Lennie Gallant
When it washes over you, it can be transforming in a way you could never have anticipated. It can take your breath away, transport you, touch you, ............move you to tears. It can describe your own story with the words you've sought and have never been able to locate. One song can change the way you see......
Sometimes it's not the words. Sometimes............it's the harmony........an auditory combination of flowing notes which fills your senses like a warm spa......and you're pulled into another world away from real world worries by a protective embrace. One song can change the way you hear....
Sometimes...................it's both..... And you think to yourself......this is my all time favourite song EVER. There are songs in my life repetoire which I can play over and over and over and NEVER grow tired of it's medicinal grace. In fact, there are songs which I will play purposefully to be awashed by it's healingness. One song can change the way you feel.....
I find it interesting how we are all seemingly pre-programmed differently to receive songs. For some unlucky souls, it happens to be a country twangy sound that gets their grits going. Though I don't get the alluring lure of that genre, I understand the feeling. We all do because whatever the magic is behind a song that hits your personal soft spot, it alters you.....sometimes for a moment.......and sometimes forever.
Personally, I've always been touched the most by the stripped down songwriter playing his or her guitar, singing a story. When I think back on the songs which have transformed and transported me, it's the simple elegance found in the vulnerable soul bravely belting out a life moment. I thought about this today as I sat once again in the FRONT ROW of the second songwriter's circle at the East Coast Music awards. As much as I love a song full of dancing energy that pulls me up onto my feet, or a jazzy hip swaying tune that oooozes sexiness, I am definately moved the most by a song which creatively captures my thoughts and feelings. It's like the artist knows me well enough to tap into me.
I've had a whole weekend of visiting this place.......where music stirs a change in not just me, but a whole community. Together. The East Coast Music Awards may be over, but it's affects will linger for a very long time.
How about you? Is there a specific song that stirs you in a way no other song does?
How about you? Is there a specific song that stirs you in a way no other song does?
Martha Wainwright......
lovely and lost in her own compostion
The word prompt this week at writer's island is "change." For more "change" stories....... click here!!
11 comments:
Music is manna to the soul isn't Dana? Sometimes I hear a song that reminds me of someone I miss and I literally have to turn it off because of the feelings it evokes. Other times I will hear something that makes my soul soar to the heavens it is so uplifting. To be deaf would be the worst affliction possible.
Music is indeed a very powerful medium which moves my soul in many ways. I love how a song can transport you back in time to another place long forgotten, I love how a song can make your eyes well up with tears for the emotions that it brings to the surface. I love how music compliments that love that you feel or the sorrow that you feel.
For me it has mostly been the lyrics. more than the song which has transformed me.
We are taken by music in many different ways, but one thing is certain - music defines a time more than anything else - a memory of when lovers met; a song to define an event.
It speaks to the very soul. You raise many good issues here.
music brings back to me people and place that I heard it in the first place, I am always transported to different times...music is an experience indeed. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Gypsy.... yes, I agree. There are songs which I hear again that transport me right back to time and place.....and evoke very strong feelings. Neil Young's Comes A Time album is the first to come to mind. Just thinking about it, I am RIGHT back in a place near and dear to my heart enjoying his music with a special friend. I love how a song is connected to others.....
Mark. Me too. Many times when I find myself in the car driving here and there for work, listening to music I well up with such feelings. At one of the concerts this weekend, I was listening to an Acadian singer sing a ballad. Though I could only catch a few of the french words, the melody and his own emotional rendition brought me to tears......it was such a stunning song and he was feeling it all and sharing it with us. Magic.
Rambler. When I was young, Joni Mitchell's songs didn't impact me. They do now. Yesterday, I heard her sing The Circle Game and was pulled in by the lyrics. Mesmerizingly beautiful. yes, the lyrics can transform you......can take your own thoughts and throw them back at you in a way that strikes such a deep chord.
Anthony...thank you. I agree...it seems at times that reliving a song almost stops time doesn't it? It allows you to relive it all in a multi sensory manner like nothing else. The song that I danced to at my wedding, Van Morrison's Irish Heartbeat is one that comes to mind. I vividly remember the first time I danced to it with my husband......it was before we had officially started dating....but it was the moment when we knew that we SHOULD BE dating! hahaha......
ul....we all have accumulated our own soundtracks havent we? Songs which represent the important events, the youthful summers, the people who have touched us the most.
Yeah, well thought out, you're so right, one song can change the way you see, hear, feel etc. The song that does it for me is sucu-sucu!
There are many Hindi Songs which has affected my way of thinking one way or the other.
I like your interpretation of the prompt.
endless possibilities
very astute observations! Music meshes nicely with other artistic impulses, I can look at some of my paintings and remember what music I was listening to when I painted them. So did the music choice come from the painting, or the painting spring from the music? :)
Jen.....I too have songs that I can listen to that lighten my mood as well. John Prine comes to mind. He has songs that make me well up too, but he has some gems that make me smile even on the crappiest day. I can't help but sing along to them. He's a wonderful storyteller/wordsmith.
sweet.....welcome! I don't know that song you're referring to, but will check it out. thanks.
Gautami....nice to see you. Glad you enjoyed my piece. Will be over to read your take on the prompt too.
Constance.....great question. The two mesh so wonderfully don't they? I'm the same way......I too can remember the music I was listening too when I was creatively working on something. Given that it does alter one's mood and way of seeing......the music absolutely sets the environment, both internally and expressively.
I usely can't hear the words because of the words mangle with the music in my hearing. Music is however extremely powerful to me.
When I hear Andrea Bocelli than I completely relax and swift away
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