Coffee, Cats, & Sarcasm

Anyone who knows me knows that I connect very emotionally to music, particularly lyrics. To me, a song’s lyrics are just as important as any other musical aspect, and good lyrics can often salvage an otherwise mediocre song, just as bad lyrics can ruin one.

I confess, I have not had a great summer. I’ve been dealing with mental health crises and have been spending an unhealthy amount of time stuck inside my own head. So, as I often do in times of need, I have been turning to music to keep me going. When I am listening to a song, certain lyrics will often jump out at me depending on my mood or current emotional state. Below is just a sample of some of the song lyrics that have resonated with me lately – most of them are grim, but frankly, I think they do a pretty decent job summing up the emotional roller coaster that has been my summer so far, with themes of fear, self-doubt/self-hatred, hope, determination, and love.

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I’ve lived long enough to have learned

The closer you get to the fire, the more you get burned. (Billy Joel, “A Matter of Trust”)

***

I’m bleeding now, but my fear is gone

I’m hollowed out, but I carry on

My bones don’t lie; they’re broken, but they still got fight

I’m only getting started. (Avi Kaplan, “I’m Only Getting Started”)

***

Love doesn’t discriminate

between the sinners and the saints;

it takes, and it takes, and it takes

and we keep loving anyway;

we laugh, and we cry, and we break

and we make our mistakes. (Hamilton, “Wait For It”)

***

Look around; look around at how lucky we are

to be alive right now. (Hamilton)

***

My body is a cage

that keeps me from dancing with the one I love,

but my mind holds the key.

I’m standing on a stage

of fear and self-doubt,

It’s a hollow play,

but they’ll clap anyway. (Peter Gabriel, “My Body is a Cage”)

***

There’s a ghost in the mirror

I’m afraid more than ever

My feet have led me straight into my grave

Oh Lord, have you walked away

Oh Lord, have you walked away from me? (Paper Route, “Glass Heart Hymn”)

***

All you have is your fire

and the place you need to reach

Don’t you ever tame your demons;

always keep them on a leash. (Hozier, “Arsonist’s Lullabye”)