I haven't kept up with Songs of 2019 the past few months. Despite my best efforts, it just got away from me. Someone I love very much got very sick, and life took up more time than I had to give.
But I figure I can do this--one last day. The last day of the decade. And because it's the last day and because I couldn't finish this series of posts the way that I wanted to, I'm giving you TWO songs for these last few hours of the year.
They may seem like odd choices--I'll admit they surprised me when they came to me. But they feel absolutely right, so I'm just going to go for it.
Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
This is one of those songs that has always been there for me when I needed it most. Even when I didn't know it. It echoes softly from the quiet places in my soul and is somehow the sound of adventure and the sound of home.
The gentle sound of the ukulele, the gorgeous tone of Israel's voice--they both meld so peacefully together that it slows the racing of anxious hearts and offers comfort when your shoulders are burdened by weight that feels unbearable.
This mashup is a combination of hope and beauty; of the search for your dreams and the reminder to take in the worth of all that already surrounds you. It is a gentle wave from all that you are leaving behind, and the open arms of the future. It is both the joy of all that lies beyond the horizon, and the contentment of where you are.
This song has guided me through so much, and when I found myself thinking of songs to close off the decade with, it immediately came to mind. It will walk at my side through all that lies before me, and cradle all that has been close to my heart.
I hope it does the same for you.
And then there is this: Take On Me by a-ha
You can laugh. You can tell me this is silly. I don't entirely disagree. And I am fully aware that this has nothing to do with the first song whatsoever.
But that's kind of the point.
I was in my car driving home from work today, reflecting on the last year, on the last decade, and became completely struck by how much can change in ten years. How much you can overcome. How often and grandly you can fail. Of how much you can lose and love and dream and hurt.
It was a melancholy reflection. Not sad, but definitely not happy. And then this song came on out of nowhere, its catchy intro blasting through my speakers, and I was so thrown off that I was stunned for a second. And then I just kind of laughed, because honestly: it was sort of a "WTF are you are serious??" moment with the universe.
And all I could think of was that ridiculous video of the video game characters high stepping in a line to this song while they go through a castle and up some kind of mountain. Once you see that, you can't un-see it.
But it snapped me out of it. Suddenly I was singing this song at the top of my lungs and taking in every word. I went for those high notes even though I probably shouldn't have, and you know what?
I felt ridiculously ready for all that's coming next. That rhythm had me ready to race toward whatever my next adventure will be, and those lyrics made me feel brave enough and reckless enough to go for it. It gave me strength and joy and lifted some of the burdens I felt--just for a moment.