“So where to now, St. Peter? If it’s true, I’m in your hands
I may not be a Christian, but I’ve done all one man can
I understand I’m on the road where all that was is gone
So where to now, St. Peter? Show me which road I’m on.”
~ Where to Now St. Peter? by Bernie Taupin/ Elton John
“Somehow, something always happens just before things get to the very worst. It is as if Magic did it. If I could only just remember that always. The worst thing never quite comes.”
~ A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett (one of my top 5 favorite books of all time)
So I escape into movies a lot, and last night decided to watch Dog Day Afternoon. I hadn’t seen it in years, and forgot about the opening song – Elton John’s Amoreena. Damn, it sounded good. So good I listened to it over and over, then spent the rest of the evening delving into Tumbleweed Connection.
And I remembered something really, really important – that music can and will save me, every time, if I let it. From Elton John I moved on to Guster, as I nearly always do ever since I discovered them early in 2003, and then a whole bunch of other stuff. I don’t have or watch television at all, so I fill in the spaces with movies and music. But sometimes I forget to listen to the music. Then I hear something, and it hits me, and I’m reminded of its power.
And I let something else get completely by me — the fact that when we are on the car rides with Jonah, he immediately says music on? Music is the first thing he asks for, every time.
While bemoaning Boo’s loss of interests, I somehow forgot about music. He still requests certain CDs and recites preferred tracks. He asks for radio and then, when he wants a new station, for other radio. How many videos have I posted with him rocking and jamming to his music?
Maybe when I see him tomorrow, I should sing.
There’s one new go-to song/video I want to share – George Ezra’s Listen to the Man. I heard the song before I saw the singer and couldn’t believe what a youngster he is – and the video, starring Ian McKellen, is really very cute.
Some new snapshots of Boo. If I’ve got to be broken, I can at least be broken with my music and my pictures and my peeps (thank you, commenters all from yesterday – my fellow disbelieving & discombobulated). You guys rock.
Jonah is beautiful, his smile is beautiful, it lights up my heart, and I know it makes yours smile, too. It’s ok to be broken, but don’t forget that you are loved, Jonah loves you, even when he doesn’t know how and it hurts the most. Still sending my love and hugs and most of all, my broken hearted prayers, too.
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Music is the only thing I can still count on to keep my son interested and engaged. He lost all of his interests gradually over the last few years, but the music always stays. Amazing. It’s saved us both ❤
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Wishing you well Amy.
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I’m one of those pain-in-the-ass types who always make recommendations, and there ain’t nothing stopping me here (and does the double negative mean I am being stopped, English chick)?
Tommy Keene is a wonderful purveyor of Power Pop. Jangly guitars, smart lyrics, catchy melodies, and urgent vocals. I have been digging him since the nineties. A good starting place is the album, “Places that are Gone,” which you can listen to for free via the YOUTUBE.
If you want a short sharp shocked sample, try “Astronomy,” the 1:31 long song on that album and you will get a good idea of whether or not he strikes you.
As for movies, the quirky “Harold and Maude” sometimes gives me a lift when I battle the blues. “If you want to sing out, sing out…”
And this quotation:
“I should like to change into a sunflower most of all.” – Maude.
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Crap. The name of the album is “Songs from the Film.” The excellent “Places that are Gone” is the first track. Incidentally, there ain’t no film.
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Oh but how I do love me some power pop! Thanks for the heads-up, Ponyboy. I’m checking out Tommy Keene as I type.
And Harold & Maude is one of my favorite flicks.
I watched it again as your recommended balm and re-remembered how life-affirming it is — how brilliant the ironies, how fun the journey, how silly and mad and amazing a tale. Thank you!
You’re not a pain in the ass, my friend. In fact quite the opposite. (Would that now make you a, um, PleasantFeeeling-in-the-ass?) Heh. I crack myself up.
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