In celebration of Gay Pride, Love and Positive Energy – I decided to share some music videos that have thought provoking messages, are relevant in terms of the songs message or simply make you feel like you want to dance. Whether you identify as gay, straight, bisexual or transgender – let your true colours fly and do it without judging someone else’s authenticity. Now let’s celebrate PRIDE by spreading love and positive energy into the world:
NOTHING REALLY MATTERS (REMIX) – Madonna
YOU DON’T KNOW – Cyndi Lauper
FEEL WHAT YOU WANT – Kristine W
FREE – Ultra Nate
POWER OF LOVE – Deee-Lite
PROUD – Heather Small
MODERN LOVE – Rupaul
A LITTLE RESPECT (HMI Redux) – Erasure
AFTER ALL – Billie Ray Martin
GLASS & PATRON – FKA Twigs
BRING THE NOIZE – M.I.A.
LIGHT IN PLACES – Peaches
LIVING FOR LOVE (Remix) – Madonna
Let music move you towards creating positive change in the world. Allow LOVE into your heart and live with positive energy within your heart.
HAPPY PRIDE to everyone!!!
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
I am a big fan of music in its various formats and genres; some pop, rock, alternative, country, reggae, dance, house and electronica. Some of my favourite artists come from the house music/electronica genre like; Depeche Mode, Erasure, Kristine W, Ultra Nate, Madonna, The Human League, OMD, Billie Ray Martin, Massive Attack and Tricky – just to name a few.
The artists I named above have been instrumental in providing the ‘soundtrack to my life’ some more than others but one artist that has been consisted in providing music that has deeply resonated with me and the events of my life has been Sinead O’Connor. Ever since I heard her captivating voice as it softly sang the first verse of her underground alternative hit “Troy” form the ground-breaking album The Lion and the Cobra:
“I’ll remember it And Dublin in a rainstorm And sitting in the long grass in summer Keeping warm I’ll remember it Every restless night We were so young then We thought that everything We could possibly do was right Then we moved”
I was hooked right from the beginning – her voice was soft gentle and passionate at the start of the song but strong, defiant by the end. Since then, Sinead O’Connor has released albums that transcend all music genres from pop to reggae and topics ranging from love, religion and spirituality.
Due to Sinead’s outspoken nature and personal issues stemming from a troubled home-life and abuse endured by the hands of her mother, Sinead’s music career went from over-night success via her Prince-penned hit single, “Nothing Compares 2 U”, to becoming ostracized for making a very courageous statement about the Catholic church and their sexual abuse scandals.
Sinead’s latest effort is entitled; I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss. Her latest single, “Take Me To Church” is a rebirth of sorts. Sinead sings about not having regrets in being the woman she used to be and living authentically as the woman she is today. Here are the lyrics, followed by the video:
TAKE ME TO CHURCH
I don’t wanna love the way I loved before,
I don’t wanna love that way no more
What if I’ve been right and lost some storm?
I don’t want to write them anymore
I don’t wanna sing them the way I sang before
I don’t wanna sing that way no more,
What if I’ve been singing love songs before?
I don’t wanna sing them anymore,
I don’t wanna be that girl no more
I don’t wanna cry no more
I don’t wanna die no more
So get me down from this old tree,
Cut the rope and all from me
Sat me on the floor,
I’m the only one I should adore!
Take me to the church,
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Take me to the church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth
Yeah, take me to church
Yeah, take me to church
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Yeah, get me to church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth
I’m gonna say souls of love and unforgiven ??
Sons of living, sons of calling in the night
It’s time to rise above the light
And love the only one you shouldn’t bite
??
So get me down from this old tree,
Cut the rope and all from me
Sat me on the floor,
I’m the only one I should adore!
Take me to the church,
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Yeah take me to the church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth
Yeah, take me to church
Yeah, take me to church
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Yeah, get me to church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth
(O’Connor/Reynolds/Kearns)
Many critics are saying that Sinead is back in top form and that the album is a great ‘come-back’. For me, it isn’t a come-back album because I have enjoyed much of her under-rated work such as the amazing works of Universal Mother, Gospel Oak EP, the glorious Faith and Courage and the fantastic How About I Be Me (And You Be You)? If you haven’t been honoured in listening to any of her music after her so-called ‘break-down’, I would recommend opening your mind and your heart and taking the musical and emotional journey of what Sinead’s music and lyrics can provide you.
For more Sinead’s discography, tour and other information, please visit her official website at: www.sineadoconnor.com or like her Facebook page. You can purchase Sinead on the iTunes store via: http://www.apple.com/itunes
I am grateful for her music and wish her much peace, love and health because that is all her music has given me.
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
There is nothing like music to change your mood. Music makes you scream, shout and dance! Music is inspiring and can change your mood thereby changing your health. Moving and dancing to music gets the blood flowing and helps to reduce fat – possibly creating a physical change. It can also be calming and thought-provoking providing bringing balance to your emotional state.
Here is a list of songs that make I love singing aloud to and make me really happy (in no particular order):
From the album: SHINE, released only in Japan May 3, 2004 (EP and remixes) released in USA May 2002
For more information about each of these artists (link included below each video/audo post – please visit their respective websites. To purchase any of these songs or album, please visit their websites or iTunes.
Let music move you emotionally and physically…..but most of all….HAVE FUN!!!!
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
Thirteen years ago, Sinead O’Connor released an album entitled; Faith & Courage. For me, it is quite possibly her best album. The songs on this album seem to be written to heal, to forgive, to let go of resentment and anger and to embrace spirituality. I find when artists find spirituality – they tend to create some of their best work, for example; Madonna – Ray of Light, Alanis Morissette – Flavours of Entanglement and Sinead O’Connor – Faith & Courage.
Music is powerful and can lift your spirits – whether they were intended to do so or not. There are many songs that can send you to a higher place or just make you feel great and happy, songs such as;
Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be Happy
Deee-Lite – Love Is Everything/River of Freedom/Power of Love/Groove Is In The Heart
Vernessa Mitchell – This Joy
Enigma – Sadeness Part I/Rivers of Belief/Return To Innocence
Sandra – Love Is The Price/The Art of Love
Elton John – Sacrifice/Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word/Philadelphia Freedom
George Michael – Freedom/Faith/Move On/Star People
Kristine W – I’ll Be Your Light/Land of the Living/Stronger/Be Alright
Carrie Underwood – Jesus Take The Wheel
Ultra Nate – Free
Cyndi Lauper – Shine/You Don’t Know/True Colours
Billie Ray Martin – Your Loving Arms/Hands Up and Amen
Kylie Minogue – On A Night Like This/I Believe In You/All The Lovers
Mistress Barbara – Dance Me to the End of Love
Lady Gaga – Born This Way
Katy Perry – Firework
Black Eyed Peas – I Got A Feeling/Where Is The Love
We all have songs that make us feel good and are therapeutic and this is a great thing. Music should help us forgive, remove resentments, release pain and anger but most of all, it should make you feel good.
Here is a song on Sinead O’Connor’s album that helps me release some of my ‘negative’ emotions. Here are the lyrics, the audio follows:
WHAT DOESN’T BELONG TO ME
The woman named Iris gave birth to the goddess
In her son who can’t say his name
Because of all the pain
I miss you, but I’m glad you’re gone
I want you but I’m not alone
I’m haunted by you
But I’ll get you gone if it takes me all my life long
Take back the pain you gave me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
Take back the shame you gave me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
I’m Irish, I’m English, I’m Moslem, I’m Jewish,
I’m a girl, I’m a boy
And the goddess meant for me only joy
And real love requires you, give up those loves
Whom you think you love best
Love puts you through the test
And only loyal love will bring me happinessTake back the rage you gave me
Take back the hatred you gave me for me
Take back the anger that nearly killed me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
And real love requires you
Give up those loves
That you think you love best
Love puts you through the test
And only loyal love will bring you happiness
Take back the pain you gave me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
Take back the blame you gave me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
You can purchase all the singles/albums I mentioned above by visiting the individual artists web pages/sites or on iTunes.
I hope this blog gives you the motivation to reconnect with music the makes you feel good and allows you to release any negative emotions that you may be hanging onto.
Love, light and happiness.
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
Do you remember what song played during your first kiss or your first break-up? Do you remember your the first song played at your wedding reception? (Mine was “Hung Up” by Madonna). Music was pivotal to the soundtrack of my life. My tastes crossed all genres but I preffered to listen to Electronic/Dance. Thinking about your life, what music was pivotal in helping you during the tough and not so tough moments in your life?
Here are 25 cds/albums that I would definitely need or have with me should I be stranded on island:
25: THE HUMAN LEAGUE – Hysteria (1984)
24: NEW ORDER – Substance (1987)
23: GEORGE MICHAEL – Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1 (1990)
22: ULTRA NATE – Grime, Silk, & Thunder (2007)
21: UB40 – Labour of Love (1983)
20: DIDO – No Angel (1999)
19: TRICKY – Maxinquaye (1995)
18: JAMES BLAKE – James Blake (2011)
17: BILLIE RAY MARTIN – Deadline For My Memories (1995)
16: FLAVORS OF ENTANGLEMENT – ALANIS MORISSETTE (2008)
15: DAVE GAHAN – Hourglass (2007)
14: EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL – Temperamental (1999)
13: MASSIVE ATTACK – Protection (1994)
12: PEACHES – I Feel Cream (2009)
11: MISTRESS BARBARA – I’m No Human (2009)
10: DEEE-LITE – Dewdrops In The Garden (1994)
9: ERASURE – Erasure (1995)
8: DEPECHE MODE – Black Celebration (1986) and Violator (1990)
7: FAITHLESS – Outrospective (2001)
6: BJORK – Vespertine (2001)
5: SINEAD O’CONNOR – Faith & Courage (2000)
4: ERASURE – I Say, I Say, I Say (1994)
3: KRISTINE W – Land of the Living (1996)
2: MADONNA – American Life (2003)
1: MADONNA – Ray of Light (1998)
As Madonna once sang: “Music makes the people come together, yeah”
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
Music touches our lives in so many ways….we remember certain songs during pivotal moments in our lives. I have many memories that I can specifically attach a song to. Song or music and lyrics touch us in different ways and may draw various and different emotions in each one of us – there are songs that I hear that may make me feel happy, joy, sadness, anger and that will also make me laugh, those same songs could effect so many others in different ways. Here is an additional list of songs that have moved me in a positive manner and that I can certainly include as part of a ‘soundtrack to my life’, what songs are soundtracks to your life?
COALITION OF POSITIVE ENERGY 