Tonight was the first night in a while where I created space enough to listen to new music. I don’t listen to music in the way a lot of people do; mindlessly in the background as a soundtrack.
I enjoy it that way; sure… But I specifically find time so that I can let the music be heard.
There is such much that we miss as we hear a tune on the radio that sometimes I make it so it’s just me, my Beats headphones, and Apple Music.
Tonight was one of those nights. So, I made a date with Sia. I had yet to listen to her new album even though I had heard her song Alive…
I teed up the first track.
It’s called Bird Set Free.
It surprised me to find myself feeling an emotional response to the song in a very powerful way. Right out of the gate!
I feel connected to every phase of that song.
The creation.
The story behind the lyric.
The message of their delivery.
The execution and performance and the technology to let it arrive in my ears.
It was a really cool experience.
Awareness, appreciation. Connection. Awe. Joy.
The song itself is a metaphor about always having a Voice inside of us, and being willing to learn how to share it.
We cannot deny our Voice or it will eat us alive. We are forced to share our Voice and once we do, Sing it loud and without shame.
Like a bird set free.. (hence the name).
There are so many ways to find inspiration in that idea. As I was thinking about it, my thoughts went to my own journey with music..
Music has always been a huge part of my life.
I grew up entrenched in music education.
I went to a pre-school that had specialized in music.
Took piano lessons early in my elementary school years.
Started playing the saxophone in 5th grade.
Vocal choirs through junior high and high school.
Played my sax in a 70’s funk cover band my freshman year of college.
20 years ago I picked up a guitar in Brazil and taught myself how to play using tablature books I would buy at the local Bodegas.
The first song I laught myself was “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd. Sliding my fingers over multiple frets (like in the intro of that song) was a thrill the first time.
Even to this day, I play my guitar at least three to four times a week.
The point is I hear music. I love creating music. I understand it. Truly. I hear the layers of the construction of a song. The layers sounds that normal people don’t pay attention to. I understand certain frequencies can literally cause a chill made by the ear when heard.
And yet.
I have yet to write an original song.
I can cover any song. Copy what someone already created. Even put my own spin on it so that it seems fresh.
But when it comes time to create my own?
Nothing…
I turn into an overly critical, self-loathing prick. It’s one of the thorns on my rose of a life. I can’t kick how to take all my creative juices that I use for writing, contenting creating, consulting.. etc. and yet when I point them toward writing a song. Nada.
I’d love to change this. I am open to suggestions LOL..
Anyway, I found a wonderful bridge to the emotion of being complete through the experience of Bird Set Free. I write this so that I can be accountable to the Gods of music for pushing their cause.
For me, that moving target of clarity can often be found in the submission of your mind to powerful prose. Good music is right in that mix.
So, I encourage you to go, now. Listen to Sia’s Bird Set Free.
Click the link below, but please have headphones and space to hear it.
Listen for the layers. The texture of her voice. The chord progressions, and the slight hint of a guitar solo in the last stanza. Each note…
Find the metaphor that applies to you. Then ask…
What’s your Voice want to say?
