TUESDAY TUNES: "Tim McGraw" by Taylor Swift

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkD20ajVxnY

This post may seem rather arrogant since I’m getting ready to re-write an award winning singer-songwriter’s song, but it must be done.  The chorus of Taylor Swift’s song, “Tim McGraw,” could be so much better with just a few simple tweaks. 

As a whole, I love Taylor’s lyrics.  She writes in such a fashion that takes this middle aged broad back to her high school years and memories of young love in the same way a whiff of Avon’s Sweet Honesty perfume does.  Even though it is one of her first hits, Taylor paints a picture like a pro with this song and the verses are spot on. It’s just the stinking chorus that drives me insane every unbearably monotonous time I hear it!!

Here are her original lyrics:

But when you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think my favorite song
The one we danced to all night long
The moon like a spotlight on the lake
When you think happiness
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me

Here are my changes:

But when you HEAR Tim McGraw
I hope you SING my favorite song
The one we danced to all night long
The moon like a spotlight on the lake
When you FEEL happiness
I hope you SEE that little black dress
PICTURE my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you HEAR Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me

I know, right?!

I was taught you have to know the rules before you can break them.  If she knew the rules and thought this was a good way of breaking one, I would have to disagree.  I mean, I “think” I would have to disagree.  What do you “think?”  Do you “think” I’m over-reacting?  Do you “think” she chose wisely?  Do you “think” she noticed?  Do you “think” it even makes sense the way she wrote it?  Is my overuse of the word “think” getting on your nerves yet?

I am shocked and disappointed in the producers for allowing the word “think” to be used that way.  Where were her mentors?  Where were the people protecting her?  But then again, it was a top ten hit.  What do I know?

Question:  Ok, be honest, which version to you like better?  An award winning professional’s or a nobody hack?

TUESDAY TUNES: J.S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto No 2 in F Major

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwDYv2hF1es 

I love music from the Baroque era, 1600-1750. Especially anything composed by Bach.  Good old Johann Sebastian.  He’s the Man!!!

I have many memories of this particular concerto.  My sisters and I made up dances to it when we were young.  I’m not sure why we even had a recording of it, but we did.  It’s not that my family was all that cultured. Lawrence Welk and Hee Haw were about as fancy as we got.  Maybe my piano teacher gave me the record, I don’t know.  Anyway, the little gray house on Fisk Street in Pullman, Washington had its walls rattled as we pranced around.  It was a combination of moves from the 1600’s with a little do-si-do square dance thrown in for fun.  I can still picture us dancing in our pajamas.  We’d be all serious with, what we thought were, the official dance moves from the era, and then giggle as we’d swing our partner at the end of a phrase.

Years later while in college, my fellow music major friends and I would play it and take turns directing the pretend ensembles in our dorm rooms.  Ah, music nerds.

If find it interesting, and quite telling about me, that I love Baroque music so much.  Dynamically, there are no crescendos or swells.  It pretty much goes from loud to soft quite instantly (mostly due to the abilities of the instruments at the time).  Like with me, I’m strolling along during my day just fine at a quiet(ish) level, when boom, something happens and I either burst out with a huge laugh or voice and my volume goes from pianissimo to forte just like that.  No warning.  Just, "Here I am!"

And once the piece begins, it rhythmically keeps driving to the end.  That’s me.  It’s, “Let’s get ‘er done time folks.”  That’s why Baroque music is my music of choice when cleaning the house.  Boom, boom, sweep, dust, scrub and look at that, we’re done! 

This is not the piece you want to listen to when you’re tired and need a nap.  This is “go time” music.  So the next time you’ve fallen behind on a project, need to organize your thoughts, or just wanna get your groove on, take a listen to something Baroque.  Preferably this piece by my man Bach.

My lovely friend Tina and I try to attend the Oregon Bach Festival every year.  This year’s dates are June 26-July 13.  We even get a T-Shirt like true Bach groupies.

 

Question:  What is your favorite era of music?

TUESDAY TUNES: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0jpHtsSEQo  Hillsong Version

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWxb6VvPrkE Michael W. Smith Version

 
Matthew 6:33 is a Life verse for me:  But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

These words of Jesus are from the Sermon on the Mount.  Leading up to this verse He is talking about worry.  I’m a worrier.  Maybe that’s why I love this verse so much.  When I daily seek Him first, He tells me everything else will fall into place.  So don’t worry.

If I know that to be true, and I trust Him, then why do I have stomach issues, break out into rashes and get fever blisters all stemming from worry?  It’s that head knowledge-heart knowledge stuff again.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

Daily…step by step…one second at a time…start again…listen…trust…remember…pray…be still…seek Him first…do it all again…

God speaks to me through the “address” of this verse:

When I get home from work and wonder what’s on tap for my evening and realize it’s 6:33, I think, “God wants me to spend some time with Him.”  6:33 Seek HIM.

When I’ve made a questionable choice and look at the clock and see that it’s 6:33, I think, “Was that really the best way to handle that situation.”  6:33 Seek HIM

At random times when I see the cost of something is $6.33 or an address is 633 or my eye catches 633 in the middle of a set of numbers, I stop and remember His promise.  6:33 Seek HIM

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, seek His wonderful face, and He will provide.  And what you thought was best for you will grow strangely dim because, in the light of His glory and grace, His plans are always better than what our earthly minds could come think of.

Question:  Do you have things like my 633 where God catches your attention?