This Artist's Heart O' Mine.

Last night, I saw photos of her.

Beautiful her.

Happy.  Smiling.  Talking.  Admiring.  Loving.

No wheelchair.  No oxygen.

Her fingers were working.

She was alive. 

And it hurts me more than I can articulate. 

I miss her. 

Yesterday, the students and I were talking about the pain we encounter in life.  How we know as part of our journey that we are going to live through some serious pain--and how as musicians we should use that pain to embrace vulnerability.

Because through our vulnerability, we become authentic and real.  

But, I understand the fear of being vulnerable.  As artists we cannot just feel an emotion.  We live for it, we exist for it.  We become the emotion. 

We don't cry, we sob. 

We don't get angry, we rage. 

We don't get excited, we gesticulate.  

We are living, breathing, balls of emotion and if we aren't careful, we let them get the best of us.  Therefore, we tend to want to cover them up. 

But, my challenge to you:  embrace the vulnerable.  Embrace the pain.  Embrace the suffering.  Embrace the sadness.  Walk through it, live through it, and come out on the other side with battle wounds and scars.  Don't keep it bottled.  Don't keep it hidden away until it bursts out in a fury.  

A true artist can (and will) use the tools given to them. 

All of [our] lives, in every season, 

You are still God, [we] have a reason to sing, 

[we] have a reason to worship.  

"The Desert Song"

Wait.

No one likes to "wait" on the Lord.  

I mean, we all say we are "waiting on the Lord" to give images of pious faces waiting calmly in anticipation of the next great and incredible move.  Certainly no one is checking their watch or reminding Him of upcoming human deadlines.  We are all cool as cucumbers as we wait for His words of inspiration and direction.

Yeah, right.  

The truth is, we try desperately to convince Him that we have this all figured out.  We know how things need to be and we like to send him FYIs and memos with checklists that He needs to quickly address.  We try to tie cute strings to His fingers (fingers that created the world, mind you).  We plead with Him on behalf of our planners and PDAs.

We remind Him that WE are the gods and He needs to listen to us for a change.

Surely we know what's best for us.  

I wonder, in times like these, if He looks down on us like little babies screaming to be fed, changed, or held when all we really need is to simply rest.  

Photography by the lovely Lauren Thorn

New Mercies I See

It has been a long winter.  

Darkness and gloom hung in the skies like clouds promising storms.  

Everywhere I turned there were reminders of death, end of relationships, loss. 

Sadness. 

The grays and browns were overwhelming and life became about mourning.  

My heart was tired.  

Tired of hurting.  

Tired of walking. 

Tired of crawling. 

But this glorious morning, oh this glorious morning! 

I am reminded through hints of green and smells on the breeze that life begins again.  

I see the promise of renewal. 

Seasons of joy will return.  

My heart will dance again. 

My heart will laugh again. 

I delight that I can see the world with open eyes again after a very long winter.  

Psalm 30:11

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth

Worship the Lord with gladness; 

come before Him with joyful songs. 

Know that the Lord is God

It is He who made us, and we are His

We are His people, the sheep of His pasture

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise

For the Lord is good, and His love endures forever

His faithfulness continues through all generations. 

Many of my friends and loved ones are making decisions this week.  I have friends seeking care for sickness, friends trying to determine job situations, friends wrestling with family situations.  

I know I have my own issues and things I'm working through this week--things that are extremely near and dear to my heart.  I have things I need to make decisions for, things I'm waiting on, and things I need to say.  

It's enough to make a planner like me a tiny bit crazy. 

But, I am reminded on this glorious eastern NC spring morning, that the Lord who is in charge of the sun rises, the spring blooms, and the seasonal changes also calls me His own.  

I belong to Him like everything else, and if He can control and balance all things in the palms of His infinite hands, then I need not fear.  He certainly has it all figured out and will continue to figure it out--without any help from me.  

Therefore, I will trust that the Good Shepherd will guide me in the daily steps I make.  I trust that He means me no harm and only wants what's best for me.  He knows I'm thirsty long before my throat dries.  He knows I'm hungry and need to be fed long before my stomach growls.  He knows when I need rest and comfort, and He knows how to speak to me in a way I will understand.    

Therefore, I will rest in the understanding that He, who holds it all in His hands, has more than enough room to hold me as well.  

Selah.  

Facing Our Fears: Mommy has to go to work.

I'm talking about being a working mommy today at 31 Rubies--come visit!

Also, we've got a brand new giveaway this week!  Make sure you enter to win!

Girls and Friends, Part One

I don't like women, but I like my girlfriends.  

Isn't that a puzzling thing to say?  

When I think of women in the collective, I think of stupid, annoying, crazy, backstabbing, gossipy, materialistic, cruel, and terrible creatures.  I think of all the times I've been the subject of some woman's harsh words and how much that stung.  I don't like the idea of them.  And yes, I recognize that I'm a woman. But, come on ladies, you know what I'm talking about here.

But, when I think of my girlfriends, I think of the warm, caring, compassionate ladies I know.  I think of their qualities that I want to emulate.  I think of their sympathetic ears, their genuineness, their transparency.  I think of the laughter we share with each other and not at the expense of each other.

It's a wonderful thing to have a girlfriend or two or three.

I think back to the past few years and how much a particular friend or two made all the difference in my life.  How work was a little more fun with the ladies I ate lunch with on a daily basis.  We shared pregnancies, stories from the day (because there are always stories at school), fears of job eliminations, and just daily ins and outs of life.  

I think about a friend who actually came as a bonus through my husband.  Chris was friends with the couple first--and I got the perk of gaining a very close friend by marrying Chris.  She and I have shared pregnancies, ski adventures, life issues, and just womanhood together.  I don't see her nearly enough, and she's only about 3 miles from me.  Life just tends to get in the way.    

I think of particular friends from high school and college that I still keep in touch with.  How I love to hear their stories and what's going on in their world.  That we can still call and just say, "Hey" and they recognize your voice.  It's wonderful to pick up the phone or fire off a quick email and not have to play catch up or explain things because they are from the same place you just came from.     

I think about particular ladies at church who always make me smile.  It's a little trickier finding true friends at church--there are some who think you're untouchable or somehow given a perfection wand when you're a minister's wife (hold on, let me stop laughing) . . .   

Whew.

Or there are those who want to be your friend for an "in" on church business or to keep up with "prayer requests" aka gossip.  But, I've been blessed with a small circle of ladies who really care for one another and who would do just about anything for each other.  We pray together, we laugh together, and we do life together. 

This past year (and remember, I only think of my years from August forward--not the calendar year) has been a little more difficult for me. I lost one of my closest friends at the beginning of the school year.  That was incredibly hard--and there are still moments I somehow forget she's not here.  When I struggle with what to do with a situation, she's no longer there for me to call or email to ask for advice.  When I just need some prayer she's no longer there.  When I have a terribly funny story, she's not there to laugh with me.  That's an awful reminder--not only do I still not have the answers I'm searching for, I'm given a cruel reminder that I've lost an important person in my world and I'm not going to see her until I also arrive in Heaven. 

It. Sucks.  

I also lost my confidant at work this past year.  She and her husband were given an opportunity for a ministry far, far away from MACU.  I'm delighted for her, but now I don't have that go-to person for work advice, stress release, or just plain old conversation.  I have wonderful men that I work with, but for many reasons they can't be my closest work friends.  I also have students that are great and compassionate, but they aren't (and cannot and should not be) my closest friends for many reasons.  There are a few ladies at work, but we are in different spaces and places right now in regards to life and work.    

So, it's just me and my baby grand piano keeping it real in office 123.

Last week I had a chance to visit with some old work friends from my days at Bethel School at a retirement party.  It was so fun to see old faces and relive the good times.  I laughed with them about certain situations and events that we shared--from discipline problems to just crazy kid moments.  It was a stark reminder that not only do I need friendship in my world, but I need constant communication with my friends in order to survive.  I looked around at all the ladies in the room and sighed with a slight bit of jealousy that I no longer have that in my life.  That daily dose of laughter and giggles about everything and nothing all at the same time.  

Right now I'm working with a group of ladies (I'm sure you've seen my daily pimping of 31 Rubies on Facebook and here on this blog, and seriously, if you haven't checked out the site, please, please, please go read the posts).  I love that these are women that I really don't know well, but somehow in the past few months we've become sounding boards for one another.  I like the fact that even though I've never met some of these women face-to-face, I can send them a message and know that they are immediately there to share in my struggles or cheer with me.  It's a tremendous blessing.  

So, if you have a friend you haven't talked to in a while, call her UP and let her know you love her.  

Even if you only have 5 minutes of time between picking up the kids and getting dinner on the table and doing life, call her.  Let her know you're alive and that you do care for her. 

If I haven't learned anything at all in this past year (since August), I've learned to never take friendship for granted.  Especially with those people that are most important to you.

More to come. . . 

       

This is What it Means to Be Me.

True confessions:

My laundry is overflowing.

My bathroom is in serious need of a good scrubbing--maybe I should just toss a grenade in there and call it a day.

I'm posting over at 31 Rubies today! Come visit us to read the rest of this post and check out the other exciting things on the site!

Listen.

Having an accurate sense of intuition is a blessing and a curse sometimes.

There are times I know things are going to happen a certain way.  I feel a prompting or just know things about someone or a situation.

There are times I've been completely correct, and occasionally I'm wrong.

I like to think of this as two parts common sense and one part discernment.

This makes things very difficult at times to discern the Voice.  Do I really hear Him speaking to me, or is it a selfish hope on my heart?  Am I seeking His face or am I stacking facts and figures in my favor hoping to convince the One that created me that I'm correct in my calculations?

Right now there are a few things that are heavy on my heart.  There are things that I want so desperately, but I'm not sure if they are in His plan and His timing.  I'm caught in a struggle of wanting His will for my life and wanting what my heart wants, too.

I want my heart to be aligned with His.

I want my will to be aligned with His.

I want my plans to be aligned with His.

I want to rid myself completely of selfish desires and ambitions and goals.

I want to hear.  

I want to listen.  

I want to know.  

I want to be faithful.  

Taking Time To Rest

It's a slow moving Sunday.  A rare treat for my family.

It's raining, we're still in pjs, and we're gathered around the kitchen table drinking coffee and catching up.

We aren't rushing to make it to church almost two hours before the first service starts, we aren't double checking lessons and making sure we have chord sheets and cords to our instruments.  We aren't packing breakfast for the girls to eat at church while their parents are getting things ready for services.

The girls and I are visiting my mother's family in Delaware this weekend.  We don't have to be anywhere early this morning, we will attend one service today, and I'm not in charge of anything.

Being employed by (or married to) the ministry is a wonderful thing.  We are blessed beyond measure and I wouldn't trade what we do for the world.  We have seen the Lord move in incredible ways and have been humbled beyond measure by the kind and gracious people we serve beside.  We are grateful to be a part of a great church full of great people.  

But sometimes, every once in a while, it's nice to be a regular person on Sunday morning. 

Head on over!

Today I'm posting at 31 Rubies.  

Check it out!

Lerve Songs: My Turn

It's Friday and it's finally my turn to give my spin on things. Thanks again to my friends who helped with this series. It's been a lot of fun reading all of your posts!

I honestly believe that if you don't at least appreciate some of the songs on this list that you and I might need to re-evaluate our friendship. If you don't like these songs then you and I apparently fail to speak the same language.

When I picked the songs on my list I thought about what makes me sing at full throttle--complete with fist clinches (not fist pumps, I ain't no Jersey Shore girl!) What songs make you swoon and what songs make you remember the heartbreak of your first real breakup? What words are so well written that you can't help but take notice? Which singer's voice gives me the shivers?

These songs are about staying together, breaking up, making up, and all that crazy jazz. I have found that I gravitate towards R&B--I think it's just my love language. There is nothing quite as fun as flipping through the radio with Chris and we'll take a stroll down memory road listening to these songs. We'll crank the radio, sing at the top of our lungs, and say things like, "Man! They just don't make music like this anymore!"

We know, we know, we're old people.

Let's start the list off right:

10. Luther Vandross, Here and Now.
This man has got a voice like buttah, I'm telling you, buttah! "Here and now, I promise to love faithfully." Oh, it takes me back to middle school dances and the forever love of 8th grade. I remember getting a little sad when he died because I knew it was the end of an era of quality male singing. There is a HUGE difference between his voice and male singers today. He's just got this incredible set of pipes--and he makes it so effortless. I love those just kick back and sing kind of guys. He felt no need to show off or convince you with ridiculous facial movements.

9. Boyz II Men, End of the Road.
Oh. MY. Word. Harmonies, coordinating outfits, and ridiculous vocals. Boyz II Men is a staple in my romantic music folder on my iPod. I mean: over the top, slow dancing with your lerve music. My favorite part is 3.15 for just one word: testosterone. Homeboy is talking in his low voice about being lonely and his heart hurting and the vocals on top. Whew. And if you don't clap your hands and sing along at the end when it's a capella at the end, we're breaking up right now.

8. Lionel Richie, Hello.
I remember hearing these lyrics when I was probably about 8:
Because I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let start by saying
I love you
I remember just sitting in my room and feeling so sorry for that man who was obviously in love with that woman--and she had no clue! To be affected that deeply by a song and to be just a kid--you know it's got something to it.

And because you can't mention Lionel without mentioning. . .

7. The Commodores, Sail On.
My husband loves this song and is the one who really introduced me to it. I have always liked The Commodores, but I never really paid attention to the song until Christacular brought it to me. He's such a giver, that Chris Avery. I think this is probably in his top 5 best songs ever. I mean, you don't get anymore heartbroken: "I know it's a shame, but I'm giving you back your name." And then, you hear "Sail on--good times never felt so good." Such a mix of emotions all in one song. That 'I'm sorry you're leaving, but I'm glad to see you go because I'm getting my life back' type of song. Classic.

6. Goo Goo Dolls, Iris.
I love, love, love, love this song. It has that classic 90s music sound to it, but the opening lyric, "I'd give up forever to touch you" cemented my affinity for it. I remember being obsessed with this song in my college days.

5. U2, With or Without You
I mean, come on, it's Bono.

4. Aerosmith, I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
When I was younger, Steven Tyler baffled me. I LOVED his music, but I wasn't sure what to think about him. He was pretty and dirty all at the same time. But, when I heard the opening line to this song, "I could stay awake, just to see you breathing"--it completely took my breath away (pun not intended). It could be very creeper, but somehow they avoided it because there was such a tenderness in the lyrics, and I remember wanting someone to love me like that. Someone just happy to be with me and not wanting to miss a moment. Such a great song.

3. Michael Buble, Everything
I love the lyrics of this song--such a great description of the intimacy of a relationship. Not bedroom intimacy--but the way you speak to each other without words. How you know each other after a while in a relationship. The knowing looks, the smiles, the inside jokes, the way you balance each other out. I also just like the happy-go-lucky quality to the song.

2. Vince Gill, Whenever You Come Around
I am not a country fan. I grew up listening to it because that's what Big John played in the car, but it's not my favorite genre. However, Mr. Vince Gill is a total dreamboat. His vocals are silky smooth. One time my mom and I were given 2nd row, center stage tickets and we about peed our pants. He's an excellent musician and he is just a simple country gentleman. You'll have to ask Chris sometime about his favorite Vince Gill song. . .
But, this song is just so simple--the sweetness of getting tongue-tied around your crush. The imagery of being completely flustered and "my world turns upside down whenever you come around."

1. Frank Sinatra, The Way You Look Tonight
There are many, many, many people who have taken on this song. But, that throw back, classic, Rat Pack voice of Mr. Sinatra does a little pitter patter in my heart.

Absolutely Fabulous Contenders That Must Be Included In This Post Because I Can't Pick Just Ten Songs--I'm a musician for crying out loud!!!!

K-Ci and JoJo, All My Life
Come on, this is classic. Piano, easy R&B drum beat, cellos, Mmmhmmm.

Eric Clapton, Wonderful Tonight
Love.

Journey, Open Arms
I give Journey a fit a lot because they are pretty cliche right now, but you will shut me up if you play this song. I'll be too busy closing my eyes and swooning.

Bonnie Raitt, I Can't Make You Love Me
I can't make you love me if you don't. I wish more girls would recognize the truth in this lyric. Stop trying to force that man to love you, he clearly isn't interested!

Stevie Wonder, I Just Called To Say I Love You
It's catchy, it's fun, it's Stevie Wonder, ya'll!!!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Lerve Songs: Mike

Today's post comes from one of my students. Mike is getting ready to graduate in May--anyone want to hire someone with a counseling degree and a minor in worship music? Mike is definitely one of a kind and keeps us all on our toes. He's not afraid to speak his mind (which can be a blessing and/or a curse at times) and refuses to capitalize. Mike has his personal blog and is also a contributor at SongFail.com.

alright, amanda asked me to try and pick one song that i believed to be the worst love song of all time. not an easy task. over the years, i have made a point to try and get billboard's top 100 songs of the year and put them on my external hard drive, and boy what a help that was. however, we have a tie. coming in 15th place from 1992 we have a song from titled "achy breaky heart."

horrible song. why in the world did this dude (billy ray cyrus) get famous with this song? was there just a point in time where people all agreed that music sucked so bad that they needed to break down and accept that things weren't going to get better? nonetheless, it made the 15th spot. right between "black or white" (michael jackson) and "i'll be there" (mariah carey). wait. read that last sentence again. maybe i'm crazy, but billy ray cyrus must have gotten at least five votes from the entire hick population of the united states to pull that one off. mindblowing.

coming up next, we have one that's a little more familiar but no more enjoyable. time magazine named this song one of the 10 best songs of 2007, landing it at #7. billboard agreed and placed it at #7. the song was nominated for a grammy in 2008 for song of the year and best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal. vh1 included the song in its top 40 videos of 2007 at #8, right behind "if everyone cared" by nickelback (an even more disgraceful song and terribly disappointing band). the song's title, you ask? "hey there delilah" by the plain white t's. i had to sit in my car and listen to that song at least 3 times every half hour when i drove home from school (a total drive of an hour). every guy/girl in the world decided that this song would be their anthem and played it religiously. every guy that knew how to play guitar learned it asap. i was the guy that wanted to light those guitars on fire. maybe the people too.

hey. the next time you decide to try and pick a song for you and your significant other, remember these few requests. 1) there are other people around; no one wants to hear that song 40 times in a row while you suck faces with each other. 2) try and pick a song that's unique. not to bash couples that used them, but tesla's "love song" and the righteous brother's "unchained melody" have been used. come on. 3) never, ever pick a nickelback song (personal favor).

thanks for reading. now go listen to better music.

Thanks Mike for your candid remarks. You know our shih tzu, Buster Ray, was given a middle name because Molly thought all pets needed a middle name like B. Ray Cyrus.

And I agree that Nickelback just needs to be permanently retired.

For real.

Love Songs: The Woolards

This post comes at ya from Chris and Lindsey Woolard.  We have the privilege of serving with them at our church.  I remember Chris and Lindsey from way back when they were campers at Roanoke Christian Service Camp--two crazy kids (well, one crazy kid and one who reigned in the crazy) very much in love and ready to take on the world.  You can visit their own blogs here and here.  


Love songs mean different things to different people. When it comes to my wife and I we’ve constantly had great music playing as the soundtrack to our 12 years (and counting) together. I play the role of the thoughtful DJ, completely lost in thinking about the lyrics and composition. Meanwhile, she is the one singing along giving absolutely no thought to what key the song is in or what great philosophical merit the song may have. It works for us. I like to hear her sing and she puts up with my endless babbling about how I “LOVE” this song, or “listen to that guitar solo...he’s sooooo good.”

As we talked about making a list of our top 10 love songs her first words were, “that’s all you...I don’t know any.” I laughed at the thought and opened itunes for her. One by one the tunes came to me. Each one taking us back to a moment, or a period of time that we’ve shared. It was fun talking through some songs and re-living some old times. I must admit, we don’t have “a song.” There are just too many good ones. But here are a list of some of our greats. Of course, there are more than 10 on our top 10.

1. Happy Together: by the turtlesA true classic. This song was the exit song ( think they call it a recessional) at our wedding. 

2. Better Together: by Jack JohnsonJack Johnson is a true master of love songs. We have loved listening to him together through the years and this song sums up our relationship quite well. We’re a team.

3. Oh, it is love: By HellogoodbyeA few years ago I fell in love with Hellogoodbye. I’ll be honest, they’re not for everyone. They’re quirky and sometimes downright annoying. Like many bands that I invest in, I feared that my wife wouldn’t dig on them like I did. I was excited when I learned that she enjoyed the tunes as much me. (Ok, maybe not AS much.) This band is just plain fun! I have a hard time picking my favorite by them. Another is, “Baby it's fact” (actually, the whole Hellogoodbye "Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!" makes me all mushy inside like a 12 year old girl reading a Stephanie Meyer book.)

4. Must Have Done Something Right: By Relient KLet me share a few lyrics as to why this song is so perfect for my thoughts about my wife: “We should get Jersey’s cause we make a good team. But yours would look better than mine cause you’re out of my league.”

Then the chorus: “If anyone could make me a better person, you could.” Yeah, well said Matt! Matthew Theisen is probably one of the best song writers of our time.

5. Stir it Up: By Bob MarleyI get weak when I hear people singing the chorus to this song to the top of their lungs. They’re like, “Yo, I’m so RASTA man! I know Marley!” Most of them have no idea that this song is a super sensual love song that would give Marvin Gaye goose bumps. 

6. You are So Beautiful to me: By Joe Cocker I sang this as Lindsey walked up the aisle at our wedding. I Also recorded a self produced EP back in college for Lindsey’s birthday that featured a cover of this song. It’s special to us. 

7. Brown Eyed Girl: by Van MorrisonIn our college days as well as early in our marriage I used to play in a coffee-house duo with my friend Aaron. We wore this song out as we serenaded our ladies week after week. As I sang I would always change the words to “with you my...blue-eyed girl”..it was part of our comedy bit but I know she liked it. 

8. In a Silent Way: By Mark Isham This jazz trumpet piece is a favorite for when things heat up. That’s all I’m gonna say about that. (ahem)

9. Come Away with me: By Norah JonesNorah Jones is perfect for the romantic moments. This song and its accompanying album have brought us many romantic evenings. Thanks Norah.

10. Ticket: By PuddleglumOkay, you’ll have a hard time even finding this song. Puddleglum was a local band when my wife and I were dating in high school. They got signed and became “The Swift” now, they are no more. But this song was majorly important to us in our early days. “You could be the one, this could be the day. This could be our chance to flap our wings and fly away”

Okay, a few honorable mentions to wrap things up:

Wanted: By Andrew Osenga Andrew is one of my favorite artists. This song is a darker look at love. It’s about a guy who looses everything but doesn’t care about anything but his love. “You are the only thing I could ever need. All I want is to be wanted by you”
I’m still a Guy: By Brad PaisleyI’m not a huge country fan but my wife is. And this fool can write a song! It’s a classic backwards love song.
Whatever it is: Zac Brown BandA perfect finale. Zac would love to write a love song...but he just can’t put into words what he wants to say to her. Man, I can relate.

So, that’s us. We had fun (yes, Lindsey helped me type this....that’s how we roll baby!). Hope you did too. Happy lovin’ folks! Peace, Chris and Lindsey

Thanks guys!  This is a great list!

More to come tomorrow. . . 

Lerve Songs: Rachel

Rachel is one of my favorite single ladies. She's cute, fiesty, short, and not afraid to tell the truth. She wears her dancer's heart on her sleeve and is a member of my extended family (and by "extended" I mean no blood relation). Her blog is a pretty eclectic outlook on her life, but that's why we love our Rashur.


“….IIIIIeeeeIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII will alwaaaaayyyyyyyyssss loooove youuuuuuuuuuuOOOoooOOOoooouuuuuu…”

I bet you can tell what song I’ll be ranting about.

That’s right – “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know this song; or at least of it. Maybe you’ve belted it out at the top of your lungs after a breakup back in the 90’s, or maybe you just hum along to it if you hear it on the radio, OR – if you can bear to actually make it through the entire song without trying to find a sharp object to experiment with, you enjoy making a complete mockery of this awful song.

Now, before you start taking out your earrings, and shouting “No she didn’t!” I have nothing against Whitney Houston – the woman has some pipes! I mean, I like that one song that she sang with Mariah Carey for the Prince of Egypt… but that’s about it. Did you know that this song was originally written and sung by Dolly Parton? Yep. But when Whitney re-did it (you’d think for the better, but actually they’re both pretty freakin’ terrible), it quickly became associated with her.

Whenever I hear the first few notes of this song and then quickly scramble to change the station, I remember being upstairs in my cousin’s room one day, laughing hysterically at this song. We were laughing so hard that we were crying, and we couldn’t breathe. So when it doesn’t make me feel like chewing on glass, at least it makes me laugh pretty hard. It’s ridiculously slow and soft in the beginning, and there are these weird breaks in the verses. I mean really though – how do you NOT double over in laughter that first time she kicks it up a notch?
“AND IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII…”

Just thinking about it makes me laugh. I cannot take this song seriously, even if I tried.

All of that being said…

I hate this song for another reason: the lyrics! I get that it’s supposed to be all sweet, “aww, she’s going to leave and let him be, but she’ll always love him… awww” But come on…

She’s talking about how she should just go, because she’s in his way… and she’s not what he needs… but yet she’s always going to love him???????? Does anyone else see anything wrong with this?! Why waste your time and energy?
I’m like “hmmm, well dag, if I’m all up in your way, and I’m not what you need….. then PEACE! I’ll go find someone else… but I sure as heck won’t love you anymore.” Especially not for always… are you serious?! Maybe the lyrics should be: “and I will always like you as a friend…” (that’s still nice, without the seriousness of love. Because we know she’s not saying she’ll love him as a friend. It just wouldn’t be a sappy crappy ballad without the unrequited love)
There’s nothing wrong with the part about her wishing him well and all that… it’s always nice to be mature enough to do that. But if it’s not going to work out with the dude… then I’m pretty sure it’s not healthy to keep loving him – always.

So, there you have it - My rant about one of the worst love songs of all time (in my opinion). But between the hilarious over-the-top, dramatic vocals, and the woman that keeps loving for no reason, I think this song should only be listened to when you need a good laugh… or not at all…

For those of you who would like to laugh: you can either 1) listen to the entire song or 2) Skip ahead to 3:11 and play from there – the outrageous dramatic, throaty, vocals do me in every time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9nPf7w7pDI

Thanks for the post, Rashur!

But seriously, "IIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii will always love YOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUoooooooooooooooooooooooo IIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii . . . . will always. . . . loooovvvveeeeeee




youuuuuuuuuu, you. My darling you. I will always, I will always, love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu."