Monday has arrived – again. Thankfully Monday means music! For this new year, the 4M crew is operating a bit differently. If you have a theme idea, submit your request by email. Each person’s suggestion(s) will be credited accordingly – unless someone wants to volunteer for the monthly co-host spot, then we won’t be looking for anyone to fill it in 2023. It’s tough to commit for 4-weeks. The object is to keep things fun!
This week, our theme was chosen by our furriends at Angelswhisper2011 (Granny with Peachy & Stippie) suggested: “Celestial as in the sky/outer space or belonging to or relating to heaven or relating to anything supremely good/beautiful.” Let’s get this celestial party started!
Let’s start with this favorite country artist (who hasn’t released new music in over a year – dude needs to get busy!) in this song he’s imagining the afterlife “on the far side of the sky,” where he will meet his lost loved ones and “shed the sins and struggles I have carried all these years.” The songwriter used a memory from his childhood as the basis for the song, specifically the lyrics “I’m gonna land beside a lion, and run my fingers through his mane.” He said:
“When I was about ten years old, I was sick one Sunday so my dad and I stayed home from church and watched the preacher on TV. And in the middle of his sermon, this guy comes out in a karate outfit and attacks the preacher. Once they got the guy under control, the preacher got back up and said, ‘I wouldn’t worry for a minute. I know where I’m going, and I can’t wait to get there. The Bible says that the lion will lay down with the lamb. Can you imagine what it would be like to lay down with a lion and run your fingers through its mane?’ Something about that image just stuck in my head, and 25 years later I remembered that sermon when I was writing with George Teren.”
The video features home videos of the artist and his late grandfather, as well as several cameos from others holding photos of their loved ones. Cameos include Michael Reagan, son of Ronald Reagan; Teresa Earnhardt, wife of Dale Earnhardt; figure skater Scott Hamilton; John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash; and Pixar director John Lasseter. Dolly Parton holds a photo of her grandfather, the Rev. Jake Owens.
Get ready for goosebumps, here’s Brad Paisley with “When I Get Where I’m Going”:
Next up, in this troubled world, we sometimes need some help from the heavens to make our way. In this song, the lead singer is calling his angels for guidance.
The song was inspired by something his therapist told him. He recounted her saying:
“Just remember that we are made up of angels and traitors, and the angel is the one that says, ‘You’re beautiful and you can do anything you want,’ and the traitor is the one that says, ‘You’re ugly and you can’t get anything right.'”
“That song just came from that conversation of, if we all called our angels, what a cool life this would be for all of us.”
Here’s Train with “Calling All Angels”:
Next up is a contemporary Christian group with a song the lead singer wrote, where he imagines what it will be like meeting Jesus for the first time. This won the award for Song of the Year at the 2002 Dove Awards.
The story behind the song was adapted into a 2018 feature film starring J. Michael Finley and Dennis Quaid. The group recorded a special version of the song for the movie. About this version:
“The song has meant a lot to me over the years and it really came out of a difficult season. It brought me a lost of hope but there has always been something very melancholy about the song in the way that it was recorded before.
Getting to do it over this time around, I really felt like it would be awesome to shape it in a more celebratory tone, where it conveys us rejoicing in the fact that we don’t have to imagine much longer. It has this cinematic and whimsical feel about it and it really fits with how I see the song today differently from when I first wrote it.”
Here’s MercyMe with “I Can Only Imagine (The Movie Session)”:
Last, but certainly not least, is a brand new song from this artist’s brand new album that was released just this past Friday. The artist is honoring the memory of her late father, Jim Moore, in this emotional new ballad.
The 43-year-old Grammy winner introduced the song and its powerful new lyric video, which features home video footage of her and Moore over the years, Feb. 14 on Instagram.
“Sometimes love leaves us too soon. On Valentine’s Day — I cherish the love I have that I can touch — and the love I have in my heart for those who have gone on to the next adventure. This one’s for you, Daddy Sir. #HeWasMyFirstValentine.”
In a voice-over on the video, the artist’s dad can be heard explaining why he filmed so many of the family’s special moments:
“I thought it would be nice if you had some memories of how it all began and where you all came from, and some of the memories through the years.”
Throwback images of his famous daughter, whom he refers to by her real name, Alecia, flash on screen, showing several of the artist’s school photos from childhood through adolescence and also includes images of her celebrating her first birthday.
Get ready for some major goosebumps, here’s P!nk with “When I Get There”:
That’s a wrap for this week – see you on the dance floor!
Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:
I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohort, the awesome Cathy from Curious as a CAThy, and Alana of Ramblin’ with AM!
Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!
Awesome, awesome, awesome playlist. Brad Paisley reminds us that we have all lost some one far too soon in this life. Yes Train, this world, and our lives are impacted by our Creator and Satan. The Creator says, “I know the thoughts I have for you and they are for you to prosper and have hope.” Satan tells us we will never amount to anything outside of our own efforts. Mercy Me give us a chance to pause and just try to imagine what heaven will be like. The answer is, it will be far better than anything we can imagine. And Pink speaks to our heart and the void left when that special one steps into eternity. Really well crafted playlist this week.
I like your take on the theme. Nice playlist
Such a great playlist. Love your songs. We both picked Train but different songs.
I’m not much into country but love Pink and her beautiful tribute to her dad.
HEY GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another one that I’ve missed so much! How are you and the family doin? I hope everyone is rockin’ & rollin’ and having a mess of healthy fun! You’ve been alright haven’t you? I surely hope so. Well, needless to say I’ve forgotten everything. Girl, don’t get old cuz it ain’t noooooooooooooo fun at all! I won’t bore you as to what’s been goin’ on, but I’m gettin’ back on my feet and I’ve missed all of you immensely. We’ll talk more later, but just to let you know you always pop up in my memories and in my heart my dear friend. Have a great night & will talk soon. Hugs, Marie P.S. Give all dem dare babies of yours a hug for me! I bet they’re really big by now right? God bless them and you & the hubby!~
Stacy,
I have to ditto Driller’s Place comment as he said it best – excellent song picks. I was especially surprised at how much I enjoyed P!nk’s song – a sweet tear jerker for sure. Mercy Me “I Can Only Imagine” is my favorite, though – just beautiful! Have a boogietastic week, my dear!