A Message in song: I'd be lost without music
Posted: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
by Amanda Liesinger
http://www.lechampiondehockey.com
There are far too many songs that I’ve tethered to myself over the years. Music has been a source of comfort, relaxation, and nostalgia ever since I heard ‘Cryin in the Rain’ by the Everly Brothers when I was 5 years old. While schoolwork and people’s names were a struggle to remember, I’m always the one who can name that tune on the radio the quickest. Music always sticks.
So I’ll take two, two from a deep place within my inner child.
“Wherefore and Why” by Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot possesses a mellowing dynamically folk voice that I always try to match when I sing. His lyrics in this song are so knowledgeable and wise that I always find them a source of hope. They clear my head. They make me think about what it would be like to live in the 60s and 70s, when there was a boom of folksingers that put a message in their songs. I like this one in particular because it doesn’t seek to preach or has the message of war/peace, it’s a message that all the answers are already within you and to never be afraid to go out and see the world.
I like the way this song feels like a conversation, leaving out a chorus or hook. It still has a repetitive section that gives it structure and it’s short and sweet. Gordon Lightfoot really likes to use a 12 string (either he is playing it or another musician is) and that gives it a dancing and multi-faceted quality. I love to sing the harmony and feel the emotion in this song.
“Miracles” by Don Williams
Don William’s voice is the showstopper in this song. Written by Roger Cook, it’s a simple pop song that I heard so many times growing up you think I’d get sick of it. In my family Don Williams holds a special place in our hearts and we’ve seen him play live eight or ten times. It was funny to me how big of a fan our family was (we knew every album and every song) and how shocked I used to be that so many didn’t even know who he was. It was a lesson – not everybody likes what you like.
In this song the singer is reflecting on their life and how blessed they feel with the way it has been. I sometimes feel like I’m too far away from my goals in life and that everyone else has it better than I do. Then I hear the line:
Who is rich and who is poor
Who has more than me
Well I have quite enough to eat
And my mind is free
It puts me in the center of who I am, giving me the chance to remember how far I’ve come and how blessed I am.
I’d also like to add, like every little girl growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, I used to sing my little heart out to every Whitney Houston song that came out on the radio. I mean, how you can sit still when you hear “I wanna dance with somebody (who loves me)”? My little sister and I owned the Bodyguard soundtrack and we knew all the words. She touched every woman who had something to say. Thank you, Whitney Houston.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Wonderfully written, even for me some songs just take me back to old memories. It makes me so nostalgic.
Lovely and inspiring and meaningful. I do a great Gordon Lightfoot, considering I am not Gordon Lightfoot. But I have been on the "great Lake they call Gitchiegoomee."Lake Superior is worthy of being described in a song. I have also been there and thought it looked much like the ocean would look (it was before I'd ever seen the ocean). It's too bad you can't post audio on Wrytestuff. I'd sure like to hear your Gordon Lightfoot!I have been contemplating a three or four song UTube presentation. Your statement nches me forward.
I envy you having favorite songs like that! I should realize my own ones as well hmm.I would love to hear about your favorite songs. And who knows? Maybe I will get some new favorites from you!
Hi Amanda,
You posted a comment on my Full Moon horoscope yesterday and I just browsed your articles. This one jumped out at me, because the energy of the planets today is very musical! You might enjoy the video link I posted today - it goes hand in hand with what you express here in your article.
One of my favorite songs, BTW, is Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young: "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes"Judy Blue Eyes is also a big favorite of mine - I was quite proud when I was able to learn to play it on guitar.
That video was so fun! Thank you.
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