Song #60: Blessid Union of Souls - I Believe

Inducted on Dec. 31, 2016

The Teen Era 

Based on my "The Eras of my life" post, you can tell that a major transition point in my life came when I started ninth grade. There were no more grades for me to attend at St. John's Lutheran School, so I had to go into a public school. While it seemed like my other Christian School classmates did a good job of making the transition into 9th grade, I really flailed around. Three highlights come to mind right away.

First, the junior high had lockers with combination locks. I gave the combination lock a shot a few times and could never get it to work. I think I was so scared of standing out that once I had it in my mind that I was never going to get it open, I just stopped trying, so I ended up carrying ALL of my books in my book bag. On one hand, I think "why couldn't my parents have figured this out and helped intervene?". But now as a parent, I realize how little I truly know about what goes on at school with my kids, and for the sake of getting too philisophical, I'd just chalk it up again as "a product of sin" and having to separate from our family in order to "till the soil". So I don't blame my parents. I pray that my kids don't blame me so much as well, but I don't blame them if they do. Perhaps, if I was a blaming kind of guy, I would point fingers at administration, teachers, and/or counselors to identify me as someone who was having trouble transitioning to the school, but blaming them won't help anyone, that's for sure. 

The second highlight of my transition challenges involved the school cafeteria. There were too places to get your food. On one side of the cafeteria was the hot lunch area. To me, it was so intimidating.. it was where everyone lined up to get food. I guess in my mind, there was so much that could go wrong socially by lining up over there to get food. So I never went there. I don't even think I crossed the halfway point in the cafeteria towards where that Hot Lunch area was. Instead, I was on the East side of the caf., and ended up getting my food at the Snack Bar. It had chips, pop, and other goodies. I believe I sustained myself on a diet of coke, cool ranch doritos, and Little Debbie Nutty Bars. Lol. Pretty interesting, huh? Sadly, it speaks to a life of anxiety that I too often have lived throughout all of my eras. I don't blame teenage Josh for that, I just didn't have the tools to be assertive and advocate for myself as I should have. Thankfully, there were moments of grace. I have clear memories of my friend Jeff - from St. John's - sitting at my table occasionally, so I wasn't alone. Pretty sure Jenny from St. John's did as well. As I type this, I think I realize some of why I still wrestle today maintaining meaningful relationships. There's a lot of pain and fear from those teenage years that probably keep me from trusting others even now. Wow. 

This blog is truly an autobiography of my life wrapped around music. That's why I haven't even gotten to entry #60 yet. Well let's talk about the third highlight of my transition challenges. 
It's a little weird because I think a lot of my peers got chicken pox at an earlier age. But I got chicken pox somewhere in the middle of ninth grade. I think of late winter/early Spring. Maybe I don't know when that was specifically.. but there are a couple of pictures of me covered with chicken pox. I ended up Staying home from school for several days (a full week?) and I remember listening to this song, "I believe" a lot on the radio as I was recovering. I'm sure I listened to it before and I'm sure that I listen to it after. but my main association personally with the song were these days spent at home in bed. Once again, this is a song that tends to evoke feelings of loneliness and longing. And yet, at the core of this song was about hope, which was a goof thing for me to hear. I believe at the same time. Elton John's song believe without the radio. And so there were 2 songs about believing. If you happened to read all of these entries, you'll know a lot about what I love about this song. I'm a sucker for songs that prominently feature the piano, and the piano intro is a beautiful melody which drives most of the song.

The song and the theme of the song would fit what I would call "humanity" muic. You UM Ami.. just like type of taste.  , this category music makes me feel stop check and it's a pretty intense feeling. The lyrics about children dying drug use and all of that culminating with the verse about an interracial couple complete with t. End word cemma. You wrote a lot of different feelings inside me and still does. As I listen to It again.  . the ork the orchestra around. It really adds to the beauty of the song, but it still is a pretty stripped down song.

Musically, musically and sematically. I wonder, as I was taught as a young Christian boy, the whole. What goes in your head comes out. Your heart.. and so I wonder if listening to songs with this.  His name has had any influence on me. Politically or social lead.I think it was more of my upgrading. Bringing and learning about how Jesus love is for everyone. but we do know how the Christian church.  In some respects has abused that message in the past. so maybe just maybe some of the music I listened do impacted my views on important issues. it's just an interesting thought as we talk about a song with such a powerful social message.  . this will not be the last such song in my hall of fame. thank you and to be honest, some songs with messages are once that I don't agree with, but I appreciate that they make me think, and perhaps even challenge my existing police system.  . anyway, this song still holds up well. All these years later add. I love that it is in my song hall of fame.

SONG #59: Daft Punk - Get Lucky

Inducted on December 31, 2016
The Daddy Era

Wow, this would have to (currently) be a top 10 overall song as well. This song came out in the early part of my parenthood era. This album from Daft Punk is by far my favorites and solidified them as legends. And they're celebrating the anniversary of the album as I write this. The catchy beats and the bass riff starts the song off with a bang. They just push the song forward and make it such a catchy tune. Then you have Ferrell Williams singing, and he is really good on this track.  I mean, really, really good. The song is a little transgressive, and I'm here for it, I think it could be a testament to marital love, If you take a faith-based approach to it, but obviously not really the original intent of the song. It's funny. I had it on my ringtone on my phone. And one of my students was almost even offended that I had it set as a ringtone. I remember telling him that this is a song about my relationship my wife. I don't think he really but at all, To be honest, there is a bit sadness now, in that that there just isn't that type of romantic energy we really had in our relationship (and certainly not now). But it is what it is, and that's for a different blog. I think the other obvious elements of the song is Nile Roger's base playing. I was unaware of who Nile Rogers was until this song and this album from Daft Punk. And now he is someone I follow on Spotify and listen to any song he plays in a guest.  What a musical genius with a unique sound. He just has a way of laying down funky beats. Now that I've listened to him for a while, I'm often able to pick out songs he plays in without even knowing ahead of time, due to the distinctive sound/rhythms he uses. It's just hard to ignore for sure.

Again, this track is without a doubt one of my favorite songs all time. Daft Punk is so catchy.

And they know how to craft a good song. The electronic voices that they use rhythmically make me happy.  Add it's something I could listen to on repeat for a long, long time. I don't necessarily have any other memories with the song outside of it was the one incident with that student who thought it was inappropriate for me to have it as a ringtone. But honestly this song is a source of both whimsy and maybe even a little pain.. Because the naughty fun implied in this song has just not been a dynamic my wife and I have ever had.. especially in the last 10 years of our relationship. the physical side of our relationship has just really been a challenge and it was not much chemistry tperiod so.  I know that's pretty honest and blunt. And it's a feeling I experience when I listen to this song. But again, it also represents hopefulness as well. So this song obviously carries a lot of nuance to it for me. In reality it's nuance that makes life so interesting. 

I am so far behind in this blog that I can give you a sneak preview: This isn't the only song from the album that makes it into the Hall of Fame. Which again is a testament to the power of the album (Random Access Memories). Growing up, you had to think in terms of "albums" because you had no choice but to drop $10-$20 on an album if you wanted to hear the one song you really likes (yes, singles existed but not always practical for a kid). But even growing up in 80's/90's, I've been an "Ipod era" guy at heart. I love variety and seek the dopamine hit from specific types of songs. It was rare that an album would have more than 1, let alone 3 or 4 of those types of songs I was searching for. But this album did. Which puts it in elite company. Maybe I'll identify those other "rare" albums as we move forward. 

There are a lot of other Daft Punk songs that will most likely never make the Hall of Fame that still shape the soundtrack of my life ("Around the World", "Harder, Better Faster, Stronger", "One More Time" and "Da Funk", Thanks to this duo for crafting songs that evoke emotion. 

    

SONG #58: Coldplay - The Scientist

Inducted on Dec. 31, 2016

Adrian Era

I don't think it's unfair to put this in the top 15 favorite songs of mine. I believe when I bought this album, I had already heard clocks and absolutely loved that song. Undoubtedly, in another universe, 'Clocks' would already be in my hall of fame. But once I bought "A rush of blood to the head", and gave the full album a listen, this absolutely was my favorite song on the record. 

I absolutely love that piano intro, and it is potentially one of my favorite song openers of all time. Again. I don't really know music theory - and if I ever learned, I'd go back and analyze each of these songs, But there's something about the specific chords being used in the song that generates great emotion and gives shape to the song. Lyrically, I am also pretty bad at extricating meanings from songs as the artist's originally intended it.. aka - what the songwriter (Chris Martin in this case) is trying to say, but I certainly feel sadness.  And a bittersweet feeling. The video's "reverse concept" also made an impact in my appreciation for the song and to the power of the song, The song was also in my Adrian era. Random memory - I remember listening to it for the first time on my trip to Toledo as I was going down to buy a suit.  I was sat down by my pastor and friend Joel, and he told me that I need to do a better job of dressing. now that is an embarrassing problem and certainly absolutely not one I loved hearing, but I do ultimately appreciate that he was brave enough to tell me that I needed to dress up a little better. That's something my dad never talk. and frankly, I'm not doing a great job of teaching my kids that either. Unfortunately, people DO judge you based on how you dress. Another result of the fall in the garden of Eden, I guess. I'm not sure if I have ever truly utilized the power of "dress" in the way it could be utilized, but again I tend to value authenticity over (what I believe is) the manipulation of people. 
 

Anyway, back to the song. That line "you don't know how lovely you are" is a winner. I can imagine girls (or anyone) just swooning at that part as they put themselves as the subject of the song. I love the little "Aww Ooooooohhhh" that Martin sings at the end of the song, its another element that makes this song special/unique. 

This song undoubtedly. really skyrocketed my deep appreciation for Coldplay. They were definitely my favorite band for a long period of time (and still may be on top, not quite sure right now).  They took the throne from Collective Soul. I could probably have 6 to 10 of their songs in the hall of fame before I die. They have a gift at evoking emotion from you, and I'm sure some people feel it too. As I think I've said before, I've heard that their concerts have similar vibes as a worship service. As a Christian that certainly raises flags in that we shouldn't worship music that isn't lifting up God's name, but as a human, I am in deep touch with how music evokes feeling, and as I said, Coldplay has a gift at doing that. Even if he doesnt have the same beliefs as I do, I really do appreciate Chris Martin's song writing abilities, and the fact that they do try to reinvent themselves with each album without departing way too far from their core sound. I'll be honest though I enjoyed their song 'yellow' from the first album, it was not my super super favorite. And so it wasn't until this album - A Rush of Blood to the Head - where I really started to. Truly appreciate them as much as I do now. Fantastic Song from a Fantastic Album from a Fantastic Band!

SONG #57: The Postal Service - Such Great Heights

Inducted on Dec. 31, 2016
The Adrian Era

Okay - Such Great Heights. Obviously, like every other song on this list, I really like it. This was another song in my Adrian era. I believe I was introduced to the song by a student Andrew M. when we were doing the Bible study on songs and analyzed them for content, specifically spiritual content. I don't think Andrew believes anymore but that obviously doesn't impact my appreciation of this song. I really appreciated Andrew's taste in music, and enjoyed being introduced to this song. The is the sixth intro or whatever sounds they use. At the very beginning we have a catchy electronic hook. that plays with both sides of your stereo. And then slowly the drum line comes in.  The drums rise in volume you until it takes over the song. And the singer starts into his song. The sense of the drums with the scratch incorporated into it is so catchy in and of itself. But honestly the lyrics are is credibly powerful and filled with imagery - this clearly seems to be a song about love.  And certainly gives me a warm feeling when I listen to It. I also like the guitar breakdown near the end of the song. And with how light and airy the song feels, it's kind of like you're flying which fits the whole point of the song (being at such great heights). Once again, I don't have huge memories tied into the song. I just remember listening to it when I was in Adrian and enjoyed the beats and just the feeling young and full of life and hope. I was dating Sarah, so this certainly brings me back to those initial feelings of love. Of course, I love my wife now. It's just a different feeling now then it was back then. So this is a good reminder of me for me of those early years in my relationship - of how I felt back then. that's the power of music. How it can bring you back.. ALMOST literally but not quite. Of course, I had always hoped the postal service would have released another album. But that was not meant to be up to this point.

SONG #56: Dogs Of Peace - Necessary Pain

Inducted on Dec. 31, 2016

The Teen Era

Okay, so this song, no one in the world will probably know. It is very obscure, created by an incredibly obscure group called Dogs of Peace. Gordon Kennedy is one of the members of Dogs of Piece, and he is a songwriter and musician who has played with Eric Clapton, and helped to write the popular song "change the world". He was also deeply involved in the infamous Chris Gaines project (look it up). I'm pretty sure I got the Dogs of Peace album through the BMG music club. I was really just blown away by its unique sounds, although apparently according to critics, it is very much in line with 60s/70s rock - I'm just not familiar enough with that era of music to make comparisons. So this song, Necessary Pain, was another song that really played into my feelings as a loner in my middle school and high school years, though I don't remember exactly what year this song came out. I just really, really struggled with feeling out of place and feeling like I didn't have any talents or abilities.  And I was just a loner to be honest. but I've talked about that before. This was, however, undoubtedly one of the top songs that just helped me feel like I wasn't alone. It was a reminder of the reality of pain, necessary pain. Does it mean that these painful experiences are something God wants us to experience? No. But in a sinful world... a world broken by sin... everyone goes through pain. You can't avoid it, no matter how hard you try. Personally this song was very relatable and actually gave me hope. That opening guitar riff is my favorite elements of the song. The beats and the chord structure, well.. just plain ROCK! It's just an incredibly catchy piece of music for me. I really leaned in hard with Christian music in those days. Currently I find most modern Christian music to be emotionally shallow and Musically boring. But I definitely appreciated the Christian music that I listened to growing up.. and this is an example of that.

I would never have listened to Dogs of Peace if it wasn't for the BMG music club. The entire album is a good one for me. I really like several of the tracks. But this is by far the peak and most important song from Dogs of Peace. Period. I think that's all I have for this one

SONG #55: Modest Mouse - Float On

Inducted on Dec. 31, 2016

So this song is another one of my favorite coming from my Adrian-Era. I remember getting 1 of the songs that I burned on 1 of my CD's that I really loved, it was my favorite mixed C. E. So, I am always driven by the music first. That's usually what gets me and hooks me into a song, Certainly an appreciation or a connection with the lyrics is probably the next most important aspect of a song. So I was driven by that drum beats at First. It right away starts with a unique beat. That is first and foremost the driver of this song. Lyrically, it is a thematic blood brother to the song,  Don't worry, Be happy by Bobby McFerrin - which should eventually make my Hall of Fame.  It's all about looking at the positive of a situation that might be incredibly negative (i.e. a fake jamaican stole every last dime with a scam. It was worth it just to learn from slight of hand). What an amazing line - I really love the creativity there. Otherwise, I think the song speaks for itself. I really like how it brings me back to those 4 years of being by myself out of college. Those were special years of wonder for me, so it is a gift when a song brings me back to those times. That is one of my favorite feelings that I experience through music. Again, it's theme is a good reminder to think the post of things. Certainly, I don't want to be blind to the negative things that happen. And I always want to be open to expressing pain and disappointment. However, it's certainly is an okay thing to dwell on the positive and try to find the positive aspect of even the worst scenarios. Another element I like liked is in the last refrain when they extend the refrain a little bit with some new lyrics. I think that's catchy.  . how it fades out with it. "It's all OK..". So I guess that's all I have for this song. Great song. 

The Eras of My Life

Again, this post seems like I am full of myself. Like I am important enough to have "Eras". But that's not it at all. I think we all could break up our lives into "Chapters", and that's essentially what I'm doing. I am posting this in this blog, because I think it can help provide context for the songs that are in my Hall of Fame. Most of the songs are in my Hall of Fame because they were released during a certain ERA of my life and were a part of my life in that same era. There are some songs that may have been released in a previous era that didn't really make an impact in my life until later. Moving forward, I will try to pinpoint specifically the era in which the song made the biggest impact (when applicable). 

I hope to post this again and fill in each of these eras with clarification notes.   

I. THE BEGINNING ERA - Birth/1st House - 80 - 86 - There won't be a lot of songs that I can specifically trace back to this Era, but I'm placing it down here, because I have a specific set of memories that come from early life in my 1st house in Spring Lake. 

II. THE CHILDHOOD ERA - 2nd House - 1986-95 - 

III. THE TEEN ERA - The Post Parochial School Era - 95 - 98

IV. THE CUAA ERA - The College Years - 1998 - 2002

V. THE ADRIAN ERA - My first ministry position - 02 - 06

VI. THE NEWLYWED ERA - Early Marriage / Second Ministry Position - 06-10

VII. THE DADDY ERA - Kids, Kids, Kids - 10-17

VIII. THE PROFESSOR ERA - The Professor Adventure - 17-23

IX. THE FRESH START ERA Letting Go and another Fresh Start - 23 to Present

SONG #54: Oasis - Wonderwall

Inducted on Dec. 31, 2016

Now let's go back to my teenage years for a moment. This song was released in 1995, with great fanfare. Oasis was being touted by many as the "next Beatles". The song certainly seemed different than a lot of what was being put out at the time. Compared to the Grunge movement that was starting to fade, and jaded songwriting of Alanis Morissette, Wonderwall was a hopeful beautiful song. I can still picture myself on the bus ride after school listening to this song. 

The use of a Mellotron that sounds like a cello adds to the beauty. The refrain is incredibly catchy and relatable (Maybe, you're going to be the one that saves me). If we're honest, we look to others (real, imaginary) to save us. As a Christian, I know that Christ alone saves us. But still I forget and look to other people/things. 

I love the emphasis of piano at the end of the song. I don't know what else to say about this song. It absolutely rocks. It's actually not my favorite Oasis song.. we'll see that one again at Song #174. I'm not sure if they ever really lived up to their potential.. especially in the states.. but they are without a doubt an incredibly influential band! 

Song #53: Michael W. Smith - All in the Serve

Inducted on April 2, 2016
The Newlywed Era (1st) / The Daddy Era (2nd) 

I've shared with you some of the criteria I use for Hall of Fame songs. But I'll be honest with you, there are clearly other secret criteria that even I'm not always aware of. What do I mean by this? Well, for one example, I could have a whole WING of Michael W. Smith songs. Coldplay and Imagine Dragons as well. But this is the first of what will probably be no more than three or four songs in the HOF for MWS. Why? Because in my mind I do clearly limit the number of songs that one artist can have in the Hall of Fame. So the fact that this song made it says a lot. It's not considered a classic song by his fans, but to me it has all the earmarks of a good MWS song... The piano takes the forefront, it has a steady tempo, the "oooh oooh" at the beginning. Orchestration is strong. It's dramatic and full of passion with obligatory MWS key changes. The movie that the song comes from is poorly acted (sorry Smitty) but well-intentioned and certainly adds to my love of the song. Again, I can't point to any major memories with this song, other than watching the movie with my wife (pretty sure) in our old apartment before we had kids. Those are almost some lost years for me, so anything that reminds me of that period is pretty cool. 

Right now, I'm pretty sure I would actually put this in my top 20 songs. 
Great work, Michael W. Smith. 

Other songs: Missing Person (probably closest to Hall of Fame), Seed to Sow, Rocketown, Andrea, Place in This World, and SOOOO much more. 

Song #52: Bruce Springsteen - The Wrestler

 Inducted on April 1, 2016

I love ALL of these songs that make my hall of fame (with the exception of Bob The Builder, but you'll have to read that later), but sometimes I don't have a LOT to say about a song. I'm not particularly detail oriented, and I'm not fluent in music theory, so I have a limited vocabulary to describe what I truly love musically about a song. And I don't have specific memories attached to songs, so I don't always get into how a song connects with my life. But sometimes I have a LOT to write about a song. And this is one of them. 

To be honest, there aren't any Springsteen albums that I've listened to in full. And there aren't many songs off his full LPs that I really like (Dancing in the Dark might be an exception). However, I am a HUGE fan of his movie soundtrack songs. Philadelphia and Secret Garden are incredible and certainly Hall of Fame contenders in my book. But this song. Wow. As a wrestling fan and a fan of The Wrestler, I appreciate how Springsteen truly captured the heart of the movie and the pro wrestling profession. So many wrestlers give it ALL for the sport, and they end up being shells of themself. 

The whispered count-in to the song, and the intro chording sets the tone. The fact that this is a song of questions draws in the listener. "Have you ever seen a One Trick Pony in the field so happy and free?" And then he points the people back to himself "If you've ever seen a One Trick Pony then you've seen me". It's a beautiful writing method that I haven't heard a lot of before. 

The refrain is passionate.. with the theme sticking out clearly  "I always leave with less than I had before. Tell me brother can you ask for anything more". He sacrifices himself for the fans, and that becomes his identity.

The song trails out with chording and piano layered on top. Such a gorgeous song with a gorgeous ending. 

The movie/song came out in 2008, and I think I watched the movie in 2009/2010. There are some very adult parts to the movie, but it frankly is one of my favorites, and this song has a LOT to do with it. 
No other major memories, but it's another song I put on when I kind of feel sorry for myself, feel like I let people down. I'm not saying it's healthy to do this, but it's definitely what happens. 

Great song. Springsteen might not ALWAYS be my favorite, but he is clearly one of the best at what he does.

Song #51 - 3 Doors Down - Away From the Sun

Inducted on Feb. 4, 2016

Three Doors Down was one of those straight up rock bands that came out with their debut album when I was at Concordia. Their 

While I liked "Kryptonite", I really didn't take to their music until their second album. 

This song came out when I was just starting out in ministry. However, to be honest it feels like it had come out when I was in high school. That's how our memory plays tricks on us. I can't place it in my memory in 2003, but that's when it was released as a single. I do know that I got the single on CD. 

This has almost all the trademarks of a song I fall in love with (besides having piano in it, which it doesnt). It's melodic, it's angsty with a tint of sadness, loss, and loneliness. It's just a song I'd listen to repeat and get lost in my thoughts and emotions. As a Christian, it also got me thinking about being "Away from the SON". We know that God is never away from us, but sometimes it feels like we are away from him. 

Specifically, the "I'm so far down, away from the sun" is pretty sweet line (musically and lyrically). The opening riff sets the tone. 

I have a feeling it won't be the only 3 Doors Down song in the hall of fame (spoiler alert: Here Without You is a strong contender), but if it is, it is most representative about what I like about 3 Doors Down. They'll never be mistaken as one of the most original Rock Bands, but they know how to draw out emotions and speak from the heart. 

Beautiful Song.