In case you did not know it, it is American Idol season. I LOVE American Idol. I know that some of you will read that and totally agree with me, and I know that some of you will read that statement and think I have gone mad. Either way, I am proud to say that I watch the show every week!
There are two main reasons I choose to watch Idol. First, I love music- every type of music. I grew up in a family that loved music. Music was on as we worked in the house, rode in the car, and often, one or more of us would burst out singing some random song. Both my parents and grandparents exposed me to an array of artists and types of music, which I find American Idol does also. It often exposes me to new musicians who entertain us with powerful voices, amazing lyrics, and soulful songs. The bottom line: music moves me.
Music moves me to new places. Music can carry me through a tough time or it can feed the energy of a joyful time.
Second, I get excited watching the participants take a risk towards living their dream and towards sharing their incredible gift of singing. Every week, I think how grateful I am for musicians, who often provide for us an avenue to the Sacred. They provide songs that bring joy to our lives, that energize us, that pump us up. They provide songs that speak the perfect word we need to hear at the right time. They provide lyrics that move us to understand something greater than ourselves.
While we may not all be Idol fans, I do believe, that we are all thankful for the gifted musicians in this world. (As I write this, it makes me want to stop and thank the musicians I know.)
For our questions today– let’s have fun and share these with each other:
What are the songs that have really moved you or carried you through a time in your life?
What songs would be on the soundtrack of your life?
Becky Eldredge
Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.
Here are a few of mine (Note I am saying few b/c there are just so many that I love):
LSU Pregame
Joshua Radin- Brand New Day
Peter Mayer- Holy Now
Jeremy Camp-My Desire
New Radicals- You Get What you Give
Michael Jackson- Way You Make Me Feel
Stevie Wonder- Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Any song by James Morrison
David Crowder Band-All I Can Say
Feeling Good-Michael Buble’
Willie Nelson- On the Road Again
Anything by Pete Fountain
Crazy- Gnarls Barkley
How can you steal two of my songs for your list? Jeremy Camp and Buble’, I’m calling foul!! OK, so here’s a few but you know I could go on for days!!
Feeling Good
Eye of the Tiger
Celebrate me Home
Press On
My Desire
I run for life
Gabriel’s Oboe
Here’s where I stand
Who am I?
If You’re Out there
We’re not gonna take it
My Life would suck without you
Hands on Deck
From Connor via facebook:
It’s funny the different feelings people can have about the same thing… While most of them can sing, I can’t get into it bc I feel they are telling me what I think should be good music. I too, think that music should move you, and am amazed at how quickly your mood can change. While I have a long and varied list of songs, some of my favorites are… See More those that remind me of people I love: Car Wash and most blues, Jerry Jeff Walker, Goodnight Irene, CCR; Come Baby Come (you think there is a better one for us?)
Michael,
I would add to mine from yours Eye of the Tiger and Who am I?
I am not stealing! We just like the same music!
My brother, Connor, reminded me of two additions that have great memories…Come Baby Come (he and I acting like goof balls dancing) and Good Night Irene (fond memories at my grandparent’s annual Cochon De Lait).