contenders. Re-visiting his prior work in prep of that album was a joy, so I decided to take a stab at identifying my twenty favorite songs. This list may evolve over time, but here’s what I’ve got for now.
P.S. He also just announced a 11.23.22 Christmas album release that I am very excited about. Check out his bandcamp page for more info Here.
On to the Top 20 John Van Deusen Songs!
1. “Oh Sweetest Name” – Marathon Daze
This song has burrowed into my brain and I can’t stop listening to it.
2. “Calling All Cowards” – Every Power Wide Awake
Hooky and dissonant to make a point.
3. “Marathon Daze” – Marathon Daze
Yearning for quiet spaces and outdoor places. Passionate ending.
4. “Every Power Wide Awake” – Every Power Wide Awake
Epic song of surrender featuring some terrific fuzz pedal and rolling piano.
5. “Social Sucker” – Catacomb Hymn
It’s an earworm call to put down the social accounts.
6. “If All is Nothing/Nothing Must End” – Catacomb Hymn
Achingly authentic.
7. “Always on Fire” – The Universal Sigh
“Fill me drunken with Your spirit
Good health and love is what I’ll inherit.”
8. “Don’t Pitch Correct Me” – The Universal Sigh
Defiant and playful.
9. “All Shall Be Well” – Every Power Wide Awake
Beautiful finger picking and reminder that it’s gonna be okay.
10. “In The Morning” – Marathon Daze
One of the more uptempo numbers from his latest that juxtaposes a sad topic lyrically (mental health/suicide) with a hooky tune.
11. “If I Get to Heaven” Pt. II – Marathon Daze
12. “Boring” – Marathon Daze
13. “Whatever Makes You Mine” – Catacomb Hymn
14. “None Other” – Every Power Wide Awake
15. “Absentee Heartbeat” – Universal Sigh
16. “Oslo” – Marathon Daze
17. “Patient Saint” – Marathon Daze
18. “I Will Praise Your Name, Yahweh” – Every Power Wide Awake
19. “I Was Six” – Universal Sigh
20. “My Jesus” – Every Power Wide Awake (D-Sides)
Here’s a playlist of songs (61 from Origami series) and a few collabs with other artists.
My reviews of his three most recent albums Every Power Wide Awake and Catacomb Hymn and Marathon Daze for more in-depth analysis if you’re interested.
How about you? What are your favorite John Van Deusen tracks? Let me know!
joshbalogh 
Josh,… we’ve been patient. Where are the next ten songs for the complete top 20? 🙂
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Indeed! I have thoughts of ranking every one of the 61 songs from the 4 Origami albums…😂😬🤷♂️🙌
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Freshly updated!
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Great list! I would include The Bitter End over Always on Fire, but aside from that I think this list is spot on! Do you have a favorite album out of these four, or is it too soon after the release of Marathon Daze to say?
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Hello!
Every Power Wide Awake has been my favorite up to this point, which is what I’ll stick with for now. However, I think Marathon Daze is likely to overtake it. It’s so very good. Both 5 Star albums to me.
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I’d forgotten the album will be out so soon! Will you be posting a review once its out?
This is the first time in quite a few years that I’ll be hearing a new album I’m this excited about without having heard a single song yet – I’m trying to be more disciplined in that way because it diminishes my enjoyment of the “first full listen” if I already know half the songs.
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Yes! My review should post the Thursday prior on JFH.
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