Music....the soundtrack of life.

I found this little MEME (I don't know what a MEME is....but I love music and how it resonates with life, so I decided to play along). I have over 3500 songs on my IPOD - and I admit that I don't know them all. I've been shuffling since I loaded it up, including a couple long road-trips, and haven't made it through. In fact, I haven't even gotten to many of the songs that came up with this little exercise.

1) How would you describe yourself? 
Everybody’s Talkin’ (Harry Nilsson). I don’t hear a word they’re saying, only the echoes of my mind. The truth is....I am very sensitive to what others say and think....so this is a really intresting shuffle!

2) What do you like in a guy/girl?
 The Other Side (Melissa Ferrick). To be loved so much, to actually wanna love again. I’m floatin’ out here, waiting for the moon to push the tide. Trusting the ocean to carry me to the other side. OR>...maybe I just love Ferrick?????? We explored this girl-crush at length this past weekend.

3) What is your motto? 
A Whiter Shade of Pale (Annie Lennox cover). If music be the food of love, then laughter is its queen
and likewise if behind is in front, then dirt in truth is clean... I don't really fully understand this song; but the melody and flow of the words is so beautiful. I especially like this version by Annie Lennox - it sounds like heaven.

4) What do your friends think of you?
 Si Volvera’ (Erika Luckett).

I don't speak Spanish, I speak Italian; so I only guess at what the lyrics mean (love and loss, unknown, painting...artistic expression as a means of making one's self feel better). This song has a very flamenco feel to it, and it makes me dance....my inner Latina comes out, and I dance like noone's watching.

5) What do you think about often?
 Don’t Let it Bring you Down (Annie Lennox covers Neil Young). Don’t let it bring you down….you will come around.

6) What do your parents think of you?
 Home by Another Way (James Taylor) Maybe me and you can go home by another way….safe home. I think my parents think of me as a hard-working free spirit....taking whatever presents itself and experiencing it and adjusting....

7) What do you think of your best friend? Gravedigger (Richard Julian). This is from "Fast Folk" and is on the 2nd disk - one I've never listened to! I've talked a lot about my wishes for when I die with my best friend....burn my journal, don't hang out with my dead body for 3 days..... 


8) What do you think of the person you like? A Lucky Musician (Pete Seeger) – an intro…”I must be the luckiest musician getting to sing these songs I love!”


9) What do you want to be when you grow up?
 Burn All the Letters (Indigo Girls). I can't believe it....there's an IG song I don't know by heart. This seems to be about protecting what's sacred....

10) What do you think when you see the person you like?
 America (Ellis)

11) What song will they play at your wedding? Winter Wonderland (Harry Connick Jr.). I love this arrangement. No words, just really lively, syncopated piano.

12) What will they play at your funeral? Two Little Feet (Karen Savoca covering Greg Brown). Two little feet to carry me across a big mountain….

13) What is your hobby/interest? Expendable (Ellis)

14) What is your biggest fear?
 Go (Indigo Girls). Raise your hands, Raise your hands high, Don't take a seat, Don't stand aside
This time don't assume anything , Just go go go ....
I think my biggest fear is being "found out"....on so many different levels than just the obvious.

15) What is your biggest secret? On the Road Again (Willie Nelson). The life I love is makin’ music with my friends…. (not sure this is a secret, though!)

16) What do you think of your friends? Spring & All (Mary Chapin Carpenter). It’s spring, and what’s left of the hippies return.

17) What is your theme song? Secret o’ Life (James Taylor). The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time….any fool can do it, there ain’t nothin’ to it. Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill, but since we’re on the way down, we might as well enjoy the ride. The secret of love is in opening up your heart. It’s ok to feel afraid, but don’t let it stand in your way.

This is very appropriate - trying to stay in the present and be with what is....and finding a way to find joy and reason to celebrate.

18) What do you think of your family? Bring me Li’l Water Silvy (Pete Seeger). Bring me little water Silvy, every little once in a while….

We're not fancy....but we're there for each other in ways that count and resonate.

19) What is your best friend's theme song? If You Miss Me at the Back of the Bus (Pete Seeger). If you miss me at the back of the bus, you can’t find me no where; c’mon over to the front of the bus, I’ll be ridin’ up there.

My best friend is a very brave activist....and loves Pete Seeger!

20) What is your mood right now? 
Sloop John B (Beach Boys). I feel so broke up, I wanna go home.

I feel stressed...and home is safe.

21) If your heart could talk what would it say? Don’t Ever Call Your Sweetheart by His Name (Christine Lavin). I used to get their names mixed up, but now here’s what I do….to avoid any possible embarrassment or shame, I never call a sweet heart by his name.

22) What do your co-workers think of you? Sweet Potato Pie (James Taylor). Oh Lord, I feel fine today….walkin’ on cloud 9 nine today.

23) What does your future look like? Lay Lady Lay (Bob Dylan). Lay across my big brass bed….whatever colors you have in your mind, I’ll show them to you and you’ll see them shine.

Probably my least favorite Dylan song; "lay across my big brayuss bayuhd"...makes my fur stand up. I use the chord progression to move up and down the neck with barre chords. Maybe my future looks like barre chords will finally make sense and happen without a big pregnant pause and cramped fingers.