Five songs I find weirdly inspirational
As a writer, I’m obviously a lyric person.
I’m always Googling lyrics to new songs I hear, and often the words are the entire reason I like a song — no matter how it sounds. (On the other side of things, Darling Husband likes songs for their beat, which is why he loves techno — what an adorable lil’ weirdo.)
I don’t write much about music, but I’ve been meaning to put together a post with some of the songs I find inspirational because of their lyrics. It’s a totally bizarre mix — Pitbull, Nickelback, and the TROLLS soundtrack?! — but I swear, it makes sense in my head.
Ready?
***
Rainbow by Kesha
But aren’t we all, my love?
Darling, our scars make us who we are, are
So when the winds are howling strong
And you think you can’t go on, hold tight, sweetheart
Trust me, I know, life is scary
But just put those colors on, girl
Come and play along with me tonight
You gotta learn to let go, put the past behind you
Trust me, I know, the ghosts will try to find you
But just put those colors on, girl
Come and paint the world with me tonight
WHY I LOVE IT …
Get Back Up Again (Trolls soundtrack)
Hey! I’m not giving up today
There’s nothing getting in my way
And if you knock knock me over
I will get back up again, oh
If something goes a little wrong
Well, you can go ahead and bring it on
‘Cause if you knock knock me over, I will get back up again
***
WHY I LOVE IT …
Weirdly, do you know how this song helps me? When I’m stressed about financial crap! Who knew Trolls could be so useful, right? After one particularly stressful appointment last year, I listened to this song on repeat for most of the hour-long drive home. By the end, I was like HELL YEAH, I CAN DO THIS!
“Freedom” by Pitbull
I’m free to do what I want and have a good time
Now somebody, anybody, everybody, say
Cause I’m free to do what I want and have a good time …
***
WHY I LOVE IT …
We dance to this song in Zumba sometimes, and I’m always struck by the line “I’m free to do what I want and have a good time.” It’s so simple, but LIGHTBULB MOMENT. I have a super hard time remembering this on a daily basis. I convince myself I need to be working or parenting or doing productive something around the house at all times. I forget, constantly, that I am FREE to do what I want, and IT’S OK TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.
“Dark Blue” by Jack’s Mannequin
This flood is slowly rising up
Swallowing the ground
Beneath my feet
Tell me how anybody thinks
Under this condition
So I’ll swim I’ll swim
As the water rises up
Sun is sinking down
And now all I can see
Are the planets in a row
Suggesting it’s best that I slow down
This night’s a perfect shade of
Dark blue, dark blue
Have you ever been alone in a crowded room?
When I’m here with you
I said the world could be burning, burning down
Dark blue, dark blue
Have you ever been alone in a crowded room?
Well, I’m here with you …
***
WHY I LOVE IT …
The lyrics to Dark Blue are perfect when I’m feeling sort of melancholy, and it’s so catchy to sing along with when I’m driving. The writer in me LOVES the “when I’m here with you” vs. “well, I’m here with you” part. It’s a smidge emo without being all the way dark, like when I was obsessed with Avril’s Under My Skin album and it was all rage-singing.
“Lullaby” by Nickelback
Well, everybody’s hit the bottom
And everybody’s been forgotten
Well, everybody’s tired of being alone
Yeah, everybody’s been abandoned
And left a little empty handed
So if you’re out there barely hangin’, on
Just give it one more try
With a lullaby
And turn this up on the radio
If you can hear me now
I’m reachin’ out to let you know
That you’re not alone
***
WHY I LOVE IT …
Oh, this song hits me right in the gut sometimes, but I love it. I downloaded it on iTunes shortly after my unexpected hysterectomy and the deep depression that followed, and it’s just … perfect. I was barely hanging on, back then, and it was exactly what I needed to hear.
These days, I’m doing so much better, but I still like to listen to it. It’s a good reminder that you have to stay vigilant against the darkness because it can always come back.
xo
As featured on …
Heather's Handmade Life 