This week share a favourite song or piece of music that helps you relax, or just share a favourite piece of music or song with us.
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American singer/songwriter Carole King wrote Up On The Roof with Gerry Goffin in 1962. It was originally recorded by The Drifters.
Carole King (with James Taylor on acoustic guitar) included it on her first solo album Writer, released in 1970.
This song just holds me tight. Relaxing? Absolutely. It also makes me smile. And sing along.
I was lucky enough to attend two performances during Carole King and James Taylor’s “Troubadour Reunion” tour in 2010.
Up On The Roof was on the set list.
It was magical…
(this video was filmed during a May 30th, 2013 concert as part of the Justice Through Music Project. To raise funds for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing)
This post inspired by V.J.’s Weekly challenge #47: In-Between
This week, I need your inspiration – where do you go in the in-between? How do you survive it? Or maybe the in-between is ripe with gifts?
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We will call you when the all the lab tests come back… Pathology could take a while…
You’ll have to wait for the results.
Waiting
Watching
Worrying
Wanting
What If
When Will
What Now
What Then
Why
When
Where
Waiting
The monkey mind churns.
Stealing today’s minutes in-between.
Poof.
Gone.
Helpless jumble of thoughts line up unbidden Bumping into each other Scrambling gibberish Is it five minutes or five hours I can’t stand another secondof….
Turn It Off
Short circuit the loop of lunacy.
Plug in
Three minutes of song.
Shut frantic tired eyes
One-Two.
One-Two-Three-Four.
Volume up.
Way up.
Melodies seep past fear laced neurons
Soothing the gray matter of terror
A foot tapping rhythm takes over…
Three minutes of happy.
Color harmony is achieved when a piece of art includes complimentary colors, typically two or three colors side-by-side on the wheel, two colors directly opposite each other on the wheel, or any color combination found in nature. It can also be used to incite different emotions in our art. Monochromatic or analogous colors (side-by-side on the wheel) create a more soothing feeling, while complementary colors (directly opposite each other on the wheel) can create drama. Allowing a single color to dominate, especially a primary color, can create a very powerful image….This is (also) your opportunity to share your favorite harmonies. Give us your best yoga pose, or your favorite musician at work, or perhaps a happy couple arm in arm – whatever floats your boat (especially if it’s on a warm yellow/orange sunset or a cool blue sunrise 😊)
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When I married a musician – a guitar player – I knew I was also marrying his guitars. It wasn’t in the vows, but I knew it all the same. I was okay with that. Even though, now, after 40 years I still wonder at the need for 8. But never mind.
They are first loves…especially his very first guitar…from the Harmony Company. The guitar he wrote his first songs on. Teenage angst, love and heartbreak. The guitar he has kept to this very day.
What does a guitar player/guitar teacher often receive as a gift? In his case…ties. Bright colorful music themed ties. Guitar ties. Beatles ties. To name a few. Some piquing the curiosity of his teenage students.
Creative color collages from all around the color wheel. As harmonious as the music he has created and shared with us. All these years.
My contribution to this week’s Song Lyric Sunday (Prompt: Hurt/Pain/Agony/Suffer
Cidney Bullens (formerly known as Cindy Bullens) wrote “I Gotta Believe In Something” after the death of her 11 year old daughter Jessie, from cancer, in 1996.
“I Gotta Believe In Something” is part of the critically acclaimed album “Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth” released in 1999. Backing vocals: Bonnie Raitt and Beth Neilsen Chapman.
Grief is palpable, as is the unimaginable pain behind the lyrics in this haunting song.
Cidney Bullens, an American singer/songwriter/guitarist, grew up in Massachusetts. As Cindy, she began her singing career as a backup vocalist for Rod Stewart and Elton John. She released her first well received album “Desire Wire” in 1978 – the first of 8 albums – and was nominated for 2 Grammy awards. He is currently working on a new solo album.
I GOTTA BELIEVE IN SOMETHING
By Cindy Bullens
I can’t figure it out As if I ever could Everything I planned Didn’t work out like I thought it would
I’ve had my share of tragedy I’ve felt the darkness cover me Till I can’t see
But I gotta believe in something I gotta believe in something That there’s just plain nothing Don’t sit right with me
I gotta hold on to something I gotta hold on to something Even if it’s nothing But a little dream
Some days just breathing Is all that I can do And I curse the disappearance Of everything I knew
But there’s only so many tears I can cry I need to point my soul to the light So I can see
And I gotta believe in something I gotta believe in something That’s there’s just plain nothing Don’t seem right to me
I gotta hold onto something I gotta hold onto something I can’t live with nothing To believe
I can’t figure it out As if I ever could Everything I planned Didn’t work out like I thought it would
So I gotta believe in something I gotta believe in something That’s there’s just plain nothing Don’t seem right to me
I gotta hold on to something I gotta hold on to something Even if it’s nothing But a little dream
I gotta believe in something I gotta believe in something I can’t live with nothing To believe
My contribution to this week’s Song Lyric Sunday (Prompt: Boogie/Rock/Rolling Stone)
The late great Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin wrote “Rock Steady,” an “upbeat song that will get you up out of your seat moving and grooving…” (All Music Guide to Rock 2002 – 3rd ed.) for her album Young, Gifted and Black in 1971.
The song – classified as funk – was also released as a single in 1971 – reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
To quote Dave Marsh from The Heart of Rock & Soul (1989), “She cries out like a woman backed to the wall, shouting for truth and nothing less: ‘Let’s call this song exactly what it is!'”
Enjoy!
Rock Steady
by Aretha Franklin
Rock steady, baby That’s what I feel now Just call the song exactly what it is Just move your hips with a feeling from side to side Sit yourself down in your car and take a ride While you’re moving, rock steady Rock steady, baby Let’s call this song exactly what it is (What it is, what it is, what it is) It’s a funky and lowdown feeling (what it is) In the hips from left to right (what it is) (What it is) what it is I might be doin’ (What it is) this funky dance all night (Put your hands up in the air) (Got a feelin’ you ain’t got a care) (What fun to take this ride) (Rock steady will only slide)
Rock steady, rock steady baby Rock steady, rock steady baby
Jump and move your hips with a feeling from side to side Sit yourself down in your car and take a ride While you’re moving, rock steady Rock steady
Let’s call this song exactly what it is (What it is, what it is, what it is) It’s a funky and lowdown feeling (what it is) In the hips from left to right (what it is) What it is is I might be doin’ (what it is) This funky dance all night, ah (Put your hands up in the air) (Got a feelin’ you ain’t got a care) (What fun to take this ride) (Rock steady will only slide)
Rock steady baby, rock steady, woo Rock steady
Rock steady, rock steady (what it is) It’s a funky and lowdown feeling (what it is) In the hips from left to right (what it is) What it is is I might be doin’ This funky dance all night, ah (Put your hands up in the air) (Got a feelin’ you ain’t got a care) (What fun to take this ride) (Rock steady will only slide)
One of my newest favorite singer/songwriter/guitarists – Mary Chapin Carpenter – has actually been making music for 30 years. Born in New Jersey, she spent the early part of her singing career in Washington DC before releasing her first album in 1987. The winner of 5 Grammy awards, she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012.
I discovered her a few years ago at a local outdoor concert. I was blown away by her voice and personal catch-ya-off-guard lyrics. I couldn’t take my eyes – or ears – off her and the amazing band she performed with. Playing seamlessly together.
Mary Chapin Carpenter – Prescott Park Arts Festival – 2017
Her most successful album Come On Come On was released in 1992 and went quadruple platinum.
Walking Through Fire is from this album.
Walking Through Fire
by Mary Chapin Carpenter
When you set a match to your heart, fueling it with bitterness and doubt That’s the place that once it starts, no amount of tears can put out I know you’re scared, but no one’s spared when you play with matches
You got me walking through fire You got me walking through fire
Maybe you’ve been burned by lovers, maybe you’ve been scarred by the pain But baby, I’m not like the others, drawing moths to a flame Spite is like a spark, crackling in the dark, consuming all it catches
And you got me walking through fire You got me walking through fire to get to you Got me walking through fire (walking through fire) You got me walking through fire (walking through fire)
You can see the toll it’s taking, you can feel the faith it’s shaking You can hear the heart it’s breaking now
Baby, I’ve been burned by the fever, I’ve been scorched by desire But baby, I am not your deceiver or your eloquent liar Your jealous heart is tearing us apart, turning love to ashes
When you got me walking through fire You’ve got me walking through fire to get to you Got me walking through fire You’ve got me walking through fire
You’ve got me walking through fire (walking through fire) You’ve got me walking through fire (walking through fire) As the flames shoot higher You got me walking through fire (through fire), walking
My contribution to this week’s Song Lyric Sunday (prompt: Record/Jukebox/DJ/Radio).
At the age of 17, I discovered Joni Mitchell when I first dropped the needle on her album Blue. Thanks to new friends at my summer job. One of those friends and I were lucky enough to see her in concert together. Three years later. The Music Hall in Boston. High up in the balcony.
Joni Mitchell is a Canadian singer/songwriter. The winner of 9 Grammy awards. Music that ranges from folk to pop to rock to jazz. Lyrics that reach out and grab you tight…especially when you’re 17.
You Turn Me On I’m A Radio was Mitchell’s first Top 40 hit as an artist in America. Lighter and brighter than her more serious musings on Blue, it was released in 1972 on the For the Roses album (her 5th). Written from the point of view of a radio station, it moved more towards the pop genre.
I now get a kick out of the references to dials and transistors…as I remember my first radio. A gift from my grandparents when I was in the 5th grade. A black Sony transistor radio (with a case!). And a dial…which picked up my favorite AM station: 77WABC
I’ll bet Joni Mitchell performed this song that night in Boston…
You Turn Me On I’m a Radio
by Joni Mitchell
If you’re driving into town
With a dark cloud above you
Dial in the number
Who’s bound to love you
Oh honey you turn me on
I’m a radio
I’m a country station
I’m a little bit corny
I’m a wildwood flower
Waving for you
I’m a broadcasting tower
Waving for you
And I’m sending you out
This signal here
I hope you can pick it up
Loud and clear
I know you don’t like weak women
You get bored so quick
And you don’t like strong women
‘Cause they’re hip to your tricks
It’s been dirty for dirty
Down the line
But you know I come when you whistle
When you’re loving and kind
But if you’ve got too many doubts
If there’s no good reception for me
Then tune me out, ’cause honey
Who needs the static
It hurts the head
And you wind up cracking
And the day goes dismal
From “Breakfast Barney”
To the sign-off prayer
What a sorry face you get to wear
I’m going to tell you again now
If you’re still listening there
If you’re driving into town
With a dark cloud above you
Dial in the number
Who’s bound to love you
If you’re lying on the beach
With the transistor going
Kick off the sandflies honey
The love’s still flowing
If your head says forget it
But your heart’s still smoking
Call me at the station
The lines are open
My contribution to this week’s Song Lyric Sunday (prompt: Minutes/Hours/Days/Weeks/Months)
At the age of 17, I discovered Carole King – a prolific American singer-songwriter – via her Tapestry album.
She was not, however, a one-hit wonder for me.
I collected her albums over the years, their dust jackets now worn and faded. I devoured each and every one…most likely wearing out the phonograph needle in the process.
Carole King’s 4th album Rhymes & Reasons was released in 1972. It climbed to the No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
One of the songs on this album – Gotta Get Through Another Day – still resonates all these years later…although from an entirely different perspective….
Gotta Get Through Another Day
by Carole King
It’s a gray, gray gloomy day A strange and moody blues day Gotta get through, gotta get through another day
Corn yellow silk and golden sunlight I remember As we walked together, you and I Love like a sweet flaming glow inside Now has been denied And I’ve cried till I can’t remember why
I gotta get through, gotta get through some way Gotta get through, gotta get through another day
Will Tuesday be “good news” day Or another “paying dues” day It’s a strange and moody blues day Anyway
Some say that time brings a better understanding Of the rhyme and reason to it all Still the flame keeps burning through the lonely night It’s just not all right And I wonder if I’ll make it till you call
I gotta get through, gotta get through some way It’s a gray, gray gloomy day A strange and moody blues day Gotta get through, gotta get through another day I gotta get through another day.
My contribution to this week’s Song Lyric Sunday (prompt: School/Books/Learning) will focus on the learning…
Beth Nielsen Chapman, an American singer/songwriter, wrote Life Holds On for her self titled album released in 1990. I discovered her music by chance – often hearing it on the radio. It remains on my list of all time favorite albums!
She plays both guitar and piano throughout this album; keyboards only on Life Holds On.
Many of her songs have been recorded by artists such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tanya Tucker, Trisha Yearwood and Martina McBride. She co-wrote This Kiss with Faith Hill, who recorded it as well. Elton John began performed her song Sand and Water in 1997. Her most recent album Hearts of Glass was released in 2018.
Life Holds On
by Beth Nielsen Chapman
I was swinging on the swings when I was a little girl Trying to get a handle on the big, wide world When I noticed all the grass in the cracks in the concrete I said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way around anything”
Life holds on Given the slightest chance For the weak and the strong Life holds on
There was a third grade boy that we knew in school He was found face down in a swimming pool And as they worked on that kid every minute was an hour And when his eyes fluttered open we could feel that power
Life holds on Given the slightest chance For the weak and the strong Life holds on
Life holds on Life holds on
Sirens screaming down my street Fading as they go Whining somewhere far away To someone I don’t know Still, I say a little prayer There’s always hope Life holds on.
Through the window in the kitchen I can see outside My kids taking turns coming down the slide I try not to worry as they grow a little every day No, I’ve just got to believe they’re gonna find their way.
Life holds on Given the slightest chance For the weak and the strong Life holds on
Life holds on
Life holds on
Life holds on
Rickie Lee Jones wrote The Horses with Walter Becker (of Steely Dan). It appears on the album Flying Cowboys (1989) and was written about her daughter Charlotte Rose. The song was also featured in the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire.
A sweet song of a mother’s fierce love…it could be any mother’s…or father’s…message to a child.
The Horses
by Rickie Lee Jones
& Walter Becker
We will fly Way up high Where the cold wind blows Or in the sun Laughing having fun With the people that she knows And if the situation Should keep us separated You know the world won’t fall apart And you will free the beautiful bird That’s caught inside your heart Can’t you hear her? Oh she cries so loud Casts her wild note Over water and cloud
That’s the way it’s gonna be, little darlin’ We’ll be riding on the horses, yeah Way up in the sky, little darlin’ And if you fall I’ll pick you up, pick you up
You will grow And until you go I’ll be right there by your side And even then Whisper the wind And she will carry up your ride I hear all the people of the world In one bird’s lonely cry See them trying every way they know how To make their spirit fly Can’t you see him? He’s down on the ground He has a broken wing Looking all around
That’s the way it’s gonna be, little darlin’ You go riding on the horses, yeah Way up in the sky, little darlin’ And if you fall I’ll pick you up, pick you up
That’s the way it’s gonna be, little darlin’ You go riding on the horses, yeah Way up in the sky, little darlin’ And if you fall I’ll pick you up, pick you up And if you fall I’ll pick you up, pick you up
And if you fall I’ll pick you up, pick you up
I’ll pick you up darlin’ if you fall Don’t worry ’bout a thing little girl Because I was young myself not so long ago And when I was young When I was young And when I was young, oh I was a wild, wild one.
one letter UP ~ diary 2.0 