In Los Angeles where I live, we have been in LockDown since March 16, thereabouts. Now that is going to be expanded to the entire month of April. We are all to continue "practice social distancing", stay in our homes and not leave except for essential reasons, and whenever we are in public, keep a distance of at least six feet from everybody. The only establishments that are considered "essential" and therefore are allowed to stay open for business have been grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, building and hardware stores, and, of course hospitals. There may be some other things in there, but not very many. Restaurants, bars, movie theaters and other places where large numbers of people gather are closed. Restaurants can prepare only take-outs. All the schools and colleges have been closed and if any instruction is given, it is presented by Zoom or some other on-line conferencing system.
I realize that many are exhausted and afraid and feeling alone and wondering how long this will go on and what will happen next and will things ever go back to normal. It does a number on you, that's for sure. I have been somewhat "crazy" and disconnected from reality, which I think is what happens when one is separated from normal life. Also, there is a sense of helplessness, being out of control, some have lost their jobs or businesses, wondering how they will the survive and take are of there families. How will they recovery. We wonder what is happening with our money, our life savings that some of us greatly depend on.
Well, when I feel bad (and even when I feel good!), music perks me right up and makes me feel happy and at peace with the world. Even sad music helps me, because it opens up my compassion for others, which can't help but be a good thing and leads to greater self-care.
Now, here's a thing I have noticed that has happened with me many times. I like to have music playing when I am in the kitchen, cooking something or cleaning up, and every once in a while, some song that is playing will stop me in my tracks. I set my iPod to "shuffle", so I have no idea what song will play next. Surely I must have heard such and such song countless times before, but now, suddenly, something about it grabbed me and made me stop and I put down whatever I was doing and I will listen to what grabbed my attention, and maybe even play the song again. Maybe there is something in the singer's voice, or there might be a lyric that suddenly means so much more, or a certain chord or series of notes will communicate something glorious to me the I hadn't ever noticed before. Now the song has new and a grander meaning.
When a song does that to me--and it doesn't have to be in the kitchen, it can happen when I am listening to the radio in my car, or in any other place where I can hear music--I classify it as an ESPECIALLY WONDERFUL SONG.
I had the idea of making a blog entry of just that--all of my ESPECIALLY WONDERFUL SONGS at one time. But now with so many people being in LockDown and feeling bad and needing either a pick-me up or some other moment of a better reality, then I think one song per day would be a better way to do it. And guess what, I have exactly enough Especially Wonderful Songs for each day in the Month of May, which is the current LockDown period prescribed for the United States. You living in other countries may be going through similar things, so I think this would be good for you, two.
These songs may come from any era and any genre. I like all music, so even if some of these songs are not what you think you would like, if you listen anyway, you might find that you like it after all, or if you don',t then maybe tomorrow you will get to hear one that you do like.
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I am thankful that every Especially Wonderful Song can be found on YouTube, so they can be easily shared. Just click on the link. Sometimes the linking is slow, I don't know why (maybe it has to shuffled through a lot of songs) but hold on for a moment and it should find the song. If not, try clicking the link again.
I do not believe I am violating any body's copyright by doing this, I hope not and it is not my intention to do that. After all, these songs are on YouTube already. My idea is that this is advertising for them, for the song, the singer, the song writer, and so on. You may discover somebody new whose work you would like to buy (that certainly happens to me!). If I am wrong and I should not do this, I hope somebody lets me know. If I need to unlink any particular song, I can do that, as well.
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If you like something that you hear here, or have anything else to say, please leave me a comment. I love getting comments!
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1. Song: “What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life”;
Artist: Chris Botti (Trumpet) and Sting (Vocals);
Song Writers: Michel Legrand and Alan Bergman
Arranger: Billy Childs
What woman wouldn’t want a man like this, to just completely merge himself with your spirit? I love all the words and rhymes, but what really got me was “And when you stand before the candles on a cake, Oh let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make.” If that isn’t pure magic, I don’t know what is. The music is out of this world, and I like how it is all slowed down. I try to buy everything Chris Botti does and he is one person I am especially dying to see live in a concert.
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