Music.
I mean…in all reality, I think I’ll always feel like music saves lives – it has mine. It’s really kind of amazing how big of a part it plays, (no pun intended …or maybe there is), in my life. As far back as I can remember, music was in my life- my mom often sang to me as a baby into childhood and even still she loves sharing music- (Elvis, Patsy Cline, Frank Sinatra etc). My Dad did the same, I remember him introducing me to many bands and artists and recall him saying, “Jenny, one day you’ll think, this is good music.” (Some examples he shared were: The Talking Heads, Pink Floyd, Queen, Don Henley, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and so on; (he was right).)
I feel like most people I have encountered in my journey all seem to seek music to heal, to feel, to let go, to hold on, to let loose or just be. There are a few that I have encountered, that said music just isn’t a big part of their life …that’s totally okay; I just hope something feels like music for them.
Music, I think sometimes isn’t just made by a musician, a band, an artist …. If you listen, I think much of life is music …the birds chirping, whistling of the wind, falling of the leaves, sound of the ocean waves..etc – it’s all music. I’m thankful for that. 🙂
So, I was thinking…if music plays such a big part in my life, I’m sure it does for others too. I think one of the best things in life is sharing new music with others; I certainly can say I am seriously thankful when someone shows me new music or even reminds me of music I already know but, has stashed some place in the back of my mind.
So, I thought I’d share some music, that has been healing, enjoyable, or even life saving -changing for myself.
This is in no order as far as my favorites for music, just some that come to mind now.…
Nothing Compares to you – Chris Cornell’s version. Wow. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful songs and this is my personal favorite version. – and thanks for writing this beautiful song to the one and only, Prince. 💜
“Dancing in the dark” by Bruce Springsteen, cover by Vance Joy. I just didn’t listen to the the lyrics in the original the way I do with this cover. He slows down the song and the lyrics and meaning of the song, just comes to life for me.
“Pig” by Dave Matthew’s Band, I love this song mostly for the lyrics. It’s a song about life and I think it can help one recognize their blessings of they listen enough; for me it does. Some of the lyrics are here below; about greed and love and time….
“Is this not enough
This blessed sip of life, is it not enough?
Staring down at the ground?
Oh, then complain and pray for more from above
Ya greedy, little pig
Stop, just watch your world trickle away
Oh, it’s your problem now
It’ll all be dead and gone in a few short years
Oh, just love will open our eyes
Just love will put the hope back in our minds
Much more than we could ever know
Oh, so, don’t burn the day away
Don’t burn the day away…”.
“Terrible Lie”, NIN- Nine Inch Nails. This song is a song about anger I suppose and anger directed towards self pity? Asking God why perhaps…
Nine Inch Nails can sometimes be pretty dark but so deep and the album, Pretty Hate Machine, I was introduced to in my senior hear of high school – angry teen alert lol… actually I wasn’t an angry teen – I always felt quite content and happy I think. Through the years though, as I have listened to this album, I’ve usually listened when I was in a somewhat dark place, not always though. Trent Reznor- singer/songwriter, is close to a genius in songwriting in my opinion and these songs tend to speak for you when you can’t. But when I do listen, when it’s a little darker, I always feel like when listening to this music, I can kind of bathe in the sadness for a bit and somehow in the midst of it, it makes me feel better. Sometimes you just need that release…
Overkill, by Colin Hay (acoustic version) – more well known perhaps from the band, Men at Work, but wow … this acoustic version just seems to say so much of what the feeling is when you can’t sleep and just overthink … (could be about fear of change, fear or leaving or losing someone or something or a place…just a lot of ways to relate to it I think)…good stuff:
Stay Wild, by The Bones of J.R. Jones – this song, the beat is so chill and relaxing and just flows but the meaning behind the song is great too. It’s a reminder to stay alive, instead of just falling into the mundane day to day repetitive life style – but rather to keep up with living- dance randomly, feel fully – embrace life.
Creature Feature, by 311. This song along with so many others of 311’s, are music that I just love. The lyrics and their music has certainly been life saving and life clanging for me over the years; this one is like fighting between the light and the dark, good and bad …
Talk is cheap, by Chet Faker. Love this live version of this song – his music is really good, cool- different, artistic and unique. I also love the song, Drop the Game. I have no idea why, but I like to tap dance to his music. (Yep, I tap, and it’s just so relaxing to me and random dancing is fun. ;))
Lost, by Dermot Kennedy. He is from Ireland- the depth of his lyrics and music clearly come straight from his personal experiences and heart. This artist, works relentlessly, to spread messages and love; he does these things called street sessions and he plays for a crowd in the street in different cities and countries. The street sessions, he chooses a local charity to donate to- he is super amazing as a person. Also, for each of his concerts, he has local artists submit their music to him and will choose one artist each time as the opener to his show, just so that he can’t help an artist perhaps become known. So cool. Super thankful to have discovered him a few years ago- (I love SiriusXM radio for these reasons.) I’ve seen him live twice and definitely will go back again and likely again. It’s hard to choose one song though but I chose this one, because it’s about loss, love, no control, choices, happiness, joy…just all the stuff love brings along with it. Enjoy 🙂
So Real, by Jeff Buckley. I hope you know who Jeff Buckley is and I hope you have listened to his music because no one should be deprived of that kind of beauty. Wow. He died way too young; I can only how amazing imagine seeing him live would have been. Despite his shortened life, he left such beautiful music and art behind – thankful for that. This song is powerful. I almost shared his version of, Leonard Cohen’s, Hallelujah- because whoa, but this one I just had to. Enjoy.
Three Little Birds, by Bob Marley. (I almost wanted to share Redemption song because I listened to that earlier and each time I do, I love listening to it even more; just the depth of the meaning, the feeling in the singing, the music – all of it.) Three Little Birds though, will always represent a really difficult time in life that this song brought light to and made it easier to handle, reassuring and comforting. It gives you hope, it helps you live in the moment and it’s so important, I have it tattooed on me. 🙂 🕊🕊🕊 💚💛❤️
Here Comes the Sun, by The Beatles. have you ever thought what the music of your life would be like? Which songs are part of your life theme songs…this is one- I have no idea but it pops into my head so often; it’s a great reminder too with a great message. This song, along with just the band in general always will feel a bit like home to me. As mentioned above, my dad (and mom too) both love The Beatles, so their music was kind of a staple ‘in my life’, (another great song of theirs ;))
Sir Duke, by Stevie Wonder. One of my favorites always, this song is just amazing and if you’re a music lover, you probably agree or can relate to the lyrics in ways at least.
With a language we all understand,
With an equal opportunity,
For all to sing, dance and clap their hands…) 🙂
Fuel by, Ani DiFranco. If you’re an Ani fan, congratulations, she’s great. A woman who speaks her mind and just is who she is. You can feel how passionate she is about the words she speaks (sings)- they may or may not be what all agree on, but it’s super important to keep your voice in life and I think she does that so well. (The album, Little Plastic Castle is another one of my favorites beginning to end.)
As in a record of an event,
The event of people playing music in a room,
Now everything is cross-marketing,
It’s about sunglasses and shoes,
Or guns and drugs
You choose…”
Society, by Eddie Vedder. If you feel like a stranger to this society, so do I, and it’s so brave to break free or at least not follow the crowd. I think it’s important to lead your own way without conforming to what is wanted, and abused, taken for granted, and over consumed by the main flow of society.
And you think you have to want more than you need.
Until you have it all you won’t be free”. (News flash- you’ll be freer if you do opposite of that ;))
Disarm, by Smashing Pumpkins (acoustic version). Just love this song but it’s heavy. It’s surprising, (and also not surprising, because music), how music can do that, but it’s so healthy in a way to release pain through music writing instead of acting on anger. The singer/ songwriter, Billy Corrigan, stated he wrote this song about his childhood and the abuse he dealt with by his parents…
“Disarm you with a smile”, it’s said that it was Billy’s attempt to disarm his parents’ abuse by smiling and keeping peace, thereby keeping everyone happy while lessening the result of conflict/violence. “I used to be a little boy. So old in my shoes”, is referring to Billy having to grow up too soon which is typical in abusive homes.
Sadly, I think some children are just children because the number of years since their birth says that, but they are much more grown and have learned to grow up in certain ways way quicker than what would be ideal for a young child. Anyway, it is how you interpret the song too- wherever you find that it takes you to, I’m sure will be healing and helpful.
Next To Me, by Joshua Radin. Not super well known but this is my ocean song. Each time I hear it, it makes me think of the ocean and I’ve run countless miles along the ocean listening to this song, (another song I could listen on repeat and not get tired of.). It flows and it’s so peaceful. It’s funny how the meaning of a song can change, in time, but it always brings me back to the ocean. The lyrics I can relate to so much too though; it is a song about the desire for companionship, connection and love to share. Enjoy.
Warning, by Incubus. One of my favorites because the message in it: reminder to live – a warning -and these guys are so amazing live – if you get a chance and enjoy their music- go see them! 🙂
There are so many songs and artists I want to share but I’d go in forever- I’ll publish this blog post and think of so many artists and songs that I would have loved to share in this too. Again, these are in no way in any order – they are just a bit of what came to mind and have meaning to me. I also, am so thankful to be friends with many musicians who create and play such amazing music – thank you.
Gracias for reading (and listening if you did/do). Be kind to each other. Listen to music to help open your mind, take you away, bring you back, help you feel, and heal etc. And please feel free to share music right back. Thank you in advance.
***Thank you to the music makers; song writers, musicians- artists. Much of music is written from pain and joy and many other emotions, so thanks for being open and vulnerable and sharing with us all, especially in such a heavily cynical and guarded world we live in- it’s brave, beautiful and you’re saving lives. 🙂 ***
Peace. Have a day, Jenny.
P.S. 😉 Oh and, a recent concert I attended, Ray LaMontagne; I just realized I did not share any of his music … see?! I’m already thinking of some I failed to share ;).
“Such a Simple Thing” and “Empty “, by him are a couple of great ones.
***I do not own the rights to any of this music. *** 😉
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Sky Full of Stars. ~ Coldplay.









