Happiness just isn't an emotion that comes easily to me.
I think it's overrated.
Now joy...that's another thing.
I remember the joy I felt when my daughter was born and she was placed into my arms for the first time.
I don't need music when I'm feeling joyful.
Sadness, however, is something I struggle with every day. Music does help. Music can inspire me. Music can remind me that I'm still here, and that someone else has felt the same way I do sometimes.
Music can remind me that I'm not alone.
I'm still alive with Pearl Jam...
That's interesting. I felt terror when my son was placed in my arms. I'll have to come back later about the songs, since that involves venturing out into the cold to the computer. :-)
ReplyDeleteI heard that it was cold...I haven't ventured out of my blankets to find out. :)
DeleteI liked Florence the best. :)
ReplyDeleteMe too. :)
DeleteSome great picks, I hear shake it out all thr friggin time on the radio, never paid attention much to the words until now though
ReplyDeleteReally? I've never heard it on the radio...but then again we listen to D's station, not mine, so that would explain it, lol...
DeleteI love your distinction between happiness and joy. Your soul has a very rich and varied texture, Michelle.
ReplyDeleteMy husband, as I think I've told you before, is a loyal fan of Metallica. I think it's possible that, as he's gotten older, he enjoys Pearl Jam even more.
Yup. Just asked him and he said, 'Pearl Jam, these days.'
:)
Thanks, Suze! :)
DeleteYou know, I would probably have to agree with your husband. I still call Metallica my favorite band ever, but my daily playlist actually does have more Pearl Jam than Metallica on it.
Wow.
What a realization.
:)
Excellent selections! I think it's a sort of readiness for happy instead of a happy that I feel with some songs. Flower duet from Delibes', Lakmé always does it for me --even though it's just two women singing about plants.
ReplyDeleteI just listened to it! I see what you mean...very light and kind of airy, impossible to be sad while you're listening to it. :)
DeleteYour right - music really does let us know that we're not alone. I've never thought of ti that way before...
ReplyDeleteThe best music...is like a soundtrack to our lives. I know that's completely cheesy, but it's true! :)
DeleteMusic is definitely the glue that ties many things together. I've enjoyed doing this 30 day thing...it's given me a lot of insight into you and also into myself. I've been in such a funk since learning of my friend's death...it's never easy being the one who has to pass info like that on to everyone. I guess I took on that job when I created the Kinsman Hall website (a "place" I'm writing a book about and posting online if you're interested). Tomorrow while I'm at the hospital, I'm going to bring my laptop along so I can explore your archives. I've been wanting to do that, but my head has been in such a bad place lately ....it's a chore to do anything.
ReplyDeleteI've been in that bad place myself...I didn't think I'd survive it sometimes. There was nothing for me to do but keep waking up and going through the motions. ... Just remember, you're not alone.
DeleteI'll look for your Kinsman Hall thing now... :)
Florence is good. I didn't know Pearl Jam's "Alive" that well, but your mention of the title reminded me that I should have cited the Beastie Boys' (different) song with the same title in my entry for a song that really brings the joy.
ReplyDelete"Time to speak up and not turn away.
Make the sun shine when it's cloudy and gray!"
OMG the Beasties...there are just not enough spaces in this list to include every group that I love. You're right, that song is perfect. And so bittersweet...
DeleteI am particularly struck by the range of music that help you through the darker times. I am exactly the same. There are times when I want something to express near heart-break, that can show me what my soul looks like in music and there are times when I want to take all that energy that boils within and punch the air and say "I AM here and I AM alive, deal with it." For those times I have a set of Trance Anthems (which if you met me, you'd think is so NOT me!!) and I crank them up loud and the beats whip up and my heart speeds up with them and even if there might be a tear or two, it feels great and affirming.
ReplyDeleteIf nothing else works, James' 'Waltzing Along' - never fails to lift me :)
I just listened to both on YouTube. I like that James song a lot!
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