Music and Life

[elle606]

I thought I'd start a thread about songs that mean something to us. Are there songs that have particular meaning to you or helped you express your feelings, get you through a tough time or helped you celebrate a special time in your life? I ramble on about what inspired me to start this thread below.

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I had a tough evening. I went to an online Pet Loss candle ceremony. I always cry as the mod performs the ceremony and more than 100 people from different places gather to pray for the sick, abused, abandonded animals and comfort pet owners who have lost their pets. We light candles and express our feelings and offer support to others. It can get pretty intense as the ceremony ends and these 100+ people do this all at once. I don't go often for that reason, but if a friend has a sick pet, I will put the pet's name on the list and pray for them when the time comes during the ceremony. So after wiping the tears and chatting a bit, I get word that a friend who has struggled with cancer for several years has passed. We had talked about sending her Christmas cards -- is she well enough to appreciate them, will it be a burden on her family if 20 or 30 of us send cards. We decided to do so. Now we're glad we did. So I'm recovering from the sniffles by pulling up George's "You'll Be There" . Keith Anderson's "I Still Miss You", Josh Groban's "To Where You Are" and one of the most well known songs for losing someone, Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven". Tough night, but the music helps.

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Another example of songs that helped is Lady A's "Someday You Will". I recently sent the link to that to a friend who's husband walked out. Without warning. We told her not to do anything crazy, like slash his tires. We said she should wait until we get there, since he won't recognize our cars. ;D She told me later that she liked the song and she shared it with a few others.

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As some of you know, I didn't know much about country or George Strait until last summer when someone sent me a link to one of George's songs. After listening to it a dozen times or so, I was feeling less homocidal and willing to take a phone call. It changed the course of events and I started to google George Strait. When I saw that he's the guy who sang ISGT, I wanted to hear more of his songs. And here I am.

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I'm hoping some of you will share your special moments and the songs that mean something to you.

[casims74]

Josh Turner's "The Way He Was Raised", George Strait's "Love Without End, Amen", Hank Williams Sr "I Saw the Light", "Amazing Grace", "Unchained Melody", and "How Great Thou Art" are probably some of the most incredible songs that have influenced my life.

Songs that bring back wonderful memories are "Tear in My Beer" by Hank Williams Sr and George Jones "White Lightning".

When I was a little girl, I loved most Hank Williams songs, but I hated Tear in My Beer. My Grandpa Mo loved it, so when it came on I made up my own version that drove my Grandpa up the wall. "There's a tear in my beer cause you're singin' this song my dear." My Grandpa'd look at me and tell me not to be makin' fun of no Hank Williams songs on a count a Hank Williams was one of the greatest country singers of all time.

We both loved George Jones "White Lightning". I'll never forget singin' it with him.

Well, in North Carolina, way back in the hills
me and my old pappy had a hand in a still
we brewed white lightnin' til the sun went down
then he'd fill him a jug and pass it around
mighty, mighty pleasin', pappy's corn squeezin'
whshooh, white lightnin'

well the "G" men, "T" men, revenuers too
searchin' for the place where he made his brew
they were lookin' tryin' to book him
but my pappy kept a cookin'
whshooh, white lightnin'

Of course, the best part was the whshooh, white lightnin', and I'd bust out laughing every time we sang it. For Grandpa and I, White Lightnin' was fun. We'd have a good time singin' it.

I don't remember the rest of the song because it's been so long since my Grandpa and I sang it together. I heard it on the radio during the Legends show on Saturday night last week though. Grandpa Mo passed away in 1993. Those songs we used to listen to together mean a lot.

[elle606]

Amazing how songs can bring back memories. There are some songs that will forever remind me of a certain place, time or person. Love this: "There's a tear in my beer cause you're singin' this song my dear."

[elle606]

I heard a song by Chesney the other day -- can't remember what it's called -- but he talks about a song that reminds him of someone. Also, there's a youtube video of him in Louisiana where he starts to talk about going to the Caribbean years ago and how a certain song reminds him of the bar, the bartender and the fun they had. Unfortunately, he mentioned Alabama in front of a Louisiana crowd and they started booing. LOL Poor Kenny. Wish I could see him more clearly in that video. I might want to send him a note about what he did there. Anyway, I get tired of hearing oldies a lot of times, but some remind me of some great places and times, like what we were dancing to in Mexico or what cd's I listened to on a road trip alone. I sure remember what song was blasting from all the dorms my first year of college. Certainly, the last half of '08 will be remembered as my George Strait era and I'll always associate some of his songs with some of the good things and good times I had last summer and now. I know I always think of a group of online friends when I hear Alan Jackson since they named a fish after him.

[casims74]

There is actually some great music out there now. George is definitely overall the best, but Josh Turner, Zac Brown, and Brooks and Dunn all have some really good music. "When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley is a really great song, too. I had high hopes for Brad, but he's been influenced so much by Keith Urban, I don't know if his style will ever have a really country sound again. He could actually play the guitar, too. It's kind of sad the direction that his music is going in. I'm hoping that the fact that he isn't on tour with Keith is a sign that maybe he's come to his senses cause I can't stand "Start a Band". Kenny is okay, though. I really like the song "Don't Blink".

I still love those old, country songs though. I grew up with it. I was in kindergarten when Roy Clark was pickin' and Buck Owens was grinnin'. I was sittin' on my Grandpa Moe's lap, and he asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told him I wanted to be Buck Owen's wife. There was nothing in the world like seeing Buck Owens and George Strait pop up out of a corn field.

[elle606]

I heard Billy Currington's song "Good Directions" a couple of times in the last few days. It reminded me of the times I've taken wrong turns, missed exits or entrance ramps. I tried to claim that didn't happen to me often. I got a raised eyebrow and laugh from someone who knows. LOL All I can say is unless there is a guy built like Billy around, I'd recommend asking directions from a guy with keys to an 18 wheeler. They do know their roads. Of course the late night guy at the Mobile station got me back to I-94 with no problem too.

[casims74]

My anniversary is January 27th, and I was listening to Josh Turner's Soulmate thinking about when I first got married. We've been married 12 years.

[elle606]

Jan 15, 2009 18:29:12 GMT -5 casims74 said:

My anniversary is January 27th, and I was listening to Josh Turner's Soulmate thinking about when I first got married. We've been married 12 years.

Congratulations! A little early, but that's fantastic. And a great choice in Josh Turner.

[casims74]

George and Josh are my favorite artists. My husband likes Josh, but he doesn't like George. I think that's funny because if he hears a George Strait song, and he doesn't know it's George, it's a great song. I was sitting at the table not to long ago, and he started singing along with "Give it Away". He knew every word. He didn't realize it was a George Strait song. I asked, "You like that song, baby?" He says,"Yea, that's a great song. I've always liked that song." I said, "Yea, I guess it is a pretty good song." I didn't tell him it was George Strait cause he would never have sung it again.

[elle606]

Josh is like Kenny in that it's pretty easy to recognize their voices. George can be confused with Alan and a few others.

Don't know why your husband doesn't like him, when there are some (as Brad said) who want to "be" him.

I say be yourself, and go for your personal best.

[casims74]

I know. I love George regardless, but Josh has really great music too. Plus, it's something that my husband and I can share. We actually have opposite taste in music, and everything else. He likes the crossover stuff and I like the traditional. That says it all. He likes Big and Rich. I like George Jones. He likes Keith Urban. I like George Strait. There are only four artists in the whole world that we agree on. Johnny Cash, Josh Turner, Randy Travis, and Willie Nelson. Even then, in order to go see Josh Turner in concert, I have to endure a Big and Rich. It's worth it though, cause Jordan Lawson (Josh's fiddler) is a hottie. He's not as hot as George, but he is definitely a hottie.

[elle606]

Love this. It's a video that was going around last year; it was even on the news. Don't know if you've seen it. I love the song, but it's by STEVEN Tyler (Aerosmith) not to be confused with George Strait. ;D I don't like Steven Tyler, not a fan of Aerosmith, but I do love the song and the video.

www.metacafe.com/watch/1231230/christian_the_lion/

There's more video and the full story online if anyone is interested, but I had this song in my head today and decided to pull it up and post it.

[casims74]

I have to agree. That was a great video. Nothing in the world like making a friend for life.

[elle606]

Casims,

[glow=red,2,300]HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! [/glow]

[casims74]

O Wow! Thanks! I love the annimation! Those are so fun.

[bothasa]

I have been trying to figure out why I like visiting this board and it finally came to me this morning. It is because a Thread could start off discussing a certain subject, but if you carry on reading – the subject changes and goes back again (or not). It is like talking to people that has the same interests, but sometimes you stumbling onto something else that you want to discuss and you just carry on in the same thread. That is how most female conversations go anyway, so I find it very comfortable. For all you boys visiting this board – sorry…

Going back in time now to when this thread was started, the subject was “Music and Life”, here is my list of songs that either changed my life or impacted in it in a profound way.

Write this down - Artist Unknown (LOL), because this is how I have discovered some amazing people that enjoy the same music as I do, living on another continent. Many of these people now add spice to my life on a daily basis and my life is richer because of it. You know who you are and some are on this board too, so thank you guys.

Farther Along (Brad Paisley) I summited Mt Kilimanjaro on 15 Sept 2008, and when I reach the summit, this was the song playing on my ipod. I was walking/climbing with a lot of questions and anger and this song just gave me peace when I needed it the most.

Perfect (Sara Evens) – Just a reminder that love is not always perfect, but it’s grait anyway (most of the time).

Imagine (John Lennon) – Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people, Sharing all the world (Need I say more?)

So, now you know.

[ibmad26]

I was on an Alaskan cruise 3 years ago. When we entered Glacier Bay I had George's 50 Number Ones playing. I was sitting out on my balcony staring out at the snow capped mountains, glaciers, eagles, the clear smooth water and little bergettes(what they call icebergs smaller than a car), with George singing in my head. I only have to close my eyes when I hear a song from that CD and I can see it all over again.

[elle606]

RIP Buddy, Richie and Big Bopper. Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on the plane for Richardson that night.

[casims74]

I saw a George Jones video on tv today on AFN! I couldn't believe it! When do you get to see a George Jones video on CMT? I never have. It was a video of Wrong's What I do best. I think it's spankin' that someone is listening to what country music fans like.

[elle606]

I started this thread one night when I got news that a friend had died.

".......I get word that a friend who has struggled with cancer for several years has passed."

Tonight I went to a site where she posted frequently. I don't go there much anymore, but it's where we set up prayer chains and kept up with her on her chemo treatments as well as discussing topics of interest. I had seen the Music thread there, but never ventured in. Not a lot going in that thread. But when I read there tonight I got a little surprise. This was her post about favorite country artists:

"You need the DVD of George Strait doing the last performance at the Astrodome. It's fabulous. All the best stuff George does and great close ups. George Strait - For the Last Time - Live at the Astrodome.

It opens with George riding his horse from outside on the lawn inside the Astrodone.

I believe I got mine on Amazon thru the SM link of course. "

I never read that, never knew that she was a fan. The post is dated in 2007. So why did I come here that night and start this thread right after hearing the news? Life's full of interesting coincidences.

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Today I sent the link to Sissy's Song to a friend who knows Natalee Holloway's family. He thought it was a beautiful song and video.