Ballads

Hello, reading family. After tackling meaty topics for a while, I figured I was due for something lighter and more frivolous. Music continues to be a powerful, transformative force in my life and especially in my creativity. So it's time for another blog about music but today I want to focus on favorite ballads. I've always enjoyed the opportunity to rock out with the quicker songs but my soul NEEDS ballads. Let's jump right into the list and commentary, shall we?

1. "If These Walls Could Speak" Amy Grant. This is my favorite song of all time. The best song Jimmy Webb every wrote. It's a very sentimental piece...I'm really attached to it.

2. "Wichita Lineman" Glen Campbell. Another tune penned by Jimmy Webb. I love the lyric: "And I need you more than want you. And I want you for all time." Wow!

3. "Red Hill Mining Town" U2. My favorite song from my favorite band. I love this one so much I wrote an entire screenplay about it.

4."Crying" Roy Orbison. I love the duet he did with k.d. lang in the late 80's. If this song doesn't well up a tear or two, you must be dead or never had your heart broken.

5."Desperado" The Eagles. Oh my god...I've been the desperado. This is the ultimate cowboy love song. Perfect for long drives through Kansas.

6."Drift Away" Dobie Gray. My third favorite song of all time. Very mellow. Always cheers me up.

7."Oh Girl" The Chi-Lites. So soulful. At times it feels agonizingly slow but it's one of the most emotional songs I've ever heard. The harmonica is so beautiful.

8."What's Going On?" Marvin Gaye. A masterpiece. Still makes me cry.

9. "She's Got You" Patsy Cline. I adore almost anything she sang. She reminds me of my grandmother who was also a big fan.

10. "Words Get in the Way" Gloria Estefan. When I was little I didn't like her at all but as an adult I appreciate her talent. Great song-very sad though.

11. "Rainy Days and Mondays" The Carpenters. Brilliant. Utterly brilliant.

12. "Linger" The Cranberries. I listen to this constantly. What a sexy voice!

Of course, there are so many others but I'll save them for future blogs.