Perseverance

Here’s to us, here’s to love
All the times that we fucked up
Here’s to you, fill the glass
‘Cause the last few days have kicked my ass
So lets give ’em hell
Wish everybody well, here’s to us, here’s to us

Halestorm - Here’s To Us

This is a repeat of sorts; it was previously posted on Facebook. This is another great song from Halestorm. I could probably use most of the lyrics in this song, because it fits so well, when you’ve been struggling but refuse to give up. Some folks have an aversion to the f-word. I do NOT advocate using it every other word, however I think it is the best word for certain situations, and sometimes it is the perfect word to drive home a point.

Overcome and move forward

Send away for a priceless gift
One not subtle, one not on the list
Send away for a perfect world
One not simply, so absurd
In these times of doing what you’re told
Keep these feelings, no one knows
What ever happened to the young man’s heart?
Swallowed by pain, as he slowly fell apart

Shinedown - .45

This is a great song with a powerful message. Despite what many folks thought, this song is not about suicide or really staring down the barrel of a .45; it’s about picking up the pieces and moving forward.

Believe

Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching
In the night
Streetlight people
Livin’ just to find emotion
Hidin’ somewhere in the night

Journey - Don’t Stop Believin’

I’ve seen Journey a number of times. Their shows with The Babys were phenomenal. Wish Steve Perry and the band could have worked things out; they’ve had some great songs. This song was used as a theme for the White Sox championship season in 2005.

There is also a backstory to choosing these lyrics, but that will have to wait for another day.

When it's time to let go

Have you seen my hands, just look at ‘em shake.
And the song just keeps on repeating, drop the needle again.
And I dance with your ghost.
But that ain’t the way…
I can’t move on and I can’t stay the same.
And all my friends say…
“Hey, turn the record over. Hey, I’ll see you on the flip side.
There you go, turn the key and engine over… Let her go, let somebody else lay at her feet.”

The Gaslight Anthem - 45

Some times you have to just let go of bad situations. It’s not about giving up, it’s about accepting when things can’t be fixed and time to move on. I’m really impressed by The Gaslight Anthem. They have some really great songs and very intelligent lyrics. There will be additional posts from their songs. This is from the album Handwritten; a favorite of mine.

Chicago Skyline

The Chicago skyline at sunrise. Click Continue to see image…

The love that got away or when it's not meant to be

Did you sleep last night and do you remember dreams?
Do I ever cross your mind and do you ever think of me?
When you think about your life are there things you would reverse?
I still remember holding you, just out of sight of her
In the deep, dark parking lot pressed up against my car
With your hands around my neck I felt the pounding of your heart

The Gaslight Anthem - Mulholland Drive

This is my favorite song off of the album Handwritten. The music and lyrics set the mood perfectly. There’s always one that gets away. There are lots of reasons why good relationships don’t last. Sometimes you are in the right place, but at the wrong time. This is the juxstaposition of memories; it might be a sad event, but all of the good memories around it make you smile.

As a bonus tonight, there is a second set of lines from the song that I also find very powerful…

And I can still recall the hour when you first let down your walls
I thought I might’ve died right there floating up above it all
But it scared you love, to need someone, so you killed it all instead

The Gaslight Anthem - Mulholland Drive

Without the music it doesn’t quite do the song justice. Maybe I’ll come back and post an audio clip…