41 Comments

Throughout my life I often have been gobsmacked by a song and I have had to let go of the world and allow the notes, instrumentations, harmonies and (sometimes) lyrics to completely take over all my senses. I’m old enough to remember times when it was a song on the radio and I wished that I could stop time and rewind it to hear the song again—the feeling the music evoked in me was so profound. Today I’m grateful I can stream music and play a song endlessly on repeat! One example: being in my friends’ flat in London and listening to a local radio station when Ludovico Einaudi’s “I Giorni” came on. I had to sit still I was so mesmerized. I emailed the station for the title and artist’s name and within minutes the DJ read my name on air and repeated the info, which I never forgot. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TL1v3KVi6go

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This is beautiful...thank you for sharing it with us. It is new to me. Very calming and soothing... melodic and lovely. Music is so impactful. It's a language that transcends words. I used to have a Sony walkman and made cassettes of all my most important music...when it finally bit the dust, I was so sad. So, yes...thankfully, we have streaming services. ❤️❤️

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i find James Taylor soothing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbD7lfrsY2s

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A classic I had forgotten about!! Thanks Cindy....James is definitely soothing!

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You're welcome. You are correct, music IS soothing. 💖

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Thank you, Susan. Music definitely is an answer, a path through difficult times. Keep it coming.

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Hey Wayne… thanks! It is definitely a healing force and gives us a jump start. 💙✌️

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Lovely!! 🥰

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Thank you. This gift is as good as coming in from the cold and being offered a cup of hot chocolate. It warms the insides and leaves the chill behind. Thank you.

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Carol, thats very kind. Every time I play the songs he sent to me or that I knew he liked, its brings him close. I'm mad that he's gone, but I'll love him forever. ❤️❤️

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Thank you Susan. For honesty, open heartedness, and the wonderful music.

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Gary, thank you for listening and just for being here. So appreciated. ✌️

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What a beautiful piece of music. Considering the gloomy times we are presently living in, we all need to take comfort in music and other things that help us to hold on to our humanity. I send you a big warm embrace and hope you're enjoying your latest adventure. I'll be in touch.😘

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Isn’t it a gorgeous song? They can’t take away our humanity, our love, our music. And yes… Alaska is stunning!

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Thanks Charlie!!

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I was driving home to Olympia from my parents home in Port Orchard. I-5 can be fairly boring after you cross the Narrows Bridge from the Olympic Peninsula, so I had the radio on (as you do). This song came on. I had never heard it, but it made my eyes well up and my breath catch in my throat. Thing about it is, it’s a song in three acts. These Irish boys sang to me all the way from the bridge to within a couple of miles from home… and then the radio station seemingly went off air with no warning. Nothing came out of my speakers all the way up to my house. I just sat and absorbed what I’d heard and had to call the radio station the next day to find out who they were and what had happened. They assured me they hadn’t gone off air at any point the day before, but after I described the song, they knew exactly who I was talking about. Still gets me right in the feels 15yrs later. Maybe you’ll like it too. ❤️

https://youtu.be/hIxl3u0wag8?si=Amoxrdwt-lfLch83

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OH!!!! I have not heard this and it's wonderful! Fabulous and thanks for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️

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I thought you might enjoy it🙂

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Love Snow Patrol

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I had never heard of this...beautiful!

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Thanks so much for giving your subscribers and non-subscribers an exposure to Mandolin Orange. They are a phenomenal pair of musicians. Their version of "Boots of Spanish Leather" is one of my favorites. And for anyone reading this who loves bluegrass and folk music as much as I do, go to You Tube and type in the name : The Petersens. They are a wonderful family group of very talented folks from Branson, MO.

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Oh I’ll look that song up Albert!! Thank you. I’ve really enjoyed Mandolin Orange. And now I’ll check out The Petersons!!

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That was beautiful. Thanks for sharing your music journey of healing. ❤️❤️❤️ love ya.

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This is awesome!!!

I am truly much obliged, Ms Susan.

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Gorgeous. Thank you for the reminder. I had fully planned to stop politics after Kamala won, and now, I plan to take a break anyway. I'm just so over it all.

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Thank you Susan. There is beauty in all music that has a living soul behind it. I was listening to Lucinda Williams' "Joy" today. I like her angry determination in that song.

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Oh, yes...Lucinda Williams is very dynamic...I'll give that a listen. 💙 ✌️ thanks, Noel!

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I really enjoy bluegrass. It started when I saw some live at a grocery store cafe in Austin Texas. In Austin, there's a rule: If more than one person congregates, there must be music. I believe that it's a law there. Lately I've been into a band called The Dead South. I'm not sure it qualifies as bluegrass, but it's kind of close. And yeah, music is healing. Thanks for the much needed "something else."

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The Dead South...OK! Thanks Charles. Will be tuning in....new music is important. It truly helps calm your mind and soul....and as you say, it is much needed! (Stay well!)

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The Dead South is so good! I actually saw a music video of these guys once....very good. Thanks again for the reminder!

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Susan Niemann: Whew, the music speaks to loss from the heart. You share so much love, not least for Tim, who gave you so much, certainly music, and now Geoff Anderson . . . My love to all the persons in your life who give one of my favorite friends, YOU, strength.

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Thanks Armand! I’m glad you liked this. Geoff is another friend I’ve never met here on Substack who writes Sweaty Spice. He’s always posting great music and excellent essays!!

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Susan Niemann and Geoff Anderson: OH, I am subscribed and read Sweaty Spice, e.g., Sue Foley as the "Force of Nature, I am the Hurricane Girl . . ."

Thanks so much for sharing!

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My life and most of story headlines are music titles or lyrics. I’ve been privileged to be close with friends in the music industry, bands and solo artists. There’s nothing more satisfying and passionate than getting lost in a song. I’m a child of the 60’s. Imagine the choices . I inspire and dazzle my husband knowing every lyric . If less than a half second tune I switch station “how the hell do you know what it was!!?” The Beach Boys . I’ve been close since I was 15. The story still in my trunk . “I can hear music. Sweet sweet music. Whenever you touch me. Whenever you’re near .” As for new artists. My grandchildren are into rap . I try.

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