Doriano Carta

Siedah Garrett is not only a dynamic performer, but she’s also a gifted songwriter. She’s best known for co-writing “Man in the Mirror” with Michael Jackson and singing with him on “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”.

However, my favorite song she ever did was “Ever Changing Times” which was used magnificently in the 1987 movie “Baby Boom” starring Diane Keaton. The music video for the song which featured clips from the movie is wonderful, especially with the message of the song about time racing.

Everchanging Times
We, our ever changing times
Everything is going so much faster
It seems like I’m
Watching my life, and everything I do
Wondering if the dreams that I believed in
Can still come true
Caught in between, it comes back to
You and me running out of time, I gotta find me a better understanding
Every day keeps forgetting whats mine, I gotta find me a way, less-demanding
And we’re holding on so tight, together, all of our lives
And I, I had some big ideas
So much of my life, still not completed
Hopes and Fears
Watching it change, into something new
Wondering it I’m gonna find the answer, loving you
All of my life, it comes back to
You and me are running out of time, I gotta find me a better understanding
Every day keeps forgetting what’s mine, I gotta find me a way, less-demanding
And we’re holding on so tight,
together, all of our lives
But, it don’t bother me at all
Cause of everchanging time
I see the clock upon the wall, it don’t bother me at all
It’s a ever changing time
All of my life, it comes back to
You and me running out of time, I gotta find me a better understanding
Every day keeps forgetting what’s mine, I gotta find me a way, less-demanding
And we’re holding on so tight, together
And we’re gonna be alright, together, all of our lives
I see, that clock upon the wall, it don’t bother me at all
It’s a ever changing time

I love The Verve and their “Bittersweet Symphony” but they were not a one-hit wonder as so many might think. Their “Lucky Man” proves they were not a one-trick pony as this song is every bit as good as their other classic.

I fell in love with the song recently when I watched the movie “Marley and Me” when they used “Lucky Man” during a wonderful scene when Owen Wilson watches his beloved dog enjoying the beach and the ocean and he realizes what a lucky man he was with all the blessings in his life. It truly hit home with me as I feel the same way.

Lucky Man lyrics
Happiness
More or less
It’s just a change in me
Something in my liberty
Oh, my, my
Happiness
Coming and going
I watch you look at me
Watch my fever growing
I know just where I am
But how many corners do I have to turn?
How many times do I have to learn
All the love I have is in my mind?
Well, I’m a lucky man
With fire in my hands
Happiness
Something in my own place
I’m standing naked
Smiling, I feel no disgrace
With who I am
Happiness
Coming and going
I watch you look at me
Watch my fever growing
I know just who I am
But how many corners do I have to turn?
How many times do I have to learn
All the love I have is in my mind?
I hope you understand
I hope you understand
Gotta love that’ll never die
Happiness
More or less
It’s just a change in me
Something in my liberty
Happiness
Coming and going
I watch you look at me
Watch my fever growing
I know
Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my
Gotta love that’ll never die
Gotta love that’ll never die
No, no
I’m a lucky man
It’s just a change in me
Something in my liberty
It’s just a change in me
Something in my liberty
It’s just a change in me
Something in my liberty
Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my
It’s just a change in me
Something in my liberty
Oh, my, my
Oh, my, my

The fact that I love this song about nature and the mountains is surprising because I’ve been a city slicker my whole life. Stephen Curtis Chapman has crafted a beautiful tribute to all of God’s creations in this tune.

Whenever I’m feeling stressed out at work, I try to listen to this song and it really brings instant inner peace and tranquility. It truly is a glorious tune.

MOUNTAIN

I want to build a house up on this mountain
Way up high where the peaceful waters flow
To quench my thirsty soul
Up on the mountain
CHORUS
My faith is strengthened by all that I see
You make it easy for me to believe up on the mountain
Oh, up on the mountain
I would love to live up on this mountain
And keep the pain of living life so far away
But I know I can’t stay
Up on the mountain
CHORUS
I said I’d go, Lord, wherever You lead
For where You are is where I most want to be
And I can tell we’re headed for the valley
My faith is strengthened by all that I’ve seen
So Lord help me remember what You’ve shown me
Up on the mountain
CHORUS 2
You bring me up here on this mountain
For me to rest and learn and grow
I see the truth up on the mountain
And I carry it to the world far below
So as I go down to the valley
Knowing that You will go with me
This is my prayer, Lord
Help me to remember what You’ve shown me
Up on the mountain
Up on the mountain
I cherish these times up on the mountain
But I can leave this place because I know
Someday You’ll take me home to live forever
Up on the mountain

“I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me” is my favorite Rosanne Cash song. I also love the music video where she has never looked more beautiful. The sentiment is so universal too. Who hasn’t ever wondered the same thing at one point in their lives?
It’s not just about love, as a matter of fact, Rosanne admits that the inspiration for writing the song came after losing a Grammy Award that she was sure she was going to win! The ultimate irony came when she won a Grammy for this song! Amazing, huh?

Note: I think that’s Vince Gill singing in the background but it could also be her then-husband Rodney Crowell whom she wrote this song with.

I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me

It’s the right time you know I feel fine tonight (I don’t why you don’t want me)
It’s the right place I’ve got my new face tonight (I don’t why you don’t want me)
I’m in the right mind I’ve got my new shoes tonight (I don’t why you don’t want me)
I’ve got a new dress I couldn’t care less tonight (I don’t why you don’t want me)
Somebody told me I was so cold and mean (who was that talking)
Somebody wants you and don’t want me in between (she better start walkin’)
Somebody hurt you but baby she wasn’t me
We’ll find a new name for such a old game tonight (I don’t why you don’t want me)
I’ll show you how long that I can go on tonight (I don’t why you don’t want me)
I don’t know why you don’t want me
Just when I think that I can make it without you
You come round and say you want me now
You tell me don’t leave and I want to believe you
Why can’t you see just how much I need you
Somebody told me I was so cold and mean (who was that talking)
Somebody wants you and don’t want me in between (she better start walkin’)
Somebody hurt you but baby she wasn’t me
It’s the last chance for a romance tonight (I don’t why you don’t want me)
There’ll be no next time if you won’t be mine tonight (I don’t why you don’t want me)
I don’t know why you don’t want me…

Here’s another gem from Rascal Flatts called “My Wish”. Someone made a wonderful video for the song with some nice photos that fit the message of the song so well.

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you want to go,
and if you’re faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
and if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin’ ’til you find the window,
if it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,
but more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
all the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
and you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God’s grace, in every mistake,
and always give more then you take.
But more than anything, Yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
this is my wish
i hope you know somebody loves you
may all your dreams stay big
(Repeat)
(Chorus)

Rascal Flatts not only makes great music but they also understand how powerful music videos can be. checkout this one for “Here Comes Goodbye”. Watch for the amazing ending. It threw me for a loop. Wow.

The video for “Oh Father” by Madonna is one of her best ever. It was such a drastically different type of song for her too. As a matter of fact, it ended a long string of 17 top 10 hits in a row (15 straight in top 5) but I think it was a good move to release it in order to show another side to her.

Here’s the beautiful black and white video directed by David Fincher with captivating images such as the show falling in the cemetery.

"Oh Father"
It’s funny that way, you can get used
To the tears and the pain
What a child will believe
You never loved me
[Chorus:]
You can’t hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can’t make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good about myself
Seems like yesterday
I lay down next to your boots and I prayed
For your anger to end
Oh Father I have sinned
[chorus]
Oh Father you never wanted to live that way
You never wanted to hurt me
Why am I running away
[repeat]
Maybe someday
When I look back I’ll be able to say
You didn’t mean to be cruel
Somebody hurt you too

Here’s a powerful song by Mark Schultz called "Letters from War" that still gets to me because so many of our young men and women are still in Iraq. It hit home for me the night we went to dinner and we saw this young woman with baby twins eating all alone. We started talking to her and thought perhaps their dad was working late or something when she said “He was killed in Iraq a few months ago” and my heart ached immediately. She was so brave and stoic as she fed her babies. I had to go outside and get some fresh air. I think of her and so many others like her every time I read or see the news.

Look, it doesn’t matter what your political convictions are because this song is just about getting our loved ones home–safe and sound.

LETTERS FROM WAR

She walked to the mailbox
On that bright summers day
Found a letter from her son
In a war far away

He spoke of the weather
And good friends that he’d made
Said I’d been thinking ’bout dad
And the life that he had
Thats why I’m here today
And that the end he said
You are what I’m fighting for
It was the first of the letters from war

She started writing
You’re good and you’re brave
What a father that you’ll be someday
make it home
make it safe

She wrote every night as she prayed

Late in December
A day she’ll not forget
Oh her tears stained the paper
With every word that she read

It said "I was up on a hill
I was out there alone
When the shots all rang out
And bombs were exploding
And thats when I saw him
He came back for me
And though he was captured
A man set me free
And that man was your son
He asked me to write to you
I told him i would, oh I swore"
It was the last of the letters from war

And she prayed he was living
Kept on believing
And wrote every night just to say

You are good
And you’re brave
what a father that you’ll be someday
Make it home
Make it safe
Still she kept writing each day

Then two years later
Autumn leaves all around
A car pulled in the driveway
And she fell to the ground
And out stepped a captain
Where her boy used to stand

He said "mom I’m following orders
From all of your letters
And I’ve come home again",
He ran into hold her
And dropped all his bags on the floor
Holding all of her letters from war

Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home

My Sarah McLachlan song is “Possession” which is such a haunting and passionate song. Like so many of her songs, it’s poetic and full of emotion. Plus, she never looked more beautiful than she does in this video.

POSSESSION

Listen as the wind blows
From across the great divide
Voices trapped in yearning
Memories trapped in time
The night is my companion
And solitude my guide
Would I spend forever here
And not be satisfied?
And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I’ll take your breath away
And after I
Wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear
Through this world I’ve stumbled
So many times betrayed
Trying to find an honest word to find
The truth enslaved
Oh you speak to me in riddles and
You speak to me in rhymes
My body aches to breathe your breath
Your words keep me alive
And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I’ll take your breath away
And after I
Wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear
Into this night I wander
It’s morning that I dread
Another day of knowing of
The path I fear to tread
Oh into the sea of waking dreams
I follow without pride
Nothing stands between us here
And I won’t be denied
And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I’ll take your breath away
And after I
Wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear
I’ll hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I’ll take your breath away
And after I
Wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes