At seventeen years old heartbreaks are a dime a dozen. Right around this time period I thought i was " in love", and that things would last forever with my high school sweet heart. I was wrong! The love of my life Jessica had other idea's for our future together, that meaning there was no future. But being young and having feelings like that is a difficult situation to be in, I was lost. A few nights after my heart being torn out I decided it was time to do my best to regain my hold on reality and try to find some way of moving on. So I did what any other young newly licensed teenager would do..... I took a spin.
Flying down the straight stretches and squealing tires through the curves was fun.... But needed something. Music, that was what I needed to complete my equation. I turned the radio up hoping for Chevelle, or Metallica. Instead it was quite opposite of that. It was a band I had heard many times and usually enjoyed their music on any happy occasion. "What the heck, we'll give it a shot" I thought to myself. I had not heard this song yet anyways.
The song opens with a slow, mellow, almost sad tone. This was great for me at the time, it was just how I had been feeling! Then Rob Thomas chimed in with the chorus and my attention was immediatley caught. "And everyone here, knows that everyone here is thinkin about somebody else. Well it's best if we all keep this under our heads. And I couldn't tell if anyone here was feelin the way I do... but I'm lonely now, and I don't know how to get it back to good." When I heard those words and thought on them for a moment, I suddenly became slightly relaxed and felt a sense of relief. Maybe I was not the only one who was feeling the way I did? I really was not alone!
The song "Back to Good" became one of my favorite songs of all time. I became an even bigger fan of the band, attending concerts any time they came to North Carolina. At one of Matchbox 20's events in Raleigh one evening the entire band spoke about this song and shared how each of the band members added to "Back to Good" from their own personal experiences in dealing with "hard-ships" and just really difficult times. Once I heard what they said and then played the song live it became very transparent to me that no matter how young or old we are, or whatever circumstances we may be battling through, many other people have some of the exact same things on their minds as well.
We all listen to music for many different reasons. Some to occupy time, others may just like a beat to a particular song. I listen to music to vent and to relate. Matchbox 20's song " Back to Good" influenced me at an early age to see that music is a beautiful way to let people know how you feel. Still today when I listen to that song it reminds me that we are never alone in what we feel and there is always a song to listen to.
I enjoyed your blog. I like the way you related music to the emotional states of life we go through. How when life throws us curves music can be one of the tools we use to get “Back to Good”. How it takes you to that place where you can deal with life again, get your power back, your strength back and your peace of mind. How it can also teach us to be aware of those pit falls in life.
ReplyDeleteI sure do understand where you are coming from it seems like every song on the radio is directed towards you and your situation. I am sorry you were hurt that way. No one deserves that kind of pain. I can remember when I the love of my life hurt me for the first time. I must everyone makes mistakes and deserves a second chance.So it doesn't matter what or who it is just love and accept we all make mistakes. If we didn't,that is what I would be questioning.
ReplyDeleteRadio has never been a friend of mine. In all of 2 years, i believe mine has been used maybe 5 times. But at the same time, radio is also how i was introduced to Matchbox 20 and a couple of other bands i rather enjoy (whether from direct or second hand contact). Though the subject matter isn't the happiest of memories for anyone, it still makes for an interesting read. And is more often than not going to hit close to home with readers, as it did with myself.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the way you depicted your "spin". I thought you did a really great job of grabbing the readers attention at the beginning. Writing something that the reader can relate to encourages them to continue reading. I also liked how you related your ride in the car to you favorite song. I know that I have had a time or two where I thought a songs lyrics were directed towards me. I really felt that overall you did a good job of allowing your audience to relate. It is always good to know that; if you are in a bad spot in your life, the radio can aid your pain.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog. I can relate to it in many different ways, like you when ever you need to vent or relate to something I always turn on music and listen to the words closely and listen to what they are saying. This blog is so much like me that it is scarey.
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