It's Only Love That Gets You Through

Sade is one of my go-to artists when I am not quite sure what to put on the speaker box. Lovers Rock is, by far, her best album with Solder of Love (for me) a close second. A friend's post on the facebooks reminded me of her love-centric lyrics, so I put a few of her albums on shuffle on the Friday evening drive to Birmingham. Despite the fact I have heard this song hundreds of times, it finally made sense that night. It is undoubtably her least romantic song (next to Pearls or Immigrant) but now it is tied as a top favorite.

I mean, shit, with three simple, poetic, verses she paints a picture of strength through the emotion we most associate with vulnerability; perseverance and victory through the trials of whatever life the subject has experienced up until this point. It is about not letting bitterness and resentment be your foundation-regardless of your past. Maybe one day, when I write those seven years all down--when it is all out in the open--it will make more sense. Until then, I will just say that this is the perfect Valentines Day song this year. Because, honestly, as cliche as it sounds, it reminds us that we don't need someone To Love in order to love. We just need to, well, love. The rest takes care of itself.

It's Only Love That Get's You Through - Sade
Girl you are rich even with nothing
And you know tenderness comes from pain
It's amazing how you love
And love is kind and love can give
And get no gain

It's down a rugged road you've come
Though you had every reason
You didn't come undone
Somehow you made it to the other side
You didn't suffer in vain

You forgive those who have trespassed against you
And you know tenderness comes from pain
It's amazing how you love
And love is kind and love can give
And love needs no gain



*Smooth Operator came out the year I was born. Sade is also the hottest and oldest Diva. Ever.

Mellow Out

Sometimes you just need to chill the eff out. Right now is the time for music that lowers blood pressure and soothes over the fact that there a million and one things looming on the should-have-already-been-done list. 

Sigur Ros and Dustin O'Halloran radio stations have been a bit of a lifesaver this week. For a variety of reasons.

So hear (pun intended) is a taste of my soundtrack when . . . 

...feelings flip flop. 

...stress pulls in every direction. 

...stacks of homework need to be graded. 

...my inbox has more than 3 emails in it. 

Skin - Sade

In Another Time - Sade

The Safest Hiding Place - Sade

On the Nature of Daylight - Max Richter

Opus 20 - Dustin O'Halloran

El Chupacabra - Alex Grant

We Insist - Zoe Keating

Time and a Half - Mogwai

Breathe Me - Sia

Fjoger Piano - Sigur Ros

Iscariot - Walk the Moon

The Casanova (Remember Love) - Andy Clockwise

Paris Sunrise #7 - Ben Harper

Walk Away - Ben Harper

Too Late - Andrew Duhon

Lifeline - Citizen Cope

Keep Askin' - Citizen Cope

Fixative - David Gray

Forgetting - David Gray

Half Life - Imogen Heap

Skin by Sade

When I found out this love's undone
I was like a gun
Sure as it was over
Felt like nothing good could come
Sure as it's gonna play and play
Like Michael back in the day
I'm gonna peel you away
Now as I begin
To wash you off my skin
I'm gonna peel you away
Cos you're not right within
I love you so
Sometimes love has to let go
So this time don't thing it's a lie
I say goodbye
Now as I begin
To wash you off my skin
I'm gonna peel you away
Cos you're not right within
Now it's time
To wash you off my skin
Now as I begin
It couldn't be right cos you're not right within
I say goodbye