Taking a break from the dating blog posts and getting inspiration from Michael's post about his life in playlist form. I figure I would give it a try and share what I have been listening to and how it relates to my life at this moment. Possibly doing these posts every second Sunday, and calling it Song Sundays! Let's get started!

First time I heard Sam Cooke sing his first line in this song, a wall of emotion hit me. It's a powerful song but not only how his vocals sound but the lyrics has raw emotion and meaning to them. Most of the songs that draw my attention are songs like these which has themes of life's struggle and hope. Don't get me wrong I do like some songs that are on the top radio hits as well but these are timeless classics.

How does this relate to my life? The opening verse of him living near the river of a little tent relates to how my family came here as immigrants, so I understand the struggle my parents went through creating a life for themselves and for us, their kids. Second verse is much more serious with life being difficult during hard times, but to live on and be hopeful that a change will come. I have been through rough times and although it always feels like a long time coming, there will always be a change that will come around.

2nd Song: Foo Fighters - Times Likes These


Another inspiring song that reminds me to enjoy the good with the bad. It also pumps me up whenever I hear the opening riff! Life is unexpected and you don't always get want you want, but that's okay. I believe everything works out in the end and things line up eventually. Besides, imagine a life of mediocrity. Everything is neutral, stale. Sure there is no harm but there is also no excitement. Sometimes life does brings us down but there is opportunity to get back up again which makes life more meaningful.

3rd Song: Allen Stone - Reality

 
I just discovered Allen Stone recently this year and I don't remember how I came across one of his songs. Possibly listening to the current soul singers who are bringing that genre back along with him. Regardless, he has such great vocals to channel whatever emotion he is conveying in his songs. When I first saw the title of the song I didn't have any expectations or knowledge of what this song is about. Just like Sam Cooke's song, it hit me with a strong emotion. The verses relates to how love is and it is hard sometimes but that's what makes love worth it. Without pain, love would not be as great. This song is particularly dedicated to all the women that I came across romantically in any shape or form. Unfortunately, it's usually me that gets dumped or rejected. I just can't do it, in fear of hurting them and this song relates to how I feel even after we lose whatever it was that we had. Wishing them all the best and being apologetic because I know it's most likely something I did or maybe didn't do.

4th song: John Mayer - Stop This Train


Say what you think about John Mayer, but he writes some of the best songs of our generation. This song is a great example of his observation and metaphor. Relating life to the speed of a train. Life just keeps going, there are stages in our lives just like stations. This song was very meaningful to me during my years in university. This was the stage in my life where I felt my transition from a teenager to a young adult. My future will depend on the life choices I make from here on out. That thought gave a mix of emotions from anxiety, fear, excitement and uncertainty. The stress and the difference in pace from high school to university always wanted me to go home. My main transportation was going on a bus so just like the train in this song, I felt like I had no control because I was not the driver. My parents are getting older these days as well, both into their 60s. However, with all the songs I posted in this blog there is always a brighter side to look at life and we keep moving forward, going through the motions, living the experiences and I think that's what life is about, to have meaningful experiences. This song will have different meanings throughout the stages of my life as well. This isn't the official video but it captures the theme perfectly.

Bonus Song: Daft Punk - One More Time


Michael only had four songs but I couldn't resist in posting this last song. Besides, the songs I posted are mostly reflective and a little gloomy. My cousins and I have a strong bond over this song. Come to think of it our good friend Jimmy Chau and I love this song as well. This was the first album I bought with my own money. The anime style video adds more reason why we love this song. There is a full movie based off of this anime style for the whole album called Interstellar 5555. I remember my cousins and I sleeping in the back of the van from a day of fishing or coming back from the states, waking up rapidly together after faintly hearing it on the radio. All three of us told either my dad or theirs to turn it up!

Well that's my life in playlist form, I am sure there is more songs but that will be for next time. I hope you enjoyed my choices and please feel free post your four to five songs in the comments and explain why these songs are important to you. Peace!

~Jay Alarcio