Music For the front porch
Music to soothe your soul, motivate your body or invigorate your mind
Music is the thing that can affect you deeply and profoundly. Music has been known to influence behavior, decisions, lifestyles and crimes. For me it has been a balm in times of indecision, pain or trial. It has been entertaining, educational, inspirational and expressive. I would like to share some of my favorite pieces out of the trillions of songs I love and know and share with you while sitting on my porch, the stories behind the piece for me.
I love to do housework. I do have to be motivated and my go-to for this is the BOB SEGER and the SILVER BULLET band album. started using this music as my housework go-to back in the 70’s when I cleaned my mother’s house on Lincoln Street. It was a large house and by the time the album was done, so was I. It helped me with time management to know exactly how many songs were left at any given point. There is nothing that beats sweeping and mopping to Nutbush city limits! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Z5P2cImhs&list=PLQMQ0pEi2Ffo3uQZpb71Yur816mYE5sl3&index=1&pp=iAQB8AUB
John Denver was always a favorite of mine and when I walk in the woods, I sing his song Follow me. https://youtu.be/VzykTaH5ZwM?si=BmzTH0q0xHbB8ng It is my woods tune, and it makes me feel close to nature, as does his Rocky Mountain High. https://youtu.be/cOS5-n7dyj4?si=kT_k8LUEgkWrhhXJ John Denver and nature, that is the ticket for me to get a good hike in.
When I am in a relationship, I tend to use music like a muse. When I married in 2003 I found a particular kinship to the song “It Feels Like Home To Me”. https://youtu.be/t-ouxPhYy7Y?si=mrR9gAvsY9OHuZik The lyrics are the best. I hear that song, and it transports me to the house I lived in at the time and the memory of the hope of a really good life to come, the depth of love to come and the feeling of security that is sought in a good relationship. And when I divorced nothing expressed it better than the song “Whatever You Say”.
I love how the song Happy https://youtu.be/ZbZSe6N_BXs?si=iFZph2jvcrV1WIcM makes me want to smile and dance and how the song I think I Want To Marry You makes me want to be in a flash dance. https://youtu.be/dElRVQFqj-k?si=wdYCJozJUpq2zxa But nothing compares to the incredible depth of emotion with a song like I know You By Heart. https://youtu.be/crUm-v6o-0s?si=oKMdM82T7ps_yKPZ Sometimes silly songs like Because I Got High https://youtu.be/WeYsTmIzjkw?si=UYupEYz9sPqW9MY or My Name is Satan make me laugh so hard I want to pee my pants. https://youtu.be/5BeYXjBfrdg?si=0C-jWLWexjYAYc
Of all of the music I love it is gospel music that gets to me and in the last 5 years it has been two pieces that have touched my heart. The God who Sees https://youtu.be/l6sX4Vw8mx0?si=UpIjGaZRzU0M9a3m and I Will Sing of the Goodness of God. https://youtu.be/l6sX4Vw8mx0?si=UpIjGaZRzU0M9a3m Both songs capture my feelings about how I feel about my relationship with God. Both are beautifully done and both are songs I sing when I feel a bit afraid. Gospel music, especially sung by men is something that calms me immediately and sets me solid. I love it. I find it to strengthen me. Lastly, I love the song, You say is the song I sing when I feel that I may be a disappointment to my God https://youtu.be/sIaT8Jl2zpI?si=J3mobvavTaHD1zqq It can bring me back to the center quickly and remind me of my worth.
What music affects you? Do you play instruments? Sing? Singing is the best way to be able to clear my head. Loud and proud. I love classical music as well. I have a favorite CD that is classical with waves behind it and oh my…. soul stopping https://youtu.be/QR3lp0ptpy8?si=Xi5LaAfBzqa6jD1A I love concerts and street singers. I find that other people’s display of talent is emotion provoking. https://youtu.be/CF7i49O9bL4?si=Uzfbf0qnCJ2bmKbA And oh, so inspiring. Do you have a favorite artist? Right now I am fascinated by Ariana Grande. She is talented. My favorite artist is the current one who has caught me unaware, like Lady Gaga. Holy moly her song the Ill Always Remember Us This Way, is brilliant. https://youtu.be/p1godKRBeZc?si=A15F32Wh1Q5P0rC6 I find her fascinating and disturbing all at once and I cant figure out why. I am enamored with the old stars like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra so now Michael Buble is a go-to. https://youtu.be/Edwsf-8F3sI?si=rnI0019e1NlPs-xt So many songs, so little time. Comment below and let me know the music or musician you love best. Tell us how it makes you feel. Go to your front porch and share a tune, it will bring you joy.