Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Sound of Music

I HAVE TO listen to music while writing. It doesn't distract me, it keeps me in the mood. It inspires me. And it's usually very emotional music that makes me feel all angsty and deep.

Yeah the melody matters, but the lyrics move me most of all.

Probably because they are like little poems.

Here are some favorites:

"Falling Slowly" (I like the version by Kris Allen):

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You'll make it now



Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can’t go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I’m painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It’s time that you won


Hallelujah (my favorite version is by Rufus Wainright):
Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah


Let Me Sign (by Robert Pattinson from the Twilight movie):
She was standing there by the broken tree
Her hands were all twisted she was pointing at me
I was damned by the light coming out of her eyes
She spoke with a voice that disrupted the sky
She said walk on over into bitter shade,
I will wrap you in my arms and you'll know you've been saved'
Let me sign, let me sign, can't fight the devil so just let me sign.

I was out for a drink in a soho bar
The air was smoked out liked a cheap cigar
She rose out of her seat like a painted ghost
She was the woman that I wanted the most
As she reached for my arm I gave her my hand
I said 'Lay me down easy let me understand'
Let me sign, let sign, can't fight the devil so just let me sign.


Where I Stood (By Missy Higgins):

I don't know what I've done
Or if I like what I've begun
But something told me to run
And honey you know me it's all or none

There were sounds in my head
LIttle voices whispering
That I should go and this should end
Oh and I found myself listening

'Cos I dont know who I am, who I am without you
All I know is that I should
And I don't know if I could stand another hand upon you
All I know is that I should
'Cos she will love you more than I could
She who dares to stand where I stood


There's plenty more (like Glitter in the Air by Pink and, and...) but I've bored you enough already.


So tell me, are you moved by more by the melody or the lyrics of a song?

12 comments:

Harmony said...

Lyrics, definitely. I love that song by Pink--did you see her Grammy performance last year?

RPatz SINGS? What? He had a song in that movie? Off to investigate.

LisaDay said...

Lyrics but only because if they are bad, I can't listen to the music regardless of how much I like the beat.

For example, I am not a fan of Nickleback because the lyrics in some of their songs are awful, however, the music is catchy.

Lisa

Pamela Gold said...

Ummmm... Edward sings and you're just telling me this now {I'm saying this as if this post was directed to me only, selfishly}. SO. ON. IT.

P.S. I love to write while listening to anything by Iron & Wine!

Andrea said...

There are plenty of songs that bring tears to my eyes. My dad was a musician and loved Louis Armstrong. I am moved by Wonderful World. It brings back great memories of my dad.

Matthew MacNish said...

It depends on the type of music, but both can be inspiring it different ways.

Sharlene T. said...

I can't have any kind of music on when I'm working -- because it totally distracts me... I love music and it enters my brain and consumes my thoughts, so I have to turn it off until I'm through with the most arduous parts of my tasks... great song choices here... but is it really 'sign' and not 'sing'?... just curious...

Twitter: SolarChief

Melissa B. said...

Although I, too, love my tune-age, I can't read nor write with the iPod on. But I get my fix at other moments of the day...in the car, emptying the dishwasher, having an impromptu "dance break of the day" with the cat...

Nora MacFarlane said...

Ditto what Sharlene said. I end up analyzing the music, and it gets in my way creatively. Sometimes though, if I have a song in my head and I can't get it out, I can play classical music very quietly in the background. I clears my head so I can think about my manuscript again.

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

Thanks for commenting on my interview at Jen's blog!

I love music while I write. The only way I have to play music is on my computer, though, and I always forget to open the program! It does help keep me inspired though!

Unknown said...

Good question. The beauty created by someone else inspires us to create in our own way. Interesting, isn't it?
There's so much music in the world, but a song with meaningful lyrics and a beautiful melody makes it seem as if one couldn't exist without the other.
"Hallelujah" is absolutely one of those inspirational songs for me, and Rufus Wainwright has a gorgeous voice.

Little Ms J said...

I can't listen to music and write. Maybe it is the fact that I listen to Hip Hop and all the shorties and fatties get in my way. I start throwing "Yo" around and its just a big mess. Maybe I should try some easy listening....

Lourie said...

Man that is hard. I love music. I love instrumentals. And love a good song with powerful words. I guess for me, it depends on what mood I am in. Sometimes I want to dance and be rowdy, and other times quiet soft music in the background is all I want.