I have a new job in the "real world" so I have opened this blog to other writers. If you would like to write about music here as well, click here to send me an email expressing your interest. Don't stop listening to the music!
There's songs to fit every mood and occasion - I guess that's why music is so loved and worth the time. Being a writer must be so demanding personally, it has to be otherwise it won't work.
I've had a song sang to me while dancing at a wedding for all to see - I was embarrassed and I felt bad for it. The guy I was dancing with was practically singing his heart out and the song contained such lyrics as "... I should be your man." I had to smile at him while we were slow-dancing though I wanted to run and hide. I thought is was a tadbit unnecessary (because he could have just asked... privately!) yet SO sweet. We got (he got) a standing ovation even from the bride and groom who didn't care about stealing their thunder for those 4 mins, plus the rest of the night as we got more than enough attention! He's now my boyfriend :)
Anyway, I swore to never ever dance at a wedding again! This all came to memory because of this one song I wish to share with you - My perfect song. If a guy was to ever sing to me, it should be this not a Tyrese song!
So, it's good to hear encouraging messages, right? I've been blown away by others openness on the topic of God. Not everyone's taste - agreed - but everyone resorts to that uncontrollable sob in their life time and acknowledge Him for that moment. We find unexplainable peace at those times, I know it. Let's be real - I love encouraging but easily get annoyed when being encouraged. Call me one of those "I know what's best" type who are blind-sighted from their own entitlement and worth. We are strong - Yes. We can do many things - Correct. Yet even in the midst of our success and our courageous leaps, that neon sign is still glowing these words "You didn't do it on your own... Nuh-uh!" We live for more than ourselves. The people we meet - our posse and acquaintances - they have done something or not done something, for you to still be here. Meaning we too did something or not - even in the smallest of decision makings - for someone to still be going on. Hey, we are told frequently about "meant-to-be"'s, "this was no a coincidence"'s and "perfect timing"'s... I have learned and experienced personally how saying something like "I love you" saves a life - in fact, it was that such a phrase adds a day to someones life... Makes me not want to give up. On the contrary, hang onto what I know, for myself, helps me hold on and never let go.
Been listening to this track by Christian artist, Matt Redman (a true favorite of mine) for the last 72hrs and it's a simple message that's working for me. Believer or non-believer - extract the big "G" out of it if needs be. The message is still the same. :)
I am so pleased to be guest blogging here at What Does This Song Mean To Me! Music has been a big part of my life my whole life. When I was little, I wanted to be a dj when I grew up. Many people have the gift of playing an instrument, or have a beautiful singing voice. I was blessed with the ability to hear how songs fit together in relationship to each other.
Today I'd like to talk to you about a new song that has really captured my attention. Did any of you watch the show on VH1 "Confessions of a Teen Idol"? I was drawn to it because I remembered nearly all of the men that were appearing on the program, trying to find their way back into the spotlight. I stuck with it because each and every one of them had a compelling story that made me care about who they are now, not just who they were when I was a teenager and had their posters on my bedroom wall. During the course of the show, I found myself particularly drawn to the story of Billy Hufsey. I was so fascinated by him when he was on Fame, and the amount of talent and heart he showed on this show kept me fascinated again. While filming, he wrote a song, called "Better Man", and arranged for some studio time to go in and record the track. At the finale of the show, the producers gave Billy a unique opportunity. They liked the single so much that they created a video to be shown on VH1.com, using this song. Here is that video:
I love this song so much, I went ahead and bought the entire CD, which is available digitally at ITunes as well as other retailers. I've listened to it several times since my purchase, and I am extremely impressed by the whole thing. All but three tracks are written by Billy, and you can tell he is coming from his heart.
For those of you in the Cleveland area, I'd like to let you know that there is a CD release party planned for April 3rd, at the Earth Club. You can find all the details at his Myspace site.
I am proud to present to you another great guest post! Acoustic Jim is a musician who writes his lyrics to express life events. His music is incredibly addicting from the start with its easy going sound. I have found myself playing his songs over and over.
In this post, Jim presents his song "Life Two Point Oh". It exemplifies the world of social networking and social media. Do you find yourself addicted to Twitter, StumbleUpon, Mixx, Facebook, MySpace and Digg? If web 2.0 has become a big part of your life, then I know you will thoroughly enjoy Jim's song. I like to think of it as "The Social Media Song"! Enjoy:
Poke me, Nudge me, Write on my Wall!
What was life like before the Internet? I can’t remember and worse still, I struggle to imagine. The world wide web has changed so many areas of our lives and music is one such area which has been redefined. The way we listen, the way we share and the way that the industry operates. It’s also the inspiration for the title track on my debut EP “Life Two Point Oh”
When writing lyrics I always try to find something that I, and hopefully the listener can identify with. Quite often there is a theme sat right under your nose whether it is based on a personal experience or something you have simply observed. With me using every Internet tool in the book to try and promote my musical alter ego Acoustic Jim, the Internet was the perfect subject.
Web 2.0 is a buzz word banded around by online companies and marketers which encompasses amongst other things the phenomenon of social networking.“Life Two Point Oh” is a play on this buzz word. You can listen to the song and find the lyrics transcribed at www.acousticjim.co.uk
One of the principal ways in which the Internet shapes our lives is in the way in which we communicate. Whether it is email, instant messaging, VOIP (Skype) etc. it is now incredibly easy to communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world at little or no cost. With the likes of YouTube we can share videos of things we’ve seen or even ourselves. Aspiring comedians or musicians can reach a global audience from the comfort of their bedroom as normal folk take the stage, their audience unseen. We can even live out fantasy lives through sites like Second Life. There are after all, only virtual limits when we live through the Internet. We can transcend the physical and live out our fantasies, constrained only by the limits of our imagination.
In the lyrics to “Life Two Point Oh” I have dropped a few names as well as drawn upon certain networking sites which dominate our lives. The song isn’t a criticism of the web. On the contrary it is a celebration; however, there is an air of caution to the song. Like anything if we allow it to consume us it can be detrimental. There is also the voyeuristic element to many of these sites which is open to abuse. My life is now wide open, a novel read by all.
With so much of what I do revolving around the Internet and these sites the subject was extremely apt. I just hope that it doesn’t consume me......
Lyrics: Life Two Point Oh
A break in the day free time comes around A billion voices twitter not making a sound Do I go for glory watching other people dreams Normal folk take the stage their audience unseen Excited eyes look on detached from reality A greater place lies beyond this enhanced reality
So poke me nudge me write on my wall, my life is now wide open, a novel read by all
(chorus)
Second Life’s begun that’s where I’m gonna go, Virtual limits living life two point oh In cyberspace I’m always in control That’s why I’m feeling safe living life two point oh.
I choose the familiar and check on my friends I don’t know you know did I really know you then Who is everybody and what do they do My new life as a daily soap has now come true There are no answers that I can’t get Helped by global friends I’ve simply never met.
So poke me nudge me write on my wall, my life is now wide open, a novel read by all
(chorus)
Have you seen my face tube book you’ll probably want to see No need for this skin an bones cos that’s the real me. Living life through a copper wire Binary goals to which we all can aspire a third life or more we’re always in control but like much these days, its got no soul
So poke me nudge me write on my wall, my life is now wide open, a novel read by all
Second Life’s begun that’s where I’m gonna go, Virtual limits living life two point oh In cyberspace I’m always in control That’s why I’m feeling safe living life two point oh.
HAWK NELSONHawk Nelson is (from left) Jason Dunn - lead vocals, piano (2003-present) Justin Benner - drums (2008-present) Jonathan Steingard - guitar, backing vocals (2004-present) Daniel Biro - bass, backing vocals (2003-present)
GENRE: If you're like me, you’re not seek’n preach’n when you're ready to listen to music. My Sirius radio is locked on Hair Nation and Classic Rewind. Christian rock simply wasn't on my radar. -- that is until I found Hawk Nelson. They've opened up a world of music to me that seriously rocks. Don't take my word for it, check them out. The boys from Petersborough, Ontario are cross classified as pop/punk and Christian rock, and if their name doesn't ring a bell , there's still a good chance you've already heard 'em play.
CROSSOVER SUCCESS: Hawk Nelson has met with success in the mainstream. They portrayed The Who on the NBC drama American Dreams, and they recorded "Bring 'Em Out" (listen below) for the 2005 motion picture Yours, Mine and Ours. This song and "The Show" (listen below) were both used on Sunday Night Football commercials. "Things We Go Through" (listen below) from Letters to the President was also featured in Yours, Mine and Ours. The compilation Charlotte's Web: Music Inspired By The Motion Picture features Hawk Nelson's "Everything You Ever Wanted." (listen below)
HN's latest album is Hawk Nelson is my Friend (check out this cool interactive site). How appropriate the title is. These guys make friends easily; they're really nice guys. See them below with my sons at one of their outdoor concerts. We drove 450 miles for this one. We've seen them five times in the last three years. They're just that good. Their lyrics are unpretentious and meaningful. Their rhythm is contagious, with a powerful driving beat. And their presence on stage is as energy-filled and entertaining as any band I've seen. And I've seen plenty.
As I said, before Hawk Nelson I never considered listening to Christian rock. Now, I love it. The subgenres in Christian rock are as varied as the categories of rock. The bands are as talented, and the messages are positive. I only wish I discovered it sooner. I still have my top two presets on Hair Nation and Classic Rewind, but now my third preset plays Christian rock. IMO there's something there for everyone.
When people list the top ten greatest Rock bands, you see the usual appearances of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who - on occasion you would see Guns N' Roses up on the list, if not, they're typically not too far behind.
Talks among others debating on whether Guns N' Roses reuniting has been circling for some time now. With Axl Rose being the only original member left in the band, I see comments such as "The best rockband ever!!! I wish one day the original band will celebrate their comeback" being a dead wish based on the latest article with him referring to Slash as "cancer that's better removed." Harsh words, people! It seems this attitude towards Slash has only increased over the years instead of fading away.
I know very little about the issues within the band so there is no existent opinions on my part. So I simply did a little digging, concentrating mainly on Slash - is he that bad to also have Mr. Rose saying "...there's zero possibility of me having anything to do with Slash other than by ambush, and that wouldn't be pretty." and describing Slash playing the guitar as being a "whore for the limelight"???
During my short discovery mission, I'm starting to think Slash can't be that bad - well talent-wise anyway. Maybe this great song - created from a little joking around on the guitar by Slash himself - will hopefully cheer up a few Guns N' Rose's fans!
This is a guest post written by my friend Gemma who shares where her love of music comes from and what it means to her:
Music is life and speaks life - A statement you would find engraved in my heart.
I grew up a little bit on R'n'B - thanks to my three older brothers - but heavily on Christian/Gospel music. So let me briefly cover how religious music influenced my insight to music and what it means to me.
On a scheduled one-day-a-week basis, I would witness a congregation emotionally moved, inspired and broken down by the power of the words respired and accompanied by the passionate musicians situated at the far left corner of the stage in front of me. I use the word "respired" because it's the perfect word to help me explain to movements I saw, though technically unseen to the naked eye:
- "To inhale and exhale air for the purpose of maintaining life; breathe" - Every once in a while there would be someone there on the pulpit facing us, delivering a song. As they sang, it was like those words would exhale out of them, onto us. Influenced or quoted from Scripture, a message was being issued to all those that listened, and because inspired by Scripture it meant the purpose of the message was an application to a "healthier lifestyle". (in quotes because, of course, many would beg to differ).
- "To breathe freely again, after anxiety, trouble, etc." - Whether the person performing a song or the whole congregation singing in unison, I saw music exercised as relief to the trouble-minded; those who were experiencing mishaps in their life and had difficulty shaking off the negative or painful chains that was tearing them apart. Many would walk out that place a changed person after that, completely satisfied and chain-free. Few would even shed tears or in extreme cases, sob their mountains of baggage away in front of everyone. Either way, they got to breathe freely again.
Extreme? Dramatic? To both, yes. Whether it was really necessary sometimes - that's a question for that individual to answer and not for us to judge. Seeing music work in those ways influenced me to open myself to music, so the arguments out there about whether people with such beliefs are "allowed" to listen to music out of those beliefs has never stopped me. I listen to be uplifted, to be directed, to be entertained, to understand - Don't listen to those who oppose there being something good in everything because it's true. Did I say that right? I'll say it another way - there IS good things to get out of everything, so even those songs about gangs and stuff is great in letting others know life as it is outside their box and what not to do (I only hope!) I guess that could be the reason why people say what say about not exposing yourself to certain types. Again I believe it's a personally decision on whether these things lead them astray - music doesn't play that role for me and isn't considered a weakness.
I have no specific genre that I could label as a favorite, instead pretty much all types are bunched together and labeled as my No.1. I challenge everything out there, like right now I'm kind of going towards the flow of classical music which I admit takes quite a lot of patience. I never grasped Rock/Heavy Metal (and all those attached) too much when I tried it a few years back. I think if anyone was to get me started by maybe recommending me a few artists or give me some direction, I'd definitely give it another try. After that, if the blog owner allows me, I'll share whatever I experience with those to you too. (Was that a hint??)
I'll leave you with this song. I'm laughing out loud on the thought of even choosing this. After everything I've just shared with you, you'll probably be thinking something along the lines of - "What a rebel!!" Maybe it's the artist or the title...? Maybe it the lyrics "It's my life. It's now or never, I ain't gonna live forever. I just want to live while I'm alive..." - Whatever floats your boat :-)
Relix The Magazine For Music We offer reviews on CDs, Videos, Podcasts, Dowloads from various critics and music publications. Also shop our online store for CDs, DVDs, Videos, T-Shirts and Gear, books and posters and guitar string bracelets for the music lover.
