We all have them, songs that seem to speak right to that secret place in your soul – sometimes secret even from you. They flow into you, through you, whirling, swirling around until they completely surround a tiny spot deep down inside of you. And then they never leave. They can grow and occasionally fester in you like an open wound, or they can heal you, fill you up, and inspire you.
Many times they don’t even reflect your normal musical tastes. They can be shameful secrets that you keep from family and friends – in my case it’s Janet Jackson – sneaking listens when no one is home or when you’re alone in your car. You feel like a drug addict craving your next fix. Thank jebus for MP3 players – the syringe of those suffering with this terrible and often embarrassing affliction.
This is my list of some of the songs that speak to me in ways (and places) no person can (or has yet). This is the third installment of Songs and I will leave you to delve the depths of my musical depravity. My dirty little secrets seem to go on and on — some are dirtier than others and some are just head-scratching or eclectic — and some of them are VERY dirty, and I probably need a BBFC rating of 15.
In no particular order:
"Glory Box" – Portishead
This steamy, sultry jazz/trip-hop tune frames lyrics that I think mirror all women’s feelings about love, life, and men eventually. “I'm so tired, of playing/ Playing with this bow and arrow / Gonna give my heart away / Leave it to the other girls to play / For I've been a temptress too long / Just… / Give me a reason to love you / Give me a reason to be, a woman / I just wanna be a woman”. Those lyrics combined with the jazzy sensual melodic music and Beth Gibbons distinctive, eerie, mournful voice create a song that reaches out and grabs my soul in its silky, sensuous grip.
Article comments
1 - Michelle
I enjoyed your post and how we have those songs dear to us that we may not want to share with others for whatever reason. The main thing is, the music speaks to us and soothes whatever needs we may have at the time.
2 - A.L. Harper
Thank you Michelle. I know we all have them and they do change. Well some of them change some are static.
3 - Joan Bias
Great songs. But why? Why is "Crazy" the perfect song for that new-love, flirty, first-dance situation? Is it something about the beat, the melody, the harmony? You don't say. It can't be the lyrics; the song is a classic lost-love lament.
The wonderful situation you describe so sweetly would be just as sweet with any song playing, as far as I can tell. Why is "Crazy" the "perfect" song? How does it "demand" what you say it does? Your comments don't really say much about "Crazy."
I want more.
4 - A.L. Harper
Joan, If I knew why I had that reaction to "Crazy" it would probably break the spell for me. Like sitting in the front row at the ballet or watching the making of documentaries in the special features on the Lord Of The Rings DVDs. You can't do that and still believe the magic.
I didn't go into the song much, assuming that everyone would have heard it so many times. There was nothing I could add. I can only tell you how it makes me feel.
5 - A.L. Harper
Joan - You said:
"The wonderful situation you describe so sweetly would be just as sweet with any song playing"
But it wouldn't. It could only be that song in that situation. Maybe it's the haunting and ethereal vocals, or the touching, heart-rending lyrics. Or maybe, and more likely, it is a combination of those things. The way Patsy Cline sounds so alone and needy. It makes me feel the need to reach out and touch someone.
No it could only be that song in that situation. No other song would do. You can't expect me to explain such a visceral response to a song.
6 - Joan Bias
Oh.
7 - gregg
ur out of your mind if u truly think dusty did ANYTHING better than aretha. Dusty herself preferred arethas' version to her own.
8 - DJRadiohead
The Portishead song is a masterwork- it creates such a great ambiance.
9 - DJRadiohead
My last post got away from me. What I meant to say was how I love the mood "Glory Box" creates.
I really need to go to bed for the day.
10 - A.L. Harper
Gregg - I think Dusty did it much better! And by the way most artists thinks someone else can do it better. Because it was never as perfect as you know, deep down inside, that it could have been.
Poor DJR - I know what you meant about "Glory Box". Such a fabulously atmospheric song. Like seduction in musical form.