“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” ― Kahlil Gibran

......

I have always been an AVID lover of music. I was brought up to appreciate all kinds of music and also to take the time to appreciate the lyrics within. There are very few moments in my life where you will find me without music blaring from somewhere... in fact I would go as far as to say that this happens, never! (except possibly when I am sleeping lol)

Music has carried me through so many journeys in my life and I have a lot to thank it for. It has motivated me, pulled me out of the deepest states of despair, allowed me to express elation, got me rearing to go, process hurt and a million other things...

My life simply would not be complete without it!

......

“Music has always been a matter of Energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel. I have always needed Fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.” ― Hunter S. Thompson

This morning when I woke up to start exploring what our @steemitbloggers members had been getting up to, I discovered a post by @ray4u called For the Love of Music & Emotion which is actually what inspired me to do this post.... so thanks for that Ray :)

Image Credit

So in the celebration of the sheer power which music holds in our lives, I thought I would share a few of my greatest "music mantras" with all of you... Yes, I realise I am using the term "mantra" a little creatively, but hey - this is all ART here ok, so no stiffs and grammar nazis allowed ;)

“Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends.” ― Alphonse de Lamartine

The songs I have chosen to share with you are just a few of MANY which have had a large influence in my life. Whether it was simply the lyrics, the beat on its own or the two combined - these tracks are some of my best friends!

Some of them are happy, some not - but each and every one of these songs has greatly impacted, inspired, carried or motivated me...

I warn you... the tastes are just a leeeetle eclectic... so brace yourselves... lol

MY MUSIC MANTRAS

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” ― Confucius

......

Kicking this off with two, both by the same artist - Cher who I grew to love compliments of my mom @lizziesworld. My mom is my best friend and has always been my emotional shoulder. We LOVE sharing music with one another and these two songs LITERALLY kept me alive through the aftermath of my divorce. I think I must have listened to them a million times a day - EVERYDAY for months on end, until I felt strong enough to start my day on my own two feet, without them holding my hand...

SAVE UP ALL YOUR TEARS - CHER

“Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.” ― Edward Bulwer-Lytton

......

I actually recall posting this song on Facebook at the time of my divorce and whilst I obviously didn't know what would unfold in my future as I sat at that point in my life, but the lyrics of this song absolutely did ring true eventually... so much so, that I actually posted about it 2 months ago in my Drunk Texting blog post...

and shortly after seeing my facebook share of the above track, a VERY good friend of mine @fionasfavourites shared one of her best from Cher and to be honest, at the time I really hated the song she shared with me, so there was momentary "eye rolling" lol - but I can honestly say now, that out of the two... THIS one holds the most weight to me now... It is such an incredibly powerful song and it really DID become my morning mantra.

The more I listened to it, the MORE powerful it became to me...

Specifically the climax of the song which is from 2.25 min - 3.10 min

BELIEVE - CHER

“Music... will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

......

This next song, is one which has always been a great "pick me upper" for me... I simply love the strength of thought which it imparts... and it really shouldn't be any surprise to me that it impacted me from the first time I heard it because I absolutely LOVE Sia's music....

TITANIUM - DAVID GUETTA FT SIA

“Music is a supernatural force on the earth. It has the power to transform the heart and mind.” ― Kathy McClary

......

Another one of Sia's which simply fuels me is this one... I absolutely LOVE the story behind this woman and the fact that despite it all, she still stands strong and has made an enormous success of her life. I also REALLY enjoy her "read between the lines" artistic approach in her videos. This song makes the hairs on my arms stand up, every time without fail... in fact - most of her songs do simply because they have so much DEPTH!

THE GREATEST - SIA

“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” ― Maria Augusta von Trapp

......

This next song, to me, was almost always like a little voice in my ear from my father... as I have expressed many times, when it came to determination in my business - I derived much inspiration from him and I love the positivity that this song makes me feel from the inside out. I also particularly like the energy in the video itself!

DON'T YOU WORRY CHILD - SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA

“The positive effect music has in our lives is understated. It can influence mind-state and motivate us to reach for the stars.” ― Independent Zen

......

When it comes to the real digging in of the heels in terms of motivation, I absolutely LOVE the strong message that this song sends. It has become a regular favourite of mine and Jude's and I really could not be prouder as a mom when listening to him sing so beautifully to it with so much passion!

This song, to me - is the *EPITOME of determination and perseverance and it truly speaks to my soul on SO many levels... and clearly my sons too hehe ;)

RISE - KATY PERRY

“Can a mere song change a people's minds? I doubt that it is so. But a song can infiltrate your heart and the heart may change your mind.” ― Elvis Costello

......

This next song honestly transports me to a different level of "inspired". It raises every single ounce of gratitude and appreciation for life in general within me. I just NEVER get enough of it!!!!!

Do yourself a favour and WATCH IT!!!! I know @raymondspeaks fell in love with it when we had our music marathon the other night lol!

I LIVED - ONE REPUBLIC

“I've found that no matter what life throws at me, music softens the blow.” ― Bryce Anderson

......

I probably should have shared the studio recorded version of this next song, but I have chosen not to for the simple reason that I really LOVE the energy and power of the masses. This, to my mind is probably one of the most UNDERRATED bands of ALL TIME and this was their last performance as a unit. Their music really speaks to me on my soul level... the slightly off-centre and out of the box individual that I am... hehe ;)

Also a MUST LISTEN!

SIT DOWN - JAMES

“Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends.” ― Alphonse de Lamartine

......

Speaking of the energetic power of MASS, I think I will end off with this song... and as much as I am not an avid U2 fan, I really DO love the live version of this particular song. It evokes all KINDS of emotional inspiration within me... it truly is one of the most POWERFUL live performances I have ever seen!

WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME - U2

“Music can change the world because it can change people.” ― Bono

......

......

I really COULD go on forever lol - but I dare not spoil the opportunity to share these few amazing songs and artists with all of you! I hope they resonate with you at least a little bit... ;)

ok, ok, - what would a music post be without an encore...

And I am going to give it to the band James, as like I said... I REALLY do feel, that they are one of the most underrated and overlooked bands of all time, which was truly sad because in my opinion, they are RIGHT UP there with U2 in terms of talent.

So here it is peeps.... wrapping it up with this one...

SOMETIMES - JAMES

“Music is an outburst of the soul.” ― Frederick Delius

......

Until next time...

Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx

_{Animated Banner Created By @zord189}

Header Image Credit