There are two songs that in many ways define the past few months for me.
The Hollies with their 1974 hit 'The Air That I Breathe' and 'My Immortal' from Evanescence's 2003 album 'Fallen'. Both songs developed a meaning for me in the last third of 2011, both for the same reason.
Seldom does a song describe the feelings and emotions that are present. I've known this song for the greater part of my life but, at one moment, whilst travelling up the M5 towards home, I really heard it for the first time.
The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe
If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass. Can't think of anything I need. No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound. Nothing to eat, no books to read
Making love with you, has left me peaceful, warm and tired. What more could I ask? There's nothing left to be desired. Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak. So sleep, silent angel, go to sleep
Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe. And to love you. All I need is the air that I breathe, yes to love you. All I need is the air that I breathe
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak. So sleep, silent angel, go to sleep
Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe. And to love you. All I need is the air that I breathe, yes to love you. All I need is the air that I breathe
Mike Hazlewood / Albert Hammond
The following song is bittersweet. Initially it was a song that I kind of knew but hadn't ascribed any particular sense to. That changed in the summer and it took on various meanings for me over that time. Seeing Amy Lee perform it live at the Hammersmith Apollo in November added something else. Today it fills me with sadness and I can barely bring myself to listen to it without tears. It was witten by Ben Moody and, according to Wikipedia "Moody said that the song talks about 'a spirit staying with you after its death and haunting you until you actually wish that the spirit were gone because it won't leave you alone.' ". I know the feeling although in my case it's the stuff in my head that won't leave me alone.
Evanescence - My Immortal
I'm so tired of being here. Suppressed by all my childish fears. And if you have to leave, I wish that you would just leave, because your presence still lingers here and it won't leave me alone. These wounds won't seem to heal. This pain is just too real. There's just too much that time cannot erase.
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears. When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears. And I held your hand through all of these years. But you still have... All of me
You used to captivate me by your resonating light. Now I'm bound by the life you left behind. Your face it haunts, my once pleasant dreams. Your voice it chased away, all the sanity in me. These wounds won't seem to heal. This pain is just too real. There's just too much that time cannot erase
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears. When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears. And I held your hand through all of these years. But you still have... All of me
I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone. But though you're still with me, I've been alone all along.
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears. When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears. And I held your hand through all of these years. But you still have…
All of me ahhh. Me, ahhh. Me, ahhh
Ben Moody
