Listable Life: 5 Songs that Represent Me.
If you are a fairly faithful follower of Along Comes Mary, you might have noticed I have done afew “Blog Hops” with one being over on Moments that Define Life’s weekly feature, The Listable Life. Nicole offers 2 recommendations each week of 5 things to write about, OR choose your own….this week, since I was just discussing this with a friend, I want to share with you 5 songs that represent me; a question I often ask my friends or new people in my life. I would absolutely love to know which are yours, so lets discuss it in the comment box!;-) Here we….GO!
1) No Rain, Blind Melon
Alot of people only know this 90s one hit wonder band as the video with “The Bee Girl”. But listen closely to those lyrics & you will see how profound this song is, especially the chorus: I just want someone to say to me/I will always be there when you wake/You know I would like to keep my cheeks dry today/So stay with me & we’ll have it made”.
2) The Chime of The City Clock, Nick Drake
Here again, another song about a lonely outcaster….can you see a pattern with who I feel I am at heart, people?! My favorite lyrics in this song is one of his verses: “Stay indoors beneath the floors/& talk to neighbors only/the games you play make people say/you’re either weird or lonely”. Whenever I am stressed, especially while driving here on LA freeways, I often pop in this song as it soothes me immediately.
3) Sawdust & Diamonds, Joanna Newsom
Joanna Newsom is truly under-rated as one of the most gifted & talented singer/songwriters to come along in recent years (Her 1st album, Ys, is from 2004 I believe). Not only that, she plays the harp like its nobodies business! Sawdust & Diamonds os my most favorite from her; a nearly ten minute long epic tale that is quite cryptic which leaves it very open for the listener to adapt whatever they feel & personalize it. I think the part, lyrically, that grabs me the most is: “I wanted to say: why the long face?/sparrow, perch and play songs of long face/burro, buck and bray songs of long face!/sing: I will swallow your sadness and eat your cold clay/just to lift your long face/and though it may be madness, I will take to the grave/your precious long face/and though our bones they may break, and our souls separate/why the long face?”
4) Otherside, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Another poignant song that represents alot to me; looking back on life & knowing whatever goes down in it, your moments will be with you forever. This has been one of my favorites since it first came out:-)
5) Here. in my head, Tori Amos
Choosing a Tori song-girl (as she calls them) that relates to my life? Oh, there are loads! But, this one has meant alot to me for many years now. Again, a cryptic tale that leaves much open for interpretation, & every lyric reminds me of some events & people from my past. My favorite verse is probably some of the most simplest lyrics of the song, “You know that apple green ice cream can melt in your hand/I can’t/so I held your hand at the fair & even forgot what time it was/”. Oddly enough, she played this the very first time I saw her in concert, yet I had no idea at the time what B-side it was, nor that it would become such a favorite. (Psst…afew others dear to me from Tori are Girl, Purple People, Cloud on my Tongue & Cruel).