Saturday, September 19, 2009

The Story in the Music


I spent the morning rockin’ out to Anastacia, because, sometimes, I just need the music. I love letting the music encompass me, enter me, and take me away to unknown places. It’s just about equal to writing.

So, I’m rockin’ away, dancing like a maniac (maniac, maniac – sorry Flash Dance moment) in the kitchen, and I’m playing the same song over and over and over and over again . . . and again, and again, and again, and the dogs are looking at me like I’m crazy, and the cats, well, they’re cats, and they just can’t be bothered.

Finally, I quit playing the song over and over and over again and let the next song play, then the next, and the next until . . .

You’re so . . .perfect, heaven blessed
Never, felt a, love like this
Why you? Why now? So helpless.
Sounds so, crazy, I must confess
There ain’t a thing I wouldn’t sacrifice
Cause I won’t let you go without a fight

Pieces of a dream unfolding,
what happened to the fairy tale?
Words of love never spoken
Things in life don’t always fail
I’ll protect you, and I’ll guide you, and I’ll give you all the love that is mine

Just know,
that in time,
you’ll be fine

Places, faces, I’m to blame
I promised, forever,
our love won’t change
Be strong, hold on,
don’t let go

What’s a perfect ending?
no one knows
There ain’t a thing I wouldn’t sacrifice
Cause I won’t let you go without a fight

Pieces of a dream unfolding,
what happened to the fairy tale?
Words of love are never spoken, things in life aren’t always fair,
I’ll protect you, and I’ll guide you, and I’ll give you all the love that is mine
Just know, in time,

Yeah

Pieces of a dream unfolding,
what happened to the fairy tale?
Words of love are never spoken, things in life aren’t always fair,
I’ll protect you, and I’ll guide you, and I’ll give you all the love that is mine
Just know,
in time,
You’ll be fine

You’re so, perfect, heaven blessed


You see, there’s a story in the song . . . somewhere. I knew it the minute the song started playing. So, over and over and over again . . . and again, and again, and . . . well, you know the drill.

There are parts of this song that can so describe Margarita Nightspieces of a dream unfolding, what happened to the fairy tale? OMG! This is THE song . . . for Margarita Nights. Those few words - 11 - are what Margarita Nights is all about. 11 Words, People! Eleven!

Yet there is so much more to the song then just 11 words. There is another story still forming in the cavernous, highly imaginative, recesses of my mind. There’s such a story wrapped within the lyrics of this one, simple song. I. LOVE. IT.

I LOVE WRITING! I love finding inspiration in the world around me and the words of a song.

I don’t know what story will unfold. Sorry, my membership in the Psychic Friends Network lapsed. Guess I should have seen that one coming! Ha!

I just know that there is a story in the lyrics, beyond what the writer of the song, beyond what the lovely and talented Anastacia sang. There is a story that only I can tell. There is a beginning, middle, and end, forming in my mind, haphazardly perhaps, scenes written out of order, and no true outline in sight.

So, I love writing. I love music for the inspiration I find.

How about you? What story does the song sing to you? What sparks are even now kindling in the depths of your imagination? What moments of your life, of stories you have written, or yet to write, are enmeshed in the lyrics, in the song?

What happened to happily ever after?

Well, I don't have the answer to that question . . . yet! Do you?

P.S. You really should check out Anastacia's album (CD) Heavy Rotation. OMG! Fantastic. The title song is one of my favorites (and the one I played, and probably will continue to play, endlessly). There's so much passion in her songs, and some pain, hidden beneath the lyrics, and . . . well, so very much more. There are so many stories I want to tell, based on the songs she sings. There are so many stories I'm going to tell!

S

3 comments:

Angie Ledbetter said...

Digging through the layers and finding meanings beneath meanings -- that's what I love so much about good poetry.

Tess said...

Who doesn't love a post that summons Flash Dance AND the Psychic Friends Network? Hilarious!

Music is often an inspiration to me..not always specific lyrics, but tone. My novel on sub was hugely inspired by southern gospel music and The Temptations.

Scott said...

Angie - ditto. I love finding the stuff beneath the music, and beyond the lyrics. I spent yesterday afternoon listening to the songs and writing down my impressions. In fact, one song created a great, very strong character . . . though with a bit of darkness/sadness in her life.

Tess - I'm glad I amuse you. I sometimes even amuse myself. It's sad really. : ) For me, it's a combination of the music and the lyrics, the overall story, and what I see beyond the music/lyrics. Music normally can break through my bouts of writer's block. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find my leg warmers . . .