i may be Wrecked but you’re a Perfect Angel in this Love Story

Hello Monday – I’ve been sicker than a dog since Friday, so I’m gonna keep this short. Since it’s Monday, you know that Monday means music! This week’s theme is “Songs inspired by fiction/non-fiction people or historical events”. Let’s get this historical fiction/non-fiction party started, shall we?

Let’s start with a song for the non-fiction people side by this group’s lead vocalist who wrote this emotional rock ballad shortly after losing his sister-in-law to cancer. She’d always been there for him, even sending him supportive messages despite being ill after he had separated from his wife, her sister. The singer considered his sister-in-law his best friend and is now an emotional “wreck” because of her passing.

The singer was with his sister-in-law and his brother when she died. The brothers were both raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he watched his sibling’s faith bring him hope that they would be reconciled in heaven. The frontman sings of his hopes that he too will meet his beloved sister-in-law again.

I’ll see you again, my loved one

As the artist struggled with the loss, he took shelter in song. He said this song was his “way of dealing with it all, as music has always been my refuge.”

“No longer being a man of fervent faith, I can only hope that she hears it somewhere in a place where she is healed and no longer in pain. This song is my wish for an eternity with those that I love.”

Give a listen to Imagine Dragons with “Wrecked”:

Next up, another non-fiction people song, from this artist wrote about his wife – the pair were childhood friends who got together in 2015 and were married in 2019. About the video he said:

“Came up with the idea for the video because I like Christmas. There’s not enough Christmas music videos out nowadays. So yeah, I wanted snow and romance. The song’s cheesy anyway and I thought we might as well go like full-blown Swiss cheese on it.”

Get ready for goosebumps, here’s Ed Sheeran with “Perfect”:

Next up is an artist who wrote this song about a drug-addict’s struggles with the world. The “angel” symbolizes the drugs the addict gives in to repeatedly. The artist explained that this song is about the Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin and died in 1996. She didn’t know him and was never a heavy drug user herself, but when she read about his death in Rolling Stone, she felt a connection, as she had just come off two years on the road where “there’s nothing constant but everything becomes the same.”

This is the song that the artist’s fans ask her about the most, and the one many seem to relate to. She was quoted as saying:

“I have the same real, visceral attachment to it that that they do. It was one of those beautiful songs, for me, that came out quickly and easily. I felt like more of a conduit. There wasn’t all that blood, sweat and tears attached to it. It just kind of happened. Those are blissful moments that seldom happen for me as a songwriter.”

This was used in the 1998 movie City of Angels during a pivotal scene. The artist said this was the best use of any of her songs in a TV series or movie.

I found the video of this song where P!nk joins Sarah on stage at the 2008 American Music Awards to sing this as a duet – priceless!

Without further ado, here’s Sarah McLachlan and P!nk with “Angel”:

Last, but certainly not least, this artist takes a page out of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Her telling of Romeo and Juliet certainly has a sweeter ending than Shakespeare’s. In the last chorus, her beau “knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring” rather than killing himself with poison like the original Romeo.

Here’s the inimitable Taylor Swift with “Love Story”:

That’s a wrap for this week – have a great Monday! See you on the dance floor!

Now onto 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!