four songs i've been loving lately (current music obsessions)

Music has a way of letting light peek through the darkness. With the state of the world these days, it is hard to find much light, but I am certainly trying to. Maybe that is the reason I have turned to familiar songs by artists who are especially meaningful to me. Maybe that is the reason my beloved music collection feels even more important lately. As my former favourite band once said: this music is a place to hide. Perhaps I have been hiding in music...but I can't think of a better place to establish a sense of safety and belonging in uncertain times. On that note, here are four of the songs that have been on repeat in recent weeks. 

• Robbie Williams - Killing Me. I was a fan of Take That as a child, but when my pre-teen self heard "The Ego Has Landed," from Robbie Williams (a compilation of his first two solo records) for the first time...it blew my adolescent mind. Suddenly, someone was expressing all of things that went unsaid. All of the self-loathing, fear, depression, and anxiety that was starting to stir within me. I felt seen in a different way. I felt less alone. His music has been an important part of my life ever since. Sometimes, I have been able to purchase his albums in Canada, and other times, I have had to import them from other parts of the world. But his music has always been a priority. With the release of the "Better Man" biographical movie, he has certainly been in heavy rotation in my home. My husband thoughtfully purchased a vinyl version of his debut album, "Life Thru a Lens" for me and I have been listening to it a lot. Though every single song is stellar, "Killing Me," is a standout. The lines, I can't go on and on pretending nothing's wrong. Maybe I just want to belong somewhere, somehow, seem especially fitting given how divisive the world is now. Many of us just to belong, feel safe, and stop pretending that nothing is wrong.
• Donny Osmond - Start Again. My obsession with Donny Osmond is no secret. I've written about him many times here on the creation of beauty is art. and likely will again in the future. His music makes the world seem more beautiful and hopeful. It makes miracles seem possible. It acts as a healing balm somehow....easing pain and fear and tension. Though Donny Osmond has a lot of fantastic albums (and I have an extensive collection) the one that has been pulling me in lately is "Start Again." The title track to the album makes me feel seen and safe. So keep your head up, and keep your heart strong, and just remember that you're not on your own. This song is the most beautiful reassurance. It is uplifting. It is a call to action. It is powerful and meaningful and downright brilliant.
• Diana DeGarmo - Like I'm Not Even Here. I have watched American Idol since the start, and though some seasons were far better than others, it was always a fun way to find out about undiscovered talent. In season three, my favourites were John Stevens (obsessed) and Diana DeGarmo. I bought Diana's album when it was released ("Blue Skies" is one of my all-time favourite CDs. I have listened to it hundreds and hundreds of times. It is incredible.) and downloaded her "Unplugged In Nashville," EP. "Like I'm Not Even Here," is one of my favourite songs to listen to and my all-time favourite song to sing when I am alone. Something I like about country music is that the songs tend to tell a clear story and this song definitely does that. The listener instantly feels the raw emotion and pain.
• Josie and the Pussycats - You Don't See Me. What list of musical favourites would be complete without a fictional band based on comic book characters? Way back in 2001, the movie Josie and the Pussycats was released. I saw it in the movie theater and was completely obsessed with everything. The outfits, the actresses, and the music. Even all these years later, the soundtrack is still something that I adore. Despite all of the times that I have listened to these songs, it is only now that I took time to look into who actually sang the lead vocals. For the record, it was Kay Hanley! Though every song on the Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack is phenomenal, is it "You Don't See Me," that has always had a special place in my heart. Whenever I listen to it, somehow, I am transported back to my youth when I was hiding away in my room, pining over some crush or another. That song is almost like a time capsule of who I used to be. It makes me feel nostalgic in some ways, but still feels fresh and new in other ways. 

What songs have you been listening to lately? Are there any artists that you especially love?