W: Karl Watson
Stripped of the noise, the lights, and the labels, what remains is the music that truly matters. The Lifeboat Playlist is a raw deep dive into the sonic DNA of the artists we love, forcing them to choose the ten definitive tracks they’d carry into isolation. It’s a survival kit built on gut-level resonance—a collection of anthems, heartbreaks, and high-octane riffs that define a lifetime. From stadium-sized roars to vulnerable late-night confessions, these are the songs that keep the fire burning when the horizon feels endless.
For Bennie Hayfield, the transition from the high-octane rock energy of fronting the band Saiphon to his current status as a raw, acoustic storyteller has been a journey of finding beauty in the "barebones." His music—an intimate blend of guitar, harmonica, and "finger-pointy" folk—finds its roots in this eclectic list of ten.
These ten tracks aren’t just influences—they’re blueprints. They represent the standards we measure ourselves against and the kind of songwriting that made us want to start a band in the first place. Each one captures something essential—whether it’s ambition, atmosphere, melody, or sheer conviction—and together they form the foundation of how Bennie approaches writing and performing today.
1: James Blunt - You're Beautiful
When I was a kid, this was my favourite song for a long time! I’d spent a lot of time interested in musical theatre but this song (and the album it’s from) was the first proper pop music I ever listened to. When I was about 7 years old, I would listen to
‘Back to Bedlam’ every night and I knew it word-for-word. ‘You’re Beautiful’ is the first song I heard from it and was always my favourite. I’ll defend James Blunt to the end of the Earth.
2: Hurt – Johnny Cash (originally by Nine Inch Nails)
I got into this song as a teenager and a few years after hearing it for the first time, it
became one of the first songs I learnt to play on guitar. I got really into ‘American IV’
as a whole when I was about 18 and it became my first real inspiration to write
songs. In my opinion, Johnny Cash’s cover of ‘Hurt’ is one of the most haunting
tracks ever. It’s so sad yet so beautiful and it changed my whole mindset on what
makes a truly incredible song.
3: Barricades – Fyfe Dangerfield
As a kid, my parents would always play music in the garden on the weekends. Among things like Kings of Leon and Muse (both of which are still really cool), myDad also used to put on ‘Fly Yellow Moon’ by Fyfe Dangerfield. This album is a major
staple of my childhood and one of my favourites of all time. I think ‘Barricades’ is simply one of the most beautiful songs ever written and it deserves a lot more love!
4: Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell
Undoubtedly one of the greatest songs ever written – and I’ll fight anybody who
wants to disagree. I think I heard it the first time either from the show ‘After Life’ or in
THAT scene in ‘Love Actually’. I think it’s one of the most perfect songs ever.
5: Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
Aerosmith is my favourite rock’n’roll band – but I can’t help the fact my favourite of their songs is this 90s ballad. I love a lot of their songs, but this track is, in my opinion, the greatest of its kind. It’s one of the first times I actively listened to a ‘rock’
track – when I heard it once, I was hooked on it. I think it’s a really beautiful portrayal
of love.
6: Creep – Radiohead
I don’t know how to explain this one; I just think it’s a perfect song. It’s heartbreaking and is generally my go-to song on a sad day. I’ m a big Radiohead fan, but most specifically their early stuff (first three albums are my favourites!).
7: The Blower’s Daughter – Damien Rice
‘Closer’ is one of the most depressing movies of all time (albeit a really good one!). This song opens the movie and instantly made a lasting impression on me. I never quite understood what the lyrics were talking about yet I’ve always felt a connection
to the song anyway – it feels raw and honest and I love that.
8: 22 (OVER S∞∞N) – Bon Iver
‘For Emma Forever Ago’ is my favourite Bon Iver album but this opening track for
’22, A Million’ is another song that just speaks to me. I do not understand it nor will I
ever pretend to but it’s just beautiful. My interpretation is that it’s about things being
temporary – something I think about (and write about) a lot.
9: Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen
Bruce is the Boss of rock’n’roll and this song just sums up why. It is a rock anthem of desperation and freedom – a song about longing to escape the small town and hit the road. The song is like a movie in the form of a rock’n’roll track and is just absolutely awesome!
10: Ballad of a Thin Man – Bob Dylan
I love Bob Dylan and my favourite track by him changes all the time. A pretty consistent favourite for me is this ‘Highway 61’ track. The album as a whole is one of the greatest of all time but this song is just incredible. This is the song that turned me
from a casual Bob Dylan listener to a die-hard fan.
11: Superstar – Sonic Youth (originally by Carpenters)
I only know about this song because the dad likes it in Juno. This song is incredible in general but the haunting vocals on this cover just make me feel a certain way that I can’t explain. It’s got to be one of the greatest covers of all time.
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