I binged the whole first season of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on Hulu last year during the beginning of the pandemic. Have you seen it? I wholeheartedly recommend it if you haven’t. Save the link to this post, go binge watch all of Season 1 then come back to read this post. The first 4 episodes of Season 2 just came out too, go now! You’ll thank me.
Music is my therapy! Music is what gets me through my toughest days, the in between and has been there during the happiest of moments my life. There is always a song that perfectly depicts every emotion. I also like that songs are like dreams in a way, so many different ways to interpret. What they meant to the writer may be totally different for you.
Two songs that had a profound impact in my life:
If you asked me what my favorite song was, I’m not sure I could pick just one. There are a few songs that mean the most to me.
I started singing “Hey Jude” by the Beatles to my newborn in 2017 but I changed the lyrics to:
Hey Jax
Just Relax
Lay your head down on my shoulder
Remember Mommy and Daddy Love you
and you’ll have good dreams too
Now, as a 4 year old, he requests that I sing it too him while going to bed often. Sometimes though, I start to sing it and he instantly cries. When I asked him why he cries he says ” the way you sing it is sad”. I find that very intuitive because he isn’t wrong. When I sing it I remember him as a itty bitty little babe and it makes my heart hurt with love.
The original and much more genius version of “Hey Jude” makes the hair stand up on my arms. The lyrics are bloody brilliant mate!
“Fire and Rain” James Taylor
My late dad was a stunning singer. He was an avid member of our church choir and I even joined him when I got a little older. During the holidays of 2004 we went to a church choir Christmas party. I remember the food being delicious and the karaoke being poppin’ for a church group. He picked the song “Fire and Rain by James Taylor, a song I had never heard until that day and the last one I ever heard him sing. I remember listening to his voice and was in awe! The lyrics are beautifully sad but bring me comfort, even through the circumstance.
My Heart Songs
Now that you’ve hopefully watched ZEP, you will know that people sing to Zoey at random times. These songs reveal their innermost desires, their needs or what they are feeling at the time. Zoey called these songs “Heart Songs” and I am absolutely going to steal that word from now on.
“You Make My Dreams Come True” Hall and Oates
This song just makes me happy. Period. Every time it comes on the radio, TV commercials, movies or my Spotify playlist my mood is instantly lifted and I want to get up and dance.
“I’m Still Standing” Elton John
This song about surviving is one of my favorite Elton John songs. I saw him in concert in 2008 and holy mackerel was it HOT! Not only is he a mastermind of words but the theatrics are innovative, creative, and dazzling, everything I want to be.
“Mama Said” The Shirelles
There will be days (like this) when you feel like everything isn’t going your way. This song is a good reminder that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.
“Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” Otis Redding
Who doesn’t like Otis Redding? He is the KING of soul but this one was unlike anything he had ever recorded. He was in the prime of his life, thinking about his future when his life was ended way too soon. He knew that this song was going to be a chart topper and never backed down from his critics. To me, this song is about overcoming the thoughts of despair. You know the game “If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?” I would almost always pick Mr. Redding.
Fun Songs to Blast in the Car
These next two make me feel better because they give me permission to feel petty without actually being petty after my separation. Plus, they are a little fun to sing at the top of my lungs in the car alone.
“I Forgot That You Existed” Taylor Swift
“Shout Out to My Ex” Little Mix
What would your heart song be at this present moment?
Would it be “Purple Rain” by Prince?
“When there’s blood in the sky, red and blue goes to purple… Purple rain pertains to the end of the world and being with the one you love and letting your faith/god guide you through the purple rain”.
The whole world, collectively, has been in a storm. It’s been raining for what feels like forever and we can’t yet see the rainbow. While it’s not the end of the world, it sure is incredibly heartbreaking. This virus has us all in its grips. But I know that if we hold tight to our faith, our God, our beliefs, our families and hope we will get through it together.
or possibly a simpler fun song like…
“Buttermilk Biscuits” Sir Mix A Lot
because i’m pretty sure thats my 4 year old’s heart song right now. Just watch this video!
So, in conclusion, even if you don’t watch the series take a listen to Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on spotify. There are some great songs and they might even inspire you to pick the song that’s in your heart right now.
If you want to leave a comment with your Heart Song, I’d love to know.
