There are few mediums in art that invoke immediate emotion. Pictures, whether painted in oil or shot through a lens, may or may not bring up feelings of peace, or nostalgia, or intrigue. Words can move mountains, but it takes a bit of work on behalf of the reader. But music. From the first moment you hear the fiddle, or the beat of the drums, or the tuning of the violins – it draws energy and sucks emotions and you’re left breathless at the end. I honestly can’t imagine life without it, and if I were deaf I’d have to create imaginary songs in my head just to survive. Blind I could do, but please Lord Jesus don’t take away my music.
This can cause problems for my household, since many instructions come out of my brain in song, and we often have impromptu dance parties. And I can’t stand cheesy children’s songs, so instead of listening to Itsy Bitsy Spider we bust it down with Natasha Bedingfield. I ain’t gonna lie. I’ve got a pocket full of sunshine. I really do. And if I have to tolerate a Taylor Swift song now and again, who am I to pick and choose what music my daughter is attracted to? After all, we love what we love.
Music combines harmony and rhythm and poetry, so in that sense I believe it’s the most brilliant of all the art mediums. I love the fact that you can be transformed so instantly, like our bodies were designed to take it in. Even if your limbs can’t dance your eyes will, and your fingers will twitch, and your feet will start tapping with the beat. Because our lives are on one translucent string until death and music is what makes that string vibrate with ecstasy. It’s brilliant and simple and classic all at the same time, and I thank God for all that joy wrapped up inside four minutes.
On that note, here is my most recent play list.
- Red Hands, by Walk off the Earth
- Stars, by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
- Merry Go Round, by Kacey Musgraves
- 1957, by Milo Greene
- 93 Million Miles, by Jason Mraz
- Come on Get Higher, by Matt Nathanson
- I Was Gonna Marry You, by Tristan Prettyman
- Hero, by Family of the Year
- It’s Time, by Imagine Dragons
- Lego House, by Ed Sheeren
- Sing Loud, by Alpha Rev
- Mirrors, by Justin Timberlake
- Battle Scars, by Lupe Fiasco & Guy Sebastian
What is your current favorite song that you repeat over and over and can’t get out of your head?
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You brought me back a series of memories about my mom, thank you. She was always bursting into song. I lean toward nonsense songs myself, as my cat can tell anyone.
I’m (really) not ashamed to say that “Thrift Shop” by Ryan Lewis and Macklemore is the song that I can’t get out of my head.
I have a severely disabled daughter (age 28, but mentally 4). We sing Mr. Rogers’ “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” as I wheel her wheelchair around the block!
Maroon 5 Daylight is the one I wake up with in my head every day. But in looking at your playlist there’s quite a few that I like and some I’ve never heard of – I look forward to checking them out!
Love Kacey Musgraves! Just discovered her thanks to the NYT. GREAT seeing you yesterday. WOuld love to stay in touch. I’m up for kids stuff if you want grown up company without neglecting the kiddos. P.
LOVE Tristan Prettyman!! I’ll have to burn you all of her music!
If it’s disco, it’s on my playlist.
Added several of these songs to my own iPod list. Thanks for always sharing your true soul. P.