Post #608: Iron & Wine - "Such Great Heights" - Such Great Heights EP

It's been awhile since I've posted... hopefully that has given you all plenty of time to miss me.  Speaking of missing someone, I'm sure you'd all agree with me that there are times that it can become absolutely torturous (along with plenty of other things that are equally torturous, but maybe those can be addressed in their own separate posts some day). Anyhow, this song came on my Pandora station this morning, and although I'm not really sure what the intended meaning truly is, it always makes me think about missing someone.

Of course, the original version is by The Postal Service (which I will include below the lyrics); however, I love this acoustic version by Iron & Wine much, much more (which is a bit odd since I tend to love synthesizers so much)!  Iron & Wine's version also appeared on the soundtrack for the film, Garden State, which I mentioned when I posted about The Shins. 

Another song by Iron & Wine that also shows up on my Pandora station quite frequently that I've also grown quite fond of is "Flightless Bird American Mouth", so I'll share that one with you today too!

Until next time...

XOXOXO
Anastasia

I am thinking it's a sign
That the freckles in our eyes
Are mirror images and when
We kiss they're perfectly aligned

And I have to speculate
That God himself did make
Us into corresponding shapes
Like puzzle pieces from the clay

And true, it may seem like a stretch,
But its thoughts like this that catch
My troubled head when you're away
When I am missing you to death

When you are out there on the road
For several weeks of shows
And when you scan the radio,
I hope this song will guide you home

They will see us waving from such great heights,
"Come down now," they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away,
"Come down now," but we'll stay...

I tried my best to leave
This all on your machine
But the persistent beat it sounded thin
Upon listening

And that frankly will not fly.
You will hear the shrillest highs
And lowest lows with the windows down
When this is guiding you home

They will see us waving from such great heights,
"Come down now," they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away,
"Come down now," but we'll stay...

They will see us waving from such great heights,
"Come down now," they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away,
"Come down now," but we'll stay...

They will see us waving from such great heights,
"Come down now."
They will see us waving from such great heights,
"Come down now."

Post #607: Keane - "Somewhere Only We Know" - Hopes and Fears

So it's definitely that time of year again when I resume my soul-quenching, meditational walks around White Rock Lake.  With the help of my Pandora mix, I am seriously in nothing less than pure bliss.  There is so much beauty to take in from nature if you ever slow down enough and allow yourself time to enjoy such.  Instead of walking at a quicker exercise-worthy pace, I took more of a leisurely stroll and killed almost two hours today watching the sail boats and the various wildlife.  It was also a bit warmer today than I had hoped, so the slower pace was perfect for my first time back in months.

I've been meaning to post about today's song at various times in the past, but for some reason, another song always seemed to win out.  Now that I'm no longer limiting myself to one day of posting per week, I finally got around to sharing this tune with you.  It's one of those songs that gives me warm fuzzies every time I hear it... kind of like snuggling up into cozy sheets fresh out of the dryer like I'm about to do here shortly!

So, as I was walking around the lake today, this tune came on my Pandora station.  I haven't really ever shared my time at White Rock Lake with anyone (other than Pixie), so there's really no "we" to reminisce about with regard to this song and that location.  I suppose that I'm just getting a bit giddy about the fact that, in a few short months, I will no longer be driving to my beloved site... instead, it will be just a matter of a simple walk down a nature trail to get to the lake.  And despite the fact that I spent yet another weekend alone, I'm happy to now admit that I'm more open to the idea of one day having a "we" to potentially think/reminisce about while listening to today's song and possibly even invite to the lake with me... enjoy!

Until next time...

XOXOXO
Anastasia 

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go?
So why don't we go?

Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah

This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?

Post #606: The Shins - "New Slang" - Oh, Inverted World

So, I've owned the film, Garden State, for years and years now, but I finally got around to watching it a few weeks ago.  I wasn't terribly impressed by the film, but it wasn't awful either.  There is a scene where Sam, the lead female character, says to Andrew, the lead male character: "You gotta hear this one song — it’ll change your life; I swear."

I can't assert that listening to this song changed my life, by any means, but I do really like it!

I often enjoy seeing if I can find the intended meaning behind a song from the perspective of the individual who wrote it.  Wikipedia claims the following with regard to the meaning of the song according to lead singer, James Mercer:

"The song was born out of frustration regarding his personal life and future. 'It's definitely a moment in my life, that sort of angst and confusion about what my future was going to be,' he remarked."

Life can be and definitely has been quite frustrating, but I feel like good things, amazing things even, are on the horizon for me.  I can't explain it exactly, but it's just a feeling that I have.  For the first time, I don't even feel scared about whatever changes my future may hold for me.  Despite my tough girl facade and the air of confidence with which I carry myself, I tend to be afraid of everything!!!  Regardless, as a result of a recent chain of events, I do know that having someone to go through this crazy world with would be way more fun and a definite source of comfort, but I'm also not frightened to go it alone if that's how it ends up happening for me...  I'll just continue to figure it out as the days unfold, I suppose.

I know that the upcoming move I intend to make will be very refreshing for me.  I cannot wait to have White Rock Lake as my back yard!!!  Being near bodies of water is so comforting to me.  Scorpios are water signs, right?  That totally makes sense! 

Enough rambling for now... 'cause it's time for you to hear the song that will "change your life" ;-)

Until next time...

XOXOXO

Anastasia 

Gold teeth and a curse for this town were all in my mouth
Only, I don't know how they got out, dear
Turn me back into the pet I was when we met
I was happier then with no mind-set

And if you took to me like a gull takes to the wind
Well, I'd 'a jumped from my trees
And I'd a danced like the king of the eyesores
And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well

New slang when you notice the stripes, the dirt in your fries
Hope it's right when you die, old and bony
Dawn breaks like a bull through the hall
Never should have called
But my head's to the wall and I'm lonely

And if you took to me like a gull takes to the wind
Well, I'd 'a jumped from my trees
And I'd a danced like the king of the eyesores
And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well

Godspeed, all the bakers at dawn
May they all cut their thumbs
And bleed into their buns 'til they melt away

I'm looking in on the good life I might be doomed never to find
Without a trust or flaming fields, am I too dumb to refine?
And if you took to me like
Well I'd a danced like the queen of the eyesores
And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well

Post #605: The xx - "Stars" - xx

The band, The xx, has been showing up a lot on my Pandora mix lately.  I'm not sure which of my original band selections they are tied to exactly, but it shouldn't surprise anyone that I like them quite a bit if you read about their influences on Wiki:

"The band has cited several artists in their influences: singer Romy Madley Croft has mentioned her liking for Jimi Hendrix, The Slits, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, Yazoo, Eurythmics, New Order and The Cure."

I highly doubt that I'm the only one who expected the song "Psycho Killer" by the Talking Heads to follow the opening bass line to today's selection, but it does throw me off a bit when the piano keys kick in, as opposed to the drums.  I really thought it was just a live version of "Psycho Killer" the first time I ever heard the opening.

The second tune I selected for you today is a bit reminiscent of The Radio Dept.  You might recall me mentioning them when I posted about the Marie Antoinette Soundtrack.

Both tunes make me wish for a lazy, rainy day of lounging in bed... I can't wait for the dreary autumn days that are right around the corner.  I can sense a change in the air... it feels nice!

Until next time...

XOXOXO
Anastasia

I can give it all on the first date
I don't have to exist outside this place
And dear, know that I can change

But if stars shouldn't shine
By the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time
So much time with me

And I can draw the line on the first date
I'll let you cross it
Let you take every line I've got
When the time gets late

But if stars shouldn't shine
By the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time
So much time with me

If you want me, let me know
Where do you wanna go?
No need for talking, I already know
If you want me, why go?

If you want me, let me know
Where do you wanna go?
No need for talking, I already know
If you want me, why go?

I can give it all on the first date
I don't have to exist outside this place
And dear, know that I can change

But if stars shouldn't shine
By the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time
So much time with me

But if stars shouldn't shine
By the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time
So much time with me

Post #604: Regina Spektor - "Fidelity" - Begin to Hope

It feels so wonderful to be back, my dearest Blogland readers!  I think it was pivotal for me to step away, however, in order to realize just how much I truly needed this blog.  I don't think I'll be leaving you again anytime soon.  It's also such a relief to no longer restrict myself to one day of posting.  I think I'll quite enjoy being able to jump on here at random times and unload my thoughts.

So, I've been on a big Regina Spektor kick lately.  As I mentioned in a previous post, despite hearing her name quite frequently, I never truly bothered to check out her music until I heard a few of her tunes in the film, (500) Days of Summer.

Interestingly enough, when I read up a little about today's song on Wikipedia, I discovered that it was inspired by the film, High Fidelity; that makes total sense - I see the connection:

 "Spektor wrote the song while watching the movie High Fidelity, which is based on a book by Nick Hornby."

Speaking of films, I think I'll take myself to the movies today.  I had wanted to check out the film, Paper Towns, when it was released way back in the middle of summer, but I never got around to it.  I see that it's still playing at the local dollar theater, which just so happened to be the hottest movie theater in town when I was still in high school... It's amazing how things change over the years, huh?

I foresee a trip to the book store today, as well.  So, yesterday, I was in a meeting with an 85-year-old client who is worth over $10 million.  Clients like that typically turn my stomach and bore me to tears because most of them are so vapid and just downright tedious.  This lady was so different... inspirational even!  We got on the topic of reading once my attorney stepped out of the meeting in order to jump on a conference call.  She told me that after her husband passed away, the one true joy in life that she still held on to was reading.  She told me that she reads at least one book a day.  She enjoys nonfiction - mainly autobiographies and biographies.  I shared with her that I preferred memoirs and British fiction.  She claimed to be one of the only people who still had a library card.  I told her that was untrue because I, too, am in possession of a library card.  She didn't even believe me at first.  I had to go get it from my wallet to prove it to her.  She was so down-to-earth, and she was so sharp and witty for an 85-year-old.  I aspire to be like her when I'm that age.  She told me to never let go of my love for reading... I promised her that I wouldn't.  So, yes, I feel that a trip to the book store is in order after yesterday's encounter.

Who knows where else the day will take me... White Rock Lake, La Madeleine, Steak n' Shake (they finally opened one nearby!!), Goodwill, Target, World Market???  Oftentimes, the best thing I can do for myself in this humdrum world is just to let the day take me...

I will also include two others by Regina Spektor called "Better" and "Samson".

Until next time...

XOXOXO 
Anastasia

Shake it up

I never loved nobody fully
Always one foot on the ground
And by protecting my heart truly
I got lost
In the sounds

I hear in my mind
All of these voices
I hear in my mind
All of these words
I hear in my mind
All of this music
And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my ha-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-aart
And it breaks my ha-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-aart

Suppose I never, ever met you
Suppose we never fell in love
Suppose I never ever let you
Kiss me so sweet
And so sah-ah-ah-ah-oft

Suppose I never, ever saw you
Suppose we never, ever called
Suppose I kept on singin' love songs
Just to break
My own fall
Just to break my fa-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-aall
Just to break my fa-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-aall
Just to break my fa-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-aall
Break my fall
Break my fall

All my friends say
That of course
It's gonna get be'er
Gonna get be'er
Be'er, be'er, be'er, be'er
Better, better, better, ohhh...

I never loved nobody fully
Always one foot on the ground
And by protecting my heart truly
I got lost
In the sounds

I hear in my mind
All of these voices
I hear in my mind
All of these words
I hear in my mind
All of this music
And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart

I hear in my mind
All of these voices
I hear in my mind
All of these words
I hear in my mind
All of this music
And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart
It breaks my ha-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-aart
And it breaks my ha, ah, ah, ah, art
And it breaks my ha-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-aart
And it breaks my heart
Breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart