We had some disappointing news last night, and though it was not unexpected, it did make me sad and left me feeling hollow for a bit, so I did what I always do when I am upset and I turned to music. This is going to be a music heavy post and if you do not like music feel free to stop here.
I literally have a playlist on Spotify that has songs I use to move me from sadness to happiness and it always works for me. This is not the complete list because sometimes I have to listen to a lot of music to alter my mood.
I almost always start with this song when I feel just normally upset. Though it is about a breakup which is not germane to our current situation at all, it is still my "wallowing in self pity" go-to song. Thank you Jimmy Ruffin for your very soul wrenching vocals that really do this song justice.
At some point and time when I am still giving in to the blues, I listen to Billy Paul's Me and Mrs Jones. I think it might be one of the least appreciated songs just for the words and amazing instrumentation. Again it is not about anything going on here. I just really do like the song and it's still sad enough to echo my mood.
There is a little side note on its origins. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff were a song writing team who frequented a little bar that was in the same building as their office. They noticed a distinguished looking man who was at the bar every day and would met a woman about 15 minutes after he arrived. They would have a drink, listen to a tune on the jukebox then both leave going separate ways. After a few days of watching the ritual, a song was born, though they admit as far as they know it could have been the guys daughter, his wife, his lawyer__anybody. But for their purposes, their song was about infidelity.
If you listen carefully in the opening you will hear the sax playing the few notes "once I had a secret love"
Usually Billy Paul is the last sad song that I listen to as I transition to something more up-tempo like Petula Clark's, "I Know a Place". It has no deep meaning at all, but it is a happy song.
Next I chose Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy". I listen to his version but since I am using YouTube for the post rather than my Spotify playlist I chose this version. I love all the Playing For Change videos.
And how would it be possible to feel good without listening to a bit of the master of feeling good__James Brown
I think Meghan Trainor's I Feel Better When I'm Dancing is self explanatory
And finally I end with this. The Sam Cook cover I listen to is different, but I could not find it on Youtube
But I am going to end this with a two word vent: Damn Antivaxers!
Thank you for sharing your music list. I am tone deaf and can't sing but, I can appreciate music and it does have an effect on my mood.
ReplyDeleteI love music, and have it playing in the background nearly all the time. It definitely affects my mood I also keep a "Calm Down, Sis:" playlist for times I am ready to take someone's head off. It helps too!
DeleteI'm sorry. I'm glad you are starting to feel better, but I'm sorry about plans changing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your music selections. Some are new to me, and some are favs too.
I've been in a pissy mood, and ranted on Sam's blog, but I echo your vent. We were sooo close to getting back to normal. :(
Close, but no cigars! I am just glad I do not have a cartoon thought bubble over my head when I am in public with our 60 percent non-vaccinated population crowding into stores wearing no masks. I went to the grocery store yesterday and literally saw just 3 people besides me wearing masks. Just doing the math using Alabama's vax percentages. . . .
DeleteYes on those antivaxers! My healthy 21 year old niece is in the hospital with pneumonia an sept\sis. I want this to b over so much.
ReplyDeleteI Am so sorry for your niece!
DeleteI am tired of continuing with something that could possibly be contained instead of spreading like wildfire again!
So, what was the occasion where you needed cheering? Sorry for the heavy need for music, whatever it was. Damn Antivaxers!
ReplyDeleteI am just sad there is so much vaccine mistrust and misinformation among so many different populations in our country.
DeleteThat makes me sad, too.
DeleteGood selection of music! Sorry your plans had to change, though. I don't understand the attitudes and mindsets of certain segments of the population. I personally know people in other countries who would give everything they have for a chance to receive the vaccine, but, it is not available due to shortages there, while over here, vaccines are going a begging!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand it either Bless, but there is misinformation spread among so many different communities and populations here.
DeleteI love Me & Mrs. Jones. All your musical choices are excellent. I gave up my mask briefly but have returned to it although I'm vaccinated. The people who refuse the vaccine and go maskless are a source of frustration and anger. If vaccinations are required, then I wonder about riots and more insurrections breaking out.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I have worn my mask consistently and continue to.
DeleteHow sad is it, that I only know a couple of those songs? Me and Mrs. Brown and Don't worry, be happy...though the latter I'd actually rather be without. It was so overplayed at one point.
ReplyDeleteWe're sitting at about 65% fully vaccinated, over 12 years of age so we have a long to go. Our brain dead Premier lifted ALL restrictions as of July 11. I'm seeing fewer people wearing masks and the stores are letting their hand sanitizers run out. I carry my own. The cases are starting to rise again, so now they're not going to bother sharing the numbers with us, except once a week. What we don't know, won't hurt us right? The only positive is the offering of clinics at football games, food banks, and so forth. The powers that be seem to have come to the conclusion that we have to live with this awful disease.... Sorry for the rant!
I confess to being a music nerd. When I was a kid my dad would play classical music or show tunes every night at dinner. He would drop the needle randomly on the lp and it was our job to name the piece or song and show. Besides at mealtime, music was playing nearly all the time and I continued it in my own home.
DeleteI'm sorry for whatever has caused your sadness. Music was made to help manage life I feel.
ReplyDeleteThe rise in Covid caused it! The sadness is just collateral damage because of the pandemic, part 2.
DeleteSorry about your sadness- my youngest sis and her husband have been separated for over a year after 27 years of marriage. That makes me sad too but totally out of my hands. My other sister and I visited her last weekend and had a nice time. She lives in Myrtle Beach so lots to do. We rarely saw a person masked but I'm thinking people are starting to get the message here- or at least some of them. I love your music too. My late husband had a beautiful singing voice which he faithfully shared with the church choir. They used to tease him because he sang in all 3 Sunday services which no one else did! I am going to make shrimp and grits today- something I've never tried but the recipe looks pretty easy. Wish me luck.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the shrimp and grits! What a wonderful dish!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things out of our hands it seems.
Great idea, crafting such a list. I need to don my thinking cap and do that, too. (Coming soon to a blog near you?)
ReplyDelete100% agree with you about the anti-vaxxers. Despite being doubly jabbed, I was still mighty uncomfortable jammed in Callahan's ONLY working elevator yesterday.