March 20, 2012
LOVE IT: Love Song Mixtape
Photo from anneruthmann Instagram feed.
Love has always been important to me. When I was a pre-teen living in Arizona and had to give a speech for an Optimist Oratorical Contest with the starting phrase "What if...", I turned to poetry and lyrics to help me describe love. I wish I still had a copy of that speech so I could read it again and see what, if anything, has changed about my idea of love. I remember mentioning in my speech that I knew I seemed young to an audience of middle-aged adults to really know anything about love. However, I now believe that children know the most about love- because they have not had any reason to doubt, distrust, or guard against other people's love.
I wish we could all return to that child-like place of all-accepting love. Love without discrimination, reservation, religious separation, or judgement toward others. Until we can heal ourselves and return to that place of fullness in our own love, we can at least indulge in music that reminds us a little bit of what that love feels like.
What song in your playlist reminds you of love? Comment below and share your favorites! I love discovering new music!
Here are a few of mine (click to preview this playlist in iTunes):
I love finding new music too - check out jason mraz's new ep: live is a four letter word. all 4 songs are beautiful <3
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites that makes me swoon is Lover Lay Down (Bob Dylan cover) by Magnet and Gemma Hayes
ReplyDeleteI guess Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" (the 1994 Secret World live version would be my favorite), "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell. Dianne Reeves does a haunting version of it, I've been listening to lately. And since you mentioned children and I certainly liked what you said. And I am a parent, I'd add "Russians" by Sting - for a change. That's just what came to mind first. I'm sure I could think of more. Those are probably not what you'd expect, but that's what I listen to. Those are my favorite artists in that genre.
ReplyDeleteI think you are so right about children knowing the most about love. Not only that, but I think children have such an open mind about EVERYTHING. They aren't jaded and cynical about things because they haven't had to witness so much hurt and disappointment.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in regards to favorite love songs... "Beautiful Mess" by Jason Mraz holds a special place in my heart for a few reasons. It's not your most traditional love song, but it definitely has some aspects about those emotions.
ReplyDeleteI think I understand what you're saying about children and innocence, but personally, I don't think I'm jaded and cynical at all, and I'm certainly not naive.
ReplyDeleteI'm not married any longer but I used to be, and have a daughter that's now almost 22 years old, and I put much more time than most fathers do in the USA into raising her because it's obvious to me that women are second class citizens and bear most of the burden of raising children.
Please, don't take offense to the question.
What I'd like to know is this: I'd concur with your feelings about children, and that's important. But what have you actually DONE to help children? Please don't misconstrue that statement as my trying to imply that you haven't done enough, or anything negative. The way we communicate, most people would jump to that conclusion - I DO know that. I have no idea. How could I? That's why I'm asking. I think I've done a lot. And I value honesty highly.
If you want to discuss this, just send me an Email or call me:
frankpatrick@me.com 978-710-5353 - leave an message any time. This may sound unconventional, but I just recently realized that I guess I am. And I have to be discreet about people I'm close to (or used to be), and that part is extremely serious. I do know how to be discreet, so I will be forthcoming. One of these people has international notoriety and influence. You probably have never heard of this person, but I have to be responsible about that. And I know how to be discreet.
I prefer dialog and find that I can't convey information of any substance or depth in the shorter and shorter amounts of text we're conditioned to read and write on computer devices with communicate with. And I get frustrated trying to write because I understand a lot about how software works and how people react to it.
This web page has a limit of 4,096 characters, and I'm about to go over it. I'd be thrilled if someone actually did contact me. People so often tell me "I don't have time". Perhaps if you would find the time, you might be surprised at what I have to say and glad that you chose to be unconventional. You won't know unless you try. That's why I had to al least try to ask.
Very Sincerely,
-Frank Patrick..
great love songs! my favourite is halo by beyonce.
ReplyDelete