November saw me leveling up another year. I’m at level 43, but none the wiser. Various songs spoke to me and some just reminded me of the past.

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“The Breeze” by The Constellations
This was the first song I heard in November. It kind of set the feel good mood of November. Lyrically reminded me of home, family and friends and sitting on patios and porches and just hanging with those in your tribe.

“Forest” by Howling
This is probably my favorite Howling song. There is something very quieting and peaceful about this song. It makes a great running song and just a great chill song.

“My Father’s Son” by The Amity Affliction
I really dug the opening lyrics: “I am my father’s son. I am my father’s mistakes. I’m easily undone and I’m no stranger to rage…” This song just stuck with me.

“The Boots Are Made for Walkin'” by The Fixx
An absolutely fantastic cover. Fan-fucking-tastic.

“Fault Line” by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
My favorite song from the Howl album. You just sense the absolute loss here and know what’s coming.

“Somewhere I Belong” by Linkin Park
This song spun into a Sunday afternoon and just hit me in the feels. Powerful words from a man that saved so many with his music but no one could save him. I remember hearing this for the first time and I felt every word again as I listened on that Sunday. These lyrics: “I’d get lost in the nothingness inside of me…Just stuck, hollow and alone…I want to heal, I want to feel, what I thought was never real. I want to let go of the pain I felt so long (erase all the pain ’til it’s gone)…”

“Seven Years in Tibet” by David Bowie
Don’t remember why I added this to the list. But it’s Bowie and any Bowie is good for me.

“Count Me In” by Framing Hanley
I’ve always loved this song. We all know that one friend who would betray you in a heartbeat and this song reminds me of that. “Count me in and I’ll be the one to take the knife out of your spine, cause I know you’d be the first to bury the blade deeper into mine…”

“Call Me Out” by Gareth Asher
One of my faves by Gareth. I just love everything about this song and it always puts me in a great mood.

“Dirty Little Heart” by Lostprophets
I always think of my oldest niece when I hear this song. I think about her personal struggles with anxiety and depression. She’s been a fighter since she took her first breath in this world and she has never given up. I’m so proud of her and these lyrics is why I think of her: “this dirty heart still longs to beat…these open wounds you gave me, these broken bones will take me, crawling on through the debris…”

“Spaceman” by Stir
These lyrics: “You’re not alone. ‘Cause we’re all passengers here, trying to make our way home…”

“Note to Self” by The Amity Affliction
I am really good at disconnecting and sometimes, when I sense an issue reconnecting, I’ve been singing the chorus to this song: “Show me some proof that your black heart even beats. Show me your dreams, show me your fears and let me hear your screams…” 

“Never Alone: by The Amity Affliction
I just love the power in these lyrics and the way Joel & Ahren sing them: “This goddamn life is our disease, but we can’t always fucking win. We can always turn the tide. We can all stand up and sing ‘never alone’. We fight together, not alone. No matter where our bodies roam this place is now what we call home. Never alone, never apart. We found each other in the dark. Shed our tears and fight our fears. We are one, the lonely hearts…”

“Razorblades” by Story of the Year
This song just reminded me of friendships and made me appreciate my chosen family. Ya’ll know who you are and I love you fools.

“Blindfold” by Sleeping Wolf
Another, “I’m not sure why I added it to the play list” but I like it and there must be a reason, but I cannot remember.

“Learning to Live” by Beth Hart
These lyrics: “I keep my head on straight and my eyes wide open. I try to move forward, wishing and hoping. I took a hold of myself in the middle of November…I’m learning to live. Living to learn. Starting to sing my song. Right, or wrong. Breaking away. Setting me free. Free to be, my own me. I’m learning to live…”

“Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” by Glenn Medeiros
A friend & I were in an Uber on our way to a show and this song popped onto the driver’s radio. He proclaimed he had no idea what the song was, but as the chorus came on, all 3 of us belted it out. Flashback to 12 year old self singing this song into a hairbrush. Amazing I still knew the chorus after all these years.

“Biscuit” by Ivy Levan
Sass. That’s what this song is. Southern sass. Me.

“Glorious” by Macklemore
This was the first song I heard on my birthday and it set the mood for that day.

“Get Back” by Big Bill Broonzy
One of the things I love about Chester White is their music is spot on and this song was playing while I had my birthday lunch there. Just a great blues song.

“Drunk Again” by Champion Jack Dupree
This song summed me on my birthday.

“Nothing Will Ever Change” by Atreyu
These lyrics because this is how I felt the weekend of my birthday: “I am thunder. I am rain. Just a human hurricane, smashing everything that stands in front of me. I’m the breathe that’s pouring out. I’m the kingdom burning down and I am so afraid that nothing will ever change…I feel the flames inside of me and I taste the blood between my teeth. Buried my demons ten feet deep but they still creep up to choke me…”

“What’s Happenin!” by Ying Yang Twins featuring Trick Daddy
So, I made a decision to work with a personal trainer 2x a week and this song started to play as I neared the gym and I knew it was the right decision: “Boom, it’s on!”

“Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5
ANY time I hear this song, I find my inner singing diva. I cannot sing but I cannot help singing this song.
EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.