Musical Baton

Today I received this from a total stranger. It made me smile to think that I have cool people reading my blog and thinking of me. I don't usually do these serveys in-blog, but I like this one. So here goes.

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Kelly passed this musical baton on to me.

Total volume of music on my computer:
Sorted: 17.72 Gigabytes (4307 files)
Unsorted: 177.2 Megabytes (46 files)
The last CD I bought:
Snow Patrol - Final Straw (Although I bought it on iTunes, just to clarify)
Song playing right now:
Tori Amos - Taxi Ride


Five songs I listen to a lot, or that mean a lot to me:

Frou Frou - Must Be Dreaming
My most listened to song on iTunes (90 plays, not counting the iPod, CD playings, and the like). This song always makes me close my eyes and move my body. Imogen Heap's voice is so ethereal and the melody is just so incredible. I can listen to this song hundreds of times (and I have) and I never tire of it. If it's mentioned, I want to hear it. If a second of it is played, it is stuck in my head for hours.

Eric Whitacre - Sleep (performed by The BYU Singers)
Even though I sang this song during my senior year of high school, listening to it holds even more meaning. I have to stop and allow the gorgeous chords to wash over me and let the lyrics envelop me...it simply puts me in a different place. The motion and freedom at the climax gives me chills every time; absolutely nothing negates the pure beauty of it. Even when I feel the most distanced from choral music I am always reminded just how much I love it and how much I would love to compose and create that experience for another.

Rufus Wainwright - Dinner at Eight
Rufus has such a unique voice. The emotion he expresses in this song is just so incredible and strong. The fact that his father doesnt accept the fact that he's gay is so heartwrenching, and Rufus conveys this pain so vividly. I remember the day I realized the real meaning behind the lyrics, and how profound and meaningful they are. I love Rufus for his music, and for the experiences that he shares through it.

Lifehouse - Simon
What an underappreciated band. Lifehouse is simply amazing. Just because "Hanging By a Moment" was a popped out, overplayed, radio rag doesn't mean Lifehouse should be just another one hit wonder. Simon is raw emotion. How many nights did I just sit in my car listening to No Name Face on repeat, thinking about..everything? Lifehouse got me through it...through day to day emotional difficulties, through high school, and through life.

Sarah McLachlan - Do What You Have to Do
All gay guys have a "coming out song." Most are cliche, happy, and somewhat stupid (Diana Ross, anyone?)...mine...isn't. When I was laying in my dorm room bunk staring at the ceiling...knowing Kristin was in Stuart missing me and loving me with all her heart, I knew, somewhere, that I couldn't continue to allow her to live that life anymore, that life filled with unknown false hope. More powerfully, I realized that I couldn't live that life either; I simply had to tell her the truth, and this song sang that reality so simply and explicitly. It is still hard for me to listen to this song. But, in retrospect, I realize how much raw emotional strength it took to follow the lyrics. I am so greatful that everything worked out the way it did.

Five People I'm Rolling the Baton To:
Eric, Niki, Erica, Adam, and Kristin.

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