8 months into 2020. CAN YOU BELIEVE? There are times when I still feel stuck in March-April when the pandemic hit. There are times when I have no fucking clue what month it is. But here we are, 8 months into the year. Not exactly the year any of expected but sadly the year we probably all needed. Needed to reset. Needed to see the world for all of its ugly truths. Needed to see that hate still seethes below us. It’s like the scene out of Ghostbusters II where the slime is feeding off the hate and despair of NYC but once everyone joins together and sings “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson, the slime is defeated. The slime in this case is hatred, racism, and tin foiled hat conspiracy theorists. Let’s smother them with love and lift humanity higher and higher people.
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THE CHOSEN 3:
LIGHT (energy): “Once in a Lifetime” by Mac McAnally featuring Drake White
While in July I couldn’t find songs that expressed Light, Love & Magic, it was a bit easier in August. I was feeling a little more hopeful instead of hopeless. This song by long time Jimmy Buffett Coral Reefer, Mac reminded the time is now. That’s all we have. The now. Not yesterday and not tomorrow.
LOVE (vibration): “Mix’em with Whiskey” by Drake White
This song is one my favorites from 2020. It’s been one of my go to songs when I need a mood boost. And there’s also a bit of truth, “…some things just go better when you mix’em with whiskey…”
MAGIC (frequency): “Wild World” by Kip Moore
I love everything about this song. This moment of wisdom between Mother and Son. Words of love. Words of how to live. There should always be a magical moment between a parent and a kid where the words of the parent carry the kid into their lives.
That moment for me and my dad: “Be who you is.”
That moment fro me and my mom: “It’s a long way from your heart.”
These lyrics: “…You gotta wild heart, gotta sweet soul. Gonna need ’em both, baby, down the road…Life is short, some days are long…Give a little more, take a little less. You ain’t done ’til you done your best. Wear it on your sleeve instead of hidden in your chest…Every second is God given. So forgive yourself, you’re just a man…Mama told me all these things in the kitchen…”
GIFTS FROM THE UNIVERSE
“Never Surrender” by Corey Hart
10 year old Shelia loved this song. 44 year old Shelia still loves this song. Wanna talk about a song that will instantly move me to tears. It’s this one. During my depression years, I played this song a lot. It will always hold a special place in my soul and when the Universe on shuffle spun it into my orbit, I dropped to my knees and cried. I needed that reminder. Never give up. These lyrics: “…Just a little uncertainty can bring you down and nobody wants to know you now and nobody wants to show you how. So if you’re lost and on your own, you can never surrender…’Cause no one can take away your right to fight and to never surrender…”
“Bad Mother Trucker” by Eric Church
This is a fun little ditty by Eric. My dad was a truck driver and while my mom was not she was often on the road with him and if she were I can envision this song being about her. My mom was a bad ass. Spoke her truth no matter how it might cut and took no shit. She might have been 4 foot 11 inches, but she was a giant amongst us.
“The Disease, the Decline and Wasted Time” by Eighteen Visions
This song spun into my world on Sunday while I was doing laundry and while I love me some 18V, these lyrics are what stopped me in the middle of folding laundry: “…Too many times I’ve bled for you. Too many times I’ve tried. Too many times I’ve trusted you. Too many times you lied. I’ve watched you burn every bridge. I hope you know how to swim. Choke on the air you breathe. Too many times I’ve bled for you. You’re just a fuckin leech…”
“On My God” by HELLYEAH
Have always liked Hellyeah but couldn’t tell you a song they sung. Spotify’s metal mix brought this song into my world and I’m grateful. It’s a fucking punchy crunchy little jam and I’m living for it. I’m a sucker for a good bass line (check), soaring drums (check), loud guitars (check) and angry vocals (check). These lyrics: “…The struggle is real, it’s so real. My conditions critical in life, was I born to suffer till I die?
Darkness consume, it consumes me. Draw the shades and stitch my eyes, watch my sanity unwind. I’ve been drained of compassion. My fingers up, fuck the masses. Oh my God. I made a deal with the Devil, now the Devil’s in my blood…”
“Super Hero” by Atreyu
This is the epitome of a rock ballad. I mean come on. Atreyu is a “metalcore” band and these lyrics are rock ballad sappy: “…Sure as the bird will fly I’ll be standing by your side (On and on and on and on). I will be your super hero and if you’re lost in the cold dark night
I will be your guiding light…” And I love it. I would not be pissed if this was on a Mix Tape from some dude.
“Battle Drums” by Kayzo & Atreyu
Hellllllo, in your face rock. It’s an antithesis of the ballad they have above. I am in for it.
“Pause” by Pitbull
Ain’t no guilty pleasure. If you know me, you know I love Pitbull.
“No Matter What” by Papa Roach
I might not have been a fan of Papa Roach from their first album, Infest, but I’ve dug each album after that and they have gotten better with each album. This rocking little power ballad is from their 2010 Time for Annihilation: On the Record & On the Road. Again, wouldn’t be pissed if this song was a Mix Tape. It’s a lovely little song about Jacoby & his wife’s relationship and that hits me in the feels.
“Ashes to Ashes” by David Bowie
This song stalked me in August. It played in the oddest of places so I took it as a sign. These lyrics: “…I’m happy, hope you’re happy too. I’ve loved all I’ve needed, love. Sordid details following…”
“The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Nickelback
I love a good cover. And this a great fucking cover. Charlie Daniels would have dug the hell out of this version. Before you roll your eyes and say it’s Nickelback, just fucking listen to it. Loud. Heavy bass. Guitars in drop d and drums galore! Inner rock girl is in fucking heaven.
“In Your Room” by Depeche Mode
This month I dived deep into the studio albums of Depeche Mode. Listened to all 14 of them. This song was immediately added to the current WIP’s playlist. I could see this playing in the background as my two main characters interacted. And it’s also a great song.
“Alone” by Depeche Mode
Same as above.
“Stay a Little Longer” by Willie Nelson
This song was playing in the cafe one morning while I was grabbing a coffee and it’s a jam! Besides how do you not love Willie Nelson?!
“Midnight Sky” by Miley Cyrus
I’m pissed at myself for digging this song but damn, it’s fucking catchy. I rather enjoy how raw Miley’s vocals sound and these lyrics are what hooked me: “…I was born to run, I don’t belong to anyone. I don’t need to be loved by you. Fire in my lungs, can’t bite the devil on my tongue, you know. I don’t need to be loved by you…”
“Airplane” by Latin Bitman featuring Oso 507
I don’t know how this song got into my music. So if you introduced me to this song THANK YOU and if I added it by chance, I thank me. Either way, this song is a booty shaking song. Side note, I also thought he was singing “life like a hurricane”, but yeah that’s not it, it was airplane (face palm).
“One Love / People Get Ready” by Bob Marley & the Wailers
The world is in-fucking-sane. Can we all make this our Universal anthem and end the insanity and the hatred.
“This Means War” by Nickelback
Fuck off, if you eye roll and say, ugh Nickelback. This song is a goddamn banger. The bass and drums are fantastic.
“We are Chaos” by Marilyn Manson
Cannot wait for the new Manson album and these lyrics, damn, sums up 2020 to a fucking tee. “We are sick, fucked up and complicated. We are chaos, we can’t be cured. We are sick, fucked up and complicated. We are chaos, we can’t be cured…”
“Beg” by Seether
New Seether. It f’n rocks. That is all.
“Rivers” by Matthew Ryan
Let me be honest, Matthew Ryan could sing the ingredients on a shampoo bottle and I would praise it. I love everything he does. This song is no different. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful.
“Loca People” by Sak Noel
This song is from Suzanne. She sent me a message and asked, “What was our theme song in Australia?” We heard this song in a clothing store in Byron Bay (I believe). It became the song Suzanne, Heather, and I would play and definitely quote “what the fuck” when we learned a new Aussie slang. This song is dedicated to our trip here and to them for joining me on my first journey to Australia.
“Alive or Dead” by Middle Class Rut
Can’t remember exactly why I added this song. I got a feeling it might be the opening riff.
“Beers and Sunshine” by Darius Rucker
God, I can’t wait for beers and sunshine. I am so over winter and in 2 days it’s officially spring. Hallelujah. This song will be my spring time jam!!
