MUSIC SPEAKS AND EXPRESSES
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” ~ Victor Hugo. Hans Christian Andersen also said, “where words fail, music speaks.”
Can you imagine life without music?
Like really, could you? I know I couldn’t. Music evokes all sorts of emotions and feelings. It has the ability to heal, calm the spirit, inspire confidence, reduce anxiety, boost happiness, provide a sense of peace, and elicit the erotic. Some music has even been known to induce sadness and cause anger. Nevertheless, music is therapeutic and helps us to express feelings in a way that nothing else could.
When I’m at my lowest music lifts me up and heals my brokenness; when I am at my highest, music reminds me to be humble while celebrating my wins. When I feel lost, music helps me find my way back to that which I seek.
There is power in music…its touches every aspect of our lives!
Talk truth now. I know you do this too. Scenario: you’re driving to work on a Monday morning, after a long, fabulous weekend. You start to get that “I don’t want to do this, I’d rather be home in bed feeling.” Don’t you draw for that playlist that gets you pumping? Don’t you buck your stereo system until the drivers next to you start dancing too, or look at you like you’re an idiot? YES, YOU DO, ADMIT IT! You be up in that car dancing like a crazy person, getting your groove on, while everyone on the outside watches. But you don’t care, because you my friend are now quite happy heading into the “Monday Blues Office” with a completely different vibe and attitude.
For the past 2 years, I created specific playlists for each year. I selected songs that “speak to me.” Ones I hope would reflect my mood throughout the year or reflect the mood I’d like to have throughout the year. And of course, 2022 was no exception. I kickstarted the year with three songs and ended the year at no. eleven. Mind you, I have copious amounts of playlists that I continue to add to. However, this one was called “My 2022 Mood Songs,” playlist. A corny playlist name I know but, hey, it worked for me.
1. Mandisa: Good Morning
2. Tatiana Manaois: Like You
3. Ciara: Level Up
4. Shaggy: Money Up ft. Noah Powa
5. Jordin Sparks: One Step At A Time
6. Estelle: Conqueror
7. Sizzla: Rise To The Occasion
8. Sia: Unstoppable
9. Alicia Keys: Girl on Fire
10. Kabaka Pyramid: Believe
11. Rihanna: Lift Me Up
Now that I’ve given you the list, let me do you one better. You’ve guessed it (or not), I’m going to write my own song using my favorite lines from each song. And, you get to guess which lines come from which song. Let’s have a little fun, shall we? Now, what shall I name my song? Hmmm… Let’s go with “Get Your Mood On 2022” for now.
Clears throat…lalalalalalalalalaaaaaa
HIT IT!
Get Your Mood On 2022
I went to bed dreaming. You woke me up singing. Get up, get up, hey! It's a good morning! You’ve… Got a vision that no one else sees. Lot of dirty work, roll up your sleeves. Remember there's a war out there so come prepared to fight! You never know where the road leads you, not everyone's gonna believe you. Even though they're wrong, don't prove them right. Just… Rise to the occasion, look at yourself den say yuh strong, no-one can stop yuh, oh yeah. Rise to the occasion, go ahead you know you strong, no-one can stop you. Perseverance for the utmost best should be your preference. Skills of trade and talents is your evidence. So… I just keep elevating, no losses, just upgrading. My lessons, made blessings, I turned that into money. Thank God I never settled, this view is so much better I'm chilling, I'm winning, like on another level. That’s why… Mi money up, mi money up dis season. Mi money up, mi money up dis season. Deh pon di hustle, mi a work an sweat, City to city, travel pon di Learjet, hey. Mus affi rich, a dat a fimi mindset, hey! Just take… One step at a time, there’s no need to rush. It's like learning to fly or falling in love. It's gonna happen when it's supposed to happen. One thing’s for sure… Nah wait pan nobody fi tell me seh me great. Nah wait pan nobody fi open up de gate. Affi Believe inna me self (affi believe). Affi believe inna me self (affi believe). Cause… You are strong, you are wise. There's nobody in the world like you. And… This girl is on fire (fire). Looks like a girl, but she's a flame. So bright, she can burn your eyes, better look the other way. You can try, but you'll never forget her name. She's on top of the world. However, sometimes you just need to… Lift me up. Hold me down. Keep me safe. We need light, we need love. But in the end… I'm unstoppable. I'm a Porsche with no brakes. I'm invincible. Yeah, I win every single game. I'm so powerful, I don't need batteries to play. I'm so confident. Yeah, I'm unstoppable today!
CONCLUSION
“Beethoven tells you what it's like to be Beethoven and Mozart tells you what it's like to be human. Bach tells you what it's like to be the universe.” ― Douglas Adams
I, Sing-Jay Cecile, tell you what it’s like to wrap yourself in the blanket of music – the universal language. Now, can I please have a music producer, some vocal training, a management team, and such the like…tune haffi (will have to) run…lol.
But on a serious note, thanks to the Musicians/Artists that continue to whet our appetite, feed our soul, activate our waistlines, and fill our spirits with fantastic music. Life without music would be, well, let’s just say it would be shallow and emotionless. As Louis Armstrong said, “Music is life itself.” And, as the great Bob Marley said in his Trenchtown Rock song, "One good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain. So hit me with music, hit me with music now, yeah!"
What was your favorite song for 2022? Do you have a song for 2023 yet?
Let me know in the comments.
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