OPINION

Songs That Touch My Soul - Five

Written by A.L. Harper
Published April 18, 2007

We all have them, songs that seem to touch a secret place in your soul – sometimes secret even from you. They can grow and occasionally fester like an open wound, or they can fill you up, inspire you, and occasionally even heal you. Sometimes they don't even reflect your musical tastes. They can be shameful secrets that you keep from family and friends. You feel like a drug addict craving your next fix. At times like those, you thank the powers that be for MP3 players - the syringe of those suffering with this affliction.

This is the fifth installment of songs that touch my soul. And as always this edition is full of passion, desire, and lust. This is a form of therapy, this sharing of my neuroses, my secret inner lunacy, the big ball of crazy that is me. Welcome to my musical schizophrenia.

“Shiver” – Maroon 5

Maroon 5’s debut album Songs About Jane is hot, from beginning to end. It drips with carnal desire, emotional longing, and romance. What more do you want from an LP? “Shiver” is easily the hottest track from this very steamy album. With lyrics like “You chew me up /And spit me out /Enjoy the taste I leave in your mouth” and “I shiver when I hear your name/ Think about you but it’s not the same /I won’t be satisfied till I’m under your skin,” it’s bound to be hot.

There is something about Adam Levine’s vocals that does it for me. Far from being the ideal of throaty or sensual, Levine’s vocals are saturated with desire and carnality, driven, – by lust I always imagine – intensely passionate, and regret-filled making them uniquely sexy. An irresistible combination to me, as Maroon 5’s album Songs About Jane always leaves me wet, naked, and quivering – metaphorically speaking of course – and “Shiver” is the primary aphrodisiac.

“Open Your Eyes” – Snow Patrol

I love the album Eyes Open, Snow Patrol’s fourth release. “Open Your Eyes” touches me for the caring protective love it expresses in its lyrics. “Get up, get out, get away from these liars /'Cause they don't get your soul or your fire /Take my hand, knot your fingers through mine /And we'll walk from this dark room for the last time”. This touchingly beautiful sentiment is courtesy of frontman Gary Lightbody, a man who can write a regret-filled, heartbroken, melancholy love song to rival all others. And this one works for me.

“Smiling” – Big Strides

If you haven’t heard of Big Strides you should have. This British trio have one of the best original sounds around. And “Smiling” is the perfect introduction to Big Strides’ particular brand of stripped-down funk, jam-band style sound. Their lyrics are always cool with a twist of humour and “Smiling” is the same “I couldn’t believe she was smiling at me. I couldn’t have smiled if I wanted to.”

Coming from a frontman as groovy, cool, and self assured as Marcus O’Neill these lyrics make me smile. Their funky, jazzy, alt.rock sound is so cool and I just can’t get enough. This is one track you must hear to understand. You’re probably better just buying the whole album.

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How does this thing work againI'm a writer and music journalist originally from Salt Lake City, but now living in Scotland. I was a Punk/Goth in the '80s and these artistic influences have stayed with me; although a love of Chopin, chamber music, and Spanish guitar would seem to belie this. I am the managing editor for AllThingsGirl.com, assistant music editor at Blogcritics.org, staff writer for a gay men's magazine based in Edinburgh, and a freelance writer.
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Songs That Touch My Soul - Five
Published: April 18, 2007
Type: Opinion
Section: Music
Filed Under: Music: Adult Alternative, Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Indie Rock, Music: Pop
Part of a feature: Songs That Touch My Soul
Writer: A.L. Harper
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#1 — April 18, 2007 @ 21:47PM — El Bicho [URL]

Hubba hubba, where did I put my Purple Rain soundtrack?

#2 — April 19, 2007 @ 03:48AM — A.L. Harper [URL]

*laugh* No it's the Foo Fighters version you want. Much more horny than Princes twee synth original.

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