Monday Music Review - Cathartic Music

The quarantines and social distancing are bringing out a lot of different emotional needs.  Sometimes I need humor, sometimes I need inspriration, sometimes I need an outlet to cry.  Here are some of my go to songs and clips to meet the roller coaster of emotions.

Fun & Challenging

I have just introduced my children (ages 3 – 7) to the joy of tongue twisters.  I am pretty good at one tongue twister in particular (Betty Botter) and maybe someday I will post my amazing rendition of this tongue twister.  But first, I wanted to learn a new tongue twister, Proper Cup of Coffee.

Going down the road of tongue twisters brought to mind one of my FAVORITE musicals of all time – Singin’ in the Rain.  In this song, Gene Kelly and Donald O’Conner overrun their voice lesson with fun repetitions of Moses Supposes His Toeses Aren’t Roses and of course, their AMAZING dance skills are a treat to watch anytime.

For piano inspiration, I will always turn to the Piano Guys.  Their first viral video was published just a few days before my oldest child was born and I have been listening (and dancing) to this song ever since then.  I love this video – not only is the tune a delight but you can see the inside of a baby grand piano.  Enjoy That’s What Makes You Beautiful.

I have been very grateful for the continued health and safety of friends and family.  The hardships of being quarantined in the comforts of my own home are nothing compared to the sacrifices of our health care workers, emergency services, retail workers, and essential employees.   I am so grateful to all who put themselves at risk for our community.  No matter where or how you are serving during this quarantine, emotions can still be big.  Joy and gratitude in health, anxiety over unknown futures, sadness and grief over the loss of normal and missing family and friends.  Here are some of the songs that have helped me emote and feel – allowed me to cry when I needed to grieve, belt when I needed control over anxiety, be uplifted when I need to feel inspired.

Secret Garden, the Musical – How Could I Ever Know is a duet between the widower, Archibald, and his wife’s ghost, Lilly.  The angst, love, and resolve are so powerful in this clip.

Here is a barbershop version of the song.  This group won their national competition with this song.  I’m sure you will see why.

I love singing powerful duets.  I have a couple that I have the piano music for in my house, but nothing beats hearing the professionals.

In His Eyes from Jekyll and Hyde

I Still Believe from Miss Saigon

I Know Him So Well from Chess