HowReadBookMusic
Below are two lists of songs I am listening to as I write this story. I do listen to other things as well-- not all I listen to is music. I wanted to stick on here, the inspiration music for my story. I also include some, "motivation," music. I cannot guarantee that the, "Christian," music is 100% Biblically correct. I pulled the text of the song title and artist, off iTunes. I was combining several short playlists to make these lists. I did not list together all the songs by a particular artist. So you may see several songs by an artist scattered throughout. I will leave things as they are. In most cases that is because I am lazy. As far as the secular list, I am leaving them in the order they are because the songs are grouped together by subject sometimes. I will try to put my reasons for including the songs in these lists. I tried not to duplicate any songs, but there may be some duplicates. I should catch them as I write my comments, but no guarantees.
I know, I know, there's more secular music on the list than, "Christian," music. That's partly because of the subject matter of the songs. I found some songs about gardening; roses; Paris; and other subjects that have to do with my story. The secular music list is larger also because I don't have as much Christian music in the collection as I should.
I have tried to find secular music that isn't too horrible or blatantly not Biblical. If I goofed and am listening to something objectionable, I am sorry. It is difficult to hear the words. I look up the words via Google, but they aren't always available. I don't have time to look up every song. You can read my comments below to learn why I picked something.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness Chris Rice
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. One of my favorite hymns.
It Is Well With My Soul Palisade
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Look up how this song came to be written sometime. Very moving story.
He Leadeth Me Candi Pearson
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Incredible hymn!
Not for a Moment (After All) Meredith Andrews
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational.
It's Not Over (When God Is In It) [feat. James Fortune & Jason Nelson] [Live] Israel & New Breed
Was putting together a playlist of comforting songs. A friend was going through something difficult. I was looking up songs of comfort for her and discovered this one.
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) Hillsong United
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. I first heard this song via the, satellite or, "Muzak," in a Salvation Army Store. I really liked it so I downloaded it from iTunes. One of my favorites!
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Chris Rice
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. This is a hymn I remember from Church. It was written (I think just the words) by Martin Luther. Another favorite hymn.
Count Your Blessings The Lower Lights
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. I remember this from Sunday school. This is a great version of the song.
Consider the Lillies New Vintage
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Can't be sad or depressed if you listen to this one!
The Lord Is My Light Mahalia Jackson
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. This is a really incredible song. I remember my mother singing this. No one sings it like Mahalia Jackson did! If you listen to this version, expect to get chills down your spine.
It Is No Secret What God Can Do The Ink Spots
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. This song is proof that something good can come out of Hollywood. Just look up how the song came to be written sometime. Dale Evans and Roy Rogers had a famous version of this song too. I don't find that version via iTunes. The Ink Spots are the group that was playing in the famous Chanel No. 5 commercial back in the early 1980s. (I don't Want to Set the World on Fire)
Leaning On the Everlasting Arms Benjamin Dunn And Friends
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. This is sort of, "alternative," sounding (to me anyway). I did not find this artist on Wikipedia. I find it difficult to know sometimes if the artist is Christian or if it is just a secular artist singing hymns. Some people view hymns as just, "pretty music," and they perform it as such. But they don't have the same heart as a Christian artist. If it is a secular artist singing hymns just because, then they might sing any old lyrics to the melody. Or they might add sounds or whatever things to the recording that are not Biblical.
It Is Well With My Soul Jars of Clay
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Look up the origins of this song too. Very inspirational story!
Redeemed Big Daddy Weave
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Heard this in a Salvation Army store also. Great song if you need a, "pick-me-up,".
One Thing Remains (Radio Version) [feat. Kristian Stanfill] Passion
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Probably heard this in Salvation Army too. Or I heard it via the online radio station I discovered in there.
Smellin' Coffee Chris Rice
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. You don't have to like coffee to like this song. I like coffee and the song. It is a great song to sing along to. The melody has a lot of energy.
Fix My Eyes for KING & COUNTRY
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Has a lot of energy to it. Very motivational! A great reminder!
It's Not Over Yet for KING & COUNTRY
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Very motivational full of energy!
Softly and Tenderly Sara Groves
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Wonderful hymn I remember from church.
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Chris Rice
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. One of the great hymns again!
Come, Ye Children of the Lord The Lower Lights
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. This has become a favorite!
As Long As I'm Here Brandon Heath
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational.
Voluntary on the Doxology (Old 100th) Empire Brass & Robert Woods
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. I don't know why this is called a, "voluntary,". In my adoptive father's family we would sing the Doxology as a prayer before meals. I know the words aren't 100% Biblically correct. The melody reminds me of home and family. It is like a comfort food only it is music.
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (Long Version) Martin Luther & Anne-Dore Baumgarten
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. German version of, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God". This is an organ version. Wonderful! I suppose we could sing to this one in our home church?
Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Key of C Intro + 3 Verses) James Hearn
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. I think this version is meant to be played so people can sing to it. Another Martin Luther hymn if I remember correctly.
Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing Benjamin Dunn And Friends
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Wonderful! Great hymn!
Nothing Beside Jesus Young Oceans
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational.
You Provide Sisterbrother
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational.
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Hans Grüß, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Martin Flämig & Leipzig Capella Fidicinia
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. German language vocal version of, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God". I have an interest in the German language a little bit. And this is a neat version.
Your Love (feat. KJ52 and Michelle Bonilla) The Ambassador
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Christian hip hop. Very good song! It is a good song to groove to or sing along to.
Greater MercyMe
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Great motivational song!
Shake MercyMe
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Great motivational song!
Get Up Mary Mary
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Great motivational song!
Never Wave My Flag Mary Mary
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Great motivational song!
Something Big Mary Mary
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Great motivational song!
Forgiven Relient K
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Great motivational song!
This Is Your Life Switchfoot
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Great motivational song!
Meant to Live Switchfoot
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Great motivational song!
Dare You to Move Switchfoot
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Great motivational song!
Oh the Price He Paid (Instrumental) Dean Ellenwood
Was picking music that was comforting or motivational. Great song! Wish iTunes had a vocal version.
A House Is Not a Home McCoy Tyner Trio
I like this melody. It is a song I remember from childhood. I remember the vocal version by Dionne Warwick. I was keying in on the title. I like the idea that a house, the building by itself, is not a, "home". I learned about this version by typing, "A House is Not a Home," into iTunes. I wasn't looking for this song, just a song that would work, that had this theme or title to it.
I Can't Stand the Rain Paul Rodgers
I was listening to, "Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap" one night on CBC Radio and happened to hear this. It seemed to fit my story. The house that Berta and Dirk Edmunds live in has chalk circles on the floors so they know where to put the buckets when it rains.
The Moonbeam Song Harry Nilsson
I remember when songs from the album Nilsson Schmilsson were new. Of course I was around, eight or nine years old. I don't remember ever hearing this song until after I bought the album (vinyl) at a charity thrift store. I was wanting something in the playlist that was somewhat, "hippy," or late 60s/early 70s sounding (Something with that sound, that wasn't too obnoxious about it.)
Ländler, D. 734 Walter Hautzig
The reason this piece is in the playlist is because I wanted something, that sounded, "minuet-ish". I had this downloaded already. It isn't anything like a minuet probably. It just seems like it could come from that era maybe. It reminds me of the old type of classical music. I don't know how I discovered this. Probably from the CBC Radio 2 or Radio Eviva. No! I think I discovered it when I typed, "Landler," into iTunes. Landler music is a kind of folk music from Germany, Switzerland and Austria. At least that is what I understand. It is things like, polka, schottische, etc. It is also a folk dance by itself. This piece of music represents the age of the house, plus all the history of the place. It could also represent the garden parties that were held in what was once the large garden.
Postcards from Paris Johnny Favourite
I found this one by typing in, "Postcards from Paris," into iTunes. It is a really nice song. Constance the narrator of my story, has an agreement with her pen pal Josephine, that when they get enough money saved, they will visit Paris together. One thing Constance talks about with Berta Edmunds is how she has a dream of visiting Paris.
Brand New Friend Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
I have this album on audio cassette somewhere upstairs. That should indicate something of the age of this song, (1985). I always really liked this song and downloaded it. It fits my story in that, Constance, Berta and Dirk are all, "brand new friends". To be really honest, as far as I remember, I have never properly heard or read all the lyrics of this song. When I hear it, I don't think of melancholia or sadness. I think of, "things, (situations) about to get better".
Use Somebody Kings of Leon
This song seems to be about romance. I see it as Berta and Dirk needing someone like Constance. It is nice to be needed. Constance can't believe that she, "someone like me," should become friends with authors as famous as Berta and Dirk.
My Family's Role In the World Revolution Beirut
This is in the playlist in reference to Dirk and Berta's family, (families). The ancestors who once lived in the house they own.
Carousels Beirut
I greatly like the melodies of Beirut's music. I just looked up the lyrics to this song. I don't understand what they mean. I am tired and was looking at them in a hurry.
No No No Beirut
This is possibly a romance song too. I looked up the lyrics. I like the idea of the song where the singer doesn't know, "the first thing" about who the person they are singing about is. Berta and Dirk do not know who Constance is. Constance does not know them either.
A Sunday Smile Beirut
I have not looked up the lyrics to this one. What little of the lyrics I hear, seem to fit with the story some how.
Scenic World Beirut
This is another favorite by Beirut. This one seems to have a theme of looking out over a pretty landscape. At least that's what I hear. I could be wrong. In my story there is what was once a large garden. It is now neighborhood around the house Berta and Dirk Edmunds live in. Whenever their mother would look out the back window of the house, and see the neighborhood, she would mourn what might have been.
Santa Fe Beirut
Santa Fe, New Mexico is closer to West Texas than Michigan is. I have been to New Mexico but that was before I was in school. This song reminds me of the sunshine of the Southwest, United States.
4th of July Shooter Jennings
I met his grandmother at least once. I may have met his great grandmother. They were moving his great grandmother to a house across the street from my adoptive mother's grandmother. My adoptive mother's sister went to school with his father. I never met his father. My adoptive mother's father was at the house the day his father was born. We don't know why. My adoptive mother's father's father built the house his father was born in.
This song reminds me of things like family picnics on the 4th of July. It reminds me of history too. There's a lot of history in my story (in a way). And, who doesn't like to, "sing along to George Jones"?
Gardening Kings of Side Two
Gardens, gardening and roses are themes in my story. I found this song by looking for garden songs in iTunes.
Eleanor Put Your Boots On Franz Ferdinand
I had downloaded this song already. People put on boots when they work in gardens sometimes.
The Birds and the Bees Patrick & Eugene
This is a very corny sounding song. Lots of fun. Birds and Bees are in gardens.
Gardening Man The Anderson Council
Another song found by looking for garden songs via iTunes. Almost psychedelic sounding.
Good Year For the Roses Elvis Costello & The Attractions
A George Jones song. This is the first version I ever remember hearing. I know it is about a relationship break up, but for the purposes of this story, I like the choruses about how it is a good year for the roses. I also downloaded the version by George Jones and another version by Dino Lee.
Five Roses Miracle Fortress
This is some kind of electronic music. It sounds pleasant. I picked it because it had roses in the title.
Vegetables Mr.B The Gentleman Selector
I have some of this guy's, "Chap Hop," music. This is one of the, "G rated," songs he's done. Berta and Dirk Edmunds grow a small vegetable garden behind their house in what is left of the large garden, that is their back yard.
Wild Horses Old & In the Way
White Bird It's a Beautiful Day
Skyline Pigeon Elton John
Rosebush K Singh & The Freshwater
Good Year for the Roses Dino Lee
Step Outside The Finches
Down Home Brothers Osborne
The Moonbeam Song Jeremy Dubs
Postcards From Paris Jazari Kual
Apple Orchard - Summer's Near Various Artists
A House Is Not a Home Field Music
Flower Power Lemongrass
Home Is Where the Heart Is Old & In the Way
Midnight Moonlight Old & In the Way
I'm Knocking On Your Door Old & In the Way
While You Were Sleeping Elvis Perkins
You Got a Friend The Smallgoods
Meet Me By the Smokestack Goodnight, Texas
Take Me Home Ron Pope
The City Joe Purdy
Free Man In Paris Sufjan Stevens
Sleeping With the Lights On Teitur
Clockwork Sleeping At Last
This Is Home Switchfoot
Pretty Girl from Michigan The Avett Brothers