We all have that special song that means a little more to us than other songs. This issue of Seven we want to share a little bit of or hearts with you and reveal one of those special songs to you.
“Frail” by Jars of Clay
Convinced of my deception
I’ve always been a fool I fear this love reaction Just like you said I would
A rose could never lie
About the love it brings
And I could never promise
To be any of those things
[Chorus:]
If I was not so weak
If I was not so cold
If I was not so scared of being broken
Growing old
I would be…
I would be…
I would be…
Blessed are the shallow
Depth they’ll never find
Seemed to be some comfort
In rooms I try to hide
Exposed beyond the shadows
You take the cup from me
Your dirt removes my blindness
Your pain becomes my peace
[Chorus]
…frail
————-
Frail by Jars of Clay is one of my biggest go to songs when I’m in a slump. When I’m feeling depressed or morose this song calms me and helps me get out of my mood. There’s something about the rhythm that is so soothing. The slow beat, the melodic and entrancing singing… it just does something for me. It brings home the point that I’m my own worst enemy and that I tend to stand in my own way. I absolutely love this song and have since I first heard it in my teens.
artist: Volcano Choir
song: Alaskan
last time I saw you
you has me housed up on your red red rum
stranded in the housing
of our moving house and…
we were gonna hit every port
and every Cape Town
we were gonna give a full report, of sorts
to your mother up in Kano and her new cohort
damn!
can’t believe your father left his land
the creed
to cry;
rely, rely, rely, rely
behave, behave, behave, behave…
spend all of that time not wanting to
climbed up your carpet
there’s a car pit in our minds were in
shameless and humming
like a violent strumming
we were gonna hit every mark, in stark
but the sutra didn’t suit ya that long day in the park
I’m talking about it
talking real love
I wanna re-up
on that love
damn
can’t believe you left me on the lam
to be seen
to be scribed
I’ll tell you now tha’you
rely, rely, rely, rely
behave, behave, behave, behave
spend all of that time not wanting to
rely, rely, rely, rely
behave, behave, behave, behave
decide, decide, decide, decide
repave, repave, repave, repave
(can’t believe you hardly understand)
inside, inside, inside,
the lathe, the lathe, the lathe
lover won’t you talk to me about the long red war
——
This song hits me for it’s flow and poetics. It’s idea of love an how we all want it in some form. How we can be abandoned by those who aren’t family, how love expires. It touches on many aspects of love, in opinion, which is why I’m fond of it lyrically. Listening to the song, it’s almost sickeningly beautiful. The end is very appropriate for the context of the song, which is a portion from an interview with Bukowski, when he read a poem about his first wife who died of cancer then weeps over her.
Jaheim- Everywhere I Am
I hear you voice inside my head, everywhere Oh, yeah, clear as day inside my head everywhere
It’s killing me softly with every heartbeat Thinking you can’t see How your son’s living (Hey, Mama)
Is there an address up in heaven? I feel like dropping you this letter But it will be ‘Return to sender’
How I wish I could bring you home Flowers on tombstones Lets me know it’s been too long Since I’ve been in those arms (Yours Mama)
It’s getting colder every winter I can’t take the heat in summer Can’t hardly deal with all this drama but
(Just when) I’m inches away from losing my mind (That’s when) I swear sometimes
(I hear your voice inside my head) And it feels like you’re (Everywhere) Everywhere (Everywhere I am)
Just when (Just when) The walls are closing in on my world (That’s when) I see my favorite girl
(Clear as day inside my head) And it’s obvious you’re (Everywhere) Everywhere (Everywhere I am)
Was that you saying, just keep on praying You’ll see the day when it’ll be worth the waiting (Hey, mama)
I think I’ve received your message Think how I’m receiving blessings Finally got the platinum record
Did you see me on Soul Train? Dedicated the whole thing To your memory just hoping You’re out there and knowing (Yeah, mama)
You were floating on stage with me Someone said they saw me glistening Gotta let you know I’m listening to you
Just when (Just when) It’s the most important time of my life (That’s when) That’s when I swear sometimes
(I hear your voice inside my head) And it feels like you’re (Everywhere) You’re everywhere (Everywhere I am) Everywhere I am
(Just when) Just when the heavens open up on the world (That’s when) I see my favorite girl, Julie
(Clear as day inside my head) It’s so obvious you’re everywhere You’re everywhere (Everywhere I am) Everywhere I am
If God is in the spirit world talking to my heart Then for an angel I know it can’t be hard You are my guardian and I know You’re still playing your part (I know you are)
Just on the other side but always in my life No need to just believe, smile, I know you’re here with me And I’m reaching out my hand and to the promise land To feel your presence when I need strength
Everywhere I am, everywhere I am (I know that you’re watching) Everywhere I am, everywhere I am (I know that you’re watching over us, yeah)
Everywhere I am, everywhere I am Everywhere I am (Mama, I know, yeah, yeah)
Everywhere I am, everywhere I am (Where I am) (You’re watching me) Everywhere I am, everywhere I am (Where I am) (I can feel it in my soul)
Everywhere (Where I am) (Everywhere) Everywhere (Where I am) (Everywhere, yeah)
Everywhere that I am (Where I am) (I know you’re there, yeah, yeah)
Just when (Just when I’m inches away from losing my mind) That’s when (I hear your)
I hear a voice inside my head (I hear your voice) Everywhere, everywhere I am (Julie, Julie, Julie, Julie, Julie I love you, Julie we miss you)
Just when (Julie we still got love for you, baby) That’s when (Just, just, just when I hear your voice)
Clear as day inside my head (I really don’t know what to do) Everywhere (Sometimes I just put)
Everywhere I am (Oh, I put my hands up)
I’ll give it all up for ya mama Just when I go back to church All your friends are talkin’ ’bout ya’ Talkin’ about how much I look just like you
——–
When my mother passed many years ago, the hardest part for me was accepting that she wouldn’t be present to celebrate the many milestones I would accomplish throughout my adult life. For anyone who has lost a loved one, the challenge in dealing with the loss is constructively processing the emotions associated with it. Listening to music happens to be a form of therapy for me; it helps to relieve the symptoms associated with the aches and pangs of life. During those melancholy moments of sadness when I feel the need to be close to my mother, I’ll turn on my cd player and tune in to Jaheim’s Everywhere I Am. It’s a beautiful song that reminds me that no matter where I am in the world, I know my guardian angel is always with me.
What songs mean the absolute world to you and reach you in a way that no other song does?
© Seven Magazine
S E V E N 
Very touching poem.