#kylessongaday2013

[song-a-day-2013]

12.31.13, 11:59pm - "Finale B" from RENT

There's only us There's only this Forget, regret or Life is yours to miss No other road, no other way No day but today

A year ago I was at home looking through a few things and came across the journal that my friend Darcy had given me as a gift one Christmas. She thought it was perfect for me because the cover was embossed with notes and the simple phrase “I Love Music.” Darcy, who has received my Mix CDs over the years, knew that this was a perfect gift for me, and I think it was her excitement over giving it that made it stand out in my mind. While the journal may not contain every word that I’ve written this past year for this Song-a-Day project, its pages are filled with the potential that sparked the idea in the first place, and for that, the journal will always hold a special meaning for me.

I set out to do the daily blog as a way to contribute something to 2013, and in many ways, to test my own self-discipline. Would it be possible to write something on a daily basis? Would I have enough songs to share or reasons why they have become a favorite? What I didn’t know a year ago was that the songs would only act as a beginning for me. They were the spark that started the fire, but the blog became less about the technical merits of the song, and more about the stories, the friendships, the memories and the moments that they remind me of.  As I look back at the first few posts they serve as a reminder of where I started, and then the progression that they made...much like the life I've lead to this point. Each day helps to shape us and guide us in a new direction, if only we are open to the challenge. 

I couldn't end this project without a huge thank you for all of those who supported and encouraged me along the way. I feel that this has made me closer to some of the people in my life in ways that I never anticipated. Reconnecting with old friends who were reminded of a shared moment, discovering others who have a similar connection to a song, or hearing from those that seemed to need a bit of encouragement (myself included) to get through the year.  I'm proud that in some small way, this blog caused that. In an age where technology allows us to tear each other apart on social media, this seemed to bring people closer together, and reminded me why we all became friends in the first place. 

Over the past 12 months, several people have asked me why I chose 2013 as the year for this project, and there really wasn't a good reason except that it's when I thought of it. It turned out to be the year of Obamacare, the Boston Bombing, Paula Deen's downfall, the Royal Baby, and "twerking." On a personal note, it also brought the news of 4 close friends moving away (3 across the world), of great vacations with family, of laughter with friends,  of "MyMagic+," and even of Brandon and my engagement. It was a year like any other....and yet uniquely 2013. For me, that's been the beauty of it all. Life isn't about the big moments that we all seem to imagine as children, but rather the small, seemingly insignificant ones that stay with us, bring us joy, encourage us, and mold us into who we are. 

One of the reasons that I've always loved the musical RENT is because of the message which seems to resonate loud and clear throughout the show.  How do you measure a single year when there are so many things that happen to, and because of, each of us? You can't measure it in time or events, but you measure it in the ways that you show love. While the show's themes and events are perfect for the musical, I've always gotten the feeling that we could have picked any year in that group of friends and we would see similar themes emerge. At the conclusion of the show, we are left with one of my favorite scenes of any piece of theater or film, because it's not an ending...it's the beginning of something new. RENT doesn't conclude with all of our main characters intact, or with their relationships perfect. They don't solve all of the worlds problems, or cure the character's diseases. What they do, in fact, accomplish is the prove that when you form a bond of love and friendship...and yes, family...you can face anything together.  It's in that moment of the show that I have always felt an emotional connection and hope for each of us. 

As we celebrate the last few moments of 2013, and wake up to a brand New Year, it's my hope that each of you reading this will take the time to cultivate those relationships and create new memories.

Life is simply too short not to. 

Forget Regret...or Life is Yours to Miss.

Thanks for an amazing year. 

Kyle

RENT - FINALE B (Video)

http://youtu.be/pcZ3JtMqrnU

[song-a-day-2013]

12.31.13 - "Auld Lang Syne" by Michael Tolcher

If there's anything that I've learned from writing these blogs for a year, it's that I love nostalgia and enjoy looking back on this moments that have made me who I am today. Those moments that have made me laugh, or smile, those taught me a tough lesson, or those started a new friendship. In the end, I think those are the things that matter most to me and that should be celebrated and remembered. Each year on New Year's Eve those emotions are captured briefly during those few seconds at the start of the new year. If I were to pick my favorite seconds of the year, those would have to be it. When you look around at your friends who are with you, or those you're watching on TV, or even your pets who aren't even aware whats going on...what you'll see is Happiness. It's in those few brief moments that I think people let go of their worries, their frustrations, their disappoints, and their stress and allow themselves to be happy, to have hope, to dream, and to believe that this new year will be better than anything that we have seen before. 

The beautiful thing about that period of the year, is that it comes with it's very own soundtrack of the song "Auld Lang Syne." As song so closely tied to New Year's Eve that I find it a bit jarring when I hear it at other times of the year. The song is based on a Scottish Poem and was set to a folk song melody. The message of the song poses the rhetorical question of whether old times should be forgotten, and then turns into a celebration of long standing friendships and hope for the future. While I can't imagine it beyond New Year's Eve, it's also become a popular tradition for graduations and other goodbyes, even funerals, as a way to celebrate the transition into something new while still remembering the past. 

While there are more versions of this song available than almost any other, I'm partial to a short and simple version by Michael Tolcher that was released as an iTunes single a few years ago. The simplicity of the arrangement with just Michael and guitar seems to heighten the moment itself for me. 

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne ?

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

After 16 years with Disney, I'm often asked if there is a favorite moment, or one that stands out. While it's difficult to pick just one, a particularly New Year's Even ranks highly up there. I was working in Guest Relations as a leader at the time, and if you've been to the parks on NYE you know that they are slightly crowded...ok, there's no slightly to it. For most of the day, I spent my time listening to people asking for refunds, talking about how crowded it was, or retelling me their horror stories of the day.  My shift ended slightly before midnight and I wasn't sure if I should try to make it home to my apartment in time for the ball drop, or to stay and celebrate at work. I ended up going to the top of one of the Main Street, USA buildings with a few leaders and watched the fireworks at midnight with them. While the show was amazing and perfect for the moment, what I'll always remember was what happened next. As midnight struck, I looked down on the crowds of people in the street, and all of the sudden everyone started to hug and kiss their families, and the sea of people, and all of the crowds, and all of the concerns and complaints seemed to melt into a moment of  hope and love of that moment that has stayed with me over the years. 

So tonight, as the ball drops and 2014 begins, I would challenge each of us to find a way to make those moments last longer. To dive into 2014 with that same hope and peace, and to remember old friends while looking towards the brighter future. 

Happy New Year!

MICHAEL TOLCHER - AULD LANG SYNE (Video)

http://youtu.be/KC2kuZH2Rcc

[song-a-day-2013]

12.30.13 - "Unfinished Songs" by Celine Dion

As we near the end of 2013, and this blog project, I've been planning on what the last song show be and how I should close out the year of music and memories appropriately. After deciding on what that should be (or at least the "Kyle version" of what that should be), I drove home from work the other night listening to the latest Celine Dion album. I've listened to it numerous times, and even listed "Unfinished Songs" as one of my favorite tracks, but it wasn't until this week that I realized how perfect a song it is for the new year and, in particular, this blog. I started thinking that this should be my last song of the year because of it's message....but instead I bring it to you today. 

The song is about the way in which we are all "unfinished" and that whenever we reach something's end, there's something else right there to start anew. When I think about the new year starting and saying goodbye to 2013, there's always a sense of relief and hope at the same time. Relief that we've made it through the Holiday season, that another year has passed, and that we've learned more...and hope that the next year will be even better. When I look back on some of the "endings" in my life, I think there's always such a finality to them and as I've grown older I've realized that each ending truly is a beginning. I was extremely emotional when I left Pennsylvania and moved to Florida, when I left a number of jobs at Disney for new areas, and even as I let go of some friendships over the years. At the time those moments were difficult and painful, but those endings allow us to start new adventures and compose new songs. 

So you're thinking it's ending But it's only just begun Your whole life is there right Right in front of you Life's a story that is all twisted and turned All that matters is the lessons we learn 'Cause we're all unfinished songs waiting for The best part to come along And we're all pictures that's drawn We can be anything we want

What I love most about this song is the optimistic message that the best parts are our lives are still to come and that we have the power to bring those moments to life. There are so many things that we cannot control in our lives, but our outlook is the one thing that we can completely own. It doesn't mean that we can't have days where things get us down, or discouraged, but remember that even the most curved paths lead you somewhere new...if you're willing to take them. 

Above all, I'm so proud and lucky to be surrounded by friends who allow me the opportunity to be part of their "songs" and that they are, in turn,  part of mine. 

Now is your time It's your life No one's living it but you In your hands is your chance To live the life you choose

CELINE DION - UNFINISHED SONGS (Video)

http://youtu.be/BWfB5EwnfXU

[song-a-day-2013]

12.29.13 - "There's Still My Joy" by Kathy Mattea

On the day after Christmas I was driving home and found that our neighbors across the street had already removed their holiday decorations, and their Christmas tree, stripped of it's festive decorations, was laying at the curb ready to be hauled away. There's a sadness in that scene whenever I see it each year. It's as if we are all to eager to move on and let the magic of the season leave our lives, when I'd really rather that we hold on to it a little longer. 

One of my favorite Christmas songs comes off the 2nd Holiday album from Kathy Mattea called Joy for Christmas Day. While I didn't hear the song until its release a few years ago, it somehow feels like it's always been a part of me, and I can't help but think of it as I start seeing the decorations coming down and life returning to "normal." The song starts with the voice of the song bringing their Christmas tree down to the shore and feeding the animals from it's branches. She has gone through trials over the past year, and it's the joy of Christmas, and the act of letting the tree, and really herself, go that she's able to find peace. For some reason, I've always felt that the song was about losing a loved one, and how that becomes particularly hard at Christmas, I've also thought it was a beautiful image of returning the tree to nature as if the whole season brings life full circle. If you've ever sat on the beach looking at a sunset, or sat quietly with just your own thoughts as company, I think you'll understand the peace that moment can bring.

I brought my tree down to the shore The garland and the sliver star To find my peace and grieve no more To heal this place inside my heart On every branch I laid some bread And hungry birds filled up the sky They rang like bells around my head They sang my spirit back to life One tiny Child can change the world One shining light can show the way Through all my tears for what I've lost There's still my joy There's still my joy for Christmas Day

As we close out 2013 in just a few days, I think this song is a great reminder of letting us bring our own personal "tree" to the shore. Letting it go, and finding the peace that we need to move on and welcome 2014 with an open heart.

KATHY MATTEA - THERE'S STILL MY JOY (Video)

http://youtu.be/G8b2a3ezW4U

[song-a-day-2013]

12.28.13 - "Holiday Hugs" by The Care Bears

For many years, a long standing Holiday tradition was the celebration of “TRADmas” with my friends through the Traditions program. Each year we would gather at the house of our friends Scott and Tina to spend time with the group during the Holidays and take part in our gift exchange. Our preferred method for this event was the “White Elephant” style where everyone draws numbers and then chooses a gift. From that moment, Gifts can then be “stolen” from other players until each person has a turn and all gifts have been received. Of course, we always added the twist of “Nasty Santa” (Or whatever you may call it) where some of the gifts prove to be less than desirable. For our group, there was a giant Cookie Jar with a nativity scene on it that was passed around year after year and then marked in Sharpie by that year’s owner. Although I didn’t end up with the Cookie Jar one year, I did end up with another gift that has gone on to provide countless memories for me over the years.

 I can’t remember what the gift was that I really wanted, but I do remember that I was in possession of it when Tina Ireland, who happens to be celebrating her birthday today, had her turn. She had recently acquired her gift which was a CD copy of the Care Bear Christmas Album titled “Holiday Hugs.” As she looked around the room I had this sinking feeling that I would soon be the proud owner of the CD, and my perfect gift would then go to her. Trying to stop this madness from happening, I told her that she would regret stealing my gift because I would haunt her with Holiday Hugs forever! She wasn’t scared of my threat and quickly made the decision to take my present and provide me with “Holiday Hugs.”

 The CD is filled with Holiday songs sung by everyone’s favorite bears from Care-A-Lot. Who could resist their cute and cuddly versions of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” “Joy to the World,” and “Jingle Bells???” Oh….Tina Ireland, that’s who! By trading away that CD I figured that I wouldn’t be a Grinch and would not only love that present, but I’d also share it with her! The title song, “Holiday Hugs” quickly became my favorite because once you’ve heard it, you can’t help but get it stuck in your head. I’m pretty sure that it became Tina’s favorite as well (or at least I hope it has) because for the past 10 years she has gotten random voicemails with that song left as a reminder of her decision to trade gifts.

 Holiday Hugs

Holiday Hugs

Holiday Hugs and Kisses for you.

Holiday Hugs

Holiday Hugs

Holiday Hugs and Wishes for you.

Holiday Hugs and Kisses for you.

Holiday Smiles May Your Wishes Come True.

Last week Scott and Tina announced that they will be moving from Orlando shortly after ringing in 2014, and while I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like…there’s something incredibly sad about knowing that they won’t just be a few miles away anymore. They have both been there for me through many challenges and celebrations in life, and it’s hard to imagine my Orlando experience without them. The good news is that I will continue to send Tina a warm Holiday Hug whenever I start to miss them…Whether that is at Christmas…or in July…or even at 4am. Holiday Hugs turned out to be the gift that keeps on giving!

Happy Birthday TJ (Tina Jill)…I hope that your day is filled with Holiday Hugs:)

THE CARE BEARS – HOLIDAY HUGS (Video)

http://youtu.be/2dW4GSYY5lc

[song-a-day-2013]

12.27.13 - "Brick" by Ben Folds Five

Since we were gearing up for Christmas last weekend, I wanted to continue writing about some Holiday favorites for the blog, yet in doing so I missed sharing one of my favorite songs and stories for a friend's birthday. While I'm a week late with this dedication, I couldn't help but include it before the end of the year. 

As I've mentioned before, moving to Florida was a really great decision for my life, but it meant that I was leaving behind close friends up north. When I got to St. Petersburg, I found that making new friends was a little more difficult that I imagined. I'd left the comfort of High School where everyone was sort of thrown together and entered real life where you really had to try to build those relationships. For me, that goal was assisted when I started working at the Disney Store. One of the first people that I met during my time there was Shannan, who was around the same age as me, yet had grown up in St. Petersburg. Shannan was immediately friendly and made me feel welcome...and really became my first friend in St. Pete. 

The funny thing about today's song dedication is that I'm sure she doesn't even know that this song reminds me of her, but for me it's so closely tied with a memory that I cannot separate them in my mind. One weekend Shannan and I decided to go over to Walt Disney World for the day. At the time I still didn't have my own car, so she said she would drive and I was watching VH1 before she came to pick me up. That morning the video for Ben Folds Five hit "Brick" was released and I immediately fell in love with the song and the video of the band singing and playing the instruments in a pool of water. As Shannan and I drove to Orlando that morning I couldn't get the song out of my mind...at the same time, I was so excited to be going off on an adventure with a new friend.

While I didn't realize it at first, the song is actually the story of a young couple who are going through the trauma of having an abortion and the impact that it has on their relationship, and the relationships with their families. Ben said it was inspired by something he and his girlfriend had gone through in High School and how they sold their Christmas gifts in order to pay for the procedure. What they hoped would bring them together, eventually tore them apart. 

Six am day after Christmas  I throw some clothes on in the dark  The smell of cold  Car seat is freezing  The world is sleeping  I am numb  Up the stairs to her apartment  She is balled up on the couch  Her mom and dad went down to Charlotte  They're not home to find us out  And we drive  Now that I have found someone  I'm feeling more alone  Than I ever have before  She's a brick and I'm drowning slowly Off the coast and I'm headed nowhere She's a brick and I'm drowning slowly

The last, and probably best, part of this story is what happened as we got closer to Disney that morning. Shannan's car started to overheat and we pulled off i4 and into a local Gas Station to get some oil for her car. (Ironically the place that we stopped is now about 5 minutes from my house) At any rate, the woman in the gas station couldn't have been less helpful and when we asked for a funnel to pour the oil, she handed us a credit card application and told us to "make one." No Joke. We did as she suggested, fixed the issue, and ended up having a great day at the parks. While that was likely just another day for Shannan, it meant a lot to me at the time and I'm still thankful for her willingness to be friends at a time I needed it most. 

Happy (Belated) Birthday Shannan...I hope that this is your best year yet!

BEN FOLDS FIVE - BRICK (Video)

http://youtu.be/Wt5EHAqhR1c

[song-a-day-2013]

12.26.13 - "The Secret of Christmas" by SHeDAISY

For as long as I've been excited about the Christmas Season, I've been  equally dreaded the day after Christmas. It's not that Christmas is ever a let down, or that I don't remember how it felt a mere 24 hours prior, but the excitement and anticipation that we all collectively share in has to fade away for another 10 months or so. As I've gotten older, this day also means that our time as a small Family together ends as my Mom heads home and I'm always left with a sadness about the end of such a joyous time of year. I guess that's why I try my best to hold the cliche of "Keeping Christmas in Your Heart" all year-round. 

I've written earlier about the sister-group SHeDAISY's Holiday album, but there's a song that I always think of on December 26th called "The Secret of Christmas." The song is about the ways that the Christmas season makes everyone feel, and how it's not in the actions that we do year after year, but in the way that we make others feel. It stands to reason then, that we by unlocking this "secret" we can keep the warmth and joy of this season alive year round. 

It's not the glow you feel When snow appears  Yeah, it's not the Christmas card You've sent for years and years and years Not the joyful sound When sleigh bells ring  Or the merry songs Children sing Yeah the little gift you send On your Christmas day Will not bring back the friend You've turned away So may I suggest The secret of Christmas Is not the things you do at Christmas time But the Christmas things you do All year through

As we move through this last week of 2013 and set our sights on the new year, I hope that we are all able to hold on to this feeling of hope. Let's make 2014 the year of "Christmas Things" that we do all year long. 

SHeDAISY - THE SECRET OF CHRISTMAS (Video)

http://youtu.be/Lkd_NntkmjY

[song-a-day-2013]

12.25.13 - "Love is Christmas" by Sara Bareilles

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”                         -A Christmas Carol

Each year, the excitement of the Holidays leads to this one day, where life seems to slow down and each of us remembers that peace and love is possible. As I drove into work this morning, the drive even seemed happier, as did all those that I encountered along the way. It was as if the past few weeks of parties, and shopping, and decorating, and cards, and everything else that comes with the season just melted away to reveal one of the truest and most basic of human emotions...love. 

When I was in Tokyo last year, I was checking out iTunes to see what music was released while I was away. If you're like me, you end up clicking on one song and then 34 clicks later you end up somewhere you never expected and you forget how you got there in the first place. (Kudos iTunes team...your recommendation system works:) On that particular day in May, I ended up coming across a Holiday song by Sara Bareilles that I'd missed the previous season. Even though It was months away from the Holidays, I couldn't help but download it then and there an then listened to it multiple times on the trip. While it felt odd hearing Christmas music in the Summer, I think that is telling about the song itself and the message that it presents. 

"Love is Christmas" expresses the feeling that Christmas is more than a Holiday or a simple date that comes along once a year. It's the feeling of joy that we share for our friends, and family...and those that we haven't even met yet. When I think back over the past 30 years, it's hard for me to remember what gifts I've received each year, or who sent me a Christmas Card or not...but I do remember the moments that I've shared with family around the table, Gingerbread house nights in High School with friends, Candlelight rehearsals with Nate, and countless parties large and small...essentially, I remember the way the Holiday season makes me feel. Sara sings about love not being a gift that needs wrapping or something that we need to conceal, but instead the idea that Christmas is love, and when we love each other...that is the true spirit of Christmas. 

I don’t care if the house is packed Or the strings of light are broken I don’t care if the gifts are wrapped Or there’s nothing here to open Love is not a toy, and no paper will conceal it Love is simply joy that I’m home I don’t care if the carpet's stained we've got food upon our table I don’t care if it’s gonna rain, our little room is warm and stable Love is who we are, and no season can contain it Love would never fall for that

I hope that each of you have been able to spend time with those that you love today, and that your hearts (and stomachs) are a little more full as a result. I feel blessed to have so many of you as my friends and family, and thankful that you have taught me the true meaning of Christmas. 

Let love lead us, love is Christmas

SARA BAREILLES - LOVE IS CHRISTMAS (Video)

http://youtu.be/uSKGt4vjSxU