I've been living with this track for weeks now - letting it creep up on me and infect my bones - I knew it would appear on the list - just didn't know when.
Relationships...
Damn!
Crazy ass relationships - they power the world of creativity - from Picasso to Petty, Rodin to Radiohead - how two humans relate to each other is the ultimate grist for the mill. The story in this song is as old as the patriarchy and yet feels so relevant in today's turbulent times.
It wasn't so long ago that women didn't have the option of leaving. It wasn't so long ago that wives were property - it's been centuries and millennia of behavior and practice and culture and - at the end of the day - it's been about power - who has it - who doesn't - who ultimately calls the shots.
I love the imagery in this song - the Bird and the Rifle - it's genius songwriting - probably one of my favorite lyrics of the last couple of years. Go and listen to that second verse a couple of times and then listen to the chorus again - tell me if it doesn't ring true to you...
I'm optimistic for the bird - she gets away and hopefully she'll become her true, fully expressed form in the future - but I'm sad for the rifle - for his self fulfilling fear of losing what he never "owned" in the first place.
I'm encouraged by stories where empowerment and equality can be developed "in situ" - where both parties are changed and the love between them - that even in this track is there - is allowed to flourish and grow and become stronger as the entities become true partners.
When we meet as equals - we have hope.
How To Heal Yourself When You Are Grieving - An Online Course
Would You Like To Feel As Though... a weight has been lifted off your shoulders? Your broken heart is beginning to mend? You are no longer in pain? You can sleep, eat and function again? You've let go of what's keeping you stuck and you've moved from surviving to living again? If so, this course was designed for you.
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About the Curator - Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the dark forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top. They would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
After my dad died I was very sad - I couldn't play for a while and when I did, the music that came out reflected my grieving state. I wrote an album of solo piano music called Music to Grieve to - from which the idea of the Music to community originated.
If you'd like to know more you should read Nicole's fabulous article on why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
Latest Posts
Don’t Give Up – Peter Gabriel
24 September 2022
What’s the point?
You ever find yourself asking that?
The point of this playlist is to bring succor to people who are grieving. That’s it. We listen to and feature songs that we hope people can resonate with and perhaps elicit a cathartic release – at the very least – to help them feel less alone…
Strange Beauty – First Aid Kit
18 September 2022
It’s still September. We’re still talking about Suicide. We’re doing this because the experts tell us that the more we talk about it – the more we bring it into the open – the less likely it is that people will go through with it.
And yet – people still do…
Open Letter – Mr. Phelps
11 September 2022
So it’s September – and for the Grieve To list – that means our thoughts turn to suicide.
Yep – if you didn’t know – September is Suicide Awareness Month – it’s also National Suicide Prevention Month and in fact right now – between the 8th and the 14th – it’s actually National Suicide Prevention Week. If you are in any doubt as to the impact suicide has on society – spend a minute here: Suicide Statistics – the rate inches up every year – and as a middle aged white male – well – I’m slap bang in the highest risk group…
Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to be creative and brilliant without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I’m part of a global creator community that collaborates through music. You can learn more about our community here.