 |
| Luke Combs |
Music is medicine. Not that it literally heals you. Unfortunately. Rather it inspires, bolsters the will, injects courage to push forward and do what must be done.
For me anyway. I've always listened to music, especially when I exercise. It's almost impossible for me to work out in silence. Music helps pass the time and encourages me to do better. Particularly on the stationary bike, when I not only listen, but sometimes watch videos. I've watched Andra Day's "Rise Up" — the version using video from the 2012 London Olympics — 50 times if I've watch it once. Always gets the blood going.
If you read Monday's column, you know I was diagnosed with diabetes at the end of September. It's been a slog. I'm going to write about it again in the paper Wednesday and maybe Friday, "I don't know," to quote Indiana Jones. "I'm making this up as I go."
I don't want to write about it too much. Nothing is more dreary than to hear some sick person complain. On the other hand, it is new, a body of knowledge I have to master. As any Dante fan knows, if you go to hell, take notes. Not that this is hell. Far from it. I keep reminding myself that his is Affliction Lite. Some people have it much, much worse. I'm blessed to have health insurance, a skilled, compassionate doctor, and a knowledgeable diabetes educator. Still, it does suck; writing about it makes it suck less.
It helps to have a song. When I was in recovery — well, you're always in recovery — when I was in rehab, music was key. Someday when I take a week off I plan to write a weeklong series, "Songs about Sobriety" highlighting some essential tunes. "Fallen" by Sarah McLachlan or "Mr. Hurricane" by Beast. "Can you imagine even one more day, with a beast right up in your face?"
When I got drop-kicked into DiabetesLand, I found myself turning more to country music. It has a passion, a raw human emotion, and an honesty that I've been drawn to more anyway, but is extra valuable in a time of distress. Hard not to relate to a song like Jelly Roll's "I Am Not Okay" when you are, you know, not okay.
A little too dire to be useful, though, as a shovel to dig out of this mess, however. For that, I've settled on Luke Combs' "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma" from the "Twisters" soundtrack as my Official Diabetes Theme Song. An infectious opening guitar riff, then:
For me anyway. I've always listened to music, especially when I exercise. It's almost impossible for me to work out in silence. Music helps pass the time and encourages me to do better. Particularly on the stationary bike, when I not only listen, but sometimes watch videos. I've watched Andra Day's "Rise Up" — the version using video from the 2012 London Olympics — 50 times if I've watch it once. Always gets the blood going.
If you read Monday's column, you know I was diagnosed with diabetes at the end of September. It's been a slog. I'm going to write about it again in the paper Wednesday and maybe Friday, "I don't know," to quote Indiana Jones. "I'm making this up as I go."
I don't want to write about it too much. Nothing is more dreary than to hear some sick person complain. On the other hand, it is new, a body of knowledge I have to master. As any Dante fan knows, if you go to hell, take notes. Not that this is hell. Far from it. I keep reminding myself that his is Affliction Lite. Some people have it much, much worse. I'm blessed to have health insurance, a skilled, compassionate doctor, and a knowledgeable diabetes educator. Still, it does suck; writing about it makes it suck less.
It helps to have a song. When I was in recovery — well, you're always in recovery — when I was in rehab, music was key. Someday when I take a week off I plan to write a weeklong series, "Songs about Sobriety" highlighting some essential tunes. "Fallen" by Sarah McLachlan or "Mr. Hurricane" by Beast. "Can you imagine even one more day, with a beast right up in your face?"
When I got drop-kicked into DiabetesLand, I found myself turning more to country music. It has a passion, a raw human emotion, and an honesty that I've been drawn to more anyway, but is extra valuable in a time of distress. Hard not to relate to a song like Jelly Roll's "I Am Not Okay" when you are, you know, not okay.
A little too dire to be useful, though, as a shovel to dig out of this mess, however. For that, I've settled on Luke Combs' "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma" from the "Twisters" soundtrack as my Official Diabetes Theme Song. An infectious opening guitar riff, then:
I keep chasing that same old devilNo shit, Luke. Storm running through my veins indeed — it couldn't be more spot on if it mentioned glucose levels and epipens. I listen to it every single day, sometimes more than once a day.
Down the same old dead end highway
Riding that storm runnin' through my veins
Like a shot down, tail spun airplane
Scared of nothin' and I'm scared to death
I can't breathe and I catch my breath
Enough. My gut tells me I might be straying into oversharing territory. Maybe you can make me feel less exposed by mentioning music you turn to for comfort and inspiration.
Readers have been very creative when it comes to suggesting songs, and since I wrote this, I've development my "Kick Diabetes' Ass" mix, which I'll share below, in case anybody wants to poach from it.
My musical tastes are fairly eclectic, Mr. S...I enjoy many genres...jazz, rock, blues, big band, folk, bluegrass. But for comfort and inspiration, it's always classical music, and has been for a good half-century now. Either recorded or live.
ReplyDeleteIt's a privilege to live in Cleveland, with its world-renowned orchestra, and its flourishing live classical music scene. Strong support for the fine arts has been the norm here for more than a century among the movers and shakers, and especially the very rich.
Classical piano is my preference. The compositions of Eric Satie are among my favorites. Whether it's been cold, dark and wet for a solid week, or it's a lush green morning in June, or a magnificent and golden October day, like today was, I never tire of Satie's music. It calms and it soothes. Particularly if I'm feeling sadder and more melancholy and more geezerly than usual. Why does it lift my spirits? Why ask why? It just does.
Satie is a tonic for the ear and the soul. Like a spoonful of cough syrup when you're wheezy...or a nasal spray when you're stuffy and sneezy. I have a variety of Pandora stations on my computer, but "Eric Satie Radio" has been the most-listened-to for at least a dozen years now. It also includes a lot of Chopin's music. A good old Polish boy, like me.
Satie is not exactly a new thing with me, Mr. S.
Discovered him in the early Seventies.
Thank you, Virginia...wherever you are.
Nicely put, Grizz.
DeleteVery well summarized, Grizz. I would like to add Ravel and Debussey. Also Saint Saens symphony #3 and Beethoven's 9th. Brings tears and restores faith in humanity.
DeleteMavin Gaye's album 'Here, My Dear'. Though it was about his divorce, raw pain and confusion at life's volatile swerves, it inspired his greatest music. It always breaks and heals my heart.
ReplyDeleteGrateful Dead’s Box of Rain or Sugar Magnolia. Lots of songs by Jimmy Buffet, Crosby Stills and Nash, Sammy Hagar, Alannis Morrisette,
ReplyDeleteDuring the depths of the Pandemic I spent a lot of time watching live in concert videos of my favorite songs. It kind of made me feel sad and hopeful at the same time.
Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue is mt absolute favorite piece! Nothing compares to it, the greatest piece of music ever written by an American & the greatest piece written in the 20th Century!
ReplyDeleteAnd this is its 100th anniversary, he wrote it when he was 25.
Jazz - it speaks to, and sooths, my soul - in good times and bad! Specifically, jazz "before the influence of rock and roll" is my favorite, and Swing! From Kate in Chicago
ReplyDeleteThe Boss, always the Boss.
ReplyDeleteMarshall Crenshaw's "Field Day" album from 1983. It has a joyous jangle-pop sound and the lyrics have plenty of heart and soul. It helped pull me through a tough time or two. Forty-plus years later and it still inspires me.
ReplyDeleteJohn Prine's "Bruised Orange" has given me comfort and perspective over the years. The chorus, in particular, strikes home and reminds me that we can't let the bad things in life consume us.
ReplyDelete"You can gaze out the window get mad and get madder,
throw your hands in the air, say "What does it matter?"
but it don't do no good to get angry,
so help me I know
For a heart stained in anger grows weak and grows bitter.
You become your own prisoner as you watch yourself sit there
wrapped up in a trap of your very own
chain of sorrow."
I like John Prine's music for expression, too, Terry. He didn't write "Clay Pigeons" but i like his version:
Delete"Ride til the sun comes up and down around me 'bout 2 or 3 times
smokin cigarettes in the last seat
Try to hid my sorrow from the people i meet
and get along with it all.
Go down where the people say y'all
sing a song with a friend
change the shape that Im in
and get back in the game
and start playin again. "
Yes, that's a great one too.
DeleteA diabetes diagnosis is daunting and scary (especially if your gramma died from complications of it). It's overwhelming and frightening, but it's a manageable condition. But I miss eating a half baguette for dinner once in a while. In the meantime, my inspirational song is Evolve, by Ani Difranco:
ReplyDeletei walk in stride with people
much taller than me
and partly it's the boots but
mostly it's my chi
and i'm becoming transfixed
with nature and my part in it
which i believe just signifies
i'm finally waking up
I was diagnosed about the same time. A1C of 7.5. I just sat and cried in the doctors office. She told me I should be in therapy. I waited a couple weeks to ignore it, got a testing kit. She put me on Ozempic, because she said "now you can lose weight".
ReplyDeleteForest Gump Suite by Alan Silvestri is a beautiful piece of music.
ReplyDeleteInstead of leaning into the struggle and pulling the heartstrings as many country songs do, I'll go the other direction to up-tempo pop oldies to cue a better mood. I find it helps every week after taking care of my elderly mother because her condition is distressing to witness. Years ago I read an article, "Neuroscience Identifies 10 Happiest Songs" and now have those as a playlist in my Spotify. The songs are all very familiar, easy to sing along, and typically dance hits from 70s and 80s, when I was more into music. It's also really good when cleaning house!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.mentalfloss.com/article/634936/happiest-songs-according-to-science
I second the previous Terry's recommendation of John Prine. I'd like to add Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Billy Joe Shaver . . . better stop there. But they are probably not the best work-out music.
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side, ol' Biden got the price of insulin reduced for seniors.
The Counting Crows, starting with Long December:
ReplyDeleteA long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leaving
Now the days go by so fast
Drove up to Hillside Manor sometime after two a.m.
And talked a little while about the year
I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower
Makes you talk a little lower about the things you could not show her
And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass
And it's one more day up in the canyon
And it's one more night in Hollywood
It's been so long since I've seen the ocean
I guess I should
I can't say I've ever been inspired by a song (except for Jeszcze Polska Nie Zgniela) but sometimes I just like to close my eyes and ponder things. If the mood strikes you, try "Music in Twelve Parts (Parts 1&2), by Philip Glass. It's quite hypnotic and, if nothing else, will help you fall asleep.
ReplyDeleteThe Beatles have carried me through all the ups and downs of my life. No particular song. They seem to speak to me as needed.
ReplyDeleteBob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" has never led me wrong when things were tough.
ReplyDeleteThings are always tough.
I'm 46, and I came to Dylan late, but by halfway through my first listen, I knew "Blood on the Tracks" was a desert island disc for me.
Dougie MacLean's "This Love Will Carry" means a great deal to me. The first I knew of it -- and him -- was when he put it on his website right after 9/11.
ReplyDeleteI find Arvo Pärt's "Spiegel im Spiegel" deeply soothing.
"Sure on This Shining Night" sung by Chanticleer, too.
Just about anything by Stan Rogers. But for really down times, Mary Ellen Carter.
ReplyDeleteRise again, rise again
Though your heart it be broken and life about to end
No matter what you've lost, be it a home, a love, a friend
Like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again
(Note that, in the story of the song, the big attempt will happen "tomorrow noon". But the narrator is confident that it damn well will succeed.)
I'd heard the song more than a few times, but a few weeks ago it played again on WFMT's Midnight Special program.This time that last verse jumped out at me, and I realized the song might be about more than just the boat.
DeleteLeft Chicago in '92. Listened to the Midnight Special as far back as high school, 60-plus years ago. Does my heart good to learn that it is still alive and well on WFMT. The good guys just keep on keeping on. But this time, more than in a very long time, the good guys need to win.
DeleteI, too, listen to music as much or more than watch television.
ReplyDeleteIt has curative properties that I can't explain.
And, it is a time machine to better moments in my life.
You are on my prayer list my friend.
Eric in Kissimmee.
An obscure but soothing song I listen to whenever I get a cold or just feel malaise of any kind is "Inside" by the band Colour Haze. It contains the lyric: "I can't help it if I don't feel so good..." It's nice to have permission.
ReplyDeleteConsiderably less obscure, is "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac. Also one of my go-to "sick" songs that I can fall into and feel better right away.
Lizzo - About Damn Time. Helps you to move forward and realize change can be for the better.
ReplyDeleteHaving just 3 days ago been to the Joni concert in LA, I’d put out there her Blue album. Those lyrics and that voice. Nothing like it. I’m also newly into Kacey Musgraves. Her singing is honest and perfect. Rainbow gets me every time. Thinking of you as you adjust to your new normal. So many new gadgets to monitor your levels for diabetics. You’ll master them and probably lead an even healthier lifestyle!
ReplyDeleteThere will be something for any occasion, from raucus to thoughtful, in the music of Richard Thompson. Start with Fairport Convention, and feel free to add anything up through his more recent solo work. Storytelling in song form, with incredible guitar work included.
ReplyDeleteWouldn’t It Be Good by Nik Kershaw is just what you need and got me through a tough slog.
ReplyDeleteI’m with Mike W. Give me the Dead, it rocks my soul
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm working my way through hard times I like to listen to sad music. I don't know why but it makes me feel better. My go-to is Neil Young. He's only got this one song. I mean all his songs sound the same.
ReplyDeleteWords of wisdom came from another songwriter that I like. Warren zevon, who, after being diagnosed with his own personal terminal illness, said to David Letterman that his intention was to enjoy every sandwich. I live by those words
ReplyDeleteQuite sometime ago I read that the music of J.S.Bach had healing, restorative powers. Following major surgery a few years ago and into the early weeks of the pandemic I listened to his music as a background to my life; it seemed to help. Now, he continues to provide comfort when our politically fraught times seem unbearable.
ReplyDeleteWho knew Terry was such a popular name? Surprised no one here from Chicago has mentioned the blues: Start with Buddy Guy’s “Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues,” and cruise through Muddy, Howlin’ Wolf, B.B., Koko … segue to the Allman Brothers and Tedeschi Trucks for blues with a Southern country flavor. (I agree about the C&W aspect.) Then turn west to the Greatful Dead with “Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad” (a deceptively bouncy blues), even bouncier “Sugar Magnolias” and one of my favorites, “China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider,” which has this great image: “I wish I was a headlight on a northbound train.” For me when I turn to music as a pick-me-up, I gravitate to early favorites, so Beatles and Rolling Stones are in the rotation. I also like lyrics with humor, so the best country and western song ever written, Steve Goodman’s “You Never Even Called Me By My Name,” deserves mention. Wishing you all the best, Neil.
ReplyDeleteDo you know the full story of "You Never Even Called Me By My Name"? It was actually co-written by Steve Goodman (who had leukemia) and John Prine in a hotel room (I think in NYC). Steve had started writing the song while John was out drinking. John came in & stood up in the middle of the bed (he was drunk, of course) & started adding lines to what Steve had written. They put the finishing touches on it later back in Nashville. But John insisted that Steve be given full credit for the song, partly because Steve had been part of the reason that Kris Kristofferson discovered John in the Fifth Peg Tavern in Chicago & gave John his start in the music business.
DeleteI do know the outlines of that story of Goodman and Prine writing the song together — thanks for adding the color on John standing on the bed.
DeleteI think Lin Brehmer was advising wannabe rockers when he repeated the adage that making country music requires three chords and the truth. But for those who want to rock, he said, you'll just need the chords.
ReplyDeleteDang, I still miss that guy.
But yes, country can slice pretty close to the heart. One that caught me many decades ago when I needed it was Keith Whitley singing "I'm No Stranger to the Rain." It acknowledges how bad things can get, leveraged with just enough optimism to nudge the boulder. Wishing you better days ahead as you grapple with this.
https://youtu.be/7319fNb8DGk?si=sAvNip8Z63QF0WZE
One of my faves
DeleteThe first thing that came to mind was John Prine's Chain of Sorrow as mentioned already by the two Terrys. John Prine's range is so wide that in his music you can find something for whatever mood you are in. His history is interesting too. He got his start in Chicago when he was quite young - playing clubs at night while working his day job as a mail carrier. And he was no stranger to health problems - having survived 2 bouts with cancer & then actually getting taken down by Covid. Damn, we lost a powerfully good wordsmith when he died.
ReplyDeleteBut if want something really funny and somewhat vulgar then you should try Hayes Carll's Another Like You. It's not for everybody. But then, us Democrats are can handle some pretty tough CATS!
My #1 workout music was Never Let Me Down Again by Depeche Mode, but I think #2 is more appropriate: Give Blood by Pete Townsend.
ReplyDeleteFor inspiration - not only a song, but a particular live performance of a song that I love is Eyes of the World by the Grateful Dead feat. Branford Marsalis from the live album Without a Net. For 30+ years, every time I’ve moved house and set up my stereo, it’s the first song I play. The songs Bobcaygeon by the Tragically Hip or Blue by The Jayhawks are known to cause joyful crying. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteOh man get to know the Tragically Hipp from Canada… u will thank me later 😁
ReplyDeletethanks for the workout list bro! i must have music at the gym and my play list has been getting very stale. will check out yours it looks promising! welcome to to the diabetes club! you can do great things even with diabetes. years ago i joined WW and lost more weight with diet and exercise than any of my doctor's patients who had bariatric procedures ( he told me this proudly). my A1C was 5.4 at that time virtually normal. alas the years have packed on more than a few pounds and i need to get back to work again on these self maintenance things that deserve constant vidulance!
ReplyDelete