I have some big targets to hit for 2014 and was excited to start January and 2014. 2014 started with a new moon…a clean slate…and this month has been an amazing journey for me on a personal level because I have found my writing voice again and the desire to write. The Muse came back and ninja kicked me in the face. I’m glad she’s back in my life. I’ve missed The Muse and I’ve missed writing.
“Reboot the Mission” by The Wallflowers featuring Mick Jones
This song was perhaps the most perfect start to a new month and New Year of musical inspiration. I like the lyrics, “Eyes on the prize, reboot the mission. I’ve lost the sight, but not the vision.” A reminder that sometimes one needs to reboot the mission and for me, my mission is writing and boy did it get a reboot in January.
“Don’t Wait Anymore” by Bronze Radio Return
The second best song to start a new month/New Year with. “…I may not know what to do, and I may not know what to say, but I know I don’t wait anymore for change…Because you can’t change fate when you show up late and leave it like it was before…If you see something wrong start doing it right, you don’t have to say a thing…Don’t wait anymore for change…”
“Oh My Sweet Carolina” * by Ryan Adams
I don’t know what or who Ryan wrote this song for but it makes me miss home and reminds me of home which is North and South Carolina for me. “Funny how they say that some things never change. Oh my sweet Carolina. What compels me to go? Oh my sweet disposition. May you one day carry me home. Up here in the city, feels like things are closing in. The sunsets just my light bulb burning out…and I miss my family. All the sweetest winds they blow across the South.”
“Pouring Pain” by Ima Robot
I really just like this song and the lyrics: “It’s sun and rain. Come on and gamble. We’ll dance in the pouring pain…”
“Hunter” by 30 Seconds to Mars
30STM does a brilliant cover of this Bjork song. It’s part sad, part haunting memory and my favorite part is the added line at the end of the song which was in the original Bjork song but was cut from Bjork’s original “…you just didn’t know me…you just didn’t know me…”
“Next in Line” by Meese
Just a catchy little diddy.
“Lucky” by Sponge
This song always seems to pop up into my life when I need a little reminder on how blessed I truly am with family and the chosen family I have and these lyrics “This little penny is to dream on. To make all your wishes come true…” are somethings I always say to myself as a reminder.
“Afterlife” by Arcade Fire
This is the first Arcade Fire song that I can say I actually liked enough to buy on iTunes. It’s just infectious.
“Out of My League” by Fitz and the Tantrums
This is another infectious, stuck in your head for days on end song.
“Cannibal” by Silversun Pickups
I swear, SSPU get better with every album and their new song is absolutely wonderful. I love the lyrics: “…who is gonna break the ice? No room for shallow alibis. Who will be the first to bite or do we keep on playing nice until the next time…”
“Get Higher” by Paper Tongues
I really just connected to the following lyrics: “…All these demons in my head, come on let’s kill ’em with sound…I say we wrestle all the angels ’til they give us a crown…” And sometimes when I feel that oncoming storm of depression, I feel like I am living those lyrics.
“GUKU” by Xavier Rudd
I love Xavier Rudd. I find myself connecting to most of his music on a spiritual level and find myself transcending where I am to somewhere better emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. This song just connected with a lot in January and I found myself listening to it over and over. Whatever spirit the Universe was gifting to me while I was/am listening to it, I am still receiving and learning from it.
“Back Down the Black” by Boy and Bear
Another fantastic Australian band. I am in love with Boy and Bear’s sound and I really, really love the lyrics: “…So I’ll scream out loud…Cause I got the animal, I’ve got the beast on a leash these days. So you don’t go wondering back down the black to that awful place and help is well on it’s way…” Those lyrics stopped me in my tracks because I felt, this is how depression works and right now, I’ve got the beast on a leash, but there are times when that bastard escapes and makes life a living hell.
“Mysterious Ways” by U2
One of my favorite U2 songs. It just makes me happy.
“Mockingbird”* by Michael Tolcher
This song makes the winter blues a little more bearable…now if only I could find a mockingbird to sing me a song. “Hey mockingbird, sing me song. I’ve been locked up by this winter coat for way to long. Take me on a journey, lift me to higher ground…hypnotize me with the sound…make me happy, make me want to dance, make me forget why am feeling low, make me wonder, make me want to sing, make me cry but make me feel loved… “
“In Repair” by Our Lady Peace
Raine Maida said the lyrics for “In Repair” was “…how people tend to treat each other as machines in our day-to-day life. We really need to take stock and focus our energy towards those in our lives that matter.” and before I read that, I had always took the lyrics as a way to repair myself and how I am as a human constantly in repair (or changing). “…I’m in repair. The life that we share, I know that I’ll be lost in, but we’re always in repair…Take this time to figure it out. Know the wire, the fuse, the things that you doubt, the wheels, the air, the metal, the mouth…Something, something, something…”
“On a Friday” by Blaqk Audio
Makes me want to dance.
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