Friday, October 21, 2016

Life Anthems

In the five plus years I've been blogging, I have managed to successfully avoid a soundtrack of my life post. I've done summer playlists, songs I never turn off, songs I always turn off, a Christmas Playlist, but never any explanation about anything and I think a life anthem or soundtrack of my life post deserves a little explanation. To name an arbitrary number of songs that define me or have spoken to me over the past 39 years has always seemed like an impossible task. Then I started thinking well I don't need to include them all and maybe I could write a little backstory instead of a list and they don't have to be my favorites and it can be more than one post and just fucking try it. I mean the backstory is where it's at, really...because when I think of it, the songs that are my life anthems are not necessarily the ones I love the most - they're the ones that have followed me around through certain moods and memories.

This is me trying it with three to ease into things, and go along with Alyssa's blog challenge prompt.

Have You Seen Me Lately by The Counting Crows
This song has gotten me through some things. Driving around singing it as loudly as possible. It appeals to my fuck you all, I can do this by myself mood that I get into after I've been unexpectedly hurt by someone. If my blood is boiling or if I'd rather be defiant than sad, this is a good thing for me to listen to and it starts with the clanging guitar opening it up. Listen here.
Get away from me
This isn't gonna be easy 
But I don't need you
Believe me
You got a piece of me
But is't just a little piece of me
And I don't need anyone 
And these days I feel like I'm fading away

Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen
Not my favorite Bruce song by a longshot, this song has nevertheless been a constant for me for what feels like my whole life. I've shouted it out in hundreds of bars, I've sang it on roads on both coasts of this country and in foreign lands. I've sang it through all of my eras. It's never been left behind as I moved on to another age or way. The harmonica intro pulls at something in me and Clarence's solo taking it on out always gives me the chills.

Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
This song makes me feel cradled and peaceful with just a dash of wistfulness. I walked down the aisle to this at our wedding because I wanted all of those things in my heart at that time.

That's all for now, I'll be back with more in the future. 
What are three songs from your life anthem list?






21 comments:

  1. Solsbury Hill at a troubled time. It's very spiritual to me! Now it makes me so grateful. I feel like I am always home, which makes me content. Crush by Dave Matthews Band is a nice and lovely mellow song. Maybe I'm amazed - I just love it. That piano. Great 👍 post. These are the first 3 that came to mind!
    TGIF. Love. Your. Momma.

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  2. I can't think of any off the top of my head, but I do like Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen (if we're talking about classics...).

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  3. How have I not listened to any of those songs?! Welp, there goes my next hour on youtube. :)

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  4. I don't think I have ever heard that Counting Crows song. And I feel that Into the Mystic has been a staple for you as long as I've known you.

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  5. I thought this prompt was a fantastic one, really makes you like about why songs are important to our lives and what our musical soundtrack would be in life.

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  6. I did a soundtrack to my life post back in February, around the time of my birthday. I approached it from the idea that if my life was a movie, what songs would be playing in the background during certain key moments. When I saw this prompt, to choose 3 (or however many) many songs that DEFINE my life, I knew I would probably choose different songs. To me, having songs that represent times in my life is distinctly different from songs that DEFINE my life, ya know? I'm still tossing around songs in my head for this prompt. I'm really not sure which ones will make the cut.

    Have a great weekend!

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  7. Against the Wind, by Bob Seager. Just makes me feel at peace. One of the best lines of a song ever, wish i didn't know now what i didn't know then. just makes you stop and reflect on your life.
    Where the Streets have no name - U2 - first of all one of the best bass lines in a song - EVER. One of those songs I turn up and scream along with whenever it's on. It's the best on an old back country road with the windows down.
    don't have a third one right now.

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  8. Your picks... very classic rock sound. Love it.
    I love you have a Springsteen choice - makes the post of you getting to meet him even neater.
    May sound corny, but Defying Gravity is like my go-to life song.

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  9. Great picks. Love Van Morrison.

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  10. Love Counting Crows!!! I had a hard time narrowing down some of my songs but it is such a fun post.

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  11. Into the Mystic is beautiful.
    I would have been gobsmacked if there wasn't a Springsteen song on your list. :)
    My list would probably be a hodgepodge of rock, rap, and Woodstock. :D
    XOXO
    www.mrsaokaworkinprogress.com

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  12. life anthem - what a good thing to call it. i have thought about doing posts like this before as well, but it really does seem ridiculously overwhelming, but i like the way you did it. love the van morrison song and your story behind it - made my heart feel happy.

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  13. I like the idea of creating a life anthem. I'm a Thunder Road kind of girl :)

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  14. Agree; the songs I picked for my soundtrack aren't necessarily favorites but the ones that convey moments, memories, epochs of my life in defining ways.

    I can't say I know any of these, but I'm looking forward to more and I'm glad to listen to these now with you in mind. Also, I love hearing what songs other people picked for their big moments like their weddings. No matter where I am in my life, I love love songs.

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  15. So, yeah, obviously, you know I like music and to share the music/songs that I enjoy. But, this prompt has stumped me. I need to take your approach. Because with your approach, I've instantly just got 5 in my head. I paused to jot them down so I can write that post. Now, I'm off to listen to your Counting Crows song.

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  16. I am trying so hard to get this post down to 3 songs. I have a list of about 6 right now down from 15 and I'm determined to only choose 3!

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  17. Three of my Life Anthem songs:

    - Life in a Northern Town. It's not the actual lyrics here, although I certainly am from the North. It's more the sense of place and the nostalgia tied into the feeling of this wistful beauty.
    - Power of Two, Indigo Girls. A LOT of Indigo Girls music speaks to me, even though I like boys. This one has always equaled Shawn + Shelby, to me.
    - Cornflake Girl, Tori Amos - OK, so now I sound like some kind of angry grrrl, stuck in the 90s. And that's not it, but this song captures, for me, that feeling of always juuuuust being on the outside of the norm, standing right outside the room where it happens, so to speak.

    Obviously, these are not all. I could go on and I, and I promise they wouldn't all be from the 90s! Oh, BTW, Meghan Mulally better play me in the movie!

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  18. I keep looking at this prompt but it seems so overwhelming. I don't think I'd be able to stop at just a few. I love the Counting Crows, but even more I love that Van Morrison song.

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  19. I am a Rock by S&G, Help by the Beatles, What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong... in that order, starting from my youth. Many sub-anthems over the years, but you can read them here: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6663185891028924520#editor/target=post;postID=1338737074903804448;onPublishedMenu=overview;onClosedMenu=overview;postNum=323;src=postname

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  20. This is a really fantastic challenge. It will be hard to think of just three. But I'm up to the challenge... Counting Crows. Great choice.

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  21. "Run the World" by Queen Bey, "Easy" by Lionel Ritchie, and "I go Back" by Kenny Chesney are my three that immediately come to mind.

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