Music to My Heart

For the longest time, my car’s CD player has been defunct. Woe be unto you if you hit the eject button. A concerto of discouraging noises will announce that your request has been rejected. Not only does the player hold my six CDs hostage, it also refuses to play them most of the time.

However, yesterday was one of those joyous occasions when I pressed the CD button and music started to play. Changing the CD is also a no-no, so I was pleased when JJ Heller began to sing. A friend of mine introduced me to her a couple years ago and I’m a huge fan. Her songs are infused with vulnerability and an emotional insight that generally leaves me sniffing instead of singing.

Music and I have never had an overtly intimate relationship. It’s more of a pastime than a passion, but, as the inevitable JJ Heller sniff fest ensued, I realized there were certain artists I gravitated towards when traversing particularly primitive roads in my life.

Here’s a few of my go to artists and songs that, for various reasons, stir something deep in my soul and keep me going when I feel bummed out:

Reality San Fransisco – Songs Of Our Youth: This EP is a collection of 4 worship songs written or rearranged by the worship team over at Reality San Francisco in their beginning stages as a church. Psalm 23 could be them most moving worship song I’ve heard. I can’t listen to it on the treadmill anymore because closing my eyes throws me off balance… Bonus – you can download the EP for free!

You prepare a table in the presence of my foes and You anoint my head and my cup it overflows. Surely I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. {Psalm 23}

The Kinks – Waterloo Sunset: My brother introduced me to The Kinks and this song. He generally tears up when listening to it, which I never understood until I witnessed a Waterloo sunset. Both of us studied abroad in the UK and have a special place in our hearts for England. There’s something about the melody that I find hauntingly beautiful and I am instantly transported overseas to a fun, growth filled season in my life.

People so busy, makes me feel dizzy, taxi light shines so bright. But I don’t need no friends. As long as I gaze on waterloo sunset, I am in paradise. {Waterloo Sunset}

The Beach Boys: I can’t help but smile when I hear The Beach Boys playing. I am a Southern California girl, after all… Just a few chords and my feet tap, my voice sings out, and my primitive road doesn’t seem so daunting. Tim and I exited our wedding ceremony to the triumphal strains of Wouldn’t It Be Nice.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could wake up in the morning when the day is new. And after having spent the day together, hold each other close the whole night through. You know its gonna make it that much better, when we can say goodnight and stay together. {Would’t It Be Nice}

JJ Heller: Like I mentioned before, Mrs. Heller knows how to craft meaningful and honest songs. Her lyrics make me cry, laugh, Amen!, and sigh. I own Painted Red and Only Love Remains.

I’m losing my vision, I’m fighting the doubting with all that I am. It’s been awhile since you last gave me something to go on. Tell me it’s not the end. {Everything Is Changing}