Description
Most stories of cult musicians who fade after a brief burst of creativity are steeped in loss and unfulfilled ambition. Not so with Margo Guryan, a jazz artist turned pop innovator inspired by the Beach Boys God Only Knows. In 1968, she released Take a Picture, a lush collection of pop symphonies, but chose a private life over the spotlight, refusing to tour or promote the album. Though it faded from view, Guryan continued to write and record, quietly shaping a legacy that has endured for decades.
Guryans music has enjoyed multiple revivals, the latest sparked by TikTok in 2021, the year of her passing. The reissue of Words and Music in 2024 and the tribute album Like Someone I Knowfeaturing artists like Empress Of, Clairo, and Margo Pricecelebrate her songwriting brilliance. These reinterpretations affirm the timelessness of her work, which transcends trends with its soft yet daring craftsmanship.
Born in Far Rockaway, Guryan studied composition, collaborated with jazz legends, and wrote for icons like Harry Belafonte. But her encounter with the Beach Boys led to Take a Picture, a deeply personal exploration of love and uncertainty. Her understated voice and bold songcraft cemented her as a quiet pioneer.
Like Someone I Know, with proceeds supporting reproductive health services, underscores the strength of her songs. Each reinterpretationfrom McDooms surreal harmonies to Frankie Cosmoss playful take on the title trackproves how resilient and relevant her music remains, solidifying Guryans place as a lasting musical force.
- TOPS – Sunday Morning
- Rahill – Sun
- Clairo – Love Songs
- June McDoom – Thoughts
- MUNYA and Kainalu – Don’t Go Away
- Frankie Cosmos and Good Morning – Take a Picture
- Kate Bollinger – What Can I Give You
- Pearl & The Oysters – Think of Rain
- Bedouine and Sylvie – Can You Tell
- Empress Of – Someone I Know
- Barrie – Love
- Margo Price – California Shake
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