A beautiful hymn for Easter

This is not only a hymn but a prayer--beautiful--and just what the world needs at present. Light to shine against the darkness that is dragging down the world. We need renewal, a renewal that focuses on peace, kindness, no violence, no aggression. 

Help Me by Joni Mitchell

I heard this song the other day and it brought me right back to 1974 when it was first released. I remember singing it as loud as I could when I was by myself. 'Help me' indeed. Which one of us has not had this experience that she sings about--falling in love with someone knowing that it may not last, knowing that the other person is a 'rambler and a gambler and a sweet-talking ladies man?' And yet pursuing the relationship anyway even when we knew it was not likely to go anywhere? When we were young, it seemed so vitally important that we took the relationship opportunities seriously. After all, they might be the only real opportunities for love that would come our way. I remember my brother telling me post-divorce that there were a lot of other 'fish in the sea'. It didn't seem to me to be true at all. That's how many of us thought when we were young and why we made mistakes and continued to make mistakes until we learned. We learned the hard way. Learning the hard way lent itself to a plethora of books written on the subject, about why women choose the wrong men and vice versa. But mostly about why smart women choose the wrong men. They're still doing it in 2026, so the heart is not a smart learner.

In any case, this song's message is timeless:

Two great songs by Dina Ögon

I love these two songs by the Swedish band Dina Ögon, which translates to "Your Eyes" in English. These two songs are from their album that was released this month, entitled Människobarn (meaning Human Child). 

Människobarn is the first song, and Margaretas Sång is the second. 

Lyrics to Människobarn (Human Child):

Vad, vad, vad är det där du kämpar för?

Vad är det där du kämpar för?

Vad är det du kämpar för?

Du tror du sparkar uppåt, du sparkar ner, ner, ner, ner

Vad, vad, vad är det där du bryr dig om?

Vad är det där du bryr dig om?

Vad är det du bryr dig om

När kärlek och frihet blir till makt och kontroll?

Är du nöjd nu, människobarn?

När du får styra och inte bara åka med

Är du nöjd nu, människobarn?

Det finns inget mer att erövra, inget mer att se

När, när, när kommer du att stanna upp?

När kommer du att stanna upp?

När kommer du stanna upp

Du ger aldrig upp och vänder dig om och ser ner, ner, ner, ner

När, när, när kommer du att ramla ner?

När kommer du att ramla ner?

När kommer du ramla ner

Och faktiskt se hur högt du är, du har redan nått till

Höga toppar

Höga toppar, högt i det blå

Höga toppar (kommer du ramla, kommer du ramla)

Höga toppar, högt i det blå (kommer du ramla, kommer du ramla)

(Kommer du ramla ner?)

Är du nöjd nu, människobarn?

När du får styra och inte bara åka med

Är du nöjd nu, människobarn?

Det finns inget mer att erövra, inget mer att se

Är du nöjd nu, människobarn?

När du får styra och inte bara åka med

Är du nöjd nu, människobarn?

Det finns inget mer att erövra, inget mer att se

Writer(s): Anna Ahnlund, Daniel Ogren

-----------------------------------------------------

and here are the lyrics translated to English courtesy of Google Translate:

What, what, what is it that you're fighting for?

What is it that you're fighting for?

What is it that you're fighting for?

You think you're kicking up, you're kicking down, down, down, down

What, what, what is it that you care about?

What is it that you care about?

What is it that you care about

When love and freedom turn into power and control?

Are you satisfied now, human child?

When you get to rule and not just ride along

Are you satisfied now, human child?

There's nothing more to conquer, nothing more to see

When, when, when will you stop?

When will you stop?

When will you stop

You never give up and turn around and look down, down, down, down

When, when, when will you fall down?

When will you fall down?

When will you fall down

And actually see how high you are, you've already reached

High peaks

High peaks, high in the blue

High peaks (will you fall, will you fall)

High peaks, high in the blue (will you fall, will you fall)

(Will you fall down?)

Are you satisfied now, human child?

When you get to rule and not just ride along

Are you satisfied now, human child?

There's nothing more to conquer, nothing more to see

Are you satisfied now, human child?

When you get to rule and not just ride along

Are you satisfied now, human child?

There's nothing more to conquer, nothing more to see

Writer(s): Anna Ahnlund, Daniel Ogren

Music to train by--Ready to Go by Republica

I started my training session (treadmill) yesterday with this song--Ready to Go by Republica. One of the best songs from the 1990s (released in 1996). Love the song but not the video. The video makes me dizzy what with the zooming in and out, in and out. But having said that, it's a great song to move to. And the others I like to train to have the same kind of driving beat. I've made a playlist and I'll share it in one of my near-future posts. In the meantime, enjoy: 

Lyrics

Ready to go
Ready to go

You're weird, in tears
Too near and too far away
He said, "Saw red
Went home, stayed in bed all day"

Your T-shirt's dish dirt
Always love the one you hurt

It's a crack, I'm back, yeah
I'm standing on the rooftops shouting out
Baby, I'm ready to go
I'm back and ready to go
From the rooftops, shout it out

It's a crack, I'm back, yeah
I'm standing on the rooftops having it
Baby, I'm ready to go
I'm back and ready to go
From the rooftops, shout it out
Shout it out

You sleep too deep
One week is another world
(Big mouth) big mouth (drop out) drop out
You get what you deserve
You're strange, insane
One thing you can never change

It's a crack, I'm back, yeah
I'm standing on the rooftops, shouting out
Baby, I'm ready to go
I'm back and ready to go
From the rooftops, shout it out

It's a crack, I'm back, yeah
I'm standing on the rooftops, having it
Baby, I'm ready to go
I'm back and ready to go
From the rooftops, shout it out
Shout it out
Ready to go

Abused, confused
Always love the one that
Hurt ya, hurt ya, hurt ya, hurt ya

It's a crack, I'm back, yeah
I'm standing on the rooftops, shouting out
Baby, I'm ready to go
I'm back and ready to go
From the rooftops, shout it out

It's a crack, I'm back, yeah
I'm standing on the rooftops, having it
Baby, I'm ready to go
I'm back and ready to go
From the rooftops, shout it out

It's a crack
Baby, I'm ready to go
Baby, I'm ready to go
Baby, I'm ready to go
Baby, I'm ready to go
Baby, I'm ready to go
Baby, I'm ready to go
Baby, I'm ready to go
Baby, I'm ready to go
Baby, I'm ready to go

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Andrew Leslie Todd / Samantha Marie Sprackling / Jonathan Edward Male / Timothy Michael Dorney

Ready to Go lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Mgb Ltd., Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp., Universal/momentum Music Ltd., Tim Dorney Pub Designee, Momentum Music, Notting Hill Music Uk Limited, David Jaymes Associates Limited, Sentient Music Limited

The Fixx - Saved By Zero

Tears For Fears - Sowing The Seeds Of Love

The world at present is a mess. It needs more love and less pride, hate and greed. 

The Rascals - It's A Beautiful Morning

I woke up this morning and this song popped into my mind. This is the music we grew up with, and thank God for that. It is a cold day here in Oslo, but the sun is shining and that always makes my day brighter. Peace to all. 

Lyrics

It's a beautiful morning, ah

I think I'll go outside for a while and just smile

Just take in some clean fresh air, boy

(Ain't) no sense in staying inside

If the weather's fine and you got the time

It's your chance to wake up and plan another brand-new day

it's a beautiful morning, ah

Each bird keeps singing his own song, so long

I've got to be on my way now

(Ain't) no fun just hanging around

I got to cover ground, you couldn't keep me down

It just ain't no good if the sun shines

When you're still inside (shouldn't hide)

Still inside (shouldn't hide)

Still inside (shouldn't hide)

Still in-, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh

Oo-ooh-ah-ah

Oo-ooh-ah-ah

There will be children with robins and flowers

Sunshine caresses each new waking hour

Seems to me that people keep seeing more and more each day

(Gotta say) lead the way

(It's okay) brand-new day

(Gotta say) it's okay

Wednesday, Thursday, it's okay

Oh, oh, oh-oh

Oo-ooh-ah-ah

Oh, oh, oh-oh

Oo-ooh-ah-ah

Whoa, oh, oh, oh-oh

Oo-ooh-ah-ah

Oh (ooh-ah-ah)

Oh, oh, oh-oh

Oo-ooh-ah-ah

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Felix Cavaliere / Edward Brigati

Les Imprimés - Only Love - BC182-45 - B Side

Another song I love listening to!

Miel de Montagne - J'y Peux Rien (Official Audio)

Love this song! 

Sia - Snowman [Official Video]

Sweet song for the Christmas season. When I first heard it I thought it was Rihanna singing. Cute animation as well. 

Coldplay - Speed Of Sound (Official Video)

I listened to this song today and was transported to a place inside myself that I guard fiercely--that place that treasures music and lyrics. It's not just my heart but my mind and soul as well. How wonderful it is that we can fill our worlds with music, especially in times like these, where absolutely nothing is certain or sacred. Music and lyrics live on eternally. One hundred years from now, the world can listen to this song and wonder about the lives of the men who wrote and sang it, and about the conditions that created it. Creativity never ceases to intrigue me--how it happens, where ideas come from. I like to think that the collective unconscious is always floating above us and that we can reach up and pluck an idea or two from it. And do something with it that makes it uniquely our own. I love that idea. That has definitely been the case for me and my writing. I recognize poetry when I hear it in music and I am grateful that others write it too. It's not dead if it lives on in music. Here are the lyrics to Speed of Sound by Coldplay: 

How long before I get in?

Before it starts, before I begin

How long before you decide?

Before I know what it feels like

Where to, where do I go?

If you never try, then you'll never know

How long do I have to climb

Up on the side of this mountain of mine?

Look up, I look up at night

Planets are moving at the speed of light

Climb up, up in the trees

Every chance that you get is a chance you seize

How long am I gonna stand

With my head stuck under the sand?

I'll start before I can stop

Or before I see things the right way up

All that noise, and all that sound

All those places I got found

And birds go flying at the speed of sound

To show you how it all began

Birds came flying from the underground

If you could see it then you'd understand

Ideas that you'll never find

All the inventors could never design

The buildings that you put up

Japan and China, all lit up

The sign that I couldn't read

Or a light that I couldn't see

Some things you have to believe

But others are puzzles, puzzling me

All that noise, and all that sound

All those places I got found

And birds go flying at the speed of sound

To show you how it all began

Birds came flying from the underground

If you could see it then you'd understand

Oh, when you see it then you'll understand

All those signs, I knew what they meant

Some things you can't invent

Some get made, and some get sent

Ooh-ooh

Birds go flying at the speed of sound

To show you how it all began

Birds came flying from the underground

If you could see it then you'd understand

Oh, when you see it then you'll understand

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Christopher Anthony John Martin / Guy Rupert Berryman / William Champion / Jonathan Mark Buckland

Speed of Sound lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Mgb Ltd.

Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out

If there was ever a song that brings me right back to NYC during the 1980s, this is it. I remember the anticipation and the wonder attached to each venture out into the world of Manhattan on the weekends. Finding a place to dance was foremost in our minds, and the Limelight was the place to go to dance during the 1980s. We tried other dance clubs and discos as well, but always came back to the Limelight. I remember one evening when I was dressed to the nines and out on a date with a colleague who was also dressed to the nines. We were picked out of the crowd waiting to get into the Limelight, to visit their VIP room. I hardly remember what was so special about that room, just that I thought it was so much fun to have been chosen. I remember that I was wearing a Betsey Johnson dress that I loved and bright pink high-heeled shoes that were originally part of a bridesmaid ensemble. My date didn't like my shoes, but I didn't care, I wore them anyway. Those days were fun and adventurous, and to my mind, part of everything that makes those years in Manhattan special to me. I suppose one might call it nostalgia, but I just prefer to call them fun memories. No going back to those days, but when I think about how much I loved to go out dancing, those memories immediately come to mind. 

Four by the Edgar Winter group

If you've never heard The Edgar Winter Group before, here's your chance. A great rock group from the 1970s......Their album, Shock Treatment from 1974, contains the following four songs that I personally love. Enjoy......

Easy Street - Edgar Winter group

Someone Take My Heart Away - Edgar Winter Group

Sundown - Edgar Winter Group

Miracle Of Love - Edgar Winter Group

Do Something by Macy Gray

Heard this song recently while I was on vacation, and it brought me right back to the 1990s. One of her best songs in my opinion. Enjoy.....

Closer To Home (I'm Your Captain) by Grand Funk Railroad

I heard this song yesterday, and it brought me right back to that time in my life when we were teenagers and discovering music. And there was so much good music to discover. So many good bands, not like today with mostly one-hit wonders who score it big and then go and do something else after having earned tens of millions of dollars. It seems to me that music was less about business then compared to today. And I'm glad for that. Enjoy this song from 1970. I'm including the lyrics as well. 

[Verse 1]

Everybody, listen to me

And return me my ship

I'm your captain, I'm your captain (Alright)

Though I'm feeling mighty sick

[Verse 2]

I've been lost now, days uncounted

And it's months since I've seen home

Can you hear me? Can you hear me?

Or am I all alone?

[Verse 3]

If you return me to my home port

I will kiss you, Mother Earth

Take me back now, take me back now

To the port of my birth

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 4]

Am I in my cabin dreaming

Or are you really scheming

To take my ship away from me?

You'd better think about it

I just can't live without it

So, please don't take my ship from me, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 5]

I can feel the hand of a stranger

And it's tightening around my throat

Heaven help me, heaven help me

Take this stranger from my boat

I'm your captain, I'm your captain

Though I'm feeling mighty sick

Everybody, listen to me

And return me my ship

[Pre-Chorus]

I'm your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I'm your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I'm your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I'm your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus]

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home, oh

[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus]

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

I'm getting closer to my home

Deep Forest - Forest Hymn

I loved this song from the first time I heard it!