You and I know I had to leave Under harbour lights I could not see That you were my rock never my stepping stone
I held my tongue, I turned on my heels I couldn't look back, I want you to know
That you were my rock never my stepping stone
You were never a stepping stone
We both know I cannot come home The water rose faster than I could run Oh my load has bruised my grieving bones
Forgive my sins for I haven't found God And I don't know when I can trust my heart But you were my rock never my stepping stone
You were never a stepping stone You were never a stepping stone
She said I'll be your rock when the water comes Don't waste your life on the stepping stones You were never a stepping stone You were never a stepping stone
I will always love Dave Matthews Band. They are forever planted in my music heart, never to be uprooted. This song is just one reason why their music makes me so happy.
Listen and love.
Sometimes the road is crystal And sometimes I feel like I'm losing my mind Tell me what it is what you think you're missing And I will see what I can find
You want to be so sure of every step you take You can't always know what's coming You can't always trust the twist of fate
Well, all my love, my heart is set on you, set on you All my love, my heart is set on you, set on you
Stars shine down from the black And we're picking though this broken glass Well, how could we know that our lives Would be so full of beautifully broken things
Well, all my love, my heart is set on you, set on you All my love, my heart is set on you, set on you
War is the most vulgar madness And winters can be so cruel You can't always change the way things are Like I can't change the way I think of you
But all my love, my heart is set on you, set on you
Special shout-out to my bestie for introducing this darling band to me. Their entire debut album is rockin' my world right now, and this song is just plain fantastic.
Listen and love.
(Ho! Hey! Ho! Hey!)
(Ho!) I've been trying to do it right
(Hey!) I've been living a lonely life
(Ho!) I've been sleeping here instead
(Hey!) I've been sleeping in my bed
(Ho!) I've been sleeping in my bed
(Hey! Ho!)
(Ho!) So show me family
(Hey!) All the blood that I would bleed
(Ho!) I don't know where I belong
(Hey!) I don't know where I went wrong
(Ho!) But I can write a song (Hey!)
I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweet
(Ho! Hey! Ho! Hey!)
(Ho!) I don't think you're right for him
(Hey!) Look at what it might have been if you
(Ho!) Took a bus to Chinatown
(Hey!) I'd be standing on Canal
(Ho!) And Bowery (Hey!)
(Ho!) And she'd be standing next to me (Hey!)
I belong with you you belong with me, you're my sweetheart I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart
And love, we need it now Let's hope for some Cause oh, we're bleeding out I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweet
This song is absolutely beautiful. And an odd mixture of hopeful and heartbreaking. Listen and love.
Will you tell me once again
How we're gonna be just friends?
If you're for real and not pretend
Then I guess you can hang with me
When my patience's wearing thin
When I'm ready to give in
Will you pick me up again?
Then I guess you can hang with me
And if you do me right, I'm gonna do right by you And if you keep it tight, I'm gonna confide in you I know what's on your mind, there will be time for that, too If you hang with me, hang with me Just don't fall recklessly, headlessly in love with me Cause it's gonna be all heartbreak, blissfully painful and insanity If we agree, oh, you can hang with me
When you see me drift astray
Outta touch and outta place
Will you tell me to my face?
Then I guess you can hang with me
And if you do me right, I'm gonna do right by you
And if you keep it tight, I'm gonna confide in you
I know what's on your mind, there will be time for that, too
If you hang with me
Just don't fall recklessly, headlessly in love with me
Cause it's gonna be all heartbreak, blissfully painful and insanity
If we agree, you can hang with me
Just don't fall recklessly, headlessly in love with me
Cause it's gonna be, all heartbreak, blissfully painful and insanity
If we agree, oh, you can hang with me
I think this should be everyone's new theme song. True story.
I don't pretend to have had an extremely difficult or depressing life thus far, but I've had my fair share of troubles and trials, disappointments and devastations. Same as everyone else, my struggles and stresses are my own. My headaches and heartaches are my own. And the challenge of life is to learn how to successfully overcome all of that.
Which is why I think one of the greatest compliments is to be known as a Fighter. There is an odd comfort to know that someone else recognizes that you've been put through the ringer, weathered the storm, battled the demons... and emerged victorious. That you've been broken, bloodied and bruised... but you are still beautiful.
In our own unique way, we are all Fighters. And I hope we all stay that way.
Listen and love.
Just waking up in the morning in the B well
Quite honest with you, I ain't really sleep well
You ever feel like your train of thought's been derailed?
That's when you press on, Lee Nails
Half the population's just waiting to see me fail
Yeah right, you're better off trying to freeze hell
Some of us do it for the females
And others do it for the retail
But I do it for the kids life threw the towel in on
Every time you fall it's only making your chin strong
And I'll be in your corner like Mick, baby
'Til the end or when you hear a song from that big lady
Until the referee rings the bell Until both your eyes start to swell Until the crowd goes home What we gonna do y'all?
Give 'em hell, turn their heads Gonna live life 'til we're dead Give me scars, give me pain Then they'll say to me, say to me, say to me There goes a fighter, there goes a fighter Here comes a fighter That's what they'll say to me, say to me, say to me, This one's a fighter
And if I can last thirty rounds
There's no reason you should ever have your head down
Six foot five, two hundred and twenty pounds
Hailing from Rock Bottom, Loserville, Nothing Town
Text book version of a kid going nowhere fast
And now I'm yelling, "Kiss my a**!"
It's gonna take a couple right hooks, a few left jabs
For you to recognize you really ain't got it bad
Until the referee rings the bell
Until both your eyes start to swell
Until the crowd goes home
What we gonna do y'all?
Give 'em hell, turn their heads
Gonna live life 'til we're dead
Give me scars, give me pain
Then they'll say to me, say to me, say to me
There goes a fighter, there goes a fighter
Here comes a fighter
That's what they'll say to me, say to me, say to me,
This one's a fighter
Everybody put your hands up
What we gonna do (hey!) y'all?
What we gonna do (hey!) y'all?
If you fall pick yourself up off the floor (get up) And when your bones can't take no more (c'mon) Just remember what you're here for
Cuz I know I'm a d*mn sure
Give 'em hell, turn their heads
Gonna live life 'til we're dead
Give me scars, give me pain
Then they'll say to me, say to me, say to me
There goes a fighter, there goes a fighter
Here comes a fighter
That's what they'll say to me, say to me, say to me,
This one's a fighter
'Til the referee rings the bell
'Til both your eyes start to swell
'Til the crowd goes home
What we gonna do kid?
I'm about two months behind on my blogging of major life events. Brother Jason's wedding. Ragnar Relay: Wasatch Back. 30th Birthday. Bridal Shower for BFF Joanna. Falling in love with this handsome man.
Unfortunately, there's no time right now to share stories and photos. There is time, however, to share some new music. There's always time for new music.
Tomorrow I'm off, once again, to visit good friends in the DC area. Oh, and also to take a side trip to the Big Apple. So. Excited. In honor of my (second to) last vacation of the summer, I share with you the latest and greatest currently playing on repeat.
Listen to one. Listen to two. Listen to all 58. Just listen and love.
05.12.12 - Under Construction
Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen - "before you came into my life, I missed you so bad"
Live to Rise, Soundgarden - "like the sun we will live and die, and then ignite again"
Gonna Get Over You, Sara Bareilles - "I'll be alright, just not tonight, someday"
Somethin' 'Bout a Truck, Kip Moore - "and lord have mercy, it's a beautiful thing, ain't nothin' 'bout it luck, there's somethin' 'bout a truck"
Eyes Open, Taylor Swift - "everybody's waiting for you to breakdown, everybody's watching to see the fallout"
I Can't Not Love You, Every Avenue - "I'm bracing myself for collision, in the backseat of my heart's decision... the further I run from you baby, the closer I get to the truth"
Philadelphia, Parachute - "she thought that love was gonna fight, she thought that love was gonna take her home, she thought that love was gonna save her, but love just never showed"
Amelia, Tonight Alive - "wish you were here, but it's becoming clear, that Earth's just not the place for an angel like you"
For You, Keith Urban - "and the answer rang out clear, from somewhere up above: 'no greater gift has man, but to lay down his life for love'"
Carry On, Fun. - "may your past be the sound, of your feet upon the ground"
Hurt, Johnny Cash - "if I could start again, a million miles away, I would keep myself, I would find a way"
Standing In Front of You, Kelly Clarkson - "you said yes and danced before, and got your feelings hurt"
These Times, SafetySuit - "these times will try hard to define me, but I will hold my head up high"
A Place Only You Can Go, Needtobreathe - "oh, I know this song won't do, enough to prove my love to you, in my heart you'll always know, there is a place only you can go"
Llovera, Mia Maestro - "no, no, Romeo, no, no, no me dejes ver tu vida fue gestada ya"
Only Love, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - "what don't kill you make you stronger, it's only my soul, it's only my heart, and it's only love"
Abraham's Daughter, Arcade Fire - "then the angel asked her what her name was, she said, 'I have none'"
Wanted, Hunter Hayes - "I wanna call you mine, wanna hold your hand forever, never let you forget it, yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted"
Tha Mo Ghaol Air Àird A' Chuan, Julie Fowlis - "her heart was breaking with love, when I took her by the hand, 'wipe your eyes, your love is safe, I have returned to you from the high seas'"
06.20.12 - Work, Then Play
Breath of Life, Florence + The Machine - "I was looking for a breath of life, for a little touch of heavenly light, but all the choirs in my head say no"
Two Black Cadillacs, Carrie Underwood - "it was the first and the last time they saw each other face to face, they shared a crimson smile and just walked away, and left he secret at the grave, and the preacher said he was a good man, and his brother said he was a good friend, but the women in the two black veils didn't bother to cry"
Demons, Imagine Dragons - "when you feel my heat, look into my eyes, it's where my demons hide, don't get too close, it's dark inside, it's where my demons hide"
It's Good to See You Again, Scott Alan feat. Marcus Paul James - "but since we're here, I think it's time we talk about things, talk about the past and pain, people change, life's too short to live in anger, it's time to forgive"
The Ruler and the Killer, Kid Cudi - "listen to me, keep your mind on the mission, remember you belong to me"
After the Storm, Mumford & Sons - "and there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears, and love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears"
Nothing to Remember, Neko Case - "and I'm ashamed that I don't have a heart you can break, I'm just action, and other times reaction, all I own are the strides I spend to the finish line"
Hands Down, Dashboard Confessional - "my hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me, so won't you kill me, so I die happy... hands down this is the best day I can ever remember"
Blown Away, Carrie Underwood - "shatter every window 'til it's all blown away... 'til there's nothing left standing, nothing left of yesterday, every tear-soaked whiskey memory blown away"
There Tonight, Every Avenue - "all this pain from missing you, it's just too strong, all I want is just to be there with you, baby, it's true, I'd give it all up for you, it's the least I could do"
Kingdom Come, The Civil Wars - "fly high across the sky from here to kingdom come, fall back down to where you're from, don't you fret, my dear, it'll all be over soon, I'll be waiting here for you"
It's Time, Imagine Dragons - "the path to heaven runs through miles of clouded hell... it's time to begin, isn't it? I get a little bit bigger, but then I'll admit, I'm just the same as I was, now don't you understand, I'm never changing who I am"
Why Am I the One, Fun. - "go on, go on, go on, if you were thinking that the worst is yet to come, why am I the one always packing up my stuff?"
Six Weeks, Of Monsters and Men - "alone, I fight these animals, alone, until I get home"
The Best I Can, Jake Owens - "despite my good intentions and my best laid plans, all that's outta my hands, so I'm just tryin' to do the best I can"
Forever and Always, Parachute - "she tries to keep a straight face as she walks into the room, she sits by his bedside, holds his hand too tight, they talk about the kids they're gonna have and the good life, the house on the hillside, where they would stay, stay there forever, forever and always"
See You Again, Carrie Underwood - "sometimes I feel my heart is breaking, but I stay strong and I hold on, 'cause I know I'll see you again, this is not where it ends, I will carry you with me"
Gone, Ioanna Gika - "what brings us together is what pulls us apart, gone our brother, gone our heart"
Burial On the Presidio Banks, This Will Destroy You - (instrumental)
06.29.12 - Moving On
POWERLESS, Linkin Park - "and you held it all, but you were careless to let it fall, you held it all, and I was by your side, powerless"
Cough Syrup, Young the Giant - "if I could find a way to see this straight, I'd run away to some fortune I should have found by now, and so I run now to the things they said could restore me, restore life the way it should be"
Titanium, David Guetta & Sia - "I'm bulletproof, nothin' to lose (fire away, fire away), ricochet, you take your aim (fire away, fire away), you shoot me down, but I won't fall, I am titanium"
Over, Blake Shelton - "If I could light the world, we could sit and watch it burn, we could fall asleep inside the glow, so tell me what I gotta do to win you over"
Los Angeles, Peter Bradley Adams - "and you held us in your city lights, when our eyes had lost the stars, and we made our peace with lonely nights, and you healed our broken hearts, well, they say the Big One's gonna come, and you will fall into the sea, we will know that then your work is done, and your angels will go free"
Into the Open Air, Julie Fowlis - "and now these walls come crumbling down, and I can feel my feet on the ground, can we carry this love that we share into the open air?"
Wide Awake, Katy Perry - "I'm wide awake, not losing any sleep, I picked up every piece and landed on my feet, I'm wide awake, need nothing to complete myself"
Fall Apart, Every Avenue - "I want you to fall apart like I did, you to hurt for all of this, all the pain you put me through, I wanna hear you say, 'I don't deserve you'"
Somebody's Heartbreak, Hunter Hayes - "a minute with you is better than two without... if you're gonna be somebody's heartbreak, if you're gonna be somebody's mistake, if you're gonna be somebody's first time, somebody's last time, baby, be mine"
Glad You Came, The Wanted - "the sun goes down, the stars come out, and all that counts, is here and now, my universe will never be the same, I'm glad you came"
Barton Hollow, The Civil Wars - "miles and miles in my bare feet, still can't lay me down to sleep, if I die before I wake, I know the Lord my soul won't take"
Honestly, Kelly Clarkson - "face me, make me listen to the truth even if it breaks me, you can judge me, love me, if you're hating me, do it honestly"
Learn Me Right, Birdy and Mumford & Sons - "we will be who we are, and they'll heal our scars, sadness will be far away"
Out On the Town, Fun. - "I was out on the town, so I came to your window last night, I tried not to throw stones, but I wanted to come inside, now I'm causing a scene, thinking you need a reason to smile, oh no, what have I done?"
One Engine, The Decemberists - "and I'd like to get you in some kind of way, some kind of trouble in some kind of way"
You and Me, Parachute - "if it was you and me against the world, you get the car, I'll get the cash, we'll take the money and run"
White Fences, Needtobreathe - "you leave me in the dark, recounting all my sins, you put words in my mouth, put who is gonna mend, these white fences"
Stranger, SafetySuit - "if I say it like wanted would you ever believe me, say it like I wanted would you ever just need me... I can't be the only one that you aren't thinking of"
Over You, Miranda Lambert - "it really sinks in, you know, when I see it in stone, 'cause you went away, how dare you, i miss you, they say I'll be okay, but I'm not going to ever get over you"
What Sarah Said, Death Cab for Cutie - "as each descending peak on the LCD took you a little farther away from me... but I knew you were a truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all... and then the nurse comes round, and everyone will lift their heads, but I'm thinking of what Sarah said that 'love is watching someone die,' so who's going to watch you die?"
I'm not gonna lie: the past few weeks have been really rough. I've been missing Z terribly and my attempts to make sense of life have failed miserably. Music has always helped me through tough times, and this song in particular has been speaking to my heart and soul. The music and lyrics express exactly how I've been feeling over the past 19 weeks. 19 weeks. Has it really been that long?
Written for a friend of the band's lead singer who passed away, I appreciate the beautiful universal message to all who grieve the loss of a loved one.
Listen and love. And try to find peace and understanding.
I think about you every single day
And every time I see your face
I wake and it brings me to tears
We hadn't spoken in years
We were close when we were young and naive
We grew up and we learned other things
You'll always be sweet 16
And you will always be perfect You'll always be beautiful Our hearts will never forget you You didn't belong here And it's become so clear Why heaven called your name
I miss you and it still feels like I know you
I've got pictures of us side by side to show you
But it feels like I owe you so much more
And you will always be perfect You'll always be beautiful Our hearts will never forget you You didn't belong here And it's become so clear Why heaven called your name And it just doesn't seem right, was it really your time? Are we dreaming? We'll never let go of you Wish you were here but it's becoming clear That Earth's just not the place for an angel like you For an angel like you
You meant so much to so many I'm not quite sure how to do justice to you If they're ready to say goodbye I know I'm not
You made the news and the papers for days and days
But it hardly seems fair
The whole world should know your name
I want them to know your name
And you will always be perfect You'll always be beautiful Our hearts will never forget you You didn't belong here And it's become so clear Why heaven called your name And it just doesn't seem right, was it really your time? Are we dreaming? We'll never let go of you Wish you were here but it's becoming clear That Earth's just not the place for an angel like you
And now we must let you move forward Our love lies with you Our souls fly with you
Amelia
i started the day with tears in my eyes. i'm ending the day with a smile on my face.
at church i work with the young women, ages 12-18. tonight, i was asked to play chauffeur for a group of a young women (the laurels, ages 16-18), who were meeting at one building and needed to be driven to another building for a combined activity with other wards.
after the activity, we piled back into my truck (we might have had an additional passenger, making our number one more than the truck should comfortably seat... but i told the girls not to tell anyone or else i would be fired). with 5 giggly girls in the truck (plus 1 giggly girl-at-heart driver), i rolled down the windows and turned up the volume. the six of us preceded to sing at the top of our lungs...
"well, some nights i wish that this all would end, 'cause i could use some friends for a change and some nights, i'm scared you'll forget me again, some nights, I always win, I always win but i still wake up, i still see your ghost, oh lord, i'm still not sure what i stand for, oh what do i stand for? what do i stand for? most nights, i don't know..."
and then we really got rockin' (while stopped at a stoplight, no less)...
"this is the part of me that you’re never gonna ever take away from me, no this is the part of me that you’re never gonna ever take away from me, no
throw your sticks and your stones, throw your bombs and your blows, but you’re not gonna break my soul this is the part of me that you’re never gonna ever take away from me, no"
nothing makes me more happy than a group sing-a-long, especially a group sing-a-long with teen girls. they're the reason why i became a teacher.
thank you, thank you, thank you to such a special and fun group of girls. love, love, love.
It's storming in Dallas right now. Storms always fill me with a sense of possibility, of the great potential for both creation and destruction.
I've been listening to this Snow Patrol song on a daily basis for the past month. Made up of three separate songs, it is quite possibly the most perfect musical experience ever created. The first part, What If This Storm Ends?, quite literally sounds like an on-coming storm. The second part, The Sunlight Through the Flags, is the sound of the light rainfall after the storm passes. And the third and final part, Daybreak, creates the sound of the sun rising in the morning. The music, combined with the lyrics, makes for 16 minutes and 18 seconds of complete and total musical bliss.
I really can't get over the awesome power of this song to both stir up emotions in my heart and then calm them down a minute later.
Listen and love. And enjoy the storm while it lasts.
(What If This Storm Ends?)
What if this storm ends, and I don't see you As you are now, ever again?
The perfect halo, of gold hair and lightning
Sets you off against, the planet's last dance
Just for a minute, the silver forked sky
Lit you up like a star, that I will follow
Now it's found us, like I have found you
I don't want to run, just overwhelm me
What if this storm ends, and leaves us nothing Except a memory, a distant echo?
I want pinned down, I want unsettled
Rattle cage after cage, until my blood boils
I want to see you, as you are now
Every single day, that I am living
Painted in flames, peeling thunder Be the lightning in me, that strikes relentless
(The Sunlight Through the Flags)
From here the caravans are kids' toys
And I can hold them all in my palm
I watch the sea creep round the corner
It connects the dots from here to you
The sunlight burning through the loose flags
Painted high on white church walls
I chase my blood from brain to thumped heart
Until I'm out of breath for trying
Worry not, everything is sound This is the safest place you've found
The only noise beating out is ours
Lacing our tea from honey jars
These accidents of faith and nature
They tend to stick in the spokes of you
But every now and then the trend bucks
And you're repaired by more than glue
Worry not, everything is sound
This is the safest place you've found
The only noise beating out is ours
Lacing our tea from honey jars
Why don't you rest your fragile bones? A minute ago you looked alone Stop waving your arms, you're safe and dry Breathe in and drink up the winter sky
(Daybreak)
Slowly the day breaks apart in our hands
And soft hallelujahs flow in from the church
The one on the corner you said frightened you
It was too dark and too large to find your soul in
Something was bound to go right sometime today All these broken pieces fit together to make a perfect picture of us
It got cold and then dark so suddenly and rained
It rained so hard the two of us were the only thing that we could see for miles and miles
And in the middle of the flood I felt my worth When you held onto me like I was your little life raft Please know that you were mine as well
Drops of water hit the ground like God's own tears
And spread out into shapes like salad bowls and basins and buckets for bailing out the flood
As motionless cars rust on driveways and curbs
You take off your raincoat and stretch out your arms
We both laugh out loud and surrender to it
The sheer force of sky and the cold magnet Earth
This might seem like a simple thing to some, but it's actually kind of a big deal for me. I cannot function without music, and when I sing (at home, in the car, sometimes even at school), I let it all out. Don't care who hears me or sees me, I crank the volume up all the way and sing to my heart's content. But it's been two months since I've really allowed myself to enjoy music, and more importantly, to enjoy singing. Instead, I've listened passively to whatever is playing, letting the music, words, memories and emotions wash over me (more like crash, actually).
This morning in the car, though, I set my playlist to random, and this song came on. So. Many. Memories. This is the official KJ&R Theme Song. Junior year at BYU, J&R and I lived together at The Cove, where I soon discovered they were the two halves of my one personality. Don't ask me how or why, but we stumbled across this song and became obsessed with it. So random, especially given the subject matter (domestic violence), but we listened to it non-stop, often having singing/screaming matches in the car to see who could sing the loudest. The rhythm of the lyrics always gave us a bit of trouble, but we loved belting out this song together.
When it started playing in the car this morning, I felt a smile form on my lips. My eyes widened and my tongue kind of danced behind my teeth in anticipation of the first words. So I turned the volume up as high as I could stand it and tapped out the beginning drum beats on the steering wheel. My air guitar needs some work, but then....
I started singing. And not just ho-hum singing. This was full-out, scream-until-you're-blue-in-the-face singing. By the end I was out of breath, but I also felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It was awesome. It was also a step on the journey to putting myself back together.
Listen and love.
Hey girl, you know you drive me crazy
One look puts the rhythm in my hand Still I'll never understand why you hang around I see what's going down
Cover up with makeup in the mirror Tell yourself it's never gonna happen again
You cry alone and then he swears he loves you
Do you feel like a man when you push her around? Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground? Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found
A pebble in the water makes a ripple effect Every action in this world will bear a consequence If you wade around forever you will surely drown I see what's going down
I see the way you go and say you're right again
Say you're right again Heed my lecture
Do you feel like a man when you push her around? Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground? Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found
Face down in the dirt, she said, "This doesn't hurt"
She said, "I finally had enough"
One day she will tell you that she has had enough He's coming round again
Do you feel like a man when you push her around? Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground? Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found
Face down in the dirt, she said, "This doesn't hurt"
I've been listening to a lot of songs on repeat lately, but this one in particular is speaking to my soul right now. And this animated video makes my heart happy (learn more about the making-of here).
Listen and love.
I woke up and wished that I was dead With an aching in my head I lay motionless in bed I thought of you and where you'd gone and let the world spin madly on
Everything that I said I'd do Like make the world brand new And take the time for you I just got lost and slept right through the dawn And the world spins madly on
I let the day go by I always say goodbye I watch the stars from my window sill The whole world is moving and I'm standing still
I woke up and wished that I was dead With an aching in my head I lay motionless in bed The night is here and the day is gone And the world spins madly on
I thought of you and where you'd gone And the world spins madly on
It's been a while since I've posted a Playlist of the Week. I made this one three weeks ago, but I've been hesitant to share it because the song selection is near and dear to my heart. Each of these songs is either attached to a specific memory of Z, reminds me of him, or has helped me deal with his passing.
I've been listening to this playlist on repeat since I first created it, which was only a few days after it happened. I realized just yesterday, though, that I'm not singing anymore. And history has taught me that when I'm not singing, it means that something is wrong. After making a POW, I usually spend a good solid week memorizing the entire playlist, singing at the top of my lungs at home, in the car, at school. But I have't been singing this playlist. I've just been letting the music, the words, the memories, the emotions wash over me.
I hope I start singing again soon. I miss singing. But I miss Z more.
Listen and love.
I'm Shipping Up to Boston, Dropkick Murphys
Everything's an Illusion, Mayday Parade
About Today, The National (from the album Cherry Tree)
We Found Love, Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
Untitled, Less Than Three
Sail, AWOLNATION
Poison & Wine, The Civil Wars
Believe, SafetySuit
Oh Darling, Plug In Stereo feat. Cady Groves
Take This to Heart, Mayday Parade
Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol
Change Your Mind, The All-American Rejects
Disaster Hearts, I Fight Dragons
What I've Done, Linkin Park
Winter Song, Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
Just a Kiss, Lady Antebellum
About Today, The National (from the Warrior soundtrack)
I might tweak this playlist a bit over the weekend, but for right now I'm quite pleased with it. These songs make my soul smile.
Listen and love.
Winter Song, Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson - both of these ladies have gorgeous voices, and together their sound is heartbreakingly beautiful. beautiful song, too.
All I Do Is Win, DJ Khaled feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross - my new theme song. makes me feel like i can do anything. like run a marathon...
Someone Like You, Charlie Puth & Emily Luther - ohmylife. this cover is beyond beautiful. dare i say better than the original?
My Name, McLean - kayla, i must give you kudos for this one. so smooth and so awe. some.
Everything's an Illusion, Mayday Parade - i've been in a mayday mood for about a week now. their latest album has been as life-altering as theirfirst album was way back in 2008.
You're The First, The Last, My Everything, Joshua Radin - watch this. you're welcome.
No Light, No Light, Florence + the Machine - why is she so fabulous?
Start a War, The National - i listened to nothing but this incredible band for almost the entire month of october. their music changed my life.
Learn to Love, Needtobreathe - this band rocks my soul.
I Forgive You, Kelly Clarkson - so happy she's still making music.
It Is What It Is, Lifehouse - i have a special place in my heart for this band. soundtrack of my high school life.
Fooling Myself, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - i quite like her sound.
Circle of Lies, There For Tomorrow - great band.
Long Live, Taylor Swift - why is her music so addictive?
Without the Bitter the Sweet Isn't As Sweet, Mayday Parade - one more mayday for good measure.
Can't Help Falling In Love, Ingrid Michaelson - featured in the trailers for this movie. looks like a tearjerker.
Wish List, Neon Trees - 'tis the season, after all.
I broke one of my cardinal rules this weekend and actually went to a church dance for young single adults. And yes, I had fun. I know. I am so ashamed.
While the DJ did play some pretty rockin' dance tunes, there were a few songs that on principal alone I had to protest (that Cee Lo song, anything by Britney... grrr).
So I started thinking - what are the songs that I love to dance to? And boom! A new themed-playlist is born. Mind you, these are only the most recent get-up-and-get-your-groove-on songs that I love. For a complete list, see my entire iTunes library :)
Listen and love. And bust a move*.
Crank That (Soulja Boy) [Travis Barker Remix], Soulja Boy Tell'Em
Touch, Natasha Bedingfield
Best Love Song, T-Pain feat. Chris Brown
Telephone, Lady GaGa feat. Beyonce
I Like The Way, Bodyrockers
Firework, Katy Perry
Break Your Heart, Taio Cruz feat. Ludacris
If I Had You, Adam Lambert
Blow, Ke$ha
In My Head, Jason Derulo
My Body, Young the Giant
Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It), Beyonce
Dynamite, Taio Cruz
If We Ever Meet Again, Timbaland feat. Katy Perry
I Don't Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem), Good Charlotte
How You Like Me Now, The Heavy
(I Like My) Cowboys Dirty, Bridgette Tatum
Kick Drum Heart, The Avett Brothers
*these songs also serve quite nicely as running/work-out music.
I made this playlist sometime last month before the job offer. While I loved my life, the never-ending days of having nothing to do was starting to get to me. Don't get me wrong - not having to work is great, but only in small doses. When every single day of your life is a Saturday, it gets really old, really fast. I am so grateful to have a full-time job, even more grateful that the job is something that I love.
As much as I love teaching, though, I think I might love music even more. Did you not know that? It's true. I love music. It's my life's blood. I sure hope my students are ready for daily doses of alternative rock, classical, pop, country, instrumental soundtracks, folk rock and the occasional musical. Maybe some dance parties, too.
Listen and love.
Turn to Stone, Ingrid Michaelson - beautiful song
Slumber, Needtobreathe - love, love, love
Put It In a Love Song, Alicia Keys fest. Beyonce
Get Around This, SafetySuit - love this band, new album out in October
Up All Night, Blink-182 - can't believe these guys are still making (awesome) music
Poison & Wine, The Civil Wars
Skyscraper, Demi Lovato- kind of ashamed that I like this song
Fade Into Me, David Cook
I Got You, Leona Lewis
Blow, Ke$ha - more shame
If It Means a Lot to You, A Day to Remember
Belong, Cary Brothers
The Best Thing I Never Had, Beyonce
If Not Now, When?, Incubus - I will always love this band, soundtrack of my high school years
The Joyride, There For Tomorrow
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, Coldplay
With Every Heartbeat (Acoustic Version), Robyn - love her voice and emotion
Rolling In the Deep (Live), Linkin Park - awesome cover of Adele's song
Won't Back Down, Eminem feat. Pink - this song has one too many bleeps for my taste, so I usually only listen until the first chorus
Funny Sidebar: I was at a training earlier this week, and during a break the presenter put on music. Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody came on, and of course I started rockin' out. He comes over to me and asks:
"How old are you?"
"Ummm, 29."
"And you know this song?"
"Of course! Half of our family videos are of my two older sisters and I, decked out in leotards and leggings, dancing to Whitney in the living room. This is the sound of my childhood."
"Whoa. I'm impressed."
Next song that came on: Fine Young Cannibals' She Drives Me Crazy. The one after that? We Built This City by Starship. We Built This City is our family's official theme song. I had to restrain myself from jumping up and giving the room full of teachers an impromptu lip-sync performance. Again, the presenter was extremely impressed with my familiarity of 80's classics. He might have called them "older songs." I simply call them the soundtrack of my life.
