Music Has a Magic

Music has a magic to it, and today I am grateful for the music that is keeping me sane during a time of turmoil; grateful for the lyrics and melodies from so many talented artists that weave together to form the tapestry that cushions my heart and my mind right now.

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent. ~Victor Hugo

Music speaks directly to the soul and moves us in ways that nothing else can. No two people ever hear the same song because our understanding and interpretation of the lyrics and the notes is filtered through our own unique perspectives and lifetimes of experience. Words that bring up certain memories and associated emotions for one person may not have the same effect on someone else. But when words and notes are woven together, their power is undeniable. Through music, we can relive terrible sadness, we can be reminded of our own innate strength to endure, we can be rallied to take action or change our ways of thinking, and we can be buoyed on waves of pure joy.

A playlist for tough times: just believe

These days I alternate between my “mellow” mix, my high energy “awesomesauce” mix, and my “just believe” inspirational mix. They are what keeps me going, keeps me focused, and keeps me from wallowing in self-doubt and exhaustion. They are what restores my optimism and drive to keep making progress every single day, no matter how small those steps happen to be at the moment.

As I said, music has a magic to it.

I wanted to share my latest playlist with you. It’s a great vibe shifting set I put together recently to help me get myself back on track when I start feeling down or stressed out or fearful about the future. This is one of my happy playlists for getting back into an optimistic frame of mind so I can concentrate on solutions and moving forward with things. It’s playlist #6 on my YouTube channel, and it’s called “Just Believe”:

When I listen to these songs, depending on my mood, certain lyrics really stand out for me. Right now, these are the ones that I’m feeling the most:

1. Let it Go – Idina Menzel
Best lines:

The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside. Couldn’t keep in, heaven knows I tried.
Let it go, let it go, can’t hold it back anymore. Let it go, let it go, turn away and slam the door. I don’t care what they’re going to say. Let the storm rage on; the cold never bothered me anyway.

2. Alleluia – Nana Mouskouri
Best lines:

Merci pour cet univers qui va de travers mais qui tourne. Merci pour la vie qui vaut le détour jusqu’au dernier souffle.

(Loosely translated into English, it says “Thank you for this Universe, which sometimes goes awry, but still goes on. Thank you for this life of mine, it’s worth it all until my last breath.”)

3. Give Love – MC Yogi
Best lines:

Hush little darling, don’t you cry, every little thing’s gonna be alright. Don’t worry, don’t be afraid, every little thing’s gonna be OK. Open up your heart, unlock the cage, turn the key and break the chains. Love will always find a way, if you want love you gotta give love away.

4. Unbreakable – Laurell
Best lines:

I’ve walked through the fire; I’ve been burned to the ground. But what you’ve got here’s a fighter and you’re never gonna stop me now. I’m unbreakable.

5. Dance Into the Light – Phil Collins
Best lines:

There’ll be no more hiding in shadows of fear, there’ll be no more chains to hold you. The future is yours; you hold the key, and there are no walls with freedom.

6. C’est Bon La Vie (The 59th Street Bridge Song, French version) – Nana Mouskouri
Best lines:

Je suis libre comme l’air et prête à tout. La folie serait de ne pas faire de folies! Vive la vie, que c’est bon la vie…

(Loosely translated, this says: “I’m as free as the air and ready for anything. It would be crazy not to be crazy! Here’s to life! Yeah, life is good…”)

7. Better Things – Dar Williams
Best lines:

I know you’ve got a lot of good things happening up ahead; the past is gone, it’s all been said. So here’s to what the future brings; I know tomorrow you’ll find better things.

8. Burn – Ellie Goulding
Best lines:

Strike the match, play it loud, giving love to the world. We’ll be raising our hands, shining up to the sky, ’cause we got the fire, fire, fire, yeah we got the fire, fire, fire… and we gonna let it burn.

What about you? Do you have any favourite songs for restoring optimism and positivity? Is there one particular song that expresses “that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”? What songs are you grateful for in troubled times, and what music has a magic for you?

photo credit: publicdomainpictures.net cc

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