It Sung the Song of my heart....Music

(Note: I wrote this Saturday night, January 15, and am just now getting around to posting it....sorry)

It is easy, common place, to find your area of expertise in writing and stick to it. Branching out and embracing subjects that aren't necessarily your forte is the true challenge. At times I shrink away from these unfamiliar territories and other times I look forward to a new subject. I typically write about books and movies. I've written about music in the past and tried to sound as though I knew what I was talking about. I don't think it worked out too well for me. I'm up to trying again though.

Music has been on my mind lately. I've always liked it. Whether it be listening or dancing, it literally feels as though it flows through my veins. That is a great feeling. Music has long been about the beat, the sound, the feeling it gives me. My friend always would go on and on about this or that song having amazing lyrics. I would just look at her like she was smoking something. Sure I would sing along with the words, but paying close attention to what was actually being said wasn't important to me. Music after all is about the sound, right, not the words?

However, I have started to really listen and appreciate what is being said in the music I listen to. When you stop to process what is being sung you connect on a new level with the music. Certain songs you play more because now their lyrics touch on what you're feeling, what you're going through at that very moment. Some songs feel like they were written with my life situations in mind. I have a strong desire to claim them as my own, royalty check perhaps?

Stumbled across this gem about a month ago and I can't stop playing it. The song is simple, but it puts my feelings out there so much better than I could.

Sleepless by Until June
(excerpt)

Did you ever love someone
So much you couldn't bear the thought of losing them
Well I remember the sleepless nights
When I'd lie awake
If only I could tell you how I feel
....
Well I would walk around the earth
To have another chance with you
Spend the evening, painting thoughts of all you do
Well I remember the sleepless nights
When I'd lie awake
If only I could tell you how I feel

I'm already humming the song, pondering what it means to me.

When you gain this new perspective of music your ears are on constant alert. Listening, learning and even frightening yourself at times to what you never took the time to hear. A good beat is just that good, but we get too wrapped up with that, that the music continues to lose its flair (Hence the downward spiral of music today.) Words are powerful.

Safe to Say by Vanna
(excerpt)

I'll leave my heart there by your bedside
If you swear that your eyes won't stray
To be honest, I've been hoping
To find the words to say

I'll leave my heart there by your bedside
If you swear that your eyes won't stray
And honestly, honestly
I only let go for the sake of you

Ask anyone close to me, I abhor modern poetry. There is a yucky taste it leaves in my mouth, to say nothing about the writing style. "I can't like it." However, the more I listen, really listen, to music I realize that these musicians out there are the next wave of poets. I don't know if they know it, but they are.

A hundred years ago lovers would exchange verse with one another. They would even quote famous poets in letters or memorize lines to capture the attention of their lucky man or woman. What do we do today? Another friend told me recently she used to spend hours making mix tapes (CDs) for guys. These collections are work. Thoughts and heart are poured into what is being put out there for another person to hear. Yes you aren't the writer of these "modern poems," but you're putting a piece of you into it. The songs meant something to you and you're hoping and praying the lucky receiver realizes what it means. Wake up! The songs, music, lyrics are this generations whispered love poem.

If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn by Sleeping with Sirens
(excerpt)

They say that love is forever
Your forever is all that I need
Please stay as long as you need
Can't promise that things won't be broken
But I swear that I will never leave
Please stay forever with me

I feel like there was more I wanted to say. It is late, after 12, and my mind is on shut down. I'm almost tempted to get online and gobble up some more lyrics. I am becoming a lyric junky and to make matters worse my iPod is full. I even discovered how to put lyrics on my iPod so I can read and listen. This may end up being bad just because it takes up space, but I can't help myself.

A quick playlist I've thrown together for this post (the lyrics are great of course):

- Mariella by Kate Nash
- These Walls by Trapt
- The Funeral by Band of Horses
- Jolene by Ray LaMontagne
- Rise & Fall by Carlotta
- Eyes on Fire by Blue Foundation
- Safe to Say by Vanna
- 9 Crimes by Damien Rice
- Innocent Tears by David Thornton
- CrushCrushCrush by Paramore
- Cough Syrup by Young the Giant
- Sleepless by Until June
- Winter Winds by Mumford & Sons
- Audience by Cold War Kids

Oh I could add so many more! :)

One last recommendation before I let you off to LISTEN to music. The Bible has beautiful poetry (and wisdom) all throughout. I have recently read the book of Ecclesiastes twice. It is becoming my favorite book of the Bible. I may even be reading it again soon. Read it, ponder some and be prepared for perhaps not the most encouraging read, but certainly thought provoking.

Ecclesiastes 7:29
This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.