
These Words Are My Own
I always have a lot of words in my head. Sometimes they’re my own. When I decide that I’m going to write a blog post, especially something that tackles a broader, I’ll think about constructing the words days before in my head. Usually I’ll mentally picture an opening or closing line or phrase, and then muddle through the rest of the words in intangible flash phrases. These words are still unruly and wild when they gallop around my mind, but eventually the settle and I’ll write them down.
That being said, this is not one of those posts. Don’t get your hopes up people.
Oftentimes my mental corrals are quite empty and the words spinning through my head are the words of others. When I was in college, I used to fill the time in classes by writing in my notebooks. Not my words mind you, but monotonously writing down from memory poetry, quotes and most often – song lyrics. See when I came across something written or song that spoke to me, I wanted to commit it to memory as best as possible. Writing down the words that I loved carved them into my head. I would fill pages of college ruled notebooks with lyrics and poetry, my careful script written with two lines per one row on the page.
My professors thought I was an excellent student. I guess I was, but not always to their teachings.
I don’t have an excuse to sit down and write lyrics in notebooks anymore, but I’m still just as obsessed with lyrics as ever. If I didn’t think everyone would immediately unfollow me on Facebook, I’d probably post lyrics and quotes multiple times a day. On the blog, I’ve (poorly) written about it here, explaining how I was building my life soundtrack. I’ve even touched about my quest to find the saddest song in the world, which is “God Damn The Sun” by the Swans. Don’t believe me? Look up the lyrics. I promise I’m right.
Whether you’re looking for the saddest song or something to lift your spirits, few things in life pack a bigger punch than a well crafted song lyric. On nights like tonight when my brain is a mush of all the things I should be doing (taxes, packing to move, critical reading) while stuck in the melancholy of my situation, I need words to push me along. When I don’t have words of my own, I look to songs.
These are some of my favorites. Share some of your own in the comments if you will. You can never have too many words. Alternatively, you can try and guess the songs these lyrics come from without googling. If you get all seven on your own honestly, consider me hugely impressed.
28 thoughts on “These Words Are My Own”
Isn’t the quote you’ve attributed to Josh Turner actually Frank Turner’s Song for Josh?
The other ones I know are:
Hallelujah -Leonard Cohen
He Went To Paris – Jimmey Buffett
I Miss You – Blink 182
Ugh yes. This is what I get for staying up too late and trying to blog. Fixing now.
And you’re right on all of those!
I feel the same way about music. That’s why I listen to it so much when I ride! My fave lately has been Kacey Musgraves. I especially like her “Silver Lining” song,
If you’re ever gonna find a silver lining
It’s gotta be a cloudy day
It’s gotta be a cloudy day
If you wanna fill your bottle up with lightning
You’re gonna have to stand in the rain
You’re gonna have to stand in the rain
True, though. You have to be willing to experience the pain to reach the joy!
I’ll have to look that one up! Silver linings are kind of how I get through things these days. 🙂
Song writing can be such a beautiful and meaningful expression of art and feeling. I don’t know the songs you’ve quoted, but I love the emotion they convey.
Maybe that’s why I feel like poetry is only ever half done? It needs music to be right.
from Peppermint & Glue (fond on the NCIS Soundtrakc)
“I don’t need you when I’m happy
I don’t need you when I’m sexy
I don’t need you when I’m alright
I don’t need you in the spotlight
I don’t need you when I’m funny
I don’t need you when I’m winning
I need you when I’m lost”
This song always strikes me as very poignant. And your first graphic, who doesn’t love that song. I will stop what I’m doing to listen to that whether it’s on radio or CD.
I think Hallelujah (all the versions) is the best song ever written. Period.
Thanks for the lyrics, I’ll look those up!
I agree, but to me, Leonard Cohen’s original version is the most powerful – he has true pathos in his voice, and he can express the oxymorons while being both cynical and heartfelt.
-Lindsay, 40-year Cohen fan 🙂
Rufus Wainwright’s version is probably my favorite, but that’s also because it was both the first RW song I ever heard (now he’s probably my favorite musician) and the first Cohen song.
I feel the same way about music. I have a similar post to this on my drafts, but about dancing. And I too have notebooks full of favorite lyrics and quotes by other people alongside my drawings! And a suitcase and a backpack: both covered in quotes that I scribbled on with Sharpie and liquid paper.
There are so many songs that I love because they are meaningful, I may have to get back to you on that one.
But my favorite quote of all time is “Vivir con miedo es como vivir a medias.” A life lived in fear is a life half-lived.
Lyrics can be a strong, powerful and moving thing. The pen is mightier than the sword and music can tame the raging beast. Put them together and you have magic.
These three songs make me cry almost every time I hear them-
“My Unintended” by Muse
“A thousand Years” Christina Perri
“Say Something” by A Great Big World.
Before that and still fav’s-
“Trouble” & “Fix You” by Coldplay
For fun and laughs-
“I Won’t be Home for Christmas” by Blink 182
“Shotgun Shells on the Christmas Tree” – No idea who wrote or sings it.
How did I forget ‘Say Something’? Such a good song! Also really like the 2nd Coldplay one you mentioned. Thanks!
“Bad” by U2. Also “Beautiful Day” by U2.
Bit of a U2 fan, I’m afraid.
I’m a huge music person. One of my favorites when I’m in a crappy mood, or when I’m really happy (often played in the car on the way to the barn) is by Keb’ Mo.
So easily forgotten, are the most important things
Like the melody and the moonlight in your eyes
And a song that lasts forever
Each song getting better all the time
Life is beautiful, life is wonderous
Every star above shining just for us
Life is beautiful, on a stormy night
Somewhere in the world the sun is shining bright
My favorite song lyric of all time is from James Taylor’s The secret of Life — “It’s ok to be afraid, but don’t let it stand in your way.”
Love James Taylor!
Songs really touch me, and to this day some songs remind me of different times in my life:
Reason by Hoobastank reminds me of my family’s vacation in middle school to Mt Rushmore… and the fact that my grandfather died while we were there. We drove straight through from SD to upstate NY.
Burn by Usher reminds me of the breakup with my first serious boyfriend.
Make Me Better by Fabolous was the song an ex tried to play me to get me back. Glad I didn’t do it, because I started seeing DH right after.
Fly Over State by Jason Aldean came out when my first horse died, and was the inspiration for my blog name.
Mirror by Justin Timberlake and All of Me by John Legend makes me think of Sam. Every time.
One Call Away by Charlie Puth reminds me of Tino. He was wearing a Superman costume when he died (it was Halloween), and he was very religious. I like to think he’s telling me that even though he’s physically gone from this Earth, his help and strength are still only one call (or prayer) away.
Stand by You by Rachel Platten reminds me of my BFF and how right now, I’m just trying hard to be there for her no matter what.
I feel the same way about songs. They often connect me to a time or place that other things can’t.
Long time lurker, first time commenter. This song just twists my heart. Music soothes me so I had to contribute. I hope you don’t mind.
Estonia – Marillion
Feeling you shake
Feel your heart break
Thinking if only, if only, if only, if only
And the salt water runs
Through your veins and your bones
Telling you no not this way, not this way, not this way
And you would give anything
Give up everything
Offer your life blood away
For yesterday
No one leaves you
When you live in their heart and mind
And no one dies
They just move to the other side
When we’re gone
Watch the world simply carry on
We live on laughing and in no pain
We’ll stay and be happy
With those who have loved us today
Finding the answer
It’s a human obsession
But you might as well talk to the stones and the trees and the sea
‘Cause nobody knows
And so few can see
There’s only beauty and caring and truth beyond darkness
No one leaves you
When you live in their heart and mind
And no one dies
They just move to the other side
When we’re gone
Watch the world simply carry on
We live on laughing and in no pain
We’ll stay and be happy
With those who have loved us today
And we won’t understand your grief
Because time is illusion
As this watery world spins around
This timeless sun
Will dry your eyes
And calm your mind
No one leaves you
When you live in their heart and mind
And no one dies
They just move to the other side
When we’re gone
Watch the world simply carry on
It’s okay, we will stay and be happy
Stay and be happy
With those who have loved us today
That is beautiful (and appropriate song title since we were supposed to go to Estonia after he died). Thank you for sharing.
Music holds my hand when I can’t trust anyone else to be there.
“You said, remember that life is not meant to be wasted… we can always be chasing the sun.” — Sara Bareilles, Chasing the Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p4E3yVKyyI
“She’s imperfect, but she tries. She is good but she lies. She is hard on herself; she is broken and won’t ask for help. She is messy, but she’s kind. She is lonely most of the time She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie. She is gone, but she used to be mine.” — Sara Bareilles, She Used To Be Mine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GIADHxVzM
“The world don’t speak for us, they lack the confidence. We’re only hearts and bones and blood, but we are giants.” — Matt Nathanson, Giants
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMbyup1xuFI
“I broke something I’ll never get, never get back…brought me to my knees. A head like steel, a soul of gold, and a heart that’s made of glass…but mine’s cracked.” — Pentatonix, Cracked
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsO7x-8wbzM
“I want to know who ever broke you, I want to know how you can grow bigger. Don’t go looking for some kind of rescue, you are the only one who can save you.
We are, we are more than our scars. We are, we are more than the sum of our parts.” Mary Lambert, Sum Of Our Parts (Alt.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3968w4TsDFg
I could do this forever but I won’t be completely obnoxious.
Love me some Sara Bareilles…. Sweet as Whole is a definite Pick Me Up!
I met her this past October and she is as perfect in person as she is on stage. Sweet As Whole is one of my favorites too!!
I totally get where you’re coming from, I used to write song lyrics all over everything! The Rolling Stones are probably my favorite band ever, so most of my lyrics would come from there. Other favs I tend to listen to when I’m in s contemplative mood are Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Dave Matthews, but I love pretty much all music, so it just depends on what strikes me at the moment even if it’s Justin Timberlake or Bruno Mars!
I’m not much of a lyric learner but have my personal collection of songs I turn to when I want to have a dance party or just sit. I could probably sing every Sam Cooke song he’s ever written.
One of my favorites:
“A Change Is Gonna Come”
I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, and just like the river I’ve been running ever since
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon’ come, oh yes it will
It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die
‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there beyond the sky
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon’ come, oh yes it will
I go to the movie and I go down town
Somebody keep telling me don’t hang around
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon’ come, oh yes it will
Then I go to my brother
And I say, “Brother, help me please.”
But he winds up knockin’ me
Back down on my knees
There been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able to carry on
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon’ come, oh yes it will
One song that I’ve loved since I was a teenager is Bob Dylan’s “Boots of Spanish Leather”. It’s meant different things to me at different times, it’s sort of tragic and lonely, but it’s beautiful all the same.
“No there’s nothin’ you can send me my own true love,
there’s nothin’ I’m wishin’ to be ownin’.
Just to carry yourself back to me unspoiled
From across that lonesome ocean.
I just thought, you might want something fine
Made of silver or of gold
either from the mountains of Madrid
or from the coast of Barcelona
If I had the stars from the darkest night
and the diamonds from the deepest ocean
I’d forsake them all for your sweet kiss
for that’s all I’m wishin’ to be ownin'”
I’ve commented once before I think, but now that I’m completing my senior internship and seeing how much of a difference music can make for the people I work with (and everyone), I think I’m able to appreciate your post a lot more.
This, for whatever reason, is a special song to me that I just discovered a couple months ago. The story behind the artist (who I’d never heard of before) and the sincerity in his lyrics is something that is able to bring me a sense of peace every time I hear it. Someone also made a (in my opinion) breathtaking video project for it.
“Would you believe it if you knew what you were for, and how you became so informed?
Bodies of info, performing such miracles.
I am a miracle made up of particles and in this existence, I’ll stay persistent, and I’ll make a difference.”
Aloha Ke Akua – Nahko & Medicine for the People
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsgP8LkEopM
Thanks for reminding me of some awesome songs as well :]
Love me some vintage Buffet. Always! Surprisingly to many, I guess….he has some well crafted lines/songs, my opinion. Have always loved the line you quoted here. Coast of Marseille may not be most quotable lines, but great song when reflecting. Distantly in Love a good one with”I can’t be the one to fill your blanks & empty spaces..” Gotta love If It All Falls Down, written from less than stellar review by someone in Houston.
And…I’m not a Dead Head, but hear the Grateful Dead line: What a long strange trip it’s been….in certain moments of my life…