Songprint

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCmUhYSr-e4

My first song is "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding. One way I would describe myself is stuck in the past. I love old movies, music, and TV shows. A good amount of the music I listen to is from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. This song, in particular, is one of my favorites because it is so calming and yet soulful at the same time. On the surface, it is about a man relaxing and simply enjoying the scenery of the ocean; however, the song is actually about a man who has fallen on hard times and is lonely and jobless. Despite the underlying melancholy, the song always calms me and makes me put things in perspective. Part of this could be because of the index of the ocean. Every time I see an ocean, or rather think of one, its vastness makes me feel that nothing is as important as it may seem at any given moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFPSeCeMqOU

My next song is a French song, "Petite Soeur"--Little Sister--by Ben L'Oncle Soul. I'm the baby of my family, with an older brother and all older cousins. I chose this song because of my close relationship with my brother. I look up to my brother and respect him more than anyone else. He is, in part, responsible for my appreciation of music. He has introduced me to hundreds of new songs and artists. The lyrics of the song tell of an older brother looking out for his little sister. The refrain, translates to "I know you by heart" (an older brother singing to his younger sister) so it comforting to listen to the song and think of my brother who would do the same. This song also falls under the genre of soul and is very upbeat and lively and I enjoy listening to it because it puts me in a light-hearted mood. In addition, I love the French language and culture; I plan to minor in French and study abroad there so I thought it appropriate to include a French song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGgznzG5Ygc

Howard Hanson's "Romantic Symphony No. 2" is my favorite classical piece. I played it with an orchestra this past year (I play flute) and experienced flow and communitas while playing it. Every time I listen to or play this piece, I become completely absorbed in the piece. I love the piece itself because it depicts and evokes so many emotions, it being a Romantic symphony. It starts out mysterious, becomes aggressive then dissolves into a love melody before an exultant ending. I find it fascinating that a piece of music is able to encompass so many emotions; it somewhat has the effect of catharsis, the purification of emotion resulting in a sense of renewal, on the listener, and especially on me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF_oBfItRO0

The final song I chose is a version of "Back Home Again in Indiana" done by Louis Armstrong. I have lived in Indiana my whole life, moving across the street once. I chose this particular version of the song because I love Louis Armstrong. I find his style of jazz to be comforting and cheery. I also enjoy listening to jazz, specifically big band jazz..