Weekly Writing Challenge: Moved By Music


THIS IS YOUR LIFE – ARE YOU WHO YOU WANT TO BE?

This writing challenge asks us to look deeper into songs, artists, albums or lyrics that speak to us.  That inspire us.  That represent us.  I have chosen Switchfoot. A band that symbolizes my quest for growth and depth in my life.  Whose lyrics represent my desire to LIVE BIG and to become the best ME possible.

The challenge comes with ironic timing.  Just yesterday I wrote about how music impacts me on a spiritual level.  How even though I lack any musical ability myself, I feel music is a huge part of who I am.  Something I don’t think I could live without.

To see that post…http://wahinewednesdays.com/2013/11/02/love-would-never-leave-us-alone-bob-marley/

So often, when I am dealing with one thing or another in life, a song will come on and it’s as if it was written especially for me.  The lyrics will parallel what I am feeling or experiencing.  Music helps me connect with myself. Songs can reveal the words to express what is going on inside me.

When I am going through hard times…to belt out the lyrics of a song that resonates with my experiences…is cleansing.  It’s cathartic and helps me let out what needs to be expressed.

Listening and singing to music is a way to reach deep places within myself.  The dark spots that I keep hidden from the world.  I use music to help me FEEL.  To reach those vulnerable places that no one gets to see but me.

Music can express joy.  There is nothing like blasting a happy song.  A song you can sing every word to and it makes you feel simply giddy.  Maybe it’s a song like “Say Hey” by Michael Franti.  A song that you can’t help but bop your head to while you’re singing and smiling.

Music comes in really handy when you’re angry or frustrated with things.  That’s when, alone in the car, blasting old school metal, punk or rock is perfect.  Something loud and hard and fast.

Music also helps me think.  Think about the world and where I am in it.  One of my favorite bands for helping me contemplate my place in this world is

Switchfoot

Their name is a surfing term that refers to switching your stance.  Switching your view on life and getting a whole new perspective.

They are a local San Diego alternative rock band made up of surfers with a Christian faith.   They don’t sing about surfing or God or Jesus yet their songs are spiritual…they make you think about the bigger questions.  I love their music.  I am affected by their lyrics.  And they seem like really amazing people.  Definitely a band I can get behind!

They haven’t had incredible mainstream radio popularity, which at times I think is a good thing.  However, they have had success in other areas.  They have had several album releases debut in the top 20 on the Billboard 200 album charts, they’ve received a Grammy award, they have had their songs in movie soundtracks and they just recently released a surf documentary with footage of the band called Fading West.

Here is a sampling of their music.  I hope you have time to listen to one or two.  I had a hard time picking my favorites so I gave you several.

This is one of their latest.

The lyric I love most:

“Who we are, In the fever of our youth;  Who we are, We’ve got nothing left to lose;  Who we are, There’s still time enough to choose, Who we are.”

Who We Are

This is the first song I heard of theirs and it is still one of my favorites.

To me it is saying we all have decisions to make. Sometimes the decisions are hard or scary.  What will we choose?  The song is daring us to choose to do something life changing for ourself or others.  To do something great.

“I dare you to move, I dare you to move, I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor.  I dare you to move. I dare you to move, Like today never happened. Today never happened before.”

Dare You To Move

I sing this song a lot.  It really resonates with me.  For me, it is about not settling.  Not being content with just ok.  To want more than ‘just fine’.  To  want things to be better than fine!!!

“When I’m lit with the sunrise. I want more than just a good time.  I want more than just ok, more than just ok.”

More Than Fine

This one is necessary to listen to sometimes.  For me, it talks about us being our own worst enemy.  How the choices we make we can really mess things up.

“We lock our souls in cages, We hide inside our shells. It’s hard to feed the ones you love, When you can’t forgive yourself.”

Mess Of Me

This is another new one.  This one reminds me to not be afraid.  I can only be the best me possible if I risk and take chances.  Fear won’t stop me.

“And we find what we’re made of, Through the open door.  Is it fear you’re afraid of? What are you waiting for?”

Love Alone Is Worth The Fight

And last but not least, my first favorite song of theirs.  Every time I hear it, it  makes me pause and take inventory of my life.  Never gets old.

“This is your life…are you who you want to be?” sums it up nicely.

“Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead, yesterday is a promise that you’ve broken. Don’t close your eyes, don’t close your eyes.  This is your life and today is all you got now. And today is all you’ll ever have.”

This Is Your Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_SLy-luH9o

I hope you have enjoyed these and the songs have touched you in some way.

Rock on!

Karen

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/weekly-writing-challenge-music/


One response to “Weekly Writing Challenge: Moved By Music”

  1. WOW. This one spoke volumes to me… I was nearly in tears watching the video. You rock, have a wonderful rest of your day- you absolutely deserve it!

    You’re awesome, are you on facebook or twitter?