When you mix symphonic harmonies, with guitar thrashing metal you get Nightwish.
A band formed in Kitee, Finland, Nightwish has a unique sound and a soulful lead singer with a voice of an angel. Most of their songs are lyrical poetry, and in that sense almost every song by Nightwish is an inspiration. I love the fact that their music is like listening to an opera, but with a kick.
I went through a phase of dark poetry when I was in high school. Sometimes in life you go through hardships, times when you feel like your alone and have no one to turn to. At that point in my life my only outlet was to write poetry. I wrote about death, I wrote about darkness, I even wrote about suicide. But it was poetry that brought me out of that dark despair. It was like I took the ink from my pen and tattooed all my heartache, sorrow, and pain and etched them onto pages of memories.
My favorite song by Nightwish is . . . Amaranth
My least favorite song by Nightwish is . . . Sahara
The song that inspires me by Nightwish is . . Elvenpath. I have always been mesmerized by the lore of faeries, sprites, and elves. Movies such as the Lord of the Rings, Spiderwick Chronicles, and books such as Faeries by Brian Froud are thought provoking, intriguing, and inspirational. Elvenpath dives into this world and with the beautiful sound of their music brings this world to life.
So Matchbox Twenty is probably one of my all time favorite bands. The Band's music inspires me in so many different ways. Each song is unique and Rob Thomas really brings the heart and passion to his songs. I love the intensity his eyes show when he is focused and singing his music.
I even loved when Rob Thomas went solo, but of course he came back to his roots and rejoined Matchbox Twenty to bring music to the masses.
My favorite song by Matchbox Twenty is . . . Actually the song that inspires me so my second favorite song by Matchbox Twenty is . . . If You're Gone
My least favorite song by Matchbox Twenty is . . . Mad Season
So the song that inspires me by Matchbox Twenty is . . . Unwell
For many years this song has been a major part of my life. I probably take this song in a different way than other people do. It's funny but when I hear this song I immediately think about my writing. If you are a writer than you know what I am talking about . . . the voices, the scenes, the stories that continuously play in your head. Sometimes you think you are crazy, bur then you realize it's just a another story writing in your head. Being a writer can be toxic to your everyday life, but luckily that is a cure for this deadly poison. TO WRITE! That's right get out your computers, napkins, notebooks, pull out that piece of paper and scratch out your ideas. To keep your ideas pent up in your head can be detrimental to your sanity, if you can actually release what is floating around in your head then you can live freely and not worry about the annoying voices bombarding your brain.
H holds a lot of artists that have songs that inspire me, and some quite frankly may make people's eyebrows raise.
First and foremost I have to shout out to Hilary Duff's Someone Watching Over Me. This was from her movie Raise Your Voice. Man
if there was ever a song that is inspirational it's this one. Everyone
will lose someone close to them and the thought that the person you lose
will always be watching you is more powerful and heartfelt than
thinking you have lost them forever.
Another H artist that inspires me is Hanson! Yes Hanson. And not the Mmmbop song that is so addicting that you just have to nod your head and sing along, but it is a song from their first album Middle of No where called Yearbook. I
think the single line "Their is a lying in your silence" that speaks to
me. Because sometimes being silent is just as bad as fabricating a
lie, in some cases even worse.
Hoobstank produced a song called Crawling in the Dark that I absolutely love. It's amazing how much music is out there, and every song will affect an individual differently that what is so cool about music. It doesn't matter who you are, a song could be Hard Rock and a quiet and reserved wall flower could connect with the lyrics of a song in a different way then the head banging metal heads who mosh-pit concerts in all black and yet both will be present at a concert in support of a band.
I - unfortunately only has one other song that inspires me by the band Incubus. It was so hard to choose between Ingrid and Incubus because Drive use to send me into another world. I would close my eyes and let the song take me into orbit. The video for it is one that I will always remember because it was so different and unique.
J - would not be complete without Don't Stop Believing by Journey. Come on now who doesn't love Steve Perry . . . or now Arnel Pineda the Filpino Phenom that can sing Steve Perry better than Steve Perry!
And I also am very inspired by Jessica Riddle's Even Angels Fall.
K has a couple Kelly Clarkson Song's that really inspire me. Breakaway,Behind These Hazel Eyes, and Because of You.
This has turned out to be a rather long post... but to finish it off.
You and Me by Lifehouse
and Lonestar's What About Now . . . really inspire me.
So there aren't as many more songs that inspire me in the D-G category leaving me to put more letters together.
The letter D I have . . .
Demi Lovato - This is Me This is song is from the Camp Rock Soundtrack but I absolutely love it because it is very inspiring. When you are wishing to become someone famous, something bigger than who you are. And the only way to do that is to believe in yourself and have faith in your gifts.
I also am inspired by the song A Team by Ed Sheeran
Echo and the Bunnymen's version of the Doors People are Strange From in my opinion the best vampire movie ever made The Lost Boys. Vampires don't sparkle people! They are sexual predators that hypnotize, bewitch, and suck not only your blood but also captivate you soul!
F - would not be complete without Five for Fighting.
It was a major toss up for my F category, Five For Fighting was battling hard to be the one to show off on my blog but Fun. Has been complete inspiration lately that they won the F spotlight.
So here are 100 Years and Superman (It's not easy)
Fuel's Falls on Me is another song that inspires me creatively I absolutely love the passion he holds in his voice. You can feel the angst you can feel the hurt, it's incredible how much Carl Bell expresses himself when he sings.
G . . . As mentioned in the G post I am very inspired by the group the Goo Goo dolls. Two songs in particular though really inspire my creativity. That is Name and Johnny Rzeznick's song for the Treasure Planet Soundtrack -I'm Still Here
Gavin Degraw's First single Don't Wanna Be Has been very influential in my creative world. Sometimes you wonder if you have to conform in order to be accepted. But in all reality the only person who you should be is you. Whether or not people like you, whether or not they accept you, nothing matters as long as you love and like yourself.
Going with the Lost Boys theme from earlier Gerard Mcmann's Cry Little Sister is very high ranking on my auto play list. For year's it's tortured me, a repeated desire to listen and listen over and over until it's outplayed and broken. It's seductive, deceptive, and most of all complete and utter musical genius that I can't get enough of!
So I thought since it's so hard to pick only one artist that has songs that inspire me that I would use Sunday as a way to put up some of the previous letters A-L artists that I did not get to mention and the songs that inspire my creativity.
So For A . . .
I really like Andy Grammar and his song Keep Your Head Up
I really enjoy very powerful and motivational songs, and Andy's song inspires positivity, happiness and overall joy through every bone in my body when I listen to it.
I also like Alter Bridge Open Your Eyes
And Avenge Sevenfold's Seize the Day.
I like this song so much that I actually gave it a shot out in my book I'm writing.
For the letter B . . .
I really enjoy B.O.B Airplanes Part II featuring Haley Williams and Eminem. I think the song is extremely powerful. I love the message that he is sending. It's almost like the whole song is about if you could go back and change certain key aspects of your life, where would you be now? We all do it . . . we play the what if game. What if I did this, what if this didn't happen. It's human nature to reflect on the past and think what would happen if you could change just one little something. How many people have looked up into the night sky and saw a airplane and for a moment you wished it was a shooting star because there was something in your life that you are wishing for that you need to come true.
One of my favorite songs of all time is Glycerine by Bush. This song has touched me since it came out in the 90's. It's haunting melody seems to sing through my bones and chill my spine. It puts me in this almost trance like quality and slices open every creative vein I have leaving me breathless and full of ideas.
Another B song that inspires me is Bad English When I See you Smile But maybe it's because all power ballads from the 80's seem to speak to my inner core. Just hearing a 80's hairband song while I'm writing seems to break free my inner writer and allow my creative juices flow out of me.
Let's "C" the C songs that Inspire me . . .
Cyndi Lauper Time after Time. This song is a classic, I love her sultry voice and the way the song makes me feel when I listen to it.
I also enjoy the song Don't Dream it's over by Crowded House
So being as this is a A-Z challenge on what music inspires me, I don't think L could be complete without using Linkin Park.
One of my fondest memories of adolescence was going to the Lincoln Park concert with a really good friend of mine. Maybe it was the near death experience where he took a curb way too fast and we ended up facing oncoming traffic while two motorcycle cops sat at the bottom of the hill . . . or maybe it was being able to spend alone time with my really good friend. But I like to think the concert made the evening.
Even though Linkin Park has a very rap/rock sound if you actually take the time to listen to some of their lyrics they are really meaningful and heartfelt.
My favorite song by Linkin Park is . . . In the End.
The song I least like by Linkin Park is . . . Qwerty
The song that inspires me creatively by Linkin Park is . . . Somewhere I belong.
There are many times that I wonder if writing is worth it? Are my stories worthy of being shared with the masses? Will people like my story? As a society it is our natural habit of judging others. It may not be a conscious thing . . . but it ends up happening. And with this the fear of rejection is birthed. In this song they are struggling with letting go of inner pain. I feel like this is being a writer. It's hard to let go, to do that leap of faith and send out that manuscript. Rejection is painful, in fact it can break you completely. Internally writers struggle with whether or not their work is good enough. What if everyone hates it? In reality does it really matter? It's your story, you wrote it . . . if someone else connects with it then awesome! But if not, you still had your epic victory of creating a story, with your own world, own people, and own plot that you actually finished. I didn't understand how incredibly hard it was to finish a book until I actually sat down and did it myself.
And now . . . I can't seem to let go . . . to take that leap and edit, rework, then send out my manuscript. I'm hoping one day soon I can finally be brave enough to let go of my story and share it with everyone.
A writer's struggle is just like anyone's . . .they want to find somewhere they belong, somewhere they fit in, and when the right time it is to go for their dreams.
Kid Rock has been on the airwaves since the early 90's when he came out on the scene with a Bawitdaba and Cowboy type swagger. But his music never really reached me until 2001 when he released a Duet with Sheryl Crow entitled Picture. In the 90's his sound was Rapper/Rock and as much as that music was popular nothing could compare to the success of his Rock and Roll Jesus album.
This is where I developed my love and respect for Kid Rock's music. He took on a country/rock tone his music not only affecting people's hearts but inspiring their souls as well.
My favorite Song by Kid Rock is . . . well actually I have two . . . Picture, and All Summer Long. I love the deep love story that is behind Picture. But All Summer Long was influenced by infusing the Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon with Lynyrd Skynrd's Sweet Home Alabama. I absolutely love the song, the beat and the way he infused to classics to make his own song that makes you slap the steering wheel and sing along!
The song that I like the least by Kid Rock is . . . Bawitdaba
The song that inspires me by Kid Rock is . . . Amen This song speaks to the Military Wife in me. My husband has had two tours over seas, One in Kuwait the other in Afghanistan. And all I can think of is Amen that he came back to me, he went through a car bombing, had a rock fall on his ankle, and even with those events his back is the only thing that came out hurt. It's a miracle he came back home in one piece, and I thank God every day for him coming back to me safely AMEN!
I know I have had a lot of soft rock/type music on this blog but Jason Mraz has to be by far one of my favorite artists. His music is so inspiring, beautiful, everything I look for when I am searching for new music to enjoy.
I was actually able to see him in concert when he came up to Tulsa. It was amazing! I was so close that I felt like I could touch him! He was funny and witty and his concert was so enjoyable that I only wish I could see him again!
My favorite song by Jason Mraz is . . . I'm Yours.
This is the song I listen to you when I am in a foul mood. For some reason this song just opens up every happy bone I have and leaves me with gigantic smiles.
My least favorite song by Jason Mraz is . . . You F*cking did it. Now it's not that I'm against profanity in songs. But I personally do not view Jason as this type of artist. I believe the F-word was not needed in this song, even if was as a joke. So this falls into my least favorite song by Jason Mraz.
The song that inspires me creatively by Jason Mraz is Living in the Moment.
The acoustic guitar in the background in the song instantly hits me, I love the soft melody and the smoothness in his voice. I like the song because it expresses how everyone should live in the moment, planning everything out in advance can be repetitive and uneventful. Basically this song says be yourself, have fun and live your life!
So as I have gotten older my taste in music has drastically changed . . .
As a teenager I grew up listening to Rap, R and B, Rock, as per-mentioned in the E post I use to love Eminem's music but being a mother I just don't find myself listening to Rap music much anymore. I am being drawn to the soft rock scene such as Ingrid Michaelson, I love her up beat melodies, I love how none of her songs sound similar, and I love how she is a unique artist that no one can compare to.
There was an article I read about Ingrid where she was asked how often she is recognized. She told him that she can walk into a store and no one knows who she is, but once she hands them her credit card they comment on their being a singer with that name. How funny is that? To be famous, a artist who makes beautiful music, but no one seems to recognize you out in the world.
I then think about the idea of becoming a famous writer and if I would want to be recognized. Of course I would love to write something so amazing that I get that following, sell millions of books, and have my story shared with the world. But would I want to lose the privacy of my home life? Would I want to be sitting at a restaurant with my kids and husband only to be bombarded with requests for autographs or book signings? Yes . . .No . . . I guess until you hit that status of famous author you really can't answer the question of whether you would want your privacy back.
My favorite song by Ingrid is . . . The Way I am. Although this video could do without clowns...
My least favorite song by Ingrid is . . . You and I
The song that inspires me creatively by Ingrid is . . . Ghost
The song is amazing. I don't think a person can go through life without feeling like a ghost. Lost and alone, disembodied, invisible these are all feelings people go through when they long to be accepted by others. As a writer you always feel invisible. Most readers connect with the characters of your book, they do not necessarily connect with the writer themselves. Therefore, the author will always be a ghost floating in the background, unseen by the naked eye, unheard unless directly spoken to, and as invisible glass, forever to be a dim fixture as they are out shined by their own creation.
So Hawk Nelson is a Christian punk group that formed in the 2003. I first became familiar with Hawk Nelson when they were featured in the remake of the movie Yours, Mine and Ours. I really enjoy their sound, the message of their music and the diversity of their songs. Bands that can offer me a variety of songs that go from romantic,melodic, ballads, to toe tapping fast paced punk songs that make you want to pump your fists in the air, are the kind of bands I enjoy listening to. I don't think that you have to be religious in order to enjoy Christian Music. I am not particularly religious but their music does reach me like it would someone that shares their religious views.
In February of 2012 the lead singer, Jason Dunn announced he was leaving the band to pursue a solo project. Instead of disbanding after losing their lead singer the band stayed together and their sound changed totally. Their new single Words is very inspiring and I enjoy listening to their new and improved music.
My favorite song by Hawk Nelson is . . . Bring 'em' out featuring Drake Bell
My least favorite song by Hawk Nelson is . . . California
The song that inspires me creatively by Hawk Nelson is Words.
I love how they express how words can hurt someone, and pick them up.
As a writer words are your best friend, and your worst enemy. If you don't choose the (write) right word to describe a character correctly their personality can be completely lost to the reader. You want your reader to see what you see, and feel what you feel, when you create your story, but also, you want your reader to be inspired by your words and imagine your characters standing next to them.
Words hold so much power, that often, they are humanities down fall. Take for instance the current bully situation in most schools. It starts with a name . . It could be derogatory or degrading, but in a sense that name is just one small word. A word chosen specifically to bring another person down. If you call someone ugly, as opposed to calling someone beautiful, their demeanor and manner is affected either positively or negatively. I wonder sometimes if physical abuse is less detrimental than verbal and mental abuse, because physical pain can go away with time, but words seem to stay with you, etching into your brain and leaving imprints not only on your memories, but also possibly reshaping the way you feel about yourself. The wrong word can be like poison, first it attacks your insides worming its way up through your body shutting down your defenses, then it slowly works it's way to your brain until it completely engulfs you causing you to fall and give in to the negativity.
Okay, so I had my pick of G band/people/groups. So it was extremely hard to pick just one. I thought about Greenday with their nostalgic punk sound gripping the airwaves since the 90's, how their music has gone from the upbeat Basket Case to the cool smooth sound of 21 Guns. Their growth musically has changed completely since the 90's so much so that their music produced a whole Broadway show representing their Rock Opera American Idiot.
But then I started thinking about the Goo Goo Dolls with their hit songs such as Name and Iris and how their music is always playing on my computer when I write because of it seems to get my creative juices running. They would have been a great band to feature for G, but upon looking through my previous entries I thought about going completely different and doing a country artist, Garth Brooks,and featuring my favorite song Thunder Rolls. This is how my mind wandered as I searched for the perfect G representation.
But for some reason a recent Glee Episode about musical guilty pleasures was stuck in my head. And I realized their are a lot of guilty pleasures in my musical library that I wouldn't normally discuss. Which brings me to George Michael. In the 80's, (and yes I am old enough to remember) George Michael was topping the charts with his hits such as, I Want your Sex, Freedom 90, and Faith. I even loved him when he fronted the band Wham! Wake me up has to be one of my all time favorite songs. So with this little Guilty Pleasure in mind I decided to write the G blog on George Michael.
My favorite George Micheal song is . . . Faith
My least Favorite song by George Michael is . . . Father Figure. I think the lyrics of the song creep me out because the last thing I want in a potential lover is someone who reminds me of my Dad.
The song that inspires me creatively by George Michael is One More Try. But, more so, it inspires my inner romanticism. Nothing inspires romantic love scenes more than the right music, setting the mood in the background. And this song puts that kind of imagery in my head.
And for some added flare here is a little Wham! To wake you up before you go go!
Gotta Love a Man who isn't afraid to wear pink and short shorts!
So recently the band Fun has been charting the airwaves. In fact you can't even turn on the TV without seeing a commercial that involves one of their songs. They had a Chevy Sonic commercial where the band's song We Are Young, was used. Carry On and Some Nights have been used in TV shows such as Glee. I really enjoy the lead singer Nate Ruess he recently put out a duet with Pink that I absolutely adore, and in fact I will probably cheat and use that song as my favorite song by the band. Their Indie-Pop sound is very infectious, and I find that the Nate Ruess's voice is pretty unique and you can tell it's him when he is singing.
My favorite song by Fun is . . . Okay I won't Cheat per say... Technically my favorite song is Just give me a Reason by Pink and Nate Ruess, But my actual favorite Fun song is Some Nights
My least favorite Fun song is . . . . Walking the Dog. This Video creeps me out!!
The Song That Inspires me by Fun is Carry On.
I really like this song because the words are how I feel when I write. Sometimes I get serious writer's block. I feel completely lost and alone. Then I am left wondering are my characters sitting on the other side of the page kicking at rocks as they wait for me to finish their story? It makes me laugh because then I picture my characters walking a tight rope that has no end. As you write they wobble and teeter from side to side, the momentum of your typing keeps them going but if you stop writing . . .if that wall comes up do your characters fall? Or are they left dangling forever? So with this thought I think Carry On my friends... keep writing! Something on a page is better than nothing! This way eventually your story will be finished and your character will be able to reach the ropes end.
And just because I love this song soooooo Much Here is Pink and Nate Ruess with Just give me a reason! I love love love this song.
So growing up I use to be obsessed with Eminem. I had to buy his CD's the day they came out, and I knew almost everything there was to know about him when I was a teenager. So when I decided to do the A-Z challenge on songs that inspire my creativity I was for sure that Eminem would be my E muse. But, alas, I quickly came to the realization that Eminem's music does not inspire me creatively at all. Sure the beats he spits and the songs he comes up with are truly amazing but none of them speak to my inner writer.
So instead of Eminem, I decided to dedicate the letter E to Eric Hutchinson.
Eric Hutchinson is somewhat of an Indy artist. Not a lot of people are familiar with his music, he is sort of like Jason Mraz in a way. Trendy, soft, melodic tunes that get your feet tapping and your hips swaying.
My favorite song by Eric Hutchinson is
Rock and Roll
The song that I least like by Eric Hutchinson is . . . I'm not Cool
The song that inspires me creatively by Eric Hutchinson is Breakdown More. The song is about how he can't function without that special someone near him. The first verse in the song is I can't write the words when I don't have you, I can't sing my song if my strings won't tune, You won't believe me, you won't believe me crying. I can't walk my path when I can't stay motivated, and I cant pay my dues when it gets too complicated. You won't believe me, You won't believe me, so you won't see me . . .
The way I interpret this song is probably different than he meant it to come across. I see myself in this song, but in regards to my writing. I am having trouble being motivated to finish\ the editing phase of the novel I wrote, when my husband is gone, or I have things going on in my life the last thing I can do is sit at my computer and write! This song is every emotion that I currently have bottled up and hiding deep within my soul. Whether or not this is what keeps me from finishing my book completely, I don't know. But for the life of me I can't seem to break away, out of this funk, and write again. Maybe a page will slip my fingers, a sentence escapes my lips. But other than the random spurts of creativity nothing comes out. Breakdown More speaks to my inner writer, and all I need is just one reason . . . and I won't break down!
Now most people probably haven't been blessed with hearing any of the Dirty Heads music. If you grew up listening to the reggae/beach style ska music such as Sublime, No Doubt, and Reel Big Fish you will love the music composed by the Dirty Heads.
I first became a fan after my older brother asked me to go to a concert with him last year. I instantly fell in love with their music. It reminded me of the music I listened to in the 90's, Sublime held the charts with hit songs such as Santeria and What I got and No Doubt was singing about being Just a Girl or Don't Speak. The Steel Drum/ and Ukelele are avid parts of the Dirty Heads music. I love the cool, kick back vibe they give and I could listen to most of their music all day. It makes me feel like I am sitting on the beach with my family and friends watching as the gulls swoop in to eat fish, the waves lap at the white colored sand, and the clear blue sky stretching as far as I can see.
My favorite song is also the song that inspires me by them so I will be using my second favorite song
. . .
My second favorite song by the Dirty Heads is . . .
Cabin by the Sea
My least favorite song by the Dirty heads is . . . Check the Level
The song that inspires me the most by the Dirty Heads is Stand Tall. (Which is also my favorite song)
The reason I love this song so much is because of the lyric, the smooth tone the song holds throughout each verse and the message they are delivering.
Stand Tall, It gets a little better. See the wall that we can break down together. To me the song is about how with a good support system whether it be family or friends you can withstand anything that comes your way. Obstacles may block your path but with the right sized sledge hammer any wall will crumble!
Where would music be without the influence of the notorious, fabulous and one of kind marvel that is Cher. With her long dark hair waving as she sings I got you babe with Sonny, to wearing what is the equivalent of nothing in front of thousands of soldiers as she Turns Back Time, Cher has touched the hearts of millions creating a cult following, and creative ensemble of fans who worship her music.
I can't think of a better person to rule the letter C than Cher.
My favorite song by her is . . . If I could turn back time. And yes she is barely wearing anything! What a shock to 80's music videos back in the day. This video was one very hot topic back in the day!
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My least favorite Cher song is . . . Only because of Sonny
I got you babe . . .by Sonny and Cher
And the song of Cher's that inspires me creatively, and is also one of my all time favorite songs, is You Haven't Seen the Last of Me from the Burlesque Soundtrack.
The reason this song speaks to me so much is because there are days that I feel like my life is at it's end. The song raises your hope and pretty much tells everyone who doubts you that despite their negative outlook on you, or the choices in your life they will not break you.
Feeling brokenBarely holding onBut just there's something so strong Somewhere inside me.And I am down, but I'll get up again.Don't count me out just yet I've been brought down to my kneesAnd I've been pushed way past the point of breaking,But I can take it.I'll be back - Back on my feetThis is far from overYou haven't seen the last of me.You haven't seen the last of me.
The lyrics to this song, give me chills, and Cher's voice is the perfect match to such a heart felt song.
Don't worry I will have other music in this A-Z Challenge other than Rock!
Bon Jovi's sound speaks to the soul. It is rare for me not to like a Bon Jovi song. I remember the exact day I first got my love for Bon Jovi. I was riding in a car to a babysitters house and "You give Love a Bad Name." Played on the radio. It was an instantaneous love that built within my heart. Soon I was Slippery When Wet, and going down in a Blaze of Glory.
So what is my favorite Bon Jovi song????
Going back to the time that I first discovered Bon Jovi . . .
You Give Love a Bad Name!!!!!!! Shot through the heart and your to blame! You give love a bad name. I play my part and you play your game, You give love a bad name.
My least favorite Bon Jovi Song is . . . Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
The Bon Jovi Song that inspires me creatively and in life is . . .
It's My Life. The song hit me at a time in my life where I was at a crossroads with where I wanted to take it. I had been in a relationship that was both detrimental to my health and my mind. The lyrics of the chorus took my mind on a road, and for once I finally believed that I could live my life without that person in it anymore. There are many, many Bon Jovi songs that I absolutely love but this one is the one that changed a part of me forever.
It’s my life It’s now or never I ain’t gonna live forever I just want to live while I’m alive (it’s my life) My heart is like an open highway Like frankie said I did it my way I just wanna live while I’m alive It’s my life
