One of my favorite things to do, since childhood, has been to listen to the words being said in songs. And not just listen to them, but really try to digest them—break them down and listen to the stories being told. I think I must get this from my parents. Growing up, I'd get in the car with my mom or dad and they'd have a song. "Steph, I just found this song and it's so cool! Listen to the words..." (They still do that to this day.) So at a very young age, I grew up listening to everything from Patsy Cline to Pink Floyd. Broken heart ballads to antiestablishment rock songs. So when I was old enough to drive, I took on that tradition—when friends would get in my car, sure enough, I'd have them listen to a song and tell me what they thought. It's one of my favorite pastimes. Thus a blog is born...
Initial information: most entries won't be so long, I promise!
Before we go any further, I should tell you this blog will only be around until December. This is an exercise for me—preparing me for a big project next year. While going to grad school, I plan on issuing a blog about my other passion: health care. It will be a big project, interviewing various professionals, writing about what I have studied in my degrees, independent research, and discussing all types of health care philsophies. So consider this a learning exercise, and a fun one at that! Just know it won't continue after the new year.
Now the important stuff. The purpose of this blog is to take songs that you may or may not know, and discuss them. I will post the lyrics, and probably a brief history of the band. I ask that you please comment with your thoughts and ideas as to what the song means to you—if you like it or dislike it and why, or if you can personally relate to it.
One thing I do want to quickly address: this is not an appropriate place to get on a soap box on politics, religion, etc. This is just for fun—an exercise. Something to do when you have a spare moment. You may not like or agree with the songs I choose, the lyrics, etc. But that's okay, we all come from different backgrounds and like or listen to different bands and songs for different reasons. And that's a great thing! Music breaks down barriers and allows you to step into a story and just imagine. Some are meaningful, some not. I certainly can't relate to all the songs I listen to, but it's fun to listen anyway—to put yourself in another person's shoes. Again, I welcome feedback, and hope you will let me know what you think! Just respect the opinions of others, as your posts will be shown to everyone after reviewed. (I will be viewing all the posts before they are published in case you would like to leave a personal comment just for me.) Also note, when posting song lyrics I may use punctuation at my discretion.
That being said, let's begin! I plan on using songs from all different genres. If you don't like the genre one week, wait until the next and it will be something totally different. And let me know if there is a band or song that you think would be good, and I will absolutely consider it. Music is communal—it's for everyone!
Our first song choice: Teach Your Children performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
I dedicate this week's song to my parents.
Parenting isn't easy. Though I'm not a parent myself, I remember my childhood well and know I was quite the handful. When raising a child, there are so many questions, challenges and decisions to make.
Here is some information on the song from Wikipedia:
"Teach Your Children" is a song by Graham Nash. Although it was written when Nash was a member of The Hollies, it was never recorded by that group, and first appeared on the album Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released in 1970." For further information on the history of the song, it can be found at www.wikipedia.org.
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Teach Your Children
by Graham Nash
You, who are on the road
Must have a code
That you can live by.
And so, become yourself
Because the past
Is just a goodbye.
Teach, your children well
Their father's hell
Did slowly go by.
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's
The one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why
If they told you, you would die.
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you.
And you (Can you hear and)
Of tender years (Do you care and)
Can't know the fears (Can you see we)
That your elders grew by (Must be free to)
And so please help (Teach your children)
Them with your youth (You believe and)
They seek the truth (Make a world that)
Before they can die (We can live in)
Teach your parents well
Their children’s hell
Will slowly go by.
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's
The one you’ll know by.
Don’t you ever ask them why
If they told you, you would cry.
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you.
*Lyrics provided by www.azlyrics.com
______________________
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with the lyrics? What's your favorite line? Can you relate?
My challenge for this week: Think of one memory you have of either being a child or of raising your own child, and share that with a friend or family member.
Also, here is a performance on YouTube by Crosby, Stills & Nash.
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