"I didn't really listen to my old music much," acknowledges Neko Case. "I was so deep in just making it happen it's hard to remember."
Case may not make a habit of relistening to her old music, but she has been revisiting her past a lot lately, thanks to her memoir The Harder I Fight the More I Love You (out today through Grand Central Publishing). The book is a stark account of childhood neglect, as Case documents a childhood spent being shuffled between her unreliable parents, moving from state to state and living in squalor.
And yet, as harrowing as the subject matter is, Case maintains a remarkably upbeat outlook, her writing style vibrant and engaging, full of all-caps outbursts and romantic depictions of her connection to animals and the natural world. And, of course, the final chapters move into her music career, with stories of how her unstudied passion brought her from Vancouver's underground indie scene to massive stages and Grammy nominations.
To mark the release of her memoir, we asked Case to pick the five best songs from her catalogue. While she chose not to rank them in order — ranking is "sports stuff, which doesn't enter into making music for me," she says — she picked some songs that she has "deep affection for," including a little tease of her upcoming new album.
"Fever"
Middle Cyclone (2009)
I enjoyed writing a fairytale of North America. The song tumbles down a mountain. The best part is Sarah Harmer's magnificent harmonies. There's nothing she doesn't elevate. She is a magical human being and one of my favourite musicians.
"I'm an Animal"
Middle Cyclone (2009)
It's just pure joy for me. Admitting to being an animal. Not adhering to the stance of "knowing" everything, or needing to, in a species-superiority kind of way. A great unburdening and embrace of the natural world as my boss.
"Hold On, Hold On"
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (2006)
This one has so many layers. I think it might be the best song I've written, and I did not write it alone, but with the Sadies. They are so dear to me, and not just them, but their families and loved ones too. They are a safe, loving, productive, hilarious, intelligent universe to me. Playing it now has much more weight since the world lost Dallas. But it also has more responsibility; to play it like it's the last song I will ever play because the Sadies are perfectionists and I want to honour them every time I play it. I'm so proud of it, and of them.
"Fox Confessor Brings the Flood"
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (2006)
This one is so personal. I mourn people before they die. I don't know why or how, it just happens.
"Destination"
TBA (2025)
A song on my upcoming record. I won't ruin it for you!