Music lovers know it can be difficult to explain the role that music (or other arts) can play in our lives. Music can uplift, and it can help one through pain, loss, and heartache. For example, in “Drift Away,” singer Dobie Gray described how when one feels blue, the rock and roll guitar may come through to soothe you.
In the video below, Melissa Etheridge gives one of the best explanations about the value of music as she briefly talks about her battle with cancer. Melissa Etheridge explains music better in this short introduction to Patty Griffin and her excellent song “When It Don’t Come Easy” from Impossible Dream
Etheridge reminds us how music can fill one and take one through a tough time in life. And then we get the outstanding Patty Griffin song, with lyrics that could describe the comfort one may find in music.
Everywhere the waters getting rough,
Your best intentions may not be enough;
I wonder if we’re gonna ever get home tonight;
But if you break down,
I’ll drive out and find you;
If you forget my love,
I’ll try to remind you,
And stay by you when it don’t come easy.
If music has ever uplifted or comforted you, then this 2005 performance from Lifetime’s “Women Rock” Breast Cancer Awareness Concert will touch you.
Bonus Cover Version: Here is a link to a cover of Griffin’s “It Don’t Come Easy” by Jessica Rae, who does a nice job with the song, making it quieter and more personal with just her playing her guitar. The Chicago native was selected as a “Rising Star” for the PBS show Legends & Lyrics. In addition to being very talented, she also works on behalf of several good causes. Check out Rae’s website too.
[image: public domain via]
(Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)
Interesting. Remember your post about how the personal lives of singer/songwriters affects your feeling towards the music? Melissa Etheridge in the video speaking is so moving, but ever since her big break up, which was pretty ugly apparently, I see her in a different way. In this case there are two different aspects of her personal life. . . Music-wise, I like her cover of Thunder Road but DH is a much bigger fan of hers than I ever was.
I do not know much about the breakup, and it’s hard to hold a messy breakup against someone, especially when several stories in the news differ from each other. But, yes, it is an interesting question about whether those types of things may affect how we hear the music.