❌Monthly Song Challenge: Archived🎵

Day 4: A song that isn't overtly religious, but feels inspirational in a spiritual sense
I first heard this song a couple years ago, and was surprised because it's such a departure from the edgy, angsty, teenage drama Avril we all know and love.
"Head Above Water" - Avril Lavigne
 
Day 4: A song that isn’t overtly religious, but feels inspirational in a spiritual sense

“Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all”

Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
That name. The woman on the cover with a coconut head?? The trumpet solo?! I have no idea what the second solo is, it sounds like squeaky trainers on a school gym floor. I'm so confused. This is the essence of absurdism and abstract art. I love it SO MUCH!!

So much.

I'll be binging them all day. Thank you!!
 
Day 4: A song that isn’t overtly religious, but feels inspirational in a spiritual sense

When people say that something is forever
Either way, it ends
And all things end
All that we intend is scrawled in sand
Or slips right through our hands
And just knowing that everything will end

Should not change our plans

I could pick something witchy but to keep to the spirit of the prompt, I'll go with Hozier. This song is so powerful to me. Being a fatalist, I'm all too familiar with the sentiment of nothing lasting forever. It usually brings me comfort. However, embracing the message in those last two lines is where I struggle but it's what I aspire to. Also, it's just a gorgeous song 🥰

All Things End - Hozier
 
Day 4: A song that isn’t overtly religious, but feels inspirational in a spiritual sense

I've been back and forth on this but since @curious_slut hit up All Things End, I'm going with All Things Go.

Can I get away with Sufjan Stevens as "not overtly religious"? Ehh probably not. But I tuned it out long ago so I'll risk it.

Illinoise was a bonkers album that was probably way too long but was full of ideas and styles I hadn't heard put together before, and Chicago is a great uplifting part that my friends and I loved at the time. When I hear it, my brain starts mentally preparing to hit up a bar in 2006 or so.

 
Day 4: A song that isn’t overtly religious, but feels inspirational in a spiritual sense

Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing
Through my open ears inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe

The poeticism is astonishing and lovely beyond compare... The song literally connects me to the hope and possibility of all that is good in the world and, perhaps, beyond this one.

 
Day 4: A song that isn’t overtly religious, but feels inspirational in a spiritual sense

This song makes me quite sentimental about people that are no longer here.

If Heaven had a phone line
Would I be the first one you would dial?
If Heaven had a phone line
Would you call me up from the other side?
Would you say the things you wish you said that night?
Yeah, if we had a second try
If Heaven had a phone line
Would you call me up from the other side?

 
Day 4: A song that isn’t overtly religious, but feels inspirational in a spiritual sense

There's nothing especially religious about this song, but when I think of the lyrics, there's a great deal of reflection about what we do for those less fortunate. And the border line 'The Saints Go Marching In' drum beat of the last quarter of the song really drives a spiritual element home.

 
Day 4:

There's so much I love and find inspirational about this song. Whitneys voice is inspirational on its own... I truly believe one of the greatest things we can teach our children - and ourselves - is finding the love and confidence for ourselves that we so freely give to others.

Loving myself has been a long journey and I'm still working on it... But I'm trying to set an example of kindness - not just to others - but also to myself for my children.

 
Day 4 will be hard to beat... Some absolutely wonderful picks today by everyone!! I've listened to almost all of them and loved most of them. This was the best theme we've had for a while. Inspired!

Day 5: A song you enjoy that’s in a different language

Now what language to pick... Different for you, or different for me? I think I'll interpret this as non-english.

Emil Jensen is a troubadour from the province of Skåne in the south of Sweden. They have a very peculiar dialect down there, which lends itself exceptionally well to music. They diphthong their vowels, bending several vowels into a single syllable. Also, their R's are rolled much further back, almost glottal. Combine this with borrowed words from danish and you have the most unique dialect in Sweden. It's close to impossible to imitate, but sounds absolutely lovely!

Back to Emil. His lyrics are often very melancholic and focus on mental health issues. Soft-spoken, surreal and complex, I could listen to him for ever...

We looked through the window
saw the sun kiss the church
saw the face alight
"See? Time has stopped" she said,
"it's just the church, spinning 'round the clock..."


Emil Jensen - På rymmen från flykten
(Running away from escapism)

 
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