Thursday, November 06, 2008

Thankful Thursday

I saw this idea on someone else's blog, and I loved it. Not only is it the month of Thanksgiving but it is also just a good thing to post about things we're thankful for.

Today (and everyday) I am so thankful for music. To me, there is just nothing more calming, joyful, inspirational, mesmerizing, and rejuvenating than a good song. I have always loved music. I have been in choirs since I was a little girl. Not that I have a great voice, but there is just something incredible about singing in a choir. It gives me chills and makes my heart soar (only if it is a good choir, which fortunately I was always a part of good choirs. But, more than I love to sing, I LOVE to listen to other people sing, especially when they are REALLY good. More often than not, it brings me to tears.

I also love to listen to good music in my home. If I find a CD that I love I will listen to it over and over again all day long. One of my very favorite CDs is the Josh Grobin Christmas CD. Yes, I have already started listening to it. I know that it is not Christmas time yet and I should be focusing on Thanksgiving, but I can't think of anything that I am more thankful for than Christ, so really it is perfect. I also love the song "Bleeding Love" (it brings me to tears these days though b/c it reminds me of Clairisa). Another one of my favorites is "Freckles" by Natasha Bedingfield. One of my all-time favorites is "Oh My Soul Hungered" from the Book of Mormon soundtrack. I could go on and on. What is your favorite song?

Click here to hear a GREAT song!!!

9 comments:

All Fun Family said...

I too am so thankful for music. It is so powerful. Music speaks to the soul. It can change hearts and lives. Music is one of my favorite things in this world and I cannot imagine life without it.

I have too many favorites, but here's a couple...Speaking of your last post, I love Oh How Lovely Was the Morning. My love for it came from a couple touching experiences. One was at EFY a billion years ago when that was the special musical number and I sang in the choir. It was a beautiful arrangement and there was a cool video in the background. Also, the youth in our stake did a musical about Joseph Smith that also made this song special.

My favorite symphony is Shostakovich 5, because it really gets to me every time. It is so powerful and moving, and the story behind it is even more incredible. I played it in high school, at all state, and my freshman year at BYU. When we played it in the BYU Phil, it made me cry. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had musically.

Tara said...

I love "Last Request" from Paolo Nutini and "Home" by Michael Buble. All my favorites are on my blog playlist and I open it everyday just to hear those songs...they make me happy.

Jenny P. said...

I start listening to christmas music the day after halloween. :)

I love music because no matter what my mood, there is always something to listen to. I have running music that gets me totally pumped up, music to calm me, music to make cleaning easier, happy music, sad music...

I've been loving viva la vida, by coldplay, as of late, and She will be loved, by maroon 5. And clay aiken's everything I have. Love that one.:)

InkMom said...

The Forgotten Carols CD has been in my car since, um, 2004. I listen to it year round. So there. Now my secret's out!

InkMom said...

And "The Allphins" must be your viola-playing sister, because Shostakovich 5 is FANTASTIC! I love that one, too. And you heard all about my Dvorak 7, 3rd movement at women's conference. Seriously, tears flow every time I hear it.

U2, U2, U2, and did I mention U2? City of Blinding Lights (who doesn't want Bono to say, oh, you look so beautiful tonight?), Coldplay anything (my kids call Viva la Vida the happy song), Foo Fighters' Long Road to Ruin is a current favorite, too. Love Sarah Vaughan, Sarah McLachlan, the Weepies, love Chili Peppers, love Josh Groban, love Harry Connick Jr, Sting, Chris Isaak -- can you tell I'm a little enthusiastic?

Love Bach, love Beethoven, really love Dvorak -- it's really sassy, lots of flair and huge range of emotion. Love Debussy, Gershwin, Copland, and even a bit of Hindemith and a lot of Bloch. Love it all!

And "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and Robert Cundick's oratorio "The Redeemer" -- one setting in it is "He is the root and the offspring of David" and it's exquisite.

Everything that makes a sound is music to someone's ears!

MANDY said...

Very moving song, Melissa! Thanks for sharing it. And, you DO have a great voice....I wish we'd had more opportunities to sing together. I, too, LOVE music! I'm very challenged when it comes to naming a group or artist or song title that I like, but let's just say I love a variety of music. I'm sure you could recommend all kinds that I would like, but just don't know about. I've never been a music buyer...I just listen to what people give me and whatever is available to me that's free. I haven't had my stereo since I moved because it's missing its AC cord,but I just ordered another one and I can't wait to get it and start listening again!!! Music is a gift from our Heavenly Father....it speaks to our souls, lifts us up, motivates us, and lets us express ourselves.

erin sheely said...

I miss singing in choir with you. Music is really an amazing way to feel and express emotion. Did you know I'm the primary chorister in our ward? When the kids sing "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" I ALWAYS get chills. Christmas music really is the best.

Melissa said...

Erin, that is my all-time favorite calling!!!! I miss hearing the primary kids sing every week. I'd always break down in tears. :)

Deon said...

That is so crazy! I just posted the same video and song on my blog. I cried when I heard it the first time, ok probably second and third as well. I guess great minds really do think alike. :)
I love music as well; and even though I don't have a great voice, I really miss singing in a choir. (we don't have one right now, that I know of anyway) Music can change the mood of my children instantly. I love your blog!

Blog Archive