The paradoxical complexities of love, in song form.

Those of you who know me even a little bit know that I am obsessed with music, and it's usually for the sake of the lyrics. Still, there has to be a delicate balance between the words and what the music sounds like. For me, even if it's the most eloquent prose ever written, if you pair it to some bullshit screaming, hard-core heavy metal soundtrack, I will be severely turned off. I will also probably try to hunt you down and punch you in the throat for ruining something so beautiful.
 
Song lyrics, quotes, and poems are primarily, for me, about expression. They're about emotion, a way to say things that you haven't figured out how to say on your own. My life has always been amplified by a self-chosen soundtrack. During the summer, it's all carefree sunshine with Phil Vassar's "Six Pack Summer" and Kenny Chesney's "Summertime", and anything and everything else country that I can get my hands on. During the winter, there's always a sort of heartache in the constant lack of light, so I tend to favor anything from Sara Bareilles. That woman knows the hell out of her unrequited love. Through a breakup, Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" and Fiona Apple's "Get Gone" are staples. And through the year, I keep myself company with my favorite Broadway shows, belting the hell out of them in my car everywhere I go.

But mostly, I love any song that really, truly, and honestly evokes the myriad of emotions brought about by love. Honestly, is there any pain in life more exquisitely paradoxical than heartache?  Is there anything that has the power to hurt, and to heal, as much as love? I could explore this subject, from every angle, every day for the rest of my existence, and I wouldn't even begin to touch the surface of the depths of its complexity. But, every one once in a while, I feel like some songwriter, at some moment in time, really connects with a small piece of that complexity, and those words become the lyrics to some of the most beautiful songs of all. The people who wrote the songs below seem to be two of those chosen few, and I can't stop listening to their brilliance.

I am not in love right now, but I have been before, and I can't wait to be again. And in the meantime, I will always be in love with the idea of love, and just how wonderfully awful it can be.


Sleeping at Last - Turning Page

Paloma Faith - Just Be