This topic has been percolating in my brain for a little bit now. I'm not sure how many songs will be here, but for each one, I'll try to explain what it is that gets me.
War On Drugs - Barenaked Ladies
The first song is one that helped me a lot through my recovery from illness, honestly.. I didn't have an issue with drugs. But some of the other themes in there were prominent.
They say Jesus and mental health
are just for those who can help themselves.
What good is that when you live in hell on earth?
For the very fear that makes you want to die
is just the same as what keeps you alive.
It's way more trouble than some suicide is worth
It was a dark time for me. I was laid up in the hospital with an illness that almost killed me. Recovery from that was difficult. There were days I wanted to end it all.. I'm too stubborn to though...
St. Elmo's Fire - John Parr
This song was helpful in the recovery process. After listening to it, I hope you can see why.
The song helped me push through those days where all I wanted to do is lay in bed and mope. Those days where I didn't want to tackle the stairs or walk the same stretch of hallway yet again..
Plus, the man this song was written for, Rick Hansen, used his wheelchair to cross multiple countries to raise awareness for accessibility for disabled persons. Starting in 1985, he went through 34 countries on his tour including wheeling up to the Great Wall of China.
Better Than You - Moist
I first heard this song and album in University. I really enjoy most of the album, but this one catches me.
I've had an issue with self-worth and self-esteem for most of my life. Doesn't help being called useless and having multiple jokes played on you in high school. It also doesn't help that the only thing I really know is rejection aside from a couple cases. So the line "everyone is better than you" hits me more than it should.
I know the perspective is the singer saying this to someone else, but it hits me hard..
Better Version - Shinedown
This one gets me because of one point in my life. While I was married, my ex wife seemed to love the ideal version she had of me in her head rather than the human in front of her. More than once, she said to me "When I look at you, all I see is fat"
So this song, to me, is both a sarcastic reponse to complaints about the person and things they can't really control.
What I don't need is to concede because I won't be someone else
I am not perfect and I don't claim to be
And if that's what you wanted
Well then I'm so sorry
How about a better version of the way that I am?
How about a better version that makes me understand?
How about a better version of the way that I am?
The way I look, The way I speak,
How about a better version of me?
Shades of Grey - Billy Joel
Now, I've always been a little different. When it comes to social issues or other issues along those lines, I've never been a Black and White person.
I'm seeing more Black and White thinking nowadays than I ever remember seeing before. You're either with us or against us seems to be the prevailing mentallity now.
Having the ability to see multiple angles of an issue is tiring and honestly very annoying. I consider all the angles, all the evidence before me and comment. In many cases, what I say will piss someone off.
Now with the wisdom of yearsI try to reason things outAnd the only people I fearAre those who never have doubtsSave us all from arrogant menAnd all the causes they're forI won't be righteous againI'm not that sure anymore
Some things were perfectly clearSeen with the vision of youthNo doubts and nothing to fearI claimed the corner on truthThese days it's harder to say"I know what I'm fighting for"My faith is falling awayI'm not that sure anymore
To me, there are many issues now that come to the forefront that are divisive. What was once called compassion and empathy is now called "Woke" Seeing people at each other's throats for reasons like who they vote for, whether or not they got vaccinated, if you don't agree with the idea of "Round 'em all up and send 'em away. If we get some actual citizens in there, OOops"
To me, I'm the singer's POV. Looking around at chaos and while others see Black and White, I see shades of grey.
So, the few people who lurk on this blog, what say you? What songs speak to you?
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