1 day ago
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Music & what was & what shall be
In commemoration of divorce
I was not going to post today, but suddenly it struck me like a lightning bolt: This is my anniversary. It was two years ago today my divorce was finalized. We had not been together since 2004, so my "adjustment period" has been a bit longer. Like five years? Lightning just struck again. Oh, well. In recognition of this momentous event, here are two (maybe I will come up with a third) songs from different ends of the music (and life) spectrum.
Andrea Bocelli should need no introduction unless, as the proverbial cliché goes, you have been living on Mars for the past decade or so. I have no doubt he is the finest tenor on stage today; if you have doubts, that is your problem. This is an old song: "Can't Help Falling in Love." Some of you might recall versions of this piece by Elvis Presley, Keely Smith (I love her voice), Celine Dion and even Bob Dylan. All versions are good, I guess (hard to wreck a beautiful song), but nothing in comparison to this rendition. I had a step-father who I fought with famously as a teenager and who introduced me to the sound of classical and Broadway music, as well as to opera. At least the old man knew what he was talking about in regard to music.
Following next is our favorite southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, performing "Simple Man." This is not the Lynyrd Skynyrd I offered a few days back singing "Free Bird." Many of those band members are dead, but some of the originals are still here and the singer is Johnny Van Zant, brother of the original vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant. Many think the two sound remarkably alike. If you have never attended a "good ol' boy" performance, you have no idea what fun a concert can be when compared to straight rock or, probably, to any other concert venue. I am talking fun; which is not the same as enjoyment. Get your boots, your cowboy hat, a Confederate battle flag, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and remember, you were born to be wild -- but only with the one you can't help falling in love with ....
So, in respect to me, myself and I:
Song No. 1
Andrea Bocelli, "Can't Help Falling in Love,"
is goodbye to the past and with dreams toward the future.
Song No. 2
Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Simple Man,"
is with thoughts to the present, uncomplicated, simple life.
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14 comments:
Happy anniversary, if I may say that, and great choice of songs, especially the second one. I'm also divorced, but I can't think of a song that would fit my mood.
Have heard so many different versions of 'Cant help falling in love with you" and I love each one of them.
Some fond memories attached too. This was the song the ex and I would almost always dance to, in the college socials..
Like someone once said, "The old dreams were good dreams. They didnt work out. BUt I`m glad I had them."
Releasing the old dreams and making new ones makes for our best life. Living in the here and now. The past is gone, nothing we can do about it...but the future, that is ours to create, isn't it?
I think changing our perspective to seeing the future as being opened up for new experiences, adventure, love, all those good things...that's the trick...sometimes hard to do, but so worthwhile if we can get there.
Happy Anniversary to your New Life!
Make it a Happy One, Fram!
xox
By all means, congratulations are in order, Polly. At least, as far as I am concerned.
Possibly, the nature of selecting the "right" song relates to how much time and distance have passed since the event. I have a tendency to think I have been single for ages, while legally, it has only been for two years.
It takes a while to pick an "anniversary" song.
It is a terrific song, I agree, Piper, and Andrea Bocelli has the perfect voice to sing it.
Actually, I have no specific memories to attach to this song like you do; nothing there for me other than simply enjoying it and feeling its message. I guess I am lucky in that sense.
Possibly, part of this with me is just now, after a few years, beginning to dream again.
Maybe this should be done as a countdown to the new rather than a measurement from the past; just the opposite of a traditional anniversary, in other words.
In any case, for sure, Kelly, the future is there to be built and shaped and molded by the individual, and most certainly can be when there is purpose.
Most people have a tendency to "go with the flow" and allow life to drive them, rather than devise a "battle plan" and to charge toward the future as if it were a hill to be captured. In any case, I have my battle plan this time around.
Battle plans are good and extremely necessary. Flexibility in implementation is also extremely important and necessary, not only in battle, but in human relationships. As you know, there are many surprises that come up in battle and in life.
Can we really predict our futures? I don't think so. Best laid plans is the best we can do and hope that the angels are on our shoulder.
Although happily married (and may that last!) I salute, sir, because your choice of songs is absolutely wonderful. Especially the second one. You have to love these ol' cats.
Oh, glorious days, back in uni, twenty years ago this next September! Many thanks, you have brought back memories.
Greetings from London.
In Poland we say, we have a goose's skin, when something touches us so deep, that we tremble, shiver inside. Your first song made me feel like this, thank you Fram the Wolf. And the second one is also very unique to me, because of the lyrics. Thank you again. I wish you as much beauty and happiness, as we can hear in your anniversary songs, for whole your new life :-) Have a good afternoon, evening and weekend. Bye, bye.
I think you are absolutely right (ignore my use of the word absolutely), Kelly, in the ordinary sense of events. I was writing in a mostly personal context. There have been a few times in my life when I have absolutely known (ignore it again) what the outcome of a given project or task or goal would be the moment I began it.
This is difficult to explain, but I have experienced moments of perfect clarity in which I have known that if I follow a certain set of steps, I will achieve the end result I want. I am speaking of major events or accomplishments, too, some of which took months to conclude. It sort of falls under the category of: "If you want something badly enough ...."
If those "good ol' boys" brought you a few minutes of youth relived, all the better CiL.
Speaking of marriage, you might appreciate this. Today is the anniversary of the marriage that ended on yesterday's anniversary of the divorce. How many people do you know whose marriage and divorce coincide with an exact, precise number of years? That requires precision planning, does it not?
Well, thank you, for the wish, Magdalena. I am absolutely (my favorite word today, it would seem) certain that my "whole new life" will be filled with beauty and happiness beyond my expectations, and that it will include concerts of magical voices, such as that of Andrea Bocelli, and concerts of just plain fun, such as that of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
It pleases me that you enjoyed this music, since you have provided so many songs at your page that have been exceedingly exquisite to my ears. Thank you, for them.
Can't Help Falling in love - both a wonderful song and wonderful thought. Some things are meant to be. Gives one comfort that without any effort it will happen (really the same message that the lyrics of the Lynyrd Skynyrd song conveys). And Boccelli, with his clear and melodious voice sings it wonderfully (I guess that is my word of the day)...
Lets raise a glass and toast Falling in Love!
I think you must be a true romantic, Peggy.
I also agree with you that melodious might be the best way to describe Andrea Bocelli's voice, and he has to be the best tenor in the business these days, from my point of view.
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