If not for music, I'm pretty sure I would have lost my mind a long time ago. Lots of people turn to music for comfort and peace, no doubt, maybe even therapy. I know I have. Music also is a reflection of what's in your heart, especially when it comes to other people.

Trying to not feel for someone is rather difficult and sometimes it seems like you can no more force yourself to stop caring for someone than you can make that person care back. Obviously, you can't make someone like you back. And you shouldn't. 

But once you accept that and know your feelings aren't going to leave any faster if you try and force them away, there's an odd loveliness to silently embracing it all and knowing just what you'd say to them if you could (and you know they wouldn't mind.)

In two different music magazines within the past two years, Tears For Fears'

The Hurting was mentioned as one of the best albums of not just 1983, but the 80s themselves. I never realized before how much the idea of
primal scream therapy (and emotional distress) played into the concept of it all.

Their version of "Mad World" preceded Gary Jules' (which appeared on the Donnie Darko soundtrack) and is totally different, though equally full of yearning.





Mojo music magazine started and ended 2013 with Stevie Nicks-related issues. If you can get a hold of the January issue, you'll find a terrific tribute album that takes on every song from Rumours. Of particular note: Pure Bathing Culture's hypnotic cover of "Dreams" and The Staves' gloriously beautiful "Songbird." Some bookstores are still selling the December 2013 issue since it came in special packaging and its info will never expire. In that issue you can catch an interview with Stevie Nicks. I never realized that Prince played synth on her solo hit "Stand Back."

 

Books make Monday better! :)

The last I just added because I can be in the foulest mood and Tom Jones always makes me feel better! :)

If music were a person, it would be my constant companion, the love of my life.

I'm listening to Stevie Nicks' "Ooh My Love" and it gets to me, as always. It's my favorite song of hers...haunting and sad and pretty and deep. And it hurts me, even though it's not my story.

Almost every song I love is steeped in emotions I've never lived myself. But, they become my emotions while I'm in the music.

I guess, then, you could songs are not just emotional infusions. When you're at heartbreak's door, songs save you as if they were emotional transfusions.