Hi there.
I know I haven't written in nearly a month, but I'll make up for it with what I think is one of my best songs, I promise.
The day after Fearless came out were the CMA (Country Music Association) Awards. They were brilliant. I loved watching every minute of it. The hosts were Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and the former opened with his new single featuring Keith Urban, "Start a Band." The thing with those two is that they are the best guitar players in country music (if not in all of music) that together they burn up the stage, while looking as though they are having such fun. The next performance was Kellie Pickler with "Best Days of Your Life," which she co-wrote with Taylor Swift; it's a really fun song, and she performed it with vivacity. Then was Alan Jackson having a "Good Time." Too bad I don't really like this song, because I love Alan Jackson. After Alan was the incredible Miranda Lambert (who has the most beautiful voice), singing "More Like Her," which has such a beautiful melody. Lady Antebellum sang next, with their hit "Love Don't Live Here," a really nice song that catapulted the group to stardom. The next two numbers didn't really make an impression on me, Martina McBride's "Ride" and Rodney Atkins' "It's America," which was really a shame because the former has such a lovely voice and the latter is one of my favourite men of country. Then was Taylor Swift with the amazing "Love Story." Before the last verse, she changed dresses halfway and then as she was singing the last part, the guy (Justin Gaston) from the video came out; but my favourite part was when she hit the mic on one of the posts she had there. I encourage you to check it out. The next singer surprised me tremendously, Kid Rock (who knew he sang country?) with "All Summer Long." The song is terrific. Ironically, I was looking at a video of Travis Zajac's hockey highlights (it was lame) the next day on youtube, and the song playing in the background was this one. Next was the immortal George Strait, whose song name I unfortunately didn't catch, but you can be sure it was wonderful (it's George Strait, how could it be anything else?). Then was Jason Aldean with "She's Country." The lyrics were okay, but it had a great guitar line. Brooks and Dunn were next, with Reba McIntire, singing "Cowgirls Don't Cry," a song which nearly made me cry. After this was Darrius Rucker, with his fantastic first country single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." I just about screamed when they announced him, because I love love love him. (For those who don't know, he used to be the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish.) I practically screamed again for the next performance, Brad Paisley's "Waiting on a Woman," which was on his album Time Well Wasted but re-released with a music video. He is simply perfect, in every way. Keith Urban performed "Sweet Thing," which was lovely and is his new single. Next was Carrie Underwood, whose "Just a Dream" was introduced by a widower whose late husband was killed in Iraq (which ensured that there was not a dry eye in the audience before the song even began...although I have to say I didn't even tear up, I've listened to the song so many times that I'm immune). After Carrie was the spectacular band Sugarland, whom I "Love." I think it's a weaker song on their part, but Jennifer Nettles proved me wrong. Except what the hell was she wearing? James Otto was next, with his breakout song "Just Got Started Lovin' You." Aside from Josh Turner, he has the deepest voice in country currently, I believe. Kenny Chesney sang next, with his new single "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven," not my favourite of his songs, but his stage presence is incomparable. Then was Trace Adkins, with his sentimental "You're Gonna Miss This," which is one of my favourite song ever. The Eagles closed the show with "Busy Bein' Fabulous," a song I like but whose video makes no sense to me (where did the monkey come from? why do the women start looking at each other so strangely?).
And of course, the night was about the awards, the presentations of which were interspersed between musical numbers-
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally
Music Video of the Year: "Waitin' on a Woman," Brad Paisley (when has he NOT won this?)
Musical Event of the Year: "Gone Gone Gone," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Song of the Year: "Stay," Jennifer Nettles (well-deserved)
Album of the Year: Troubadour, George Strait
Single of the Year: "I Saw God Today," George Strait
Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland (duh)
Vocal Group of the Year: Rascal Flatts (again, duh)
New Artist of the Year: Lady Antebellum (I was hoping for Kellie Pickler, but yay LA, too)
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley (!!!!)
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
and...Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney (who has a running streak of this category at the CMAs and at the ACMs)
The song I am going to post will not win Single of the Year, or Song of the Year or anything, but you can bet I love it anyway. It was conceived when I was brushing my teeth (like that's not weird or anything) and I was thinking about the incomparable feeling of just pure safety people feel in someone else's arms, and it began taking shape in my mind, although the final draft is nothing like the first version, except for the first verse. It's the first time I feel really exposed with a song, because I love to keep the memory in the second verse and the bridge to myself, but it just fit nicely in the song. With that said, he never pulled over and hugged me, I was sitting in the back seat.
Do You Feel Safer Now
I woke up crying when I was five
the guys in black were in my mind
death was the one thing I was afraid of
and even more for those I loved
I lay there crying and I called for daddy
and I knew with love he'd save me
he came in sleepily and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
it's okay, you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but I'm here, you'll always be my little girl
do you feel better now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this, and ask do you feel safer now
five years later I'm in the car with my friend's dad
and thoughts I have are making me sad
like I don't want to grow up too fast
and I want my childhood to last and last
I told him that I was really scared
cause those I love someday won't be there
he pulled over and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but in your heart, you'll always be a little girl
do you feel better now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this and ask do you feel safer now
(softly)
BRIDGE:
my friend's dad was killed that September
at his funeral they asked us to remember him
but I can't connect him to the towers' fall
cause when I think of him, I recall
when he pulled over and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
it's okay, you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but in your heart, you'll always be a little girl
always be a little girl
do you feel safer now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this and ask do you feel safer now
do you feel safer now
I feel safer now
I feel safer now...
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. "White Horse" is Taylor's new single. In case you were wondering.
p.p.s. Congratulations to Livingston High School on their win in the State Championships for football this afternoon, 28-8 over Hackensack. I was there, with my dad. It was cold, but a tremendously fun game.
2 comments:
Hello, NBK.
You're not alone, trust me. I've read many of your past blog entries (I'm sorry if that's weird), but I also have not reached the "pinnacle" that is said to be the culmination of firsts. When I think about it, though, maybe reaching that pinnacle isn't such a great thing, especially if you begin to hurt your heart by wanting it so much.
One thing that I've loved about all your songs is the fact that they come from you. Not only through you. Each and every song is a piece of who you are, they come from your experiences, they are from your emotions. Each background story, every word written, it makes it real. For those that will hear your songs in the future, they are amongst the lucky ones.
This song, however, is beautiful. You convey the emotion quite beautifully. I love how you consistently use "he pulled over and pulled me in his arms." That makes the song for me, that one act as simple as that could be so profound and so needed. I understand it also.
Just food for thought, though: maybe he didn't pull you into his arms, and maybe you were in the backseat, but I've seen your heart through all these songs--someone will. Don't lose hope, because from what I see, no one deserves you.
just me, thanking you.
I remember coming home that day having no idea what was going on. My grandmother was frantic -- she had not been able to contact my dad. The television was on, and I got dizzy watching it, but I couldn't tear my eyes away. My dad came home --thank god-- a few hours later, completely covered in debris. It was so jarring to see him like that. He had been stuck in the city, and he told us how one of his good friends lost his secretary that day. I'll never forget that.
I think this song wonderful. It conveys the idea of feeling safe with someone else perfectly. I love the ending to the song -- I think it ties it all together really nicely. Amazing job.
I was at the game with some friends too. It was really fun.
Thank you for the Musik!
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