Greetings, my blog reading friends! Before this week’s musical interlude let us dispense with one or two housekeeping items, shall we?
First, it has been pointed out to me that if I continue to post Musical Monday entries on Tuesdays I may need to change the name… err, you aren’t wrong. However, I like the neat alliteration of “Musical Monday” so the name stays. After all, logic is for little minds, right?
Second, last Friday, April 5th, my humble blog hit rather a milestone- 20,000+ hits, baby! WOW! That’s a lot of visits! Thanks, everyone. Your good taste and discernment touches my heart.
Seriously, I love ya’, man.
I often receive requests, suggestions and ideas for blog posts. I don’t get to them all by any means as there is simply more in my brain that I wish to write than I will ever have the hours in the day to accomplish. If I haven’t gotten to something of yours, please don’t feel badly, I have an ongoing list. You have not been forgotten. Also, please don’t stop the suggestions- I love them!
One suggestion that has come up again and again is a sequel to my Top Ten Running Songs post of way back in October, 2011. Click Here to see that list. Nice to think people used the list, although, I have to admit myself that it is really helpful to receive musical suggestions. Sometimes I get in an acoustic rut and an infusion of fresh tunes is just the thing to breath new life into my playlists.
Again, as a David Letterman fan, I shall count them down a la Letterman’s Top Ten-style. As always, these are subject to change, this is just what I ran to yesterday.
At #10- Come Again from the Damn Yankees (1990)- this was a college favorite which through the miracle of the shuffle feature popped up a couple of weeks ago. Now it’s in regular rotation- Tommy Shaw’s voice is really something else.
#9 is an oldie, but a goodie- On The Loose by Saga (1981)- out of the wilds of Canada they came, bearing this slightly cheesy, but oh so Rocky-esque anthem (think Eye of the Tiger)
Next at #8- Flood by Jars of Clay (1995)- hang on to your Bibles, kids, it’s Christian Rock. Yep, and I bought the actual CD. Great music, really awesome.
Lucky #7- Life is Beautiful by Sixx AM (2007)- I featured this one on a past Musical Monday. It will wake you up.
#6- The Clairvoyant by Iron Maiden (1988)- Can’t have a list without a little Maiden now, can we? While I usually tend toward more recent Maiden albums like Fear of the Dark, Brave New World and The Final Frontier, sometimes one simply must tip one’s hat to the classics. In this case, Iron Maiden’s seminal album Seven Son of a Seventh Son which contains, amongst other masterpieces, this song. “There’s a time to live and a time to die when it’s time to meet the maker.” Guaranteed to amp your heart rate.
Entering the top spots with #5- Every You Every Me by Placebo (1999)- Truly twisted lyrics, but the beat is irresistibly catchy.
#4- The Pit by Silversun Pickups (2012) off their latest album, The Neck of the Woods– great album, can’t say enough good things.
Next is #3- What if I Came Knocking by John Mellencamp (1993)- Actually, this was Mellencamp’s last #1 single, at least until his next one. Listen to it and it’s easy to see why this was a hit.
#2- Next to Me by Emeli Sande (2012)- I had to include this one, not only is it a great uptempo pop song, but my eleven-year-old said it reminds her of me and my husband. Nice to hear a song about fidelity.
And finally, drum roll, please… Coming in at #1 and my favorite song to run to (at the moment)… Nemo by Nightwish (2004) What can I say? The virtuosity of Nightwish’s musicianship combined with the untouchable purity of Tarja’s voice… sigh, I really wish those crazy kids could have made it work. At least we have the albums.
And on that note, here is your Almost-Monday Tune… Nemo by Nightwish- gorgeousness!
This is me for forever
One of the lost ones
The one without a name
Without an honest heart as compass
This is me for forever
One without a name
These lines the last endeavor
To find the missing lifeline
Oh how I wish
For soothing rain
All I wish is to dream again
My loving heart
Lost in the dark
For hope I’d give my everything
My flower, withered between
The pages 2 and 3
The once and forever bloom gone with my sins
Walk the dark path
Sleep with angels
Call the past for help
Touch me with your love
And reveal to me my true name
Oh how I wish
For soothing rain
All I wish is to dream again
My loving heart
Lost in the dark
For hope I’d give my everything
Oh how I wish
For soothing rain
Oh how I wish to dream again
Once and for all
And all for once
Nemo my name forevermore
Nemo sailing home
Nemo letting go
Oh, how I wish.
Name for evermore
Keep on running, cycling, weight lifting, whatever you do… just keep moving!
This post was written by Erika Gardner. If you enjoyed it, please sign up to receive updates on this blog. Or you can follow Erika on Twitter @Erika_Gardner or “Like” her Facebook page Erika Gardner- Writer and Storyteller.