Hi Alexa: a lovely story. For important songs, I would suggest a couple: Joni’s “All I Want” from her sublime album Blue. Reminds me of a holiday romance which was disastrous in real life, but the song remains beautiful. Also, a cover of the Isley Brothers’ “Harvest For The World” by a band called The Christians. It may be sacrilegious, but I think it’s better than the original (I’ll get my coat…) and conveys the sentiment of what we should all be striving for, especially now.
Yes to Joni! Isn't it amazing how a memory can be a disastrous one, but the song remains beautiful...I love that. Thank you for sharing. And here is to a harvest for the world. Especially now. x
Healed my heart at a festival when I felt so broken and disconnected it finally broke through and allowed me to release the pain I was holding onto. Nothing like a tent full of people singing this song to penetrate a broken heart
I enjoyed your essay, it speaks not only of whence we came from and where we find ourselves now, but also of noticing and repeating those rituals that mark a place, a time.
My song for several years now has been Damien Rice ‘Colour me in’. I wept when I first heard it. It describes so well a place, a time, with the addition of colour which I have always been drawn to. The reflection, the thankfulness, the loss - I hear it all even though I don’t know the story. I guess it reaches out to a side of me that is mine alone.
I remember too, the years jumping from then, to when there are children and school and habitual journeys. Wondering, where did I go?
I’m still alive. 7 years of life-threating roller coasters. I’m still alive. Watching my children growing up. Even though my life has nothing to do with what I imagined as a Parisian in her 20’s, longing to travel and feel deeply in love. With a neighbor, why not?
Music helps me feel desires coming back. Today will be « Imaginer l’amour » from Juliette Armanet.
Songs of life. Tenements, mountains, cats, neighbors, doorways kept open. Thank you. Sending hugs and loving the juicy days of Spring a coming in your words. ❤️
Alexa, it's such a gift to hear your voice and wise-sweet essence! I remember you taking me in as a little refugee to your magical apartment and this made me think about that time and your generous spirit - I'll always be so grateful to you. I bought myself some proper Dr. Hauschka products recently, and felt like I was finally a real, grown woman - after all those years of samples! Thank you for sharing your story. Sending all my love from here in London xx
Elizabeth! I remember it like yesterday. We were awfully cozy. Always sending you love, sister. Big hugs. So glad to connect here. And thank you for your words. And to all those years of samples :) I know, me too! xx
I don't know about your songs, Alexa, but your writing is so generous, and has always been, ever since that first essay I read from you on the blog Cup of Jo. It is beautiful and poignant and full of shared humanity. Thank you for sharing ❤️
"A good song offers refuge to all, no matter their story. The pieces of one’s puzzle can come together within its logic, its melodies, its refrain." Beautifully said, and relatable. This writing offered me refuge. Thank you. I too find myself in this lonely space of longing... between unbecoming and becoming. I related so much to this and found comfort knowing that others have been in this uncomfortable space in their own way, too. Beautiful to think that a song can take on a new meaning over time, how it can grow with us. I have many- one of them right now is "Never Give Up" by Son Little. It's an anthem to my life right now.
I'm so glad my story resonated. Longing is a such a lonely space, and what we long for sure does change over time. Such a gift when a song can change alongside us, and continue to give us exactly what we need. I will check out "Never Give Up." I need a new song today! Thank you for sharing :)
You tell a good story. And in your stories there are handfuls of songs.
Thank you :)
This was so touchingly beautiful. Reminded me of my 20’s living in NYC. You have a gift. Thank you
Thank you, so glad my story resonated. Such a specific feeling, that early 20s in NYC. :)
Hi Alexa: a lovely story. For important songs, I would suggest a couple: Joni’s “All I Want” from her sublime album Blue. Reminds me of a holiday romance which was disastrous in real life, but the song remains beautiful. Also, a cover of the Isley Brothers’ “Harvest For The World” by a band called The Christians. It may be sacrilegious, but I think it’s better than the original (I’ll get my coat…) and conveys the sentiment of what we should all be striving for, especially now.
Yes to Joni! Isn't it amazing how a memory can be a disastrous one, but the song remains beautiful...I love that. Thank you for sharing. And here is to a harvest for the world. Especially now. x
This was such a beautiful little gem of a memory
Thank you :)
“Fever to the form Nick Mulvey.
Healed my heart at a festival when I felt so broken and disconnected it finally broke through and allowed me to release the pain I was holding onto. Nothing like a tent full of people singing this song to penetrate a broken heart
Wow, especially when so many others are singing along. Thank you for sharing, such a powerful image!
The most perfect description of songwriting: “Songs were like puzzles, and sometimes I could make all the pieces fit”
Coming from YOU a big compliment! Thank you :)
I enjoyed your essay, it speaks not only of whence we came from and where we find ourselves now, but also of noticing and repeating those rituals that mark a place, a time.
My song for several years now has been Damien Rice ‘Colour me in’. I wept when I first heard it. It describes so well a place, a time, with the addition of colour which I have always been drawn to. The reflection, the thankfulness, the loss - I hear it all even though I don’t know the story. I guess it reaches out to a side of me that is mine alone.
I remember too, the years jumping from then, to when there are children and school and habitual journeys. Wondering, where did I go?
Thank you for sharing, I'm going to listen to that song! Sometimes yes it's the rituals, the habitual journeys, marking time... :)
I’m still alive. 7 years of life-threating roller coasters. I’m still alive. Watching my children growing up. Even though my life has nothing to do with what I imagined as a Parisian in her 20’s, longing to travel and feel deeply in love. With a neighbor, why not?
Music helps me feel desires coming back. Today will be « Imaginer l’amour » from Juliette Armanet.
Thank you for your beautiful stories 🙏
"Music helps me feel desires coming back." I love that. Thank you for sharing your words, and a song for the day.
Beautiful Alexa. Thank you! 💕
Songs I’m feeling right now…
‘Oh my heart’ R.e.m
‘Finally’ MIA
‘Not only I’ Courtney Barnett
‘L.e.s. Artistes’ Santigold
Thank you Nadia :) Oooooh these are good songs. We need to make a Resilience play list xx
“A good song offers refuge to all, no matter their story.” Loved listening to this whole piece, so beautifully written x
Thank you for listening! :)
Songs of life. Tenements, mountains, cats, neighbors, doorways kept open. Thank you. Sending hugs and loving the juicy days of Spring a coming in your words. ❤️
I was reminded of your East Village tenement tales! Sending spring love your way too my friend. x
Alexa, it's such a gift to hear your voice and wise-sweet essence! I remember you taking me in as a little refugee to your magical apartment and this made me think about that time and your generous spirit - I'll always be so grateful to you. I bought myself some proper Dr. Hauschka products recently, and felt like I was finally a real, grown woman - after all those years of samples! Thank you for sharing your story. Sending all my love from here in London xx
Elizabeth! I remember it like yesterday. We were awfully cozy. Always sending you love, sister. Big hugs. So glad to connect here. And thank you for your words. And to all those years of samples :) I know, me too! xx
I don't know about your songs, Alexa, but your writing is so generous, and has always been, ever since that first essay I read from you on the blog Cup of Jo. It is beautiful and poignant and full of shared humanity. Thank you for sharing ❤️
Means the world, thank you so much. And for sticking around that long! So glad to connect here. More to come :)
Can't wait ;)
Gorgeous
thank you ;)
This is wonderful! What a lovely writing gift you have. We should definitely be pals lol
Thank you. Pals! :)
"A good song offers refuge to all, no matter their story. The pieces of one’s puzzle can come together within its logic, its melodies, its refrain." Beautifully said, and relatable. This writing offered me refuge. Thank you. I too find myself in this lonely space of longing... between unbecoming and becoming. I related so much to this and found comfort knowing that others have been in this uncomfortable space in their own way, too. Beautiful to think that a song can take on a new meaning over time, how it can grow with us. I have many- one of them right now is "Never Give Up" by Son Little. It's an anthem to my life right now.
I'm so glad my story resonated. Longing is a such a lonely space, and what we long for sure does change over time. Such a gift when a song can change alongside us, and continue to give us exactly what we need. I will check out "Never Give Up." I need a new song today! Thank you for sharing :)