Songs of the Week 2016 - Love
Songs of the Week 2016 - Love
JANUARY
JANUARY
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Week of 1/3/2016
Week of 1/3/2016
"22" by Taylor Swift, off of her 2012 album, "Red"
"22" by Taylor Swift, off of her 2012 album, "Red"
I don't know about you... ;3
Week of 1/10/2016
Week of 1/10/2016
"My Death" [LIVE] by David Bowie, off of his 1994 Live Album, "Live in Santa Monica '72"
"My Death" [LIVE] by David Bowie, off of his 1994 Live Album, "Live in Santa Monica '72"
Angel or devil, I don't care
For, in front of that door
There is you~ 💙
I still can't believe this... he JUST released his latest album only moments ago. Rock on and rest in peace David, your music will live on...
Retrospective Note 2023: Get ready for a story. This song has a lot behind it. Click/tap this collapsible text box to read on.
TL;DR: This is the brief story about how I discovered Bowie's work, and how his words have inspired me to start my career in music.
Another artist I was never exposed to growing up. My Dad had very strict opinions about certain artists. He had a reason, but wouldn't always tell me. Bowie was one of those. I'm sure it was because of his presentation, his lyrics, his sounds. All too scary for those with conservative Christian sensitivities. Of course when I grew up and started gaining my own ear for music not dictated by my elders, I started to explore these "forbidden" artists, although sadly, I never got to Bowie, until he died.
I was always fascinated by him, but was intimidated by his discography, for indeed, it's MASSIVE. I knew his 80s radio hits, but that was about it. I simply didn't know where to start. That was, until I discovered the Twitch streamer, Vinesauce, who is a HUGE fan of Bowie's work. He'd often play his songs during the intros and intermissions, and that's where I started to get more expansive selections outside of "Just Dance" and "Under Pressure". His favorite album at the time was from 1995 titled, "Outside", which he'd discuss often. That was when I started to see Bowie beyond his pop star persona, and started to see him as the artist that he truly was. Sadly, Bowie passed away just days after releasing his final record, "Blackstar". It was the first Bowie album I listened to top to bottom. It was haunting, unlike anything I had ever listened to before.
I remember finding out about his passing while watching a late night Vinesauce stream. A chat member notified Vinny, and at first, he thought it was a joke. Of course within minutes, we'd all find it to be true. It was a humbling night for sure. Vinny had much to say, and chat members too would share their thoughts on how Bowie's music impacted them.Â
Today, my life has changed not because of a song, but because of some truly wise words that brought me to my knees in the metaphorical sense, at a time where I felt like I had wasted 10 years of my life post-high school. I had stumbled upon an interview (linked here), where Bowie shares advice to young artists, and it's from this discussion, that gave birth to a musing that would rock me to my core. I hope it encourages you, like it encouraged me. These words, are the very reason why I finally began to see what I was capable of as not just an artist, but as a human being. Thank you David. Thank you.
Week of 1/17/2016
Week of 1/17/2016
"Burning Up" by Marianas Trench, off of their 2014 album, "Astoria"
"Burning Up" by Marianas Trench, off of their 2014 album, "Astoria"
Don't say you don't miss me that much
Don't say I don't still make you blush
Cuz my ears are burning, my ears are burning up~ 💙
Week of 1/24/2016
Week of 1/24/2016
"Materia Primoris: The X-Files Theme" by Mark Snow, off of his 1996 album, "The Truth and the Light: Music from The X-Files"
"Materia Primoris: The X-Files Theme" by Mark Snow, off of his 1996 album, "The Truth and the Light: Music from The X-Files"
If coincidences are coincidences, then why do they seem so contrived?
Retrospective Note 2023: I started discovering the world of the 90s in 2014, where I started exploring grunge and alternative music from that era. In 2015, I discovered Vinesauce, a Twitch streamer who often plays strange PC/MSDOS games from the 90s, and as well often plays music from that era. His streams piqued my interest even further, making me nostalgic for an era that feels like a blur to me. And so, it's 2016, and I'm all in. I especially got REALLY into "The X-Files", a show about real-life mysteries, hoaxes, and conspiracies as investigated by fictional FBI agents Mulder and Scully. They embark on these investigations, only to be left with more questions than answers. It's a fascinating show to watch, for despite the fake aspects of the show, it does make you wonder just what kind of things are being hidden from us behind the scenes. It's an attitude that started in the 1960s, and would only become more apparent as time has gone on. The 90s was very much about the alternative. Alternative perspectives, religions, art, and more spread throughout the mainstream, and would boldly and pointedly question and tear down the American "values" we've held so dear. There are a multitude of examples regarding this notion, and "The X-Files" is certainly one of them. I think that's why I'm so attracted to this era. It sought to tear down the very things my Dad's side of the family hold so dear. It questioned, and stood up against the status quo being held by Christian evangelicals and conservatives. It did so in search of a world united by peace, love, and culture, and I'm all about that.
Week of 1/31/2016
Week of 1/31/2016
"Down to the River to Pray" by Michael W. Smith, off of his 2016 album, "Hymns II - Shine On Us"
"Down to the River to Pray" by Michael W. Smith, off of his 2016 album, "Hymns II - Shine On Us"
As I went down to the river to pray
Studying about that good ol' way~ 💙
Still can't believe this happened just this past weekend... For those who missed it, here's Michael W. Smith leading worship in Plano, starting the morning with this old hymn off his newest album! Full choir and all... man it was exhilarating~ God bless you Smitty! Thanks for your always encouraging music.
Retrospective Note 2023: It's strange looking back at this moment. I was thrilled about being able to see my favorite artist of all time, Michael W. Smith, the artist who's music got me through many of my hardest times growing up, and also taught me a lot about not just building a relationship with Christ, but also, sharing that relationship with others through our actions, not just our words.
That said, it's hard to rewatch this footage these days. Really, it's hard for me to enjoy anything that ties back to what I was raised on. None of this is related to Smith of course. He seems pretty consistent about what he believes in. It's just, all I can think of when I hear worship music are the hypocrites who taught me one thing, and lived the exact opposite. The racism, the sexism, the classism, gosh, a ton of "isms". It breaks my heart to think how everything they taught me, I apply to everything and everyone, while for them, it's only for those who look like them, worship like them, dress like them, or are as "successful" as them. This isn't just related to certain family members. It's related to many Christians, who live their lives in comfort, ignorant of the very real struggles that happen outside of their church walls. It's tragic how they can sing songs about everyone coming "down to the river to pray", but when they actually encounter "everyone", suddenly, they don't want "everyone" there with them. It's beyond shameful.
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