Several times I have shared how much I love music, from my current workout playlist, to favorite songs and my adoration of Dave Matthews.
I have a short list of songs that I *must* hear performed live before I die because they are some of my all time favorites, meaningful to me and have helped me find my voice when my own words have failed me or I simply admire the artist so much that I have to see them in concert. In alphabetical order, they are:
- #41 by The Dave Matthews Band*
- A Thousand Years by Christina Perri*
- Anna Begins by The Counting Crows*
- Clarity by John Mayer*
- Good Enough by Sarah McLachlan
- Nick of Time by Bonnie Raitt*
- Piano Man by Billy Joel*
- Pictures of You by The Cure
- Second Hand News by Fleetwood Mac*
- Someone Like You by Van Morrison
I’ve been lucky enough to see the starred ones, some more than once!
Last night I saw Christina Perri at a small radio marketing event that my sister’s company was involved in at the Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood. Perri sang only three songs, two from her new album, released this week and opened with “A Thousand Years”.
I cried through the entire song. I didn’t sing along even though I know every word, I just cried.
I loved the Twilight series, read the books and was first in line to see the movies (all five), but I don’t remember hearing Perri’s song during the credits of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1. Apparently after fans heard it on the movie’s soundtrack, they adopted it as “Bella and Edward’s song”. It’s significance to me isn’t Twihard related; for me it served as an anthem during my struggles with infertility, a love song to a child I longed to meet someday.
I’m still recovering/processing/coming up for air from that chapter of my life and it’s proving to be harder than I thought. Infertility is a crazy roller coaster ride of ebbs and flows, hope and disappointment and there were some very dark days when I didn’t think I could handle it anymore and those were the days I turned to my infertility playlist for inspiration, a good cry and above all comfort. “A Thousand Years” is on that playlist and will always be a favorite and gentle reminder of a very difficult period of my life.
Last night was only the second time I have heard the song since my miracle, Lola was born and I was completely overcome with emotion. It’s a beautiful and moving song.
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
Not only did I get the chance to hear Christina Perri live, I also met her after her set and told her how much her song means to me. She was gracious and kind and asked how everything turned out and thanked me for sharing my story.
It was a very special experience. Thank you, again, Leah! You better believe I rushed home to snuggle our little Lola.
Meeting Christina Perri – Hard Rock Cafe, April 2, 2014
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Wow, Tonya, that is amazing! So glad you were able to hear it that way and meet her!
I also have a post brewing about music, live. It’s a truly close-to-my-heart subject for me since I am a musician myself. I love that song and the fact that it carried you through hard days. xo
How wonderful! I know that rush of tears when something just speaks to you in such a way. I felt it just yesterday too. I’m so glad you were able to hear this song live and meet the artist.
I have a similar list! I love that we like so many of the same artists/songs. I mean, not many 30-something’s choose Bonnie Raitt’s Nick of Time as an all time favorite. Girl, I adore you.
I’m so happy you got to hear *your* song and meet Christina Perri. She must be very touched by your story. I am for sure. Those snuggles with Lola afterwards must have been precious. Love ya! xoxo
I can imagine all the emotions of that moment. Music has such a way of speaking to us, doesn’t it? I am so glad that you not only got a chance to hear it live, but that you got a chance to meet her afterwards. That is so wonderful.
I’m so happy for you that you heard the song live, AND met Christina Perri!
Here’s my song story: when I was in hospital a few weeks ago, bleeding and thinking I was miscarrying, I watched a lot of TV. One movie I watched was Twilight, right after the doctor came to check on me, and we found out that we were expecting twins. And the song at the end credits, was A Thousand Years. I cried, and counted my many blessings, thinking, what an apt song, truly.
xoxo
That’s amazing! What a cool experience, something for you to hold onto forever. And a picture! Awesome.
I LOVED this and I love many many many of those songs too.
How incredible to be able to meet her and tell her what that song meant to you.
I felt the way you did when I saw TRAIN and they did “Calling All Angels” although I wouldn’t be pregnant with the twins for another year, hearing it LIVE was soul soothing and special. I didn’t meet Pat (OMG!!! if I did!) but just to be able to hear it Live was amazing.
I wish I could see a concert with you…I know that would be a special life changing time for me and you. Our hearts are connected by a song already.
xoxo
Wow, Tonya – Amazing! I love that song, and reading the words here gave me chills as I thought of what they mean to you. xoxo
This is such a moving story. I’m so glad you met her and could tell her.