I have rediscovered music. Pop music.
I have always retreated to classical music as a my refuge. I find classical music to be extremely soothing. But there is also something so healing in music that has lyrics. Listening to what an artist is saying can touch ones soul. I suppose it's like reading poetry; it can make one feel connected, not alone. Life has me isolated at times. The weekends are my loneliest parts of the week. I have actually stopped... and listened to music.
It's no secret that I love the lyrics and music of Katy Perry. She has truly touched my spirit. I am positive she has experienced some of the same emotions that I have experienced. Several female artists have made my playlist. Sarah Bareilles, Selena Gomez, Colbie Caillat, and finally Taylor Swift round out my current tribe of musicians.
The songs they sing are actually empowering. Anti-bullying. Self affirming. Healing. Filled with learning to love again. Loving. Going through loss. But mostly about loving oneself. Acceptance.
I am a hopeless romantic. When you read my playlist, I am sure you will feel the songs I have chosen are about relationships. I suppose they are. But listen closely to the lyrics of the songs on my playlist and you will see they can be interpreted in more than one way. I am in a stage right now where I relate all they lyrics to learning to love myself once again.
Listen to Katy Perry's Double Rainbow from her Prism album. Is it really talking about finding someone else? Or is it about finding oneself? I think it is about believing in yourself after being told you are worthless. Maybe that's my take since I was emotionally abused. I was two people. Part of me was the person others in public would see. The super mom. The lady who could and would organize birthday parties, neighborhood potlucks, PTO events, etc. The backbone of our family: chef, buyer, chauffeur, etc. But behind closed doors I was told I wasn't enough. I tried to reach a perfection that never existed. Today, I am loving me. I am learning to trust my own judgements. I am believing in myself again. I smile a lot. I feel like I am radiating my happiness. Go. Listen to Double Rainbow! Think of me. When I watched KP's video I almost sensed she found herself too.
*****
This week I cannot get enough of Taylor Swift's Clean from her 1989 album. I believe the rain that came down in her song refers to tears. In order for me to have been able to breathe again, I needed to grieve. Tears have helped me heal. As the days pass, I am feeling more clean.
~Lisa
For fun...here is what's on my Girl Power! playlist:
Opus No. 1 Tim Carleton & Darrick Deel
Style Taylor Swift
Sugar Maroon 5
Bailando (English Version) Enrique Iglesias…with friends!
Mysterious Ways U2
Just the Way You Are Bruno Mars
Everybody Talks Neon Trees
Lips Are Movin Meghan Trainor
Just Dance Lady Gaga Feat. Colby O'Donis
Take On Me a-ha
Classic MKTO
Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars) Mark Ronson
Gang of Rhythm Walk Off the Earth
The Geeks Will Inherit the Earth I Fight Dragons
Shake It Off Taylor Swift
Something That I Want (perf. by Grace Potter)
The Lion Sleeps Tonight Lebo M
Girls Chase Boys Ingrid Michaelson
Boys Boys Boys Lady Gaga
Counting Stars OneRepublic
Titanium (feat. Sia) David Guetta
I'm Yours/Somewhere Over The Rainbow Straight No Chaser
Brave Sara Bareilles
All of Me The Piano Guys
Let It Go Idina Menzel
Love Is an Open Door Kristen Bell & Santino Fontana
Firework Katy Perry
Pose Stefanie Scott & Carlon Jeffery
Calling All the Monsters China Anne McClain
I Choose You Sara Bareilles
After The Rain Has Fallen Sting
Somebody That I Used to Know Walk Off the Earth
Try Colbie Caillat
All About That Bass Meghan Trainor
Call Me Maybe Carly Rae Jepsen
Bloody Well Right Supertramp
Brand New Day Sting
By The Grace Of God Katy Perry
Cinema Paradiso Joshua Bell;Josh Groban
Come Talk To Me Peter Gabriel
Dreamer Supertramp
Ghost Katy Perry
Hakuna Matata Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver & Joseph Williams
He's A Pirate (" Pirates Of The Caribbean") David Garrett
Hey Ya! OutKast
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For U2
I'm Yours Jason Mraz
International Smile Katy Perry
Kiss That Frog Peter Gabriel
Let's Get it Started Black Eyed Peas
Let's Go The Cars
Livin' La Vida Loca Ricky Martin
Love Me Katy Perry
Magic The Cars
My Best Friend's Girl The Cars
Nothing Else Matters David Garrett
Part Of Me Katy Perry
Pearl Katy Perry
Pride (In The Name Of Love) U2
Radio Beyonce
Roar Katy Perry
Royals Lorde
Satellite Guster
Shake It Up The Cars
Single Ladies Beyonce
Someone That I Used to Know Gotye
Spiritual Katy Perry
Steam Peter Gabriel
This Is How We Do Katy Perry
Unconditionally Katy Perry
Walking On Air Katy Perry
When Will My Life Begin (perf. by Mandy Moore as Rapunzel)
Who Says Selena Gomez & The Scene
Wide Awake Katy Perry
(I've Had) The Time of My Life Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
Happy (From "Despicable Me 2") Pharrell Williams
Scream Louder (Flyte Tyme Remix) Michael Jackson
I've Done Everything For You Rick Springfield
Human Touch Rick Springfield
Christmas Wrapping The Waitresses