Music speaks. For me, it happens every day. I keep a super-long playlist, tweaked daily, for use while I walk or work out at the gym or drive in my car. At any given time I have a ton of songs on shuffle.
My music speaks even louder than usual in circumstances of emotional upheaval.
I think this may be almost universally true. If you love music and listen to it regularly and are going through a breakup, or falling in love, or grieving any loss, etcetera, the songs you hear can move you in many different ways. Any particular song you’ve heard repeatedly can suddenly feel more resonating and bring a special meaning. For example, “Not Ready to Make Nice,” a 2006 fave of mine by The Chicks that took a firm stance regarding the political backlash they’d endured, at one point became a more personalized anthem for me when certain friends had hurt and angered me.
Currently my feelings have been stirred by other political events: President Biden bowing out of his candidacy for the next term and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him on the ticket. Since yesterday’s news my emotions have included shock—despite knowing this might be coming—plus a significantly felt sadness (for Biden? for me? for us all?) mixed with relief and joy and hope for the prospect of beating Trump with a worthy, exciting candidate.
This morning, then, brought one of those amazing ways that music speaks: the relevance in the randomness, the spin my mind chose to put on what I was hearing from my humongous on-shuffle playlist.
In the following order:
- Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your MInd? by The Lovin’ Spoonful (1965), as covered by its writer, John Sebastian, along with Arlen Roth
- That’s It–I Quit–I’m Movin’ On by Sam Cooke (1962), as covered by Guy Sebastian
- People Get Ready by The Impressions (1965), as covered by Eva Cassidy
- Rise Like a Phoenix by Conchita Wurst (2014)
- Path of Thorns (Terms) by Sarah McLachlan (2006)
- Better Days by Judith Hill (2018)
None of these are about politics, of course. Most are about romantic love and personal commitment to change. But here’s what I took. First, regarding our President:
(1) Did you ever have to finally decide?
And say yes to one and let the other one ride
There’s so many changes and tears you must hide
Did you ever have to finally decide?…
(2) That’s it! I quit! I’m moving on…
I believe he felt he needed to do this for the sake of this country’s future. He’ll move on, and we’ll move on. Let’s do our part and fight together to strengthen our democracy.
(3) So people get readyFor the train a-comin’You don’t need no baggageYou just get on board…
There will be the invevitable unfair obstacles for our female, multiracial (and probable) candidate.
(4) You threw me down butI’m gonna fly…
(5) The path is overgrown and strewn with thorns…
Fortunately, many leaders and prospective voters already stand behind Vice President Harris.
(6) Better daysBetter days will surely comeFind a wayFind a way to carry on
Ros.,
Amazing well said read and can’t wait to play each song. We have hope!