I’ve been “getting my Stevie Nicks on” lately, to quote Holly Holiday (Gwyneth Paltrow’s occasional character on Glee). See, Holly teamed up with Santana and Brittany to sing a very Dixie Chicks-esque version of Nicks’ breakthrough hit, Landslide a few weeks ago. Oh, and if you don’t watch Glee and therefore have no idea who I’m talking about, it doesn’t really matter. It’s just a bit of context.
So here’s the thing: watching that episode of Glee and hearing that beautiful rendition of Landslide really touched me. So of course I downloaded the song (yes, the Glee cast version) on iTunes and have been listening to it pretty much non-stop ever since. Here’s the bit that really hits home for me:
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Uh-uh, uh-uh.Well I’ve been afraid of changing ’cause I
Built my life around you.
But time makes you bolder
Children get older, and I’m getting older too.
Because it was like that for me. And so totally not in the way Stevie Nicks intended it when she wrote the song as a young woman (read about it here if you like). But that’s the beauty of art, though, isn’t it? It’s so totally open to individual interpretation.
But song has been a very healing experience for me during the lead-up to my separation. I’ve listened and sung along to Landslide to inspire me, Jessie J’s Price Tag to pick me up and make me smile, and even painted my kitchen to Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls last week. All these songs have helped me in one way or another, but one thing they have in common is that I can sing along to them. And I do. All the time. Plus: I sing at work. Yes, it’s normal, and no, I’m not a professional vocalist. But as an elementary French teacher, I know that one of the best ways to get my kids to learn (and remember) their vocabulary is to teach them French songs and rhymes. So I get the chance to sing nearly every day. And I love to sing (even though I’m not really all that good at it – ask anyone).
But it would seem that ability to sing isn’t as important as willingness to sing. To wit: Singing Improves Physical and Mental Health. Well, hell yeah it does! I do think it’s virtually impossible to be sad when you’re singing, be it in the shower, the car or in a classroom with 25 seven year-olds.
So next time you’re feeling a little low, pull out the iPod, pick a favourite song and belt it out, baby! You’ll not only feel better, you’ll be doing your health a favour, too. Here…start with this song. Rock on, baby!
I’ve been singing in a women’s choir for 15 years. We pick a theme, dress up in costumes that fit the theme and sing our hearts out. We’re all in the “middle-aged” bracket, with jobs, kids, aging parents and over-extended, busy lives. But come hell or high water, we come out every week to sing! We joke that it’s cheaper than therapy! And there’s lots of laughter too. Singing, friendship and laughter- what better way to get through good as well as tough times.
I didn’t know the Smashing Pumpkins did Landslide, I’ll have to check that out.
I still love Closer to Fine, it does remind me of Maddy, but in a good way.
Sing, sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing out proud!
Do do do do dodo do do do do do do.
Remember that one?
I love to belt it out load in my car on my way home from work. One of my fav’s is Barracuda & Magic Man. I have the worst voice though! lol
I love Landslide… all versions (the Smashing Pumpkins version holds a special place in my heart from that time in my life…) and it always makes me cry. Always. But in a good way.
I will never forget the lyrics from Closer to Fine (nor any of the songs on that Indigo Girls album) and I belt it out whenever I hear it. And I cry.
I miss singing. I love it. I don’t know why I don’t sing more often… I do in the shower, when I’m alone in the house. I really should do it more.
I’m so happy you’re gleaning some strength from it… this is such a good thing, Kath!! Onwards… xox
I went for neutral taupe over the garish tangerine-yellow faux linen effect that was there before. I like it a lot!
I sing ALL THE TIME! It is so liberating even though I too am not very good. I blast the music in my car and in the office and just sing. I do it with the kids and we dance, etc. But, I do think it is possible to be sad when you sing. I remember my first break-up I cried for hours to Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares to You” (and OMG was he a jerk) and when I was pregnant and hormonal I would cry to Blue Rodeo’s “After the Rain” and when mom died I would cry to Anne Murray’s “Songbird”. But it was therapeutic!
And I totally think of Madeleine and Erin too when I hear “Closer to Fine”. I know every word and love to listen to it.
I love the fact that you are finding comfort and strength from songs and singing. You are so strong!
I sing at work, too, and I will say that it is impossible not to be relaxed and happy and having fun when you are singing with very small people. It’s often a highlight of my day. How nice to know it may have health benefits, too! (Though I’m sure some of that comes with professional singing and the kind of breathing training and so on that goes with it, maybe not so much with the Itsy Bitsy Spider. At least we get up and move to the Hokey Pokey, though!)
Funny how this song, Landslide, speaks to so many. It has been a really important song for me for many years, first because of its poignancy and great harmonies, and later because of the changes in my life.
I agree about the power of music and of singing. Some I can’t do because they are too close to the hurt, others though really uplift me. Thank heavens for music.
I’m with you on the Landslide love. And the singing. Closer to Fine has a whole new take for me after Erin’s video of her sister. It came on my shuffle in my drive to Chicago and I drove with tears pouring down my face but smiling at the same time.
Mine is The Eels – Beautiful Day….it gets me up all the time!! Keep singing Kath!
I love Landslide, all three versions! I’m so glad you’re feeling good these days.
What colour did you choose for your kitchen?
I used to sing at work, last year in grade 4, I don’t at all now in grade 7 & 8. Maybe I should!
I’ve also found myself singing a lot more lately, just because I feel good. And I love to sing with the girls.