Standin' in the rain
With his head hung low
Couldn't get a ticket,
It was a sold out show.
Heard the roar of the crowd
He could picture the scene
Put his head to the wall
And like a distant scream
He heard one guitar
Just blew him away
Saw stars in his eyes
And the very next day
He bought a beat up six string
In a secondhand store.
Didn't know how to play it
But he knew for sure
That one guitar
Felt good in his hands.
--Jukebox Hero, by Foreigner.
That one guitar. The roar of metal and noise and vibration that reached to the man's heart. Stars in his eyes. That one guitar, like a distant scream. Just blew him away.
Absolutely spectacular.
Jukebox Hero makes me remember how music reaches to the very soul of the person listening. It makes me remember how the fierce, aggressive, passionate style of rock is an amazing work of art. The power of one sound changed the man's life--his whole life. That is awe-inspiring. Music brings me such joy--often I'll listen and that one guitar will suddenly penetrate my heart. My head will go back and I'll laugh in pure ecstasy. Music.
What a gift.
When I am down, and Oh, my soul's so weary;
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
Then I am still and sit here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to stand of stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up...to more than I can be.
--You Raise Me Up, hymn
I don't understand it. How mere sounds have the power to make people laugh, cry, dance--it will always be a mystery. I just know what is. And I see a stunning tableau of light fighting dark, joy conquering sadness, and the human heart bursting. Someday, someday, this battle called life will be over. Then we'll see what true joy looks like, and it will resonate in our very souls like the notes of fire we call music.
I guess I was feeling philosophic. Hope y'all don't mind.
