Erin unplugged. Part 6 of 8.

Hey, y’all!

Wow, can’t believe I’m three-quarters of the way done with these posts! Crazy. If you don’t know what you’re reading (I mean, you probably do, but just in case), here are the links to my past posts. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Hope you like these next songs…

SONGS THAT REMIND ME OF HOME

Let it Go (Idina Mendel, Frozen: Motion Picture Soundtrack, 2013) Okay, I’m jumping on the bandwagon here, but I really do love this movie. It’s about the bond between sisters. Which is something I can relate to, seeing as I have four of them. My sister Emily (who just finished her freshman year at Michigan State–congrats, Pony!!) and I joyfully sing this at the top of our lungs in our bedrooms when we’re home, much to the rest of our family’s chagrin. No regrets. Let it go, let it go/Can’t hold it back anymore/Let it go, let it go/Turn away and slam the door/I don’t care what they’re going to say/Let the storm rage on/The cold never bothered me anyway

SOULFUL SONGS

At Last (Etta James, At Last!, 1961) A classic. Etta James’ voice is so powerful and resonant. She just breathes out this first line, like she finally exhaled because she’s found the man she loves. My father asked me to sing this song at his wedding when he got married to my stepmom, Dana, my senior year of high school. I did, and it’s had a special place in my heart ever since. At last/My love has come along/My lonely days are over/And life is like a song

SONGS FOR THE ROAD

Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Up From Below, 2009) I love this song because I feel like it’s an old folk song from the 70’s or something, but it’s not. And the whistling. It feels American to me. Alabama, Arkansas/I do love my ma and pa/not the way I do love you/holy moly, me-oh-my/you’re the apple of my eye/Girl, I’ve never loved one like you

SONGS THAT GIVE ME BUTTERFLIES

Us (Regina Spektor, Soviet Kitsch, 2004) This is the 4th and final Regina Spektor song included in my collection of songs. It’s not anything super gushy or gooey. It’s just them. And their love. And it’s contagious. That’s why I love it. They’ll name a city after us/And later say it’s all our fault/Then they’ll give us a talking to/Then they’ll give us a talking to/Because they’ve got years of experience/We’re living in a den of thieves/Rummaging for answers in the pages/We’re living in a den of thieves/And it’s contagious/And it’s contagious/And it’s contagious/And it’s contagious

SONGS FROM HIGH SCHOOL

Hide and Seek (Imogen Heap, Speak For Yourself, 2005) I discovered Imogen Heap in 6th grade and didn’t like her. But I did love this song, and I came to appreciate her electronica-pop style way more in high school. We sang an a cappella arrangement of this in Chamber Choir my junior year–I got to lead the group for that performance and it was really fun. Oily marks appear on walls/Where pleasure moments hung before/The takeover, the sweeping insensitivity/Of this still life

Here’s Chamber Choir. Shout out to Krem!! Thanks for being an awesome choir teacher :)

SONGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE

Everything is Alright (Motion City Soundtrack, Commit This to Memory, 2005) It’s such a fun song. I think I relate to the guy because I’m pretty sure we both have ADHD. ‘Cause I hate the ocean, theme parks, and airplanes/talking with strangers, waiting in line/I’m through with these pills that make me sit still/Are you feeling fine/yes, I feel just fine

SONGS THAT MAKE MY HEART ACHE

A Boy and A Girl (Eric Whitacre, Light & Gold, 2010) The first time I heard a choir sing this I got chills and my eyes teared up. The rumbling of the bass and the soaring soprano is exquisite. And the lyrics are the text of an Octavio Paz poem. It’s stunning. The following are the lyrics to the entire song: Stretched out/Stretched out on the grass/a boy and a girl/savoring their oranges/giving their kisses/like waves, exchanging foam/Stretched out/Stretched out on the beach/a boy and a girl/Savoring their limes/giving their kisses/like clouds exchanging foam/Stretched out/Stretched out underground/a boy and a girl/Saying nothing/never kissing/giving silence for silence

SONGS THAT MAKE ME WORSHIP

Come and Be (Andy Hudson, 2013) So, this song doesn’t have a video, or an album, and that’s because there isn’t one (yet–though the full-length album will be released soon). My church worship leader, Andy, who is basically a musical genius, wrote it. And it’s awesome. It has this bluesy, folksy-country sound to it that lulls me and makes me calm. And it’s all about how God adopts us into His family. I love singing it.  I’m providing a link so you guys can listen–it’s track number four. Come and be with me/I’m grafting you into this family tree/adopting you so patiently/and making you new

http://ebfcreative.org/discography/worship-from-march-16-2014/

Thanks for tuning in. Don’t forget to check out the Spotify playlist!!

Love,

Erin Elizabeth xoxo