Top 3 Songs that Inspire Creativity (Laura)

This wonderful topic came from Erin's most recent post, though I will focus on songs rather than albums, since most of the music I listen to these days is on the radio or in movies. Music is a large influence to my creativity, even though I don't listen to it as much as I would like to anymore and even though I don't often listen to it when I am writing. Here are three beautiful songs with lyrics and melody that stir me to write. I will use relatively recent tunes to narrow the scope a little.


3. Be Here Now, Ray LaMontagne
The lyrics of this one speak for themselves, but I recommend listening to the song, if you haven't heard it, to get the gentle effect of the soft, almost tired yet soothing way Ray LaMontagne sings the pieces of wisdom. It's very moving.


     Don't let your soul get lonely
     Child, it's only time, it will go by
     ...
     Don't lose your faith in me
     And I will try not to lose faith in you
     Don't put your trust in walls
     'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall


2. Say You Won't Let Go, James Arthur

Sometimes a song's lyrics hit me harder than the melody, but in this case--and as much as I love certain lyrics in this song--it's the guitar melody and the emotion in James Arthur's voice that completely melt me and pull me into another world deep inside. Even so, here are some of my favorite lyrics:

     I met you in the dark, you lit me up

     You made me feel as though I was enough

     ...
     I knew I loved you then
     But you'd never know
     'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go
     ...
     I'm so in love with you, and I hope you know
     Darling, your love is more than worth its weight in gold
     ...
     I'm going to love you till my lungs give out
     ...
     So I wrote this song for you, now everybody knows
     'Cause now it's just you and me till we're gray and old


1. Don't Forget Me, Macy Gray

This song may not have the most complex lyrics, but just the way Macy Gray sings the simple words "please don't forget me" to this tune brings me a rush of choking emotion. It also has lyrics like "In the wintertime, keep your feet warm," told with love that gives the impact of the main line all the more power. It's a beautiful song with depth wrapped within its simplicity. One of the stories I am working on is about forgetting, and this song can put me right into those feelings that drive the story for me.

Also, an important honorable mention for Stop Crying Your Heart Out, by Oasis. That song tears my heart up. Here are some of those lyrics:


     We're all of us stars
     We're fading away
     Just try not to worry
     You'll see us someday


These happen to be primarily sad songs, I notice in retrospect--except for the James Arthur song, which could still be viewed as a little sad if you're looking at it from the end of a beautiful journey. I like to write about stories of adventure and humorous characters, but there always seems to be a nugget of heartbreak at the core of them. Perhaps that's why some of these songs speak to that part of me that drives me to express something. There are upbeat songs that stir my creativity too. Apparently, I just can't think of any right now!


What music inspires you to create?


Laura


Attributions
James Arthur: http://myat40.wikia.com/wiki/James_Arthur:Say_You_Won%27t_Let_Go
Macy Gray: http://lyrics.wikia.com/wiki/Macy_Gray