Red Light Special - TLC

This song came up as we added it to a sexy song playlist and it really took us by surprise how enduringly sexy it is. To me, the tone and sound of the song are just dripping with sexuality. However, the ladies amongst us had a different opinion… They see this as a “sexy” song written for men. And I can’t disagree. The interesting thing here is that this thought never crossed my mind. But now that I know it, I can’t ignore it.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love this song and still find it very sexy. “Baby, it’s yours, all yours, if you want it tonight.” So seductive! And the idea of making a night of it and going to the lengths of turning on a red light makes me think this woman is really doting on her man. We all agree that it is a good song, but the ladies prefer a song with a bit more of a feminist take on sexuality… like WAP (another fantastically sexy song).

I still stand by the fact that this song has endured for nearly 30 years and is still widely considered a great and sexy song. And TLC has at least two of these, Creep being the other. So if they really were written with men in mind, they nailed their demographic.

Let Go - Frou Frou

When we get high, our mantra is typically “Let Go”. This came about, not because of this song, but from a strong desire to lean into the high and let it take you where it will. By letting go, we can feel the things we need to feel and think the things we need to think to really enjoy ourselves and even get our minds right.

So when this song randomly came on while we were high, we really let it wash over us. I was introduced to this song in college and loved it immediately. It was underground and unique and I really appreciated it.

It’s funny how lyrics in the songs we love can fly right over our heads, even after hundreds of listens. Even as I write this, I’m discovering that, while the song IS about enjoying the moment, I believe it’s also about something very different: breaking down yourself. Feel the feelings. Feel the sadness. Have the breakdown… then put that shit behind you and enjoy the beauty of you and this life.

This is one of those songs that I over-played for years until I sapped the joy right out of the song. I had to remove it from all playlists and banish it for years. But 2021 is apparently the year to let it back in.

Lake Song - The Decemberists

This song!!… I don’t know how it took me so long to find it. (As of this writing, the song is five years old.) It’s so stunningly beautiful. When it plays, I am blissfully distracted by it. This is one of those songs that I discovered sober, but dug deep down into my soul when I heard it high.

I love how it starts out on kind of a high note and then suddenly drops the tone to somber. The lyrics “You tattered me and tethered me to you” are particularly striking. I interpret it as a sort of a reflection of a relationship, somewhat bittersweet. You love me, but you hurt me… and we are forever bound.

This is most certainly poetry set to music… the kind of song that lasts forever. I picture it being from the 60s and playing in an oldies playlist, fitting right in there.

In college, I took a class on poetry. It was terrific. I had never been into poetry, but the class really showed me all that goes on below the surface of the text. I had no idea how profoundly it would affect me when I signed up for it. Anyway, I don’t know of any classes on dissecting songs, but I would most certainly be interested. Perhaps Song Exploder could get The Decemberists to explain this one to me.

brown skin girl

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

cats in the cradle

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.