Day Seven: finally a music post!

It’s not a big secret that music drives me. I’m never far from a music source, and it’s a common theme in my writing. Currently I’m sitting on my back porch stairs with my blue tooth speaker pouring my medicine out. Everything from blues to classic rock to current rock to even a little country and pop feed my soul and keep me going.

I wrote Day Six yesterday but didn’t have time to edit it and make final tweaks until this morning. I pulled up my list and saw Day Seven and was like oh yay! My favorite topic!

Day Seven: List 10 Songs that you’re Loving Right Now

So, in just three weeks I’m going to a music festival. There’s going to be over thirty rock bands there, and I’m familiar with probably 95% of them, in fact there are several I’ve already seen in concert, several I know damn near every song they’ve ever written and played. . . I’m beyond excited.

But there are a few I only know a smattering of their work, so I made a playlist last week of every band, every song I could find.

The results were over 1500 songs.

Just a little overwhelming.

I listened to the playlist for a few days, determining what bands that I hadn’t ever heard of that I liked. Then I made a new playlist, one that was a little more concise.

So, this list is some of the music I’ve found (and refound) as a result of exploring the bands playing at the upcoming festival.

1. Loud (Fuck it) by Motionless in White

I heard this song several months ago on Sirius XM while driving to Ann Arbor with brother, and as soon as the first chords played I shushed him and turned it up. But I was driving and didn’t have time to note the song and name of the band, so I forgot about it until it popped up on this playlist. I was super excited that I would have the opportunity to see the band live. It’s a song about being decisive and not giving a fuck and enjoying your life. Right up my alley.

2. Judas by Fozzy

I’ve been hearing this song regularly on the multiple music sources I utilize, and while the lyrics are dark and not 100% relatable to me, the sound speaks to me.

3. Blue on Black by Five Finger Death punch

Those that are familiar with music (or rather, rock music maybe) know this is a cover. I love covers by current artists, and FFDP has many and always does the songs justice while making it their own. I can take or leave many of their other songs, but this one is a favorite at the moment.

4. Brand New Numb by Motionless in White

These guys get two songs on my list. I’ve found I can take or leave a lot of their stuff, like with the artist above. But this is a good one. A fun song about being numb. Contradictory, sure. But I can understand.

5. Back From the Dead by Skillet

I’ve kind of rediscovered Skillet in this venture. They were a little over played on my stations a few years ago, and while I enjoyed the music I couldn’t handle hearing Monster one more damn time, so I banned them. They have a new album, and it’s good shit. This is one of my favorites – it’s got interesting aspects to the music itself, and the lyrics aren’t lacking, either.

6. You Better Pray by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

I found this band many years ago, with their song Face Down during some hard times and fell in love with the message against abuse. I explored them minimally and also found this song, and just refound it during my recent music expedition. The guitars, the lyrics. . . What’s not to like.

7. Die Trying by Eyes Set to Kill

A badass female rock band, I found this song last winter and gave the album a listen. I love the mix of of a beautiful voice singing with heavy instruments.

8. Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom) by Shinedown

When dad passed I heard this song and took encouragement from the lyrics – the whole song is telling you to keep going, but specifically “I’m on the front line, don’t worry I’ll be fine, the story is just beginning. . . I say goodbye to my weakness, so long to the regret, and now I see the world through diamond eyes.” I felt somehow it was dad telling me to square my shoulders and handle it, that he was there cheering me on.

9. Legendary by Skillet

Another band with two spots. This of course is telling their audience to not settle for less and be amazing.

10. When Legends Rise by Godsmack

No song list, at least no song list of mine is complete without my favorite band. I’m excited to see them again. Sully is a music god, and this song goes along with a common theme in the music I choose – to be strong and rise from the bad shit.

There’s many other songs and artists I love on my playlist – ones that I’ve rediscovered and new stuff I’ve never heard until now. But the challenge asked for ten, so I’ll stop. Let’s not ignore Seether and Red Sun Rising and Buckcherry though, because they all deserve a mention. This is just what I’m feeling today.

Until tomorrow, folks. Take a moment to discover something new.