Feel It In My Bones

Le sigh. It's been a rough week, hence the no-bloggy in a while.  None of the things that made the last 7 days a big suckfest were all that dire by themselves, but as frustration and disappointment just kept pilin on, I found myself sighing 'really?', in major Seth & Amy SNL fashion.   Sometimes I try to figure things out and predict things that I have no way of knowing, and my usual escape of songs can sometimes make me think too much.  That's why lately I've been appreciating a different form of expression. It's no secret that the right song can rip a few tears out of my eyeholes, but the emotion the folks below put in just the movement of their bodies is more powerful than 99% percent of the songs on my Ipod.  No overthinking, no restraint, just passion, movement, and soul. Le gush.

The first moment that comes to mind is definitely P!nk's "Glitter in the Air".  When she performed this at this year's Grammys, I was blown away.  The lyrics are gorgeous as she sings about taking chances for those brief and rare perfect moments in life, but her performance on the ropes as she twirls in the air spoke to the lyrics even better than her voice. I've watched it probably 100 times, and I still tear up a little bit. Your turn...

"Glitter in the Air" - P!nk

While she's best known for her awesomely choreographed, frantic, naughty in-your-face dance numbers, my favorite video by Paula Abdul is a ballad, and still one of the most beautiful videos ever made.  I remember being about 12 years old and mesmerized by this, over and over again.  If you loved "Total Eclipse of the Heart" from Glee a few weeks ago, you'll freakin eat this up (and nice try thinking I'd blog without referencing Glee....get real.)

"Blowing Kisses in the Wind" - Paula Abdul

The song that first sparked the idea for this blog was oddly one I hadn't heard in about 10 years, until I randomly played one of the first CDs I ever burned the other day.  I'd completely forgotten about the song, and while it's pretty, it was the dancing in this video that immediately came to my mind like I'd just seen it yesterday.  The words are a declaration of love, and the music builds to a beautiful climax, but the way the two dancers move and look at each other is the most beautful part.  This is exactly the kinda passion I want to feel with someone. Redonkulously pretty.

"Broken Arrow" - Rod Stewart

I so wish I could dance like these folks, but more importantly I wish I could express myself as freely and openly, without so much thought and concern.  I'm working on that, and hope to follow my emotions a little more than my thoughts of doubt and worry.  On a side-but-still-related note, what finally helped me kick my funk was getting to participate in a flashmob at our new airport. You can watch the flashmob here, and for those of you who've known me for a long time, did you ever think my shy, introverted behind could ever do something like this? Yeah, me neither.  But the cool thing about that (and all of the suck-tasms from this week) is that the only constant in life is that it keeps changing and moving.  And I kinda love that :)

Momma.

In honor of the big M-Day, I wanted to post some momma-related tunes. Some sweet, some sad, but all relevant.  So without further ado...

My ultimate parenting song is by The Pretenders, but I've loved several versions over the years.  The lyrics in this song are what I imagine I'd want my kids to know that I felt, and I wish all parents felt this way towards their kids. I'm very lucky to say that my mom feels this way about me, but as I grow older and get less selfish, I find myself singing the lyrics to her as well.  It's a momma's unconditional love at its best, and it usually makes me teary.  I won't post the Glee version (and I could too, just so you know :) ), but the Carrie Underwood version is probably my favorite.  This one's for you momma :)

"I'll Stand By You" - Carrie Underwood

I feel very lucky to have a wonderful mother and I try to appreciate every visit, phone call, or email (yep, my momma got email :) ).  This message really hit home for me as I walked at our local Relay for Life this past weekend.  There was a video montage of people who'd lost love ones to cancer, many of them mothers.  This song has always gotten to me, but in this context, it was especially moving.  One of my best friends and one of the most amazing people I've ever met lost her mother a few years ago, and my thoughts were definitely with her this weekend as well.  This song's a tearjerker, so be forewarned if you listen.  But music for me isn't always just a way to celebrate, it's a way to get out those gutteral feelings that might be too hard to say or express any other way.   Anyone whose ever lost someone could relate to this one, and I think there can be comfort in knowing and sharing those feelings, especially with such a moving song like this one.

"One Moment More" - Mindy Smith

I definitely want to end on a positive note, and as two of my best friends and I were belting this soundtrack out this weekend, I knew immediately that it would make my blog.  Hairspray is amazing for so many reasons (Zac Efron, Michelle Pfieffer, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken, and Zac Efron, just to name a few. Also , I think Zac Efron's in it somewhere......) But in all seriousness, Nikki Blonsky blew me away in this movie, and the relationship with her and her momma is one of my favorites.  I love how the character of Tracy was able to give back to her mom, so she could benefit herself from having raised such a wonderful daughter.  John Travolta's horrible accent aside (seriously, it's like a hick-skater-swedish-yankee nightmare) , I adore this song, and the message of young people making a better world not just for themselves, but for those that raised them as well.  Get out your caftans, cuz....

"Welcome to the 60s" - Nikki Blonsky & John Travolta

I'm a firm believer that the best of us comes from how we're nurtured and protected as kids, and mommas are a large part of that for many of us.  I'm very blessed to have had a wondeful mother and for every day that I still have her in my life.  (And I feel the same way about my dad, but that blog's a good month away. :) ).  Love you momma!

I Love The 80s - Part 1

Yeah, part 1, cause you know a sequel is just around the corner.  This week was totally 80s in my world and I had a super tough time picking three tubular lil numbers.  So I'll just to have to save the other radical choices for future moments, knowing full well that the 80s are hiding in the shadows, waiting to strike again soon...

When I think 80s, my first thought is Olivia Newton John, my very first musical obsession.  Picture 4 yr old me frolicking around my house in my Karate Kid pajamas, blasting "Physical" from my Playskool tape player (or don't, depending if that image terrifies you).  I was a little man-diva (not to be confused with Man-disa) and I hadn't yet become aware that my interests were a wee bit different from the other young lads.  These days I know, but I don't so much care (knowing is only half the battle).  So picture my joyful face when ONJ herself popped up on Glee this week, with an updated mix of my very first favorite song (not to mention a hilarious video).  Let me hear your body talk.

"Physical 2010" - Olivia Newton John

So Glee reference aside, why was my week so 80s you ask? Well it was mostly due to a spectacular 80s party I went to.  My friends and I all dressed up in neon jumpsuits, Miami Vice jackets, headbands, leggings, and all kinds of totally awesome gear. We danced like maniacs, and when a classic Cyndi Lauper tune came on, we went nuts (mostly trying to reenact all of the head-bobbing choreography in the video, and not doing very well at all).  But it's super rad to have so many friends who loved the same things I did as a kid, so unleash your fun-lovin inner girl and join us below :)

"Girls Just Want To Have Fun" - Cyndi Lauper

Did you know I love a show called Glee? I'm not sure I've mentioned it yet, but I don't like to go on and on about things I love. (Except sarcasm, I could go on and on about that all day).  This song totally wasn't on Glee last night, and it didn't make me swell with all of the passion and emotion of the original song for one second. It wasn't at all amazing, and I'm definitely not going to post the Glee version below. Not even a little.  Because it wasn't on Glee.  Did you know I love sarcasm?

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" - Lea Michele

Hope everyone has a gnarly week and I hope you take a second to look back at the wonderment of the 80s.  Realize how tubular it was, and realize how old you feel now.  Not me though. I'm in my neon pink jumpsuit, with my Playskool tape player to my ear, and I just wanna have fun. Turn around bright eyes.....

Beautiful X 3

If you're looking for that howling horror show that is James Blunt's "You're Beautiful", keep moving through the blogosphere. You'll find only actual beautiful songs here, not just those that sneak the word in the title, hoping they can fool you.  Britney Spears could sing a song called "I'm a Rocket Scientist", but that doesn't mean she'd actually be one.  Though don't let her fool you, ya'll. She's got some deep though...nah, I can't even lie in blogform very well.  Sigh... Alright, onto this week's "Beautiful" tunes.

Let's get the obvious out of the way, shall we?  Yes, I'm obsessed with both Glee & Christina Aguilera (whose new music video is apparently so hot, it will impregnate you about 1 minute in), so when I heard that Mercedes would sing 'Beautiful' this week, my blog idea was born.  It didn't disappoint, and I watched it with several good friends who also felt the power of finally loving yourself for whoever you are.  And thankfully, now that I watch Glee with friends, I'm not the only one whose eyes get all moist with emotion.  Ahem, here's the Glee version of "Beautiful".

"Beautiful" - Amber Riley

Speaking of good friends, my buddies Miguel & Pablo dragged me out to see the new J.Lo. movie, 'The Back Up Plan'.  I've never been a fan of Ms. Lopez' acting career, but I honest to god enjoyed the heck out of this movie.  As a bonus, there's an awesome song by India.Arie, that's about how beautiful life is, and how many of the worries and concerns we have aren't that big of a deal. It's my new 'start off the day smiling' song, so I wanted to share it.  :)

"Beautiful Day" - India.Arie

The last song might not have beauty in the title, but it screams it in every possible way. And before you judge me when you find out who it is, I'll just stress that this song is so moving, as is this artist's voice, so the fact that he's the hottest thing to ever consume oxygen is merely icing on the cake.  His record label decided he couldn't put his new single out by himself, so they recorded a version with Pat Monahan, who sounds like a monkey receiving a catheter.  So before that atrocious version is released to the radio, I wanted you to hear the original version of "The Truth", which made me cry the first time I heard it, and sometimes still does.  It's by Kris Allen and it's beautiful.  Just like his love for me. Shut up.

"The Truth" - Kris Allen

In summary, you are beautiful, life is beautiful, and Kris Allen is my future life partner.  I'll invite you to the wedding. Shut up.

Gleeology.

Glee! Seriously, if you haven't watched this show, I don't ever want to talk you again. Just kidding. Mostly. Except not at all. Okay, I'm kidding, but I will attempt to convince you to watch via some of the most moving Glee moments ever.  I affectionately refer to them as "Gleegasms". You by no means have to.  Except you should...

So let's start with some weepy time.  So many songs have made me cry on this show, and all hilarity and cheesy dance numbers aside, I have been sufficiently moved by this show on several occasions.  Oddly enough, the character I hated the most at the beginning turned out to be one of my faves. Dianna Agron is amazing, and when her character Quinn felt everyone turn their back on her because of her pregnancy, it was the Glee kids who stood by her.  I'm not a big Avril Lavigne fan, but again, the arrangement made the song so much better, and the look on Quinn's face as they sang it to her melted my heart, so much so that I had to find the video for this one, just so you could see it.  To anyone who's ever felt so rejected by the world, and then embraced by people who understand them, this-un's for you.

"Keep Holding On" - Glee

So I know last week was Madonna week, but you're absolutely full of crazy-bubbles if you think that'll be the last appearance she'll make on my blog. In fact, it'll probably be more shocking when she's not here.  Anywho, this week's Madonna episode was unbelievably madgeical (see what I did there?).  I spent all day facebooking Madonna lyrics to my friends and whistling Madonna songs at work, all while fighting the urge to skip, occassionally unsuccessfully.  I could go with the obvious choir anthem Like A Prayer, but in all honesty, it was the following mashup that blew me away. So lovin it. This one's for my friend Cam, who I hope spent all day twirling around his work station singing this song.

"Open Your Heart & Borderline" - Glee

A perfect close for this blog would be a song I just shared with a class I'm teaching on music & psychology. I've had some of the most amazing students this semester, who took on the task of defining their thoughts, feelings, and identities through music.  They not only made the class fun while still taking it seriously, but they also beautifully shared so many different parts of who they were.  They shared their triumphs, low points, happy times, and painful experiences, and when they asked me to close the semester by sharing a song of my own, I picked this one.  To me, it's about sharing who you really are with people, the good and the bad, and knowing that you are still beautiful and worthy of being loved.  The 10 students in the class did that so well and really inspired me, and this Glee-ed out song is for them.

 "True Colors" - Glee

And there you have it. I could go on and on about this show, but if you're not convinced by now, then you're absolutely hopeless.  And you're also a heartless kitten-puncher. Just kidding. Mostly. Except not really. Glee!    :)

The Power of Madonna

So it's very fitting that for my first post, I'm doing a mini-Madonna-marathon.  And no, it's not JUST because Glee is doing it very soon (though anything Glee-related is definitely inspiration-worthy).  The truth is that ol Madge is not only the inspiration for this whole blog, but also for much of my life.  A line from one of her poems was the reasoning behind the name "Gabbia.Di.Luce", which means Cage of Light.  I've been doing much soul-searching lately, about who I really am, who I've let people see, and what it is that keeps us all from sharing ourselves with each other.  Fittingly, Madonna's poem from her most recent documentary talks all about this, and ends with the line "and I console myself each night, but at least my cage is filled with light".  For me, music is so powerful because it connects people through emotions and experiences that they either can't face yet or have trouble vocalizing.  How amazingly beautiful is it, when we share ourselves and our light honestly, and connect with people as a result.  It's what I hope this blog is about, and what I hope you feel from my very first dedication, to anyone who reads this.  From the Confessions tour, here's "Live to Tell."

"Live to Tell" - Madonna

Sigh. Now that I've gotten all deep and intense, let's lighten things up a bit.  Openly being myself has always been difficult, as it is for lots of people during those wonderful teenage years (watch Saved by the Bell, 90210, or Glee for visual yet hilarious evidence).  But I remember that somewhere around my senior year of high school, I really started hanging out with my friends more, and realizing that I could open up a little with them.  That's when I really started living for myself for the first time, and it just happened to be around the time that Madonna released "Ray of Light."  My friends and I spaz-danced to this in my electric blue Dodge Neon countless times, and the line "and I feel like I just got home" really resonated with me, and still does (though a rewrite of the song involving feeling 'like a grape sno-cone' may or may not have really resonated with me as well.)  So to all my ol RHS spaz-dancing, sno-cone loving, best friends after over a decade, this ray of light is fo you.

"Ray of Light" - Madonna

Alright. Sit down, de-dizzify yourself, and get ready to appreciate the range of Madonna.  She's mostly known for being the ultimate queen of dance pop, and while that's entirely true, she also has a way of writing songs and hiring video directors that take me to the other edge of the emotional spectrum as well.  Most of the dedications I post here will be for specific people and moments in my life, though I won't always elaborate.  All I'll say is that someone with a very beautiful soul shared with me a story of pain and confusion, at the hands of a parent.  Their courage and honesty moved me more than they realized, and the video below immediately popped in my head. "Oh Father" is for them, and for anyone whose ever felt the same way. 

"Oh Father" - Madonna

And thus ends my first post! What Madonna song should I have included? What did my choices bring out for you? Do you care at all about this blog? And if not, why did you get all the way down to here? :)  I'm seriously very excited to have an outlet for all my musical obsessions, and look forward to hearing your thoughts.