Monday, January 24, 2011

Everyone needs an anthem

I've just jumped on Alex J. Cavenaugh's Music Blogfest bandwagon (don't forget to go check out the other entries), but I'm going to break the rules a little bit. You see, I don't listen to music when I'm writing (I have enough words inside my head... adding lyrics just makes it hard to hear them).

I'm going to talk about one song. It's the song that I listen to when this writing business gets really hard (which, of course, seems like most of the time). It's The Climb by Mylie Cyrus (or Hannah Montana).

OK, get the laughs out now. I'll wait.

Done? OK, good. Now I am a thirty-something wife and mother-of-two. I grew up listening to 80s music. I'm married to a former metal head and current electric guitar enthusiast. So I get a lot of stick when this comes booming through the iPod dock at home. (And it happened once when our hip-hop music-producing neighbor was over for dinner).

My reaction? (and I quote...)

Everybody needs an anthem, some piece of music that inspires or speaks to them. And when it feels like you are facing some form of rejection every other day, you take your inspiration where you can get it. Don't diss the Mylie.

So without further ado, here are the lyrics. You be the judge...
The Climb

Mylie Cyrus

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

Songwriters: Alexander, J; Mabe, J;
© HOPELESS ROSE MUSIC; VISTAVILLE MUSIC;

I haven't figured out how to embed the audio file so I'll give you the music video (just listen with your eyes closed).


To me, this song perfectly captures how I feel about working toward publication. I might never get there but I am so blessed to have the opportunity to try. Hard or not, this is a journey worth making.

18 comments:

  1. I imagine it captures working toward any artistic, opinion-based effort, yes? My oldest sang this song in a "talent show" when she was in first grade, and her teacher and I teared up... :D lol! It's a good one~

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  2. This song is my guilty pleasure. It always reminds me of my writing journey!

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  3. That's a great take on the fest! Don't worry, we also had a lot of non-writers who just posted their favorites - and not all writers listen to music when they write.
    Thanks for participating!

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  4. Hey, I love the song! Only song by her I think has merit but a LOT of merit. I want to know how to embed music as well :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  5. anthems are great. I use theme songs for my stories.

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  6. This is a good song. I don't generally like cyrus but she does an awesome job with this song

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  7. Loved it most pleasurable to read and listen.

    I always play music whilstg writing my blog.

    Yvonne,

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  8. I love Miley, such a lovely girl. And love her new album too!

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  9. I love that song, and it's very appropriate! My theme song is "Don't Rain on My Parade" by Barbara Streisand...many people make fun of me for it also! :)

    P.S. thanks for mentioning my blog to Nicole Ducleroir. :)

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  10. Hey, I LOVE this song. Was just singing it yesterday. Nice.

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  11. I love that song, too! Thanks for the blog recommendation yesterday. I visited Racquel and now we follow each other!

    I'm hosting a blogfest -- come check it out!
    ((hugs)) Nicole

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  12. The lyrics are very moving and motivational for sure!

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  13. I have 2 nine year olds, so we watch a lot of Hannah. And I can admit, I like that one. ;)

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  14. It's a good song and an interesting take on the blogfest. I don't know if I have any one personal anthem--I'd have to think on that one.

    Lee
    Make sure you check my Wednesday post!
    Tossing It Out

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  15. I'm not really into Miley Cyrus, but I do love this song. I love any song with an uplifting message. My anthem would be "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked (though I like Glee's version better)

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  16. It really made me smile to read how many people said "I'm not really into Miley but..." And it REALLY made me smile to have all of you visiting. Thanks for coming by! And I'm still working on getting around to everyone else (I'm on a strict blogging diet these days).

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  17. I like that line, "ain't about how fast I get there" - somedays I feel like I have to hurry and write, hurry and get my edits done, hurry and send out queries... but what am I rushing the process for?

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