Monday, June 16, 2008

The Motion Picture Soundtrack

I think most people know my favorite band is Sister Hazel. It's true. I also love movie soundtracks. I think one of the most fun jobs in the world would be to be the person who gets to pick the music for a full-length feature film. To find the right song to convey what the characters in a film are struggling through or rejoicing over. Let's face it, music is a powerful force in movies. It can make a scary film scarier, a funny film funnier, and a film about the triumph of the human spirit downright victorious. And long after the movie is over, the movie soundtrack brings back those moments in the film that made us laugh, scream, or cry.

If my life were to be on film, Sister Hazel would consume most of the soundtrack of my life . . . mingled with a good deal of '80's pop. One song that would definitely make the voluminous compilation of "Lisa: The Motion Picture Soundtrack" is the inspiration for the title of this blog. Here follow the lyrics . . .

World Inside My Head

On the road to safe
I kinda tripped along the way
It just seemed like a nasty hassle
The path was greener on the one less traveled
That's where I remained

People so high they think
I can't hear the whispers
I can see it falling off their face
Their trying to shoot down my plane of grace
It seems like it's already hard enough

But the paint on me is beginning to dry
And it's not what I wanted to be
The weight on me
Is Hanging on to a weary angel

So tell me what it is about me
Where did everybody go without me
So, I like to fantasize
And watch the sunrise like it's a big surprise
Life moves and I stopped to taste it

I drank it up till it left me wasted
But my rains have bled
A softer red
Oh you should see the world inside my head

You can shackle me away
And try to wrap around my dreamer
I feel better when I paint my days
With purple seas
And left out grays
Strange is just a different point of view

But the paint on me is starting to dry
And it's not what I wanted to be
The weight on me
Is holding onto a weary angel
[Chorus]

I feel better when I paint my days
With purple seas
And left out grays
Strange is just a different point of view

But the pain on me is beginning to dry
And it's not what I want it to be
So wait on me
Wait on me
[Chorus]
(Richard N. Marx; Jeff Beres; Ryan Newell; Mark E. Trojanowski; Andrew Copeland; Ken Block; Skidd Mills)

What songs would make it on to the soundtrack of your life?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here's another Sister Hazel one for you Lisa. I like them too. This song is a good one for my soundtrack because it's followed me through lots of stages of my life. It seems to always come down to changing my mind. If I want something different, I've got to think different. My state of mind makes such a difference in how everything else is going.
________________________________

Change Your Mind

Did you ever think there might be another way to just feel better, just feel better about today?
Oh no- if you never wanna have
To turn and go away, you might feel better, might feel better if you stay.

I bet you haven't heard a word I've said. You've had enough of all your tryin'.Just give up the state of mind you're in.

If you wanna be somebody else ...
if you're tired of fighting battles with yourself ...
if you wanna be somebody else ...
change your mind, change your mind.

Have you ever danced in the rain or thanked the sunyjust for shining ...just for shining or the sea?
Oh no, You take it all in. The world's a show and yeah, you look much better, look much better when you glow!

I hope you've heard every word I've said. You've had enough of all your tryin'. Just give up the state of mind you're in!

Hey hey- what ya say
we both go and seize the day.
Cause what's your hurry, what's your hurry anyway?

I hope you've heard every word I've said. You've had enough of all your tryin'. Just give up the state of mind you're in.

If you wanna be somebody else ...
if you're tired of losing battles with yourself ... if you wanna be somebody else.

Change your mind,Change your mind,
Change your mind,Change your mind

Lisa said...

Oh, yes, Paige . . . this one would also be on my soundtrack! I have always loved this song. One of the many reasons I love Sister Hazel is the way they speak the truth in their songwriting. Thanks, Paige!

Mommahen said...

I read this yesterday and thought about it all day long. I LOOOVE music, but this one has been a tough one.

I think I might have it now, or at least narrowed it down. Different songs would make it at different times, but one that I think would remain consistent is by Smitty (Michael W. Smith for those not on a nickname to nickname basis).

***********************************
Never Been Unloved
I have been unfaithful. I have been unworthy. I have been unrighteous. And I have been unmerciful. I have been unreachable. I have been unteachable. I have been unwilling. And I have been undesirable. And sometimes I have been unwise. I've been undone by what I'm unsure of, But because of you and all you went through I know that I have never been unloved. I have been unbroken. I have been unmended. I have been uneasy and I have been unapproachable. I've been unemotional. I've been unexceptional. I've been undecided and I have been unqualified. Unaware--I have been unfair I've been unfit for blessings from above. But even I can see The Sacrifice You made for me to show that I have never been unloved. It's because of You and all that You went through I know that I have never been unloved.

Lisa said...

THAT's powerful, Elaine! Thank you!

Su said...

Lisa, I totally forgot that it was you who introduced me to Sister Hazel. You get the credit for so many good things in my life, do you know that? And one of those things (sorry, this is way off the soundtrack topic) is that I now only wear trousers that fit, because when I was an aim student I had a pair of baggy trousers that I loved, and one day you asked me if they were my pajamas. :) So I want you to know, I was paying attention, and all my current trousers fit just fine.

Soundtrack: I don't know about the whole thing, but Wonderwall is certainly on it. And some angry-girl music as well.

Lisa said...

Susan, I am mortified!!! I don't even remember that exchange! It sounds like I was being a jerk. But I'm glad if I have brought good things into your life. I do love me some angry-girl music, but that's another thing I like about Sister Hazel. The can write some beautiful love songs, but they write some seriously awesome "I'm done with you" songs. One of my faves being "Thank You": "You were the one who taught me what I don't need and I thank you for that, now just leave me alone!" They write great life songs. :) Thanks for stopping by, Suzie!!!!

Su said...

Yeah, after typing that last comment I went on my merry way and then thought, "I bet Lisa doesn't even remember that day. I hope she doesn't think I'm getting in a dig at her. I really wasn't upset..." and so on. But no, you weren't being a jerk (and if you were, you are the kindest jerk on the planet), and really, someone had to tell me that it is not necessary to wear two more yards of fabric than actually required to cover one's body. Anyway.

So I've been thinking about the soundtrack thing, and I am at a total loss. Have you ever heard Robin Mark? He's Irish, and has a few praise & worship CDs out... and I LOVE his music. You just can't be the combination of Celtic music and singing God's praises. So I think at least some of his stuff should be in my life's soundtrack. You know, the good parts.

Sarah said...

Oh, there are so many. I have actually put together a soundtrack for my life. It is constantly being added to.

There are a couple by Cake that I feel were written about my life. Rock n Roll Lifestyle and Let Me Go.

Others would be Nineteen, by the Old 97's, Useless Desires by Patty Griffin, Still Haven't Found What I'm Lookin' For by U2. I could go on and on.

One that has been on my mind a lot is Orbiting by the Weepies.

"And I'm out of your reach. Now its kind of strange how we change orbit in our lives. You were kind of a moon outside of my room, I could just feel you move by. Now I feel you've gone 'cause I know whose side you're on, and it's not mine."

It pretty much sums up the past year for me and how I was so sure what my life would be. Then it changed orbits, and I found out the people I thought I wanted in my life were really not on my side. Thank you, Lord, for changing THAT orbit!

Anonymous said...

I am SO bad at thinking of songs that are anywhere near applicable...but almost every Casting Crowns song sounds a bit like my life. There's one called "Does Anybody Hear Her"...my life. "Set Me Free"..yep. "Prodigal"...not much need to comment on that one. But they seem to write songs straight out of my journal on every CD (I originally typed "album" showing my age. OOPS!)

Melinda said...

I bet you could think of some good songs for my soundtrack. ;) haha!!!