Billy Joel’s “Vienna” resonates with me because it is a very accurate description of who I am, what kind of life I lead and what kind of life I want to lead. Joel says, “Slow down you crazy child/ You're so ambitious for a juvenile.” My family likes to call me a precrastinator because I strive to get things done right away, as quickly as possible. This tends to happen with just about everything I do: assignments in school, chores, errands, etc. This characteristic of mine is also apparent in bigger aspects of my life, such as my college choice and career path. While precrastination may seem like a good trait to possess, it can actually be just as harmful as procrastination because I tend to overlook important details and it often keeps me from living in the moment. Joel says, “Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while/ It's alright, you can afford to lose a day or two / When will you realize... Vienna waits for you?” Just as Joel suggests, I would like to live a life where I am able to “take the phone off the hook”, relax and enjoy living in the moment before it’s too late.
“Love Like Crazy” by Lee Brice has been my favorite song since it was released in June 2010. This song is not only an awe-inspiring love story, but it communicates many of my values. Brice says, “Be a best friend, tell the truth.../ Go to work, do your best.../ Never let your prayin' knees get lazy/ And love like crazy.” Just as Brice preaches in his song, my values are not complicated: friendship, honesty, hard work, faith and love. Along with illustrating these values, this song teaches listeners to follow their heart, even if it seems crazy at the time. I believe that by following your heart, working hard, being honest and faithful, and with friends and loved ones by your side, happiness is inevitable.
This song is important to me because it describes the two places where I spend most of my time: my home in Clayton, Missouri and Camp Thunderbird (my “home away from home”) in Bemidji, Minnesota. At camp every year, the oldest age group of campers is asked to pick a song that defines them. In 2011, my age group picked “Roads” by Andrew Heringer Band. I always knew this song described my experience at Thunderbird, but now, having just left home to start a new life at college, I realize this song describes my hometown as well. Both Clayton and Camp Thunderbird are small communities where everywhere you go, you are bound see people you know. As the song states, “You go down roads and you always know where each will lead.” Clayton and Thunderbird are the two places where I always feel safe and, even though people change and things change, I know I will always find my way back. As I will be spending at least the next 4 years here at IU, I hope to make it my new home and for it to feel just as safe and comfortable as Thunderbird and Clayton.
(skip to 0:55)
Maggie,
ReplyDeleteI loved your post and the way you explained it in class. I think it's amazing how we can find music that perfectly describes us as people and our experiences. You did a great job of finding music that matched what you were explaining about your life. Some of the music I hadn't heard before and didn't really get them. When I listened to them in relation to your explanations though, they made a lot more sense.
You did a great job picking songs and relating them back to your life.
You go girl! :)
Hey Maggie,
ReplyDeleteBilly Joel's song really shows me a different character of you. Wow, I am surprised about the fact you said about yourself striving to do things. It is probably a kind of way to enjoy the present as the same as to be prepared for the future, isn't it? I really like the second song, since I probably share some same values with you like following heart and working hard. And the Road is really really really inspiring! As the lyrics says you always know the way of home when you leave, I hope you will always know the way you want to go for your life.
Hope to see you soon in Kelley!