Music: The Language of The Spirit…
“Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets that startle our wonder as to who we are, and for what, whence, and whereto.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Music: The Language of The Spirit... Vinyl & CD music
A Song for You by Donny Hathaway *Lyrics at end of post
Jill Scott – A Long Walk
Music is a unifying medium that all of us can agree we enjoy. Our tastes in music might differ, but it brings people, nations, disparate souls together and points us to the beauty and power of rhythms and songs. When I read the #Trust30 prompt for today on a personal message I’d like to share with a million others, I reached for music. Music is the language of the soul and when our spirits are down and we are at a loss for words, music brings equilibrium and joy back into our lives. I love many types of music and instead of giving you a shopping list, I’ll share a sampling of some of my favorite songs and lyrics that touched me today.
#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge. The #Trust30 Prompt : What is burning deep inside of you? If you could spread your personal message RIGHT NOW to 1 million people, what would you say?
Recently, two of my blog buddies, Walter at NewDigitalScapes and Dieter at FrizztextComments reminded me of the deeply healing qualities and resonance of music. Walter is participating in a 30 Day Music Challenge, and Dieter/Frizztext, who is a musician, shared a beautiful video from one of my favorites, the late Eva Cassidy. The songs I’ve selected, reflect the calming beauty of songs and the memories that always surface when when we play music we love. These are not new songs but they are all beautifully written. More Music Below! 🙂
“To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pieces of A Dream – Warm Weather *Lyrics Below
Eva Cassidy – Ain’t no sunshine…
The Staple Singers – If You’re Ready(Come Go With Me)
Even as we share music that soothes our souls and makes our hearts beat a little faster, you might wonder what the smart thing I heard has to do with this post. For starters, musical talent reaches across socioeconomic levels and creates common ground; a level playing field from which we can communicate clearly and peacefully with each other; without the ego of rank and title. What prompted this thought was a piece I read today, on Robert W. Fuller, who wrote a book about Rankism or ranking and how people use and abuse their ranking in society. He said something to the effect that just because life is unfair doesn’t mean we should treat each other unfairly. The more I thought about his comment, the more I felt that, at least, music bridges the ranking gap and is an equalizer for all humanity. We come to it without our usual petty hatreds and ego shoving… We all love music because it gives us joy and we can dance our sorrows away; albeit temporarily.
“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” Kahlil Gibran
Music: The Language of The Spirit... Musical Notes
Simply Red – Holding back the years
Deniece Williams – Free *Lyrics below
Aretha Franklin – Bridge Over Troubled Water
When I look back to the music of my youth and the music I enjoy today, I see a common thread… the love of music transcends all things; all hurts, all suffering, and all joy. When I sit back and listen to a Bob Marley riff, jazz, a gospel song, a Beethoven sonata, an R&B song, a traditional dirge, Oumou Sangare, Tupac, Aretha, The Beatles, Anya, any musician with a song, I know I am coming home to myself and all is well with the world. What about you? What are your thoughts? What music sings to you tonight? Do you have a memorable song/songs? Do share? 🙂
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: What’s the smartest thing you’ve heard this week? and from RalphWaldoEmerson.me: What is burning deep inside of you? If you could spread your personal message RIGHT NOW to 1 million people, what would you say?
Positive Motivation Tip: Music crosses all boundaries, it heals and mends hearts, find your music and play it.
Related articles
- #Trust30 Pledge (gpangie12.wordpress.com)
- Ralph Waldo Emerson: Self Reliance Prompt #6 (miriamgomberg.wordpress.com)
- Reflections: 15 Minutes To Live… (eof737.wordpress.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Photo of Vinyl & CD, Musical Note via Wikipedia
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Hi Liz,
Thanks for the shout out 🙂
I love your old school selection of songs. I think anything from Pheobe Snow and the Delfonics’s (La La La means I love you) would fit right in there with your selections. The old school music definitely brings back memories of my youth and growing up around my family and friendsin Philly….
Aretha, Diana, Marvin and Teddy to name a few, all set the soul on fire and bring us long lasting joy. We should always celebrate these great artists.
Walter
I hear you… I love that Philly sound… such an abundance of talent and superior musical compositions. When I think of names out of the the Philly Sound genre, it blows my mind… and it continues today with new artists. Thanks for your feedback!
I might start my music posts again. I gave up when Youtube was giving me grief over stuff I posted. I’m simply honoring and sharing great music so others can check em out; that’s about it. I hope we are cool now… Youtube and moi that is… 😉
Music to start the weekend – how lovely!
I’ve never heard that Eva Cassidy song before. Gorgeous version.
Isn’t she terrific? Such a pity her life was cut short just as she was coming into the limelight as a gifted musician. I love the sounds of yesteryears; so much depth and grace. There is a lot of good stuff still; it’s just hard to sift through the endless noise… TY! 🙂
Jill Scott – really new for me, great! also the video changing from black and white to colors step by step, wonderful ART!
I’m glad you like Jill’s music… she’s gone far and her beginning was fascinating too. She acts in movies too now. 🙂 Thanks for the Eva Cassidy video. Beautiful… 🙂
Music soothes the soul. I love “holding back the years” song- “simply red” songs are my favorite. I warped my Cd even playing that. I am glad you mentioned frizztext and he truly is amazing. I love how you incorporate so much on your posts, you include #TRUST30 Topic and write enough to keep the readers alert and alive. I love coming to visit you each day and see what you have for us. Have a great day Eliz. ♥ Jackie
Thank you Jackie, I love that song too and I played it everyday too till my friends were sick of me and it. LOL! I love a wide range of music and I selected these songs because they fit the spirit of my post… Frizztext is a great resource for music for sure. He’s heard it all. LOL! 😉
Aretha Franklin, The Staple Singers (+ Eva Cassidy) – I liked them all – especially I liked to copy some gospels of the Staple Singers with my guitar: 1) Will the circle be unbroken, 2) It could be the last time (BEFORE the Rolling Stones made a copy); but next to the Staple Singers I would like to mention NINA SIMONE – and her performance FEELINGS.
a great chance for me to learn English – because it is spoken (sang?) with authenticity …
Nina was the best… even though there was so much residual anger from past hurts and more… It’s a great joy to listen to music that takes you to another level, musically and lyrically… 🙂
I love all types of music and you touched many I love in this post. I am proud of the Philly Sound and to say I’ve actually met Mr. Gamble and Mr. Huff. They used to frequent the flower shop I worked in which was a block away.
Music is the common denominator isn’t it?
Great post Eliz!
Thanks, b
Hi Barbara
There is a lot to be proud of when it comes to the Philly sound. My daughter’s family is related to Mcfadden and Whitehead. I remember back in the 70’s going to a lot of parties and hanging out with Teddy Pendegrass and others. My daughter’s brother is now keeping the tradition going as a hip-hop artist.
Yes my lady… I knew that Philly Sound was coming right home for you… There must be something in the water because there is so much creativity and originality from Philly even today; you know I’m thinking of Eve, Musiq Soulchild, Boyz II Men, and a ton of artists from the past to the present… Good for you that you met Gamble and Huff… Awesome!
Music rocks across all denominations. TY! 🙂
A little folk band I followed while I was in law school inspired me to write a few songs. I couldn’t read or write music, so I had to sing the songs to remember their tunes. (I think I actually posted one around the time I started my blog, a fact I intend never to speak over again. Ahem.) I wrote a bunch of useless songs, but the ones that stick with me are the ones I wrote for my sister before she got married (I called it “Little Sister,” she calls it “Elven Girl”), the one I sang as a toast at her wedding, and the one I wrote as a Mother’s Day present to throw my mom off the fact I’d totally forgotten Mother’s Day. Indeed, when my mom heard the song, she exclaimed to “Elven Girl,” “There’s no way our slacker wrote that in a day!” 😀
See, you have musical talent and need to nurture it … You never know you might have a hit one day. If the music comes that easily for you, then it is a gift/innate talent you have and you could write it for others to sing… What do you say? I love the Elven Girl title and idea… so funny! 🙂
Music can so powerfully affect a mood. And at the same time, the music we choose to listen to at any given time portrays a mood. It’s a sort of circle…
Yes, it is Rosa… well said. There are times I want to listen to specific types of music; dance. relaxing, spirituals, etc, etc. I love music and used to dance too. Time does go by. 🙂
Ah, you picked some of my favorites. All “locals” for me–Philly. It was good to listen to Donny–brought back a flood of memories. Music can intensify any mood! Thanks, Eliz.
Oh, you are a Philly girl too? Awesome… I love you Philly, PA folk. So much soul and talent in one city… 🙂 Yes, Donny and I go way, way back too. I was devastated when he passed away… 🙁
Thank you too for connecting to this selection!
Loved listening to Holding Back The Years . . . it’s been a while. 😀
As Frampton would say/sing . . . Music is my food and life ~ don’t take it away.
Yes, isn’t that the best song? I can still listen to it all day and not get bored… Oh! I should have included my man Peter Frampton’s “Baby, I Love Your Way” and “In the Air Tonight!” by Phil Collins. Okay next time… 🙂