My nephew Matt started a "Fifty Sunday's" blog where each Sunday he features an album that meant a lot to him and writes about what he was going through in his life during the time it became important. Because Matt and I are connected through our interests, demeanor, and blood, I am taking the liberty of stealing shamelessly the idea of his blog (he stole it too so it's kind of just like paying it forward) and start documenting my own favorite music. Matt and I share the same passion for music, but I'm pretty sure that being almost 20 years older than him will present music selections he has never heard of or may wonder what his awesome cool aunt was thinking. Matt... If you're reading this, I'm telling you - this stuff was golden in it's time :-)
Music and writing have alway been my release. If I was mad, frustrated, or happy, I would write a poem and slide it under my mom's bedroom door at night. Writing was just easier than using my voice. In fact, writing was my voice. I grew up in a house full of music. My dad had a band and our house was the designated place for jam sessions. We even had egg cartons stappled to our garage walls for insulation. As a kid, some of my favorite days ended with my dad's band singing "Good Night Ladies" or "The House at Pooh Corner" to send us off to bed. It's no wonder music became my other release. For me music is all about the words, the meaning, and the beat. Music can suit any mood. It uplifts me when my soul is weary and makes me happy, especially when the lyrics surprise me. While I l.isten to just about anything, I'm not in to songs that use swear words as verbs, adjectives, and nouns. However, a well placed cuss word can be extremely satisfying when used appropriately.
It's really hard to pick what goes up first and what order to put these in, so forgive me if they aren't in chronilogical order. This is going to be a great journey... Hope you enjoy taking the ride down memory lane with me.
I'm going to have to start this list off with a song by Jack's Mannequin called "Swim". This year... while as amazing as it has been to be in the role I am in at work, has come with many challenges. There are times when work, family, home, being adult (with bills to pay), and dealing with fibromyalgia can get to be a bit overwhelming. This song has helped me pull through the difficult times by reminding me of the reasons I do what I do and who I do it for. Occassionally, your going to get caught up in turbulent seas and the only thing you can so is just "swim".
SWIM by Jack's Mannequin
You've gotta swim
Swim for your life
Swim for the music
That saves you
When you're not so sure you'll survive
You gotta swim
And swim when it hurts
The whole world is watching
You haven't come this far
To fall off the earth
The currents will pull you
Away from your love
Just keep your head above
I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
A crack in the armor
I swim to brighter days
Depite the absence of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I swim
You gotta swim
Through nights that won't end
Swim for your families
Your lovers your sisters
And brothers and friends
Yeah you've gotta swim
Through wars without cause
Swim for the lost politicians
Who don't see their greed as a flaw
The currents will pull us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above
I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking me open now
I swim for brighter days
Despite the absence of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
Well I'm not giving in
I swim
You gotta swim
Swim in the dark
There's no shame in drifting
Feel the tide shifting and wait for the spark
Yeah you've gotta swim
Don't let yourself sink
Just find the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think
The currents will drag us away from our love
Just keep your head above
Swim
Just keep your head above
Swim, swim
Just keep your head above
Swim
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