(disclaimer : i first wrote this blog back in november on my myspace page. i love this song so much that i decided to transport the blog to share here, too <3)
i love patty griffin. her voice is unmistakable and her writing is beyond amazing. you may be a fan of patty’s writing and not even know it (i.e. “let him fly” by the dixie chicks). anyways, i first heard the song “heavenly day” at a friend’s wedding over the summer. it was one of those songs that just instantly made you feel good.no, not just good…content…like everything is exactly how it should be, ya know? i hadn’t listened to the song in a while and when i heard it playing on a t.v. show last week i was reminded of its beauty.i’m not a religious person so i never tied the “heavenly” part of it to god.turns out, neither did patty when I looked up the lyrics on her myspace page, this is what I found…
Oh heavenly day, All the clouds blew away Got no trouble today, with anyone
The smile on your face, I live only to see It’s enough for me baby, It’s enough for me Oh, heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day
Tomorrow may rain with sorrow Here’s a little time we can borrow Forget all our troubles in these moments so few Because right now, all that we really have to do Is have ourselves, a heavenly day Lay here and watch the trees sway Can’t see no other way, no way, no way Oh, heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day
No one at my shoulder, bringing me fear Got no clouds up above me, bringing me tears Got nothing to tell you, I’ve got nothing much to say Only I’m glad to be here with you On this heavenly, heavenly, heavenly day
when i looked up those lyrics and read the note at the bottom about the song being a love song for her dog, i’m not gonna lie, i teared up a bit. one of my very best friends just lost her pug dog last week and i immediately thought of her. carter pug died very unexpectedly and it’s really made me appreciate my doggies lately. growing up, i was never a dog person. as a matter of fact, i was scared of dogs! if you would have told me 6 years ago the immeasurable amount of happiness that my dogs would bring into my life, i never would have believed it. my dogs have become such an important part of my life. they, like my friends, are my family and i treat them that way. one of my favorite things in the world is waking up a few minutes before they do. margot is usually by my feet or in the crook behind my bent knees. bella is always in her usual spot with her head on the pillow next to mine, her back curled up against my chest, covers pulled up to her chin, just like a little person. it’s the greatest feeling in the world to lay there, if only for a few moments before they realize i’m awake (and oh my god! we get to go outside!), and take in all of that loyal, non-judging, un-conditional, un-wavering puppy love. for that moment each morning i am content. life is exactly how it should be and i wouldn’t trade it for the world <3 i loved the song even before i knew it was inspired by puppy love. when i listen to it my mind takes me to memories of my own “heavenly days”. days of good times with the ones i love. it makes me appreciate just how fortunate i am to have such amazing friends and just how very much in love i am with them <3
you can hear the song for yourself on patty’s myspace page.
xoxo
those that know me know that i live for music. hell, i have a tattoo on at least a third of the right side of my torso devoted to my love of music that moves me. if i were to wake up deaf tomorrow, i would surely die of a broken heart. that being said, here are my top picks for 2007 :
BEST ALBUMS
dear and the headlights : small steps, heavy hooves
i was in love with this album and this band at first listen. their catchy, sing-a-long lyrics will get caught in your head for days at a time. plus, they’re so easy to relate to that it makes you think “yes! that’s what i was trying to say!”. throw in vocals from ian metzger that are so raw and full of emotion and i just don’t see how anyone couldn’t love them! this was also the band that i saw live the most this year. each time i made an effort to bring new friends along and each time they were hooked, too hear it
ghostland observatory : paparazzi lighting
ghostland observatory : delete. delete. i. eat. meat. this duo from austin, tx seemed to come out of nowhere this year! they released two full-length albums in less than a year and played at all of the top festivals this year, converting new fans across the country. although their albums weren’t officially released in 2007, i’m including them on my list because they were such a huge part of my life this year. their myspace page says it best : “ghostland observatory is not a band, but an agreement between two friends to create something that not only heals their beat-driven hearts, but pleases their rock ‘n roll souls.” they combine electronic beats, guitar, drums, and singer aaron behren’s freddie mercury-esque vocals to make music that you just can’t help but shake your ass and sing at the top of your lungs to. however, to get the ultimate ghostland experience you can’t just listen to their music…you MUST catch them live! i was lucky enough to dance my ass off to three live ghostland shows this year. not a dancer? take a look at these videos and tell me how you could possibly sit still through a performance like this :
tegan & sara : the con
i’m a total sucker for good chic rock so naturally, i love this album more and more with each listen. hell, i’ve even caught the boy singing it around my apartment hear it
feist : the reminder
this album played a starring role in the soundtrack of my life this past year. this album, like her last album, is packed with everything from soft, soulful ballads to songs that make you want to break into song and dance while performing everyday tasks. her videos are always fun and her live performances are never dull. it seemed she was everywhere this past year, from cell phone commercials, to ipod commercials, to late night television. for some reason this was always the album i would choose to blast while cleaning house. oddly enough, there was much more dancing than cleaning accomplished hear it
band of horses : cease to begin
i got hooked on this album late in 2007, but i’m so glad that i did! with lyrics that punch you right in the gut and absolutely haunting vocals, it quickly earned a place in my top picks of the year.
hear it
rilo kiley : under the blacklight
this was one of my most anticipated albums of 2007. jenny lewis is HIGH on my girl crush list, and with good reason. “breakin’ up” and “silver lining” are , true to rilo kiley style, perfect tongue in cheek pop songs that make light of a (sometimes) serious situation. “money maker” can only be described with one word, and that word is hot.
hear it
brandi carlile : the story
you might recognize the title track, “the story”, from the season finale of grey’s anatomy back in may. however, my favorite track is “wasted”. ” if you had eyes like golden crowns and diamonds in your fingertips you’d waste it. if shining wisdom passed your lips and traveled to the ears of god you’d waste it.
and so i hate that your overrated, most revered, and celebrated cause you’re wasted. “
now tell me ladies, who doesn’t know someone they can relate that to?
hear it
lovedrug : everything starts where it ends
this album is full of tales of love, deception, life, and some of the most unique vocals in the bizz right now. each song is filled with emotion whether it be from words, music, or the sound of breaking glass. hear it
stars : in our bedroom, after the war
where do i even start with this band, much less this album? one of the things i love the most about this band is the imagery their song titles create. i mean, just look at the album title (also a song title) : in our bedroom, after the war. can’t you just see a couple in their bedroom after a knock down drag out fight, emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted, sitting on their bed, backs to each other, unable to even look at each other, but knowing that, somehow, they’ll move past it in the morning? hear it
strata : strata presents the end of the world remember strata? well forget everything you remembered about them because they’re back and SO much better than ever before! “stay young” is one of my top songs of 2007, whereas “coma therapy” is one of my most favorite songs that i absolutely hate to be able to relate to. make any sense? hell, i don’t care if it makes sense. this is my blog and i don’t have to make sense if i don’t want to. seriously though, just take a listen. it’s amazing. hear it
BEST LIVE SHOWS
ghostland observatory
tapes n tapes
billy joel
ben kweller
mutemath
clap your hands say yeah
dear and the headlights
as tall as lions
tokyo police club
the old 97’s
margot & the nuclear so and so’s
muse
lovedrug
when I looked up the lyrics on her myspace page, this is what I found…
