Songprint

 "Claire de Lune" Claude Debussy

When I was in sixth grade sitting in my choir classroom, I remember listening to my teacher play a diversity of music on the piano. Her musical talent knew no bounds as she mastered the notes with such vitality and character. The day she played this beautiful composition, I was hooked and reached a sense of flow. The magical sound inspired me to re-commit to piano lessons with more dedication than my seven year old self who never wanted to practice. While I've never played on a competition level, practicing and performing for my family and friends allowed me to better appreciate musicians with incredible musical propensities. "Claire de Lune" was my favorite piece to try mastering and it remains my favorite piece to hear. The song calms then revitalizes me. It is mysterious, uplifting, reflective, soothing, and inspiring all together. Debussy's piece is the sign with indices of my choir teacher's performance, my piano lessons, my awe of musical talent, and also the closing, reflective scene in Ocean's Eleven. The song ultimately reminds me of my first profound commitment to appreciating music and the many satisfying experiences that followed. 

 "Chelsea Dagger" The Fratellis

“Chelsea Dagger” is my jam. I am a huge fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, your 2013 Stanley Cup Winners (!!!), and the Fratellis created the beloved tune that celebrates a Blackhawk goal. While I do not necessarily connect with the prostitute in the story as the musicians' may have intended, I instead frame the song in setting of a Hawks game. My indices to the song are my exhilarating memories in the United Center, my excitement watching the team on my television, and my most recent euphoria for seeing the Cup brought back home. Every time I heard it being played immediately following the win, I relived the last two goals by Bickell and Bolland and relived the elation that came with it. All that passion I feel for the team and the memories I associate with it are riled up with this song thus making the interpretant in this situation my composite bundle of happy feelings and the unexpected happy dances that inevitably go with it. 

"When the Stars Go Blue" Bethany Joy & Tyler Hilton (Cover)

Acoustic songs always seem to be my favorite because I can more clearly concentrate on the voices of the singers. Hearing a person sing and express a part of them in a way where I can connect always leaves me in a state of wonder. I love good duets even more because it is two voices complementing each other, coming together, and creating such a beautiful statement as one to the world. I often feel flow upon hearing soulful duets as I zone on just their voices, the inflection behind it, and the special qualities and sound the singer possesses. Bethany Joy and Tyler Hilton's cover of "When the Stars Go Blue," is one of my favorite duets because it reminds me of watching One Tree Hill with my sister. Those moments were probably the only times we really got along in long spans while living together. We would have One Tree Hill marathons and even sing our own versions of their songs. As we no longer share the same house, my sister and I are currently very close and I thank our tv show shenanigans for allowing us that initial bond to grow upon. This song is the sign whose indices are childhood bonding with my sister thus making the interpretant my nostalgia and evolved love and appreciation for my sister. 

"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" 

There is so much talent joining together and calling others to unite for both a worthy immediate and continual cause. What is there not to love? "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" is a remake of the original song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie for Africa in 1985. Over eighty artists joined together, raising funds and awareness to help Haiti. The lyrics call humanity to join as one to help each other out when the inevitable hurts of life bring people down. It captures the profoundly spiritual and emotional message of unity and love and inspires me to give to others, be open to others, and connect with others on a universal level. We are all joined by humanity in a big family despite our cultural differences. If we remember this, stay united, and love each other, remarkable things like this song and the actions this song inspires will happen. This song essentially reminds me to pop my own little bubble of wants and worries. It reminds me of community, love, humility, and respect towards others. When I hear this song and sing along, I feel myself revitalized and recommitted to the ideal of a world united by love.