Music & Lyrics : A Healing Art Form

Ever been transported on a musical journey to a place of sadness, anger, love and more ? Its amazing how music and lyrics have the power to change a moment, recall memories and build new ones for later recollection. There are songs whose impact have changed meaning, maybe once it was filled with all the joys of spring and now bears down heavy on the heart. I have songs that have changed with me from how they made me feel when I first heard them and how they make me feel now. There is one in particular I'd like to share with you.

 Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now

First heard watching one of my favourite movies 'Love Actually' in 2003.  As a 14 year old at an all girls boarding school, the love that it spoke of to me was not a romantic love but of a paternal one. The lyrics "tears and fears and feeling proud to say I love you right out loud" struck a chord with me as I recalled with sadness the courage it rentlessly took for me to say those 3 words to my parents who couldn't muster the same courage once in return, and for awhile those 3 words were feared. Since then the song relates to other changes in life, the people and places encountered, the anguish or relief a lover or friend can create once the beautiful mask is taken off. Emma Thompson's performance cuts deeper with the melody and words, it opened up new meaning in the other verses that were naively glazed over previously. The song speaks to me of disconnect from others, learning that what you thought you knew about love and life isn't so. It's a song that has helped me cry when I have felt unable to release the tears, it has comforted me and made me smile by giving me peace that there is hope. Above all it has given me strength and positivity to carry on through darkness to find the light and to grow with change.  So thanks Joni, you are right "something's lost but something's gained in living every day". Now where's my glass of port and cigarette!?

Hx