Melissa Etheridge’s new album Fearless Love won’t hit stores until April, but the first single (the title track off the record) has just been released to radio.  The song has a pop/rock feel and is very radio-friendly.  For a sneak peek at Fearless Love, go here: http://www.radiosophie.com/pages/1758142.php

Lyrics to Fearless Love:

When I woke up I was 17

You kissed my lips in a bad bad dream
Showed me things aren’t what they appear to be
Called me angel and set me free
You gave me life in the cold cold dark
But you ran away in the mornings spark
Made me think that reality
Is not where I want to be

I am what I am and
I am what I am afraid of
Oh what am I afraid of
I need a fearless love
Don’t need to fear the end
If you can’t hold me now
You will never hold me again
I want to live my life
Pursuing all my happiness
I want a fearless love
I won’t settle for anything less

I’ve walked my path had worlds collide
I lost my way and I fooled my pride
This lover’s ache wouldn’t feel so strange
If I could only change

But I am what I am and
I am what I am afraid of
So what am I afraid of
I need a fearless love
Don’t need to fear the end
If you can’t hold me now
You will never hold me again
I want to live my life
Pursuing all my happiness
I want a fearless love
I won’t settle for anything less

Now I’m not here to lay the blame
I understand when you hold a flame
Heads will shake heads will turn
And sometimes you just get burned

For more on Melissa Etheridge, visit www.melissaetheridge.com.

Never-before-heard audio tapes of John Lennon warming up during the making of the Double Fantasy album have reportedly surfaced.

The website Lennontapes.com has begun selling the 13-minute recording, which it claims was tracked on 19 August 1980, at The Hit Factory in New York City.

The snippets that we heard appear to be authentic. They contain Lennon warming up in the sound booth on covers that were possibly recorded by never released: Bobby Darin’s Dream Lover, the doo-wop classic Stay and Elvis Presley’s hit Mystery Train.

Although the rights to the audio would presumably belong to Yoko Ono, Lennontapes is selling the recording. To hear snippets and read the backstory, click here.

Source www.musicradar.com

“I’m Losing You” – John Lennon

To buy the music of John Lennon click HERE

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A few weeks ago the Economist ran a story on 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The cover had one of the iconic images from that year, a punk sitting a top the crumbling wall. For those of us who grew up during the cold war, the dismantling of the Berlin Wall was probably one of the most significant political events of our lives, at least until September 11, 2001. Looking back, 1989 was quite a year. The event in Germany prompted Eastern European countries like Czechoslovakia and Poland to undergo peaceful transitions out from under Soviet control. Earlier that year student demonstrators took over Tiananmen Square in Beijing in what led to, while not the political opening of China then by all accounts its economic opening. In 1989 the Exxon Valdez spilled 10 million gallons of crude oil on Prince WIlliam Sound, Alaska in what remains the worst environmental disaster to happen at sea. In other news, the U.S. invaded Panama and bailed out the Savings & Loan industry. An earthquake in San Francisco held up the World Series. At Hillsborough stadium in England, 96 people died at a football (soccer) match.

For me, one of the most significant events of 1989 took place on December 6th at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. On that day, a 25 year old man killed 14 women and injured many others, before turning a gun on himself in what became known as the Montreal Massacre. He claimed that he was “fighting feminism.” His suicide note supposedly mentioned women who had succeeded in non-traditional female work such as firefighters, police officers, and journalists. On that date I was in college only an hour and a half from Montreal. Many of us spent a lot of time there, so the shock waves from the event rippled to the dorms of University of Vermont. This week, as I look back on 1989 and the female artists who were shaping the next decades of music, I dedicate this post to the women who died senselessly at the hands of a madman on December 6, 1989.

I’ll begin with one of the most significant albums for me in 1989, Kate Bush’s The Sensual World. While it didn’t produce any number one hits, it is a truly remarkable album from start to finish. The most well known song is probably “This Woman’s Work.” On this song, and most of the others on the album, Bush was writing and singing from another perspective. In the title track, “The Sensual World,” it’s a character stepping of the page of a James Joyce novel. In “This Woman’s Work,” she’s singing from a man’s perspective. Years later R&B signer Maxwell would have a hit with his cover of the song. His version is almost as amazing as this original. All the more poignant that a man would be willing to sing it. At the time, Bush’s album, and this song in particular, moved me in a way that allowed me to more fully appreciate being a woman.

In 1989 I was angry at just about everything and it came out in my musical tastes. The other album that spent a lot of time in my stereo that year was Nine Inch Nails’ Pretty Hate Machine, which was dark electronic angst at it’s best. The Sensual World became part of a process of softening and understanding for me. I became a feminist in college, but by the time I left I decided that I was comfortable being feminine as well. Bush’s influence on music today, may be difficult to trace. She has a unique voice and has taken on varying odd topics. Her influence can certainly be heard in artists like Tori Amos, Bjork and Goldfrapp among others. She deserves her own SWIK post and will eventually get one.

Another often overlooked album from 1989 was Sarah McLachlan’s debut, Touch. While I didn’t discover McLachlan until her third album, Fumbling Toward Ecstasy, it’s worth mentioning Touch here. The album launched her as a the predominate singer-songwriter of the 1990‘s and it’s worth a listen. While her music is noteworthy and influential, it was her establishment of Lilith Fair where she had significant industry impact. Until the Lilith Fair, concert promoters refused to feature two female musicians on tour together. At the time it was even difficult to get two major female acts on tour in the same year. While for some the Lilith Fair became a bit of a joke, tagged as some sort of hippie-chick fest, it actually broke down barriers and introduced many new artists. By 1997 it was the top grossing festival of the year and raised millions for women’s charities. McLachlan hasn’t done anything new since 2006, but her earlier albums have stood the test of time and there’s talk of plans to bring back Lilith Fair in 2010.

Moving to the radio, in 1989, the charts were full of Madonna’s Like A Prayer which came out in March 1989. Since I’ve covered Madonna (see post) there’s not much to add. She was certainly at the height of her career here. This album generated six hits. Her influence on music today is undeniable. Again, so much has been said that I don’t feel the need to add more. Of course, I love this album and it remains a standby for dance clubs and workout mixes.

Surprisingly it’s actually Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation from 1989 that remains the first and only album to generate SEVEN top 5 singles. Along with catchy love songs like “Love Will Never Do” and “Miss You Much,” the album included socially conscious songs like “Black Cat” and “Knowledge” and “Rhthym Nation.” I think that Jackson remains a highly underrated pop artist, particularly her music from this era. Her album previous to Rhythm Nation, Control, may have been one of the first to influence a musical genre that would be called ‘new jack swing,’ which fused R&B, rap, funk, and disco. Rhythm Nation mastered this, her signature sound. She recently released a greatest hits, so expect an entire post on Ms. Jackson in the near future.

Continuing with top 40 in 1989, Bonnie Raitt’s Nick Of Time produced several hits and won her three Grammy’s in 1990. At the time, I only gave the album a cursory listen. I liked it and pulled it out occasionally. But 20 years later, the lyrics seem more appropriate than ever, getting older and finding love in the nick of time rings true. The songs are smooth and full of warm vocals with her phenomenal bluesy guitar.

Raitt has a great story, deserving of her own SWIK icon post. In early 1980’s she was dropped by her record label, Warner Brothers, who she had been recording with for more than a decade. While previously she had critical success, she had never had a real ‘hit.’ Luckily she was picked up by Capital Records in 1987 and went on to record Nick Of Time. Her complete and utter turnaround when she was about 40 years old is inspiring. Among numerous other albums and collaborations, Raitt developed a signature guitar in 2000. The Bonnie Raitt signature Fender Strat is the only Fender guitar to honor woman. She designed it with women in mind, in an effort to encourage young girls to take up guitar. She continues to put out albums and tour.

Moving to different genre and another seminal recording, in 1989 Queen Latifah released her debut album All Hail the Queen. Hip-hop and rap had not yet entered mainstream top 40 music yet, but All Hail The Queen made it onto the Billboard charts. Of course, only to be completely overwhelmed by 2 Live Crew’s As Nasty As They Wanna Be and the beginning of raunchy misogynist hip-hop that seemed to bring in white audiences (specifically men). In contrast De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising was also released in 1989. It remains one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time and is full of funky beats and generally positive messages. In 1989, I wasn’t listening to a lot of hip-hop, but Latifah’s album stood out. I discovered it at Strawberries Music (a record store, if you remember those) and would have to credit one of my co-workers, Reba, for introducing it to me. It became a staple on our after hours play list. Latifah’s song “Ladies First” with Monie Love, has become an anthem for women of all races and is one of her signature songs. Latifah went on to do TV, movies, and sing jazz. She recently went back to her roots and released a hip-hop album, but having been away for so long it seems to be missing some of her earlier power. She remains a female hip-hop pioneer, a major industry force and influence.

In an altogether different genre, The Creatures released their album Boomerang in 1989. You can read about this collaboration between Siouxise Sioux and her drummer Budgie in the SWIK post. This is another album that rarely came out of rotation in my stereo. The pulsing drums on “Standing There,” expressed all the anger that seems appropriate when you’re about 20 and as I’ve mentioned I was pretty angry in 1989.

Back on the charts, the B-52’s released Cosmic Thing in 1989. When I first heard them ten years earlier on their eponymous debut album, with “Rock Lobster” and “Dance This Mess Around,” I never would have guessed that they would produce an album with a chart topping hit. While I didn’t like the song “Love Shack”, I was pleased that they finally made it big. The song is undeniably catchy. The harmonies of Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson add the catchy edge to the B-52’s new wave sound. Funplex, released in 2008, was the band’s first original album in 16 years. While they aren’t churning out the hits these days, they continue to influence new wave and alternative music today. They never disappoint and Cosmic Thing still sounds surprisingly good.

In 1989, Melissa Etheridge released her second album Brave and Crazy which helped to launch her career. I have a preference for her self-titled debut album, but Brave and Crazy was full of soulful rock sounds. She channels women who paved the way for her like Janis Joplin and Grace Slick in songs like “Angels” and “No Souvenirs.” A few years later she would have a mega hit with “Come To My Window” and a video that featured Juliette Lewis, from her album Yes I Am. I think her first two albums are her best. They are raw and feature mainly her guitar and vocals.

Brave and Crazy has a surprising amount of sexual power. The the songs seem to not only get under your skin but also to strike some place deeper. If she can be compared to anyone it would probably be Bruce Springsteen. I saw Etheridge in concert in 1989 and she was fantastic. Now a breast cancer survivor and gay rights activist, she hasn’t stopped. In 2006 she won an Academy Award for her song “ I Need to Wake Up” from Al Gore’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth. In 1989 she was a constant in my stereo, I only recently pulled out this album after a long hiatus. Although it brings back a few painful memories, her music still holds up.

Another singer songwriter that I was really into this year was Shawn Colvin, I’m not sure how I discovered her album Steady On but it remained in and out in my stereo for years. Colvin plays guitar as well, but comes from the lineage of Joni Mitchell and has more a folk sound. Years later she would have hits from her album A Few Small Repairs, but I prefer this first album. Songs like “Shotgun Down the Avalanche” and “Diamond in the Rough” get under your skin with their clarity and soulful guitar. I saw her in concert for about $5 in college and she didn’t disappoint. Her last album came out in 2006 and although I haven’t listened to much of her newer music, Steady On remains a constant in my listening rotation.

To wrap up, Cher and Tina Turner, already legends at this point, also released albums in 1989. Cher had a mega comeback hit with “If I Could Turn Back Time” from her album Heart of Stone. Turner charted with “The Best” from her album Foreign Affair. I think that I saw Turner in concert that year. She was incredible and probably 50 at the time. She released two more studio albums after Foreign Affair and continues to perform. Both of these SWIK Legends deserve their own posts and will get them eventually.

In 1989 everyone was watching David Lynch’s hit Twin Peaks, well everyone except me. I was working and never seemed to be home the night it aired. I loved the music though. Julee Cruise’s 1989 album Floating Into The Night was written largely by Lynch composer Angelo Badalamenti, who wrote Twin Peaks’ opening song, “Laura’s Theme.” Many of Cruise’s songs ended up on the very dark, goth radio show that I did with my friend Christine.

These are just a few albums that stood out for me in 1989. There are plenty of others worth mentioning, but I would need to write a novel to cover all of them. Of course, the boys were certainly putting out some significant music as well, but we’re focused on the ladies here at SWIK. Looking back, I’m struck by the diversity of the music and the talent of these women. I think they have all, in their own way, influenced today’s artists.

To go back to where we started, the Montreal Massacre of 1989. While the shootings were clearly the result of a deranged man, it does make me take a moment to reflect. Violence against women remains rampant in 2009 and one of the most widespread violations of human rights, from the most prevalent forms such as domestic and sexual abuse to so-called honor killings and stonings. According to UNIFEM, globally six out of ten women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Unfortunately, it also remains ever prevalent in music as well. While looking back on 1989 allows us to celebrate how far we’ve come, it also remind us how far we have to go.

More Info
Learn more about violence against women or get involved at UNIFEM and the Say NO to Violence campaign re-launched last month.

More SWIK Releases from 1989
Indigo Girls – self titled
Enya – Oranocco Flow
Shakespear’s Sister – You’re History
Dusty Springfield – Nothin’s Been Proven
Debbie Gibson – Electric Youth
Jody Watly -Larger Than Life
Kristy MacColl -Kite
Soul II Soul -Club Classics
Neneh Cherry -Raw Like Sushi
Cyndi Lauper -A Night To remember
Stevie Nicks – The other Side of the Mirror
10,00 Maniacs -Blind Mans Zoo
Diana Ross -Workin’ Overtime
Gloria Estefan – Cuts Both Ways
Eurythmics – We Too Are One
Sugarcubes- Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week
Linda Ronstadt- Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind
Kylie Minogue- Enjoy Yourself
Technotroic- Pump up the Jam
Ofra Haza – Desert Wind
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry – Blow

What the boys were up to in 1989
The Pixies – Doolittle
The Cure – Distintiration
Elvis Costello – Spike
Fine Young Cannibals – The Raw and The Cooked
XTC – Oranges & Lemons
The Replacements- Don’t Tell A Soul
Lou Reed -New York
Neville Brothers – Yellow Moon
Beastie Boys- Paul’s Boutique
Red Hot Chili Peppers- Mothers Milk
The Cult – Sonic Temple
John Lee Hooker- The Healer
Mother Love Bone -Shine
Ministry – The Mind is A Terrible Thing to Taste
Green Day – 1,000 Hours
Stone Roses – Stone Roses
Peter Gabriel – Passion
Nirvana – Bleach
Prince – Batman
Stevie Ray Vaughn- In Step
Chris Isaak- Heart Shaped World
Don Henley – The End of Innocence
Love & Rockets- Love & Rockets
Jesus & Mary Chain- Automatic
Soundgarden- Louder Than Love
Lenny Kravitz- Let Love Rule

I’m not jokin’ ya, REO Speedwagon just released a Christmas album called, “Not So Silent Night.” It’s perfect for those neo-glam gals and pals with the 80s-retro shoulder pads and the Melanie Griffith “Workin’ Girl” hair. REO’s holiday album highlights John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas.” At least they’ve put the “happy” back in Xmas. Can’t fight the feelin’ that we’re gonna keep on lovin’ ya, Christ Baby.

But wait, there’s more and even worse. Sting, goodgawdamighty I loathe the smugness of Sting, has a holiday offering. The former schoolmarm and then Police frontjerk’s solemn CD is “Sting: If On A Winter’s Night.” Yeah, as if anybody needs a dirge to bring them more down this Christmas.

Papa Santa’s gotta brand new toybag for every musical taste. Bob Dylan (aka Robert Zimmerman), didn’t he do the voice of “Floyd, The Barber” on “Andy Griffith?” has released “Christmas in the Heart.” Barry Manilow trots out “In the Swang of Christmas.” There’s “Handel’s Messiah Rocks” and Andrea Bocelli. Actually, there is one new holiday CD I’m buying for a witty lesbian (not always an oxymoron) couple, Melissa Etheridge “A New Thought for Christmas.”

Hmmm, here’s y’all a new thought from Southernness on CDs for Christmas, mix your own but pay when you download. How 2009 Christlike, baby.

Happy SEMISEPTCENTENNIAL Christmas Y’all,

Ben South

Southernness

#186 – Melissa Etheridge – “I’m the Only One” – (1993)

This song from Yes I Am is more in the vein on the early 90s female singer-songwriter… vein… than her other two big hits, “Come To My Window” and “I Want To Come Over,” the latter being released two years later on Your Little Secret. Great vocals here, too. (Why is this font different?)

As of today, our blog is officially one year old! To celebrate, we’re throwing the biggest, messiest, bloodiest GAY BASH ever! Unlike the gay bashings you’re used to taking part in, Dear Breeder, we’ll wake up from this one with all our teeth still in our heads, and without the need for a hate crime bill to protect us (eleven years after the fact)!

We hope you and the kids can’t make it, Dear Breeder, but if you can, you’ll get to meet some of our favorite personalities from blogs past!

Melissa Etheridge – We’ve definitely missed you, Missy. You got us into a LOT of trouble this year, which is why we’ll have to ask the members of your Fan Club to wait outside while you party with us, solo-acoustic-style! We really don’t want to have to offend anyone again, but between your erratic fashion choices and the catty lesbians who doggedly support your career, we can’t have our guests getting kicked off your message board all night, for flagrantly violating the terms of use! We never imagined your fan base would be so sensitive to our devil-may-care stereotyping of lesbian pop icons! Also, can you come over early and fix this wobbly table leg?

Bea Arthur – Don’t you hate giving out directions to your house, Bea? Especially since you’ve recently moved (to Heaven). How would you feel if we propped you up against a tree in the front yard, and tied a few streamers to your head? That way everyone will know which house is ours, and you’ll have the chance to reprise your career-defining role as a cold, stiff, shriveled-up harpy. Feminism may not be dead, but you sure are!

Stevie Nicks – We hate to make our guests work during a party, but how could we possibly plan a game of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” without your help? Your shawls and petticoats and various layers of fabric will make the perfect blindfolds, and your compulsive spinning will leave every player weaving dizzily toward the giant poster of professional donkey face, Christine McVie! We’ll bring the candles, Stevie, if you bring the blow!

“I’m so high, I’m seeing spots!”

girlfriend is a homo – Sisters, please! You know you fellow bloggers are the guests of honor at our imaginary party. We don’t even care how drunk you get or how many of our exquisite gay items you accidentally break as the evening gets progressively messier, and the police are inevitably summoned. Just remember, “I was blogging about Jenny Shimizu” always makes for an airtight alibi!

Martina Navratilova – Martina, things may get a little out of hand at this party, and you’re the only person we know who has a first aid kit in her pocket knife. Would you mind keeping an eye on things tonight? For old times’ sake?

Lady Gaga – Let’s stop playing these LoveGames, Gaga. Our mutual apathy toward each other only belies the fact that we kind of adore you and you basically have no idea who we are. But that’s cool. Since you’ll probably arrive dressed as a circus clown anyway, would you mind blowing up a few balloons? Or better yet, just wearing some?

Bubbles McGaga is also available for weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.

Mr. Peanut – Seeing as how you already spend most of your free time cruising men’s rooms and rest stops, Mr. Peanut, we think you’ll make the perfect bathroom attendant at our party. You’re well-dressed, gentlemanly, and nearsighted to a fault. Still, we know you can at least make out blurry shapes and some colors through that monocle. NOW, QUIT CHECKING OUT MY JUNK!

Nancy Drew – We really hope you’ll unwind tonight and relax with us under the palm fronds, ice sculptures, and barred exits that make our parties inescapably unique. There’s no reason at all for you to follow your nose (and Stevie Nicks) into the men’s bathroom, to investigate what that white powder is. You’re off duty tonight, Nance! Instead, why don’t you put your mind to getting to the bottom of…that bottle of Wild Turkey? We swear, it’s haunted!

Elizabeth Taylor – We’ll put anything you want on the rocks for you, Ms. Taylor! Including all eight of your marriages! But would you mind doing us a favor, Lucky Liz? Would you be a doll and garnish everyone’s cocktails with these DIAMOND GOLD swizzle sticks and CANTALOUPE balls? You’ll be parked by the bar all night anyway!

“The bottle said Bacardi Limon, but I didn’t expect it to be THIS blond!”

Finally, we extend a VIP invitation to all the “adolescent girls who shave their pussies and have sex with horses” out there. According to our blog stats, you’re the search term that brings us the most traffic on a daily basis, even though we’ve never actually written about you. Inexplicably, those search terms link to our post on Linda Ronstadt. Guess we know what that says about her fan base!

Thanks for reading!

No poetry today, well not from me, anyway. But I invite you to listen to this song from one of my favorite artists. I couldn’t find the original version anywhere, but this acoustic version is just as good.

I’m going to play this someday. I gave up on the guitar many years ago, but I still have one. Two actually. I know which one I’ll be using to play this. Hold me to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2m3pA32rdg

Queridos lectores,

Ahí vengo yo de nuevo con los temas que me gustan o que me dan gusto escucharlos, en esta ocasión un tributo a la gran Janis Joplin, interpretado por dos grandes voces femeninas, Joss Stone y Melissa Etheridge. Tengo que reconocer que Melissa le pasó el trapo a Joss, no se si por el tema que cantó o por la actitud que le puso en el escenario, lo importante es que las dos están barbaras en este tributo. Y Joss está barbara de por si, no hace falta ni que cante!!!

Pocas veces encontré un tema con tanta fuerza ni una cantante como Janis que cante con tanta garganta. Ahí va!

Cry Baby

Cry baby, cry baby, cry baby,
Welcome back home.

I know she told you,
I know she told you that she loved you
Much more than I do,
But I know she left you,
And you swear that you just don’t know why,
Well, you know that I’ll always be round
If you ever want me
Come on and cry, cry baby, cry baby, cry baby, yeah,
Oh, like you always seem to do.

Don’t you know,
Honey, nobody ever gonna love you
The way I try to do.
Who’ll be willing to take your pain
And all your heartache, too ?
Honey, I swear I’ll always, I’ll always be around
If you ever want me
Come on and cry, cry baby, cry baby yeah, cry baby, yeah,
Oh daddy, welcome back home, yeah.

Piece of my heart

(Come on…)
Didn’t I make you feel like you were the only man, well yeah,
An’ didn’t I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can ?
Honey, you know I did!
And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I’ve had enough,
But I’m gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough.

I want you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it,
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby, (break a..)
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah. (have a..)
Hey! Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, yeah.
You know you got it if it makes you feel good,
Oh yes indeed.

You’re out on the streets looking good, and baby,
Deep down in your heart I guess you know that it ain’t right,
Never never never never never never never hear me when I cry at night.
Baby, I cry all the time!
And each time I tell myself that I, well I can’t stand the pain,
But when you hold me in your arms, I’ll sing it once again.

I’ll say come on, come on, come on, come on, yeah take it!
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby. (break a..)
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, (come on…)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, yeah.
Well, You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good

Disfruten…

I’m on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Nashville. Delta, like most airlines, has her own magazine. I’m proud of Delta, they’ve given attention to a great cause, breast cancer awareness month.

I couldn’t help but notice that the title for one of the articles is “Speaking Her Truth.” The  article gives attention to a celebrity, Melissa Etheridge, who has joined others in working toward a cure for breast cancer.

The title of the article is what caught my attention. As I read down a few paragraphs I found these words, “That strong self-direction has given rise to a constant description of Etheridge as “authentic.” It makes her laugh. ‘Because of what people project on me – ‘She’s so authentic, ‘She’s speaking her truth’ – all of a sudden, the greatest weapon I have is to seek it and speak it.” I’m drunk with power! Every time I speak my truth, I am looked upon as being ‘courageous’…”

Truth is one of the most important treasures to be unearthed. This article forces us to consider a very important question… Can every individual conclude his/her own truth or did God give us the truth when He gave us His words found in the Bible? For those of us who are followers of Christ this question is easily answered… God’s truth is the truth because it comes from the author of truth. Any declarations that contradict His words cannot be truth. God is perfect in all He knows, does, and is and has been gracious enough to unveil His truth to us.

Small group leader, when your group gets together, it is vital that your conversation be in search of God’s truth. Some in the group will want to focus on speaking their own truth. In most instances this is accidental, individuals simply stating what they sincerely believe to be truth because they haven’t yet found out what the truth is. Please know that there is nothing wrong with conversations like these, but be certain that someone’s personal truth doesn’t trump God’s truth or close down the discussion while the group is searching for God’s truth.

A few things to keep in mind:

• If you allow the conversation to end with someone’s personal truth being revealed, most in the group will believe that it is God’s truth.
• Listen closely for the following phrases. They are red flags that a personal truth is about to be revealed (keep in mind that someone’s opinion or experience may be used by God to reveal His truth), “It is my opinion that…” “I believe…” “If you ask me…” “My experience has been…” “Someone once told me…”
• Consensus does not necessarily mean that a group has found God’s truth.
• Finding God’s truth may create a sense of discomfort in the room. God’s truth often raises the bar very high but it is still God’s truth. Check out Matt. 16:24 – 25, Luke 14:26 – 33, Matt. 5: 19 – 48.
• Just because someone is intelligent or has a seminary degree doesn’t mean their opinion is God’s truth.

Because we are human, not Omniscient our truth may be birthed out of our own painful story, a story not yet redeemed. Because we are human, our truth could simply be another way to rationalize our actions. Because we are human, we may long for others to embrace our truth and agree with us so that we can find support for our bad decisions and wrongdoings.

Melissa Etheridge is not wrong when she states we can become “drunk with power” when speaking our own truth. In fact, if others embrace our personal truth and begin to live their lives according to our personal belief system, the power rush will be phenomenal. Being God-like, that is telling the masses how they can live their lives and then them following the guidelines an individual has created, is not only a great power rush, it’s also an incredible responsibility.

Remember this… There’s even more power in seeking God’s truth and speaking it into one another’s lives. Small group leader, you have an exciting obligation to help your small group members know and live God’s truth. If you are willing to do this the promise He made with Joshua will be true for your group members too… whatever they are doing that is in God’s will will be successful. Read God’s truth below slowly and embrace what the possibilities are for each of your group members.

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:7-8

Wow!!!

Avui dia internacional contra el càncer de mama, us proposo una actuació ja de fa uns anys en què canten algunes de les nostres artistes country (Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus i, Sheryl Crow i LeAnn Rimes a la versió gravada) juntament amb altres celebritats musicals femenines a una iniciativa anomenada Just Stand Up to Cancer. També afegeixo lletra i traducció.

A més de les cowgirls varen participar: Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis, Rihanna, Ciara, Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Nicole (Pussycat Dolls), Melissa Etheridge, Keyshia Cole.

Beyoncé: The heart is stronger than you think,
It’s like it can go through anything.
And even when you think it can’t it finds a way to still push on, though

Carrie: Sometimes you want to run away, Ain’t got the patience for the pain
And if you don’t believe it look into, your heart the beat goes on

Rihanna: I’m tellin’ you that,

Rihanna/Miley: Things get better, Through whatever

Rihanna: If you fall, dust it off, don’t let up

Sheryl: Don’t you know you can go be your own miracle

Beyonce: You need to know

Sheryl: If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough, But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up

Sheryl/Beyonce: Who are we to be..questioning, wondering what is what
Don’t give up…THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!

Fergie: It’s like we all have better days
Problems getting all up in your face

Leona: Just because you go through it

Fergie: Don’t mean it got to take control, no

Leona: You ain’t gotta find no hiding place

Keyshia: Because the heart can beat the hate

Leona: Don’t wanna let your mind keep playin’ you

Keyshia: And sayin’ you can’t go on

Rihanna: I’m tellin’ you that

Miley: Things get better
Through whatever

Rihanna: If you fall

Miley: Dust if off, don’t let up

LeAnn: Don’t you know you

Natasha: Can go

LeAnn: Be your own

Natasha: Miracle

Carrie: You need to know

Ensemble: CHORUS

Mary: You don’t gotta be a prisoner in your mind

Ciara: If you fall, dust it off

Mary: You can live your life

Rihanna/Carrie: Yeah

Mary: Let your heart be your guide

Rihanna/Carrie: Yeah yeah yeah

Mariah: And you will know that you’re good if you trust in the good

Ashanti: Everything will be alright, yeah
Light up the dark, if you follow your heart

Mary: And it will get better

Mariah: Through whatever

CHORUS

Fergie: You got it in you, find it within
You got in now, find it within now
You got in you, find it within
You got in now, find it within now
You got in you, find it within
Find it within you, find it within

Everyone: THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!

Traducció:

El cor és més fort del que et penses, és com que pot superar-ho tot. I fins i tot quan et penses que no pot més, troba una manera de sortir-se’n.

A vegades vols fugir, no tens paciència pel dolor i si no hi creus, mira’l. El cor contiuna bategant.

Et dic que… les coses milloren per sobre de qualsevol cosa.

Si caus, treu-te la pols, no afluixis.

No saps que pots ser el teu propi miracle?

Has de saber…

Si el cap pensa que ja n’has tingut prou, però el cor et diu que no et rendeixis.

Qui som nosaltres per preguntar-nos, qüestionar-nos què és què?

No et rendeixis. Per sobre de tot, tan sols aixeca’t!

És com que tots tenim millors dies, el problemes saltant-te a la cara tant sols perquè ho afrontes. No significa que ha pres el control, no. No has de trobar lloc on amagar-te perquè el cor por vèncer l’odi.

No vulguis que la ment et domini i que et digui que no pots continuar.

Et dic que… les coses milloren per sobre de tot.

Si caus, treu-te la pols, no afluixis.

No saps que… pots? Ser tu mateixa? Miracle.

Has de saber que…

No has de ser una presonera de la teva ment.

Si caus, treu-te la pols. Pots viure la teva vida. Sí.

Deixa que el cor sigui el guia… sí, sí, sí.

I sabràs que estàs bé si creus en el bé.

Tot sortirà bé. Il·lumina la foscor, si segueixes el cor.

I millorarà, per sobre qualsevol cosa.

Si el cap pensa que ja n’has tingut prou, però el cor et diu que no et rendeixis.

Qui som nosaltres per preguntar-nos, qüestionar-nos què és què?

No et rendeixis. Per sobre de tot, tan sols aixeca’t!

El tens dintre, troba’l.

El tens dintre, troba’l ara.

Per sobre de tot, aixeca’t!

Adela*

For an agonizing day, I feared that a predator that has claimed several of my loved ones had come to knock on my door.

I’ve honestly been expecting the monster.  I’ve been debating how it would arrive, how aggressive it would be.  Would it creep up on me?  Would it knock me flat, without pity or hope for reprieve?  When would it show?  When the vague words of a nurse put cancer on my table, even as a small possibility, I was not shocked.  I was only scared.

For now, I’m clear; that could change in six months, or six years.  In this moment, my body chooses to not betray me that way.  I’m at an elevated risk, so I still stand vigil, awaiting the news I’m almost certain will come.  The news that took the most beloved member of my family away too young, too quickly.

I still remember standing at the concert of this artist, remember her words of wisdom as she told her story without shame, without a desire for pity.  I am still awed.  I still cry when I hear this song, and think of those not able to run for life with us now.  I hear it, and think of the #beatcancer campaign on Twitter, and I do what I can.

Even if the elusive answers do not spare me when an almost certainty invades me, someday, they will help somone.  That’s what matters most.

Get regular physicals, people.  Women – get an annual Pap and check your breasts monthly.  Men – suck it up and check your prostate.  If your body feels wrong, don’t take a ‘it’s nothing’ for an answer.  Trust your gut.  Persistence may have saved my grandfather through early detection.  Don’t ever let your health take a back seat to anything.

Day Thirty-Eight:  I Run For Life – Melissa Etheridge

I don’t particularly care for Melissa Etheridge, but don’t a couple of her songs just completely rock? I have heard “I’m the Only One” about eight times in the last week, and I’ve gotta say: I kind of love that song.

This is partly the Car Singing Effect, because it’s kind of a dramatic, grandiose, badass song to sing. I have a feeling it would be on my karaoke playlist. If I ever did karaoke.

And, you know, I of course admire M.E. for all she has endured and all the ways she has spoken out in the last decade or so. But man, did she start churning out lame songs or what?

I will always forgive her for those for a few reasons. One, “I’m the Only One.” Two, for that time she performed “Thunder Road” with BRUUUUCE, just the two of them and their guitars. AMAZING — you must check it out, and I must figure out how to purchase a recording. Three, for reminding me of some of the best summers of my life.

The summer after high school I started working as a member of the permanent staff at the summer camp I’d attended as a camper for the previous eight years. There is much to say about this experience, much of it centered around music, and I’ll have to get to that soon. But one of the things we did each year (I worked there for three summers) was make a mixtape (oh yes, children, this was before burning CDs and assembling iTunes playlists) of songs we’d been listening to that summer. Often, after a long day’s work, we’d pile onto the porch of one of the staff cabins, play CDs, and talk far into the night. (YES fine there were some less innocent activities that took place in those hours too, but we needn’t get into that just now.)

I don’t remember who the main Melissa Etheridge fan on the staff was, but I’m pretty sure it was one of my cabinmates. She was on pretty heavy rotation in the summer of 1992, and “I’m the Only One” earned a spot on that summer’s staff mix.

So, when I hear that song, I think of a certain lake in the Maine woods; the sound of footsteps down a long boardwalk; pitch-black nights; hilarious, rowdy friends; and Melissa singing along with the loons.

But I must also confess that, now that I have mentioned him, I am mostly thinking of Bruuuuce. SWOON.

October 5, 2009 – Melissa Etheridge has been a force in the music industry for years because of her mix of pop, folk and rock, but her influence extends far beyond her music. Etheridge has long been a proponent of gay rights as she came out as a lesbian in the 1990s, but her newest drive comes from her battle against breast cancer, which has been her focus since she was diagnosed in 2004. Because of that experience, Etheridge has started working with the Noreen Fraser Foundation, which works to find new prevention methods and non-toxic therapies for women’s cancers. Her experience also changed her view on drug control, as she started taking marijuana for medical reasons during her battle with cancer. She says that during her cancer treatment, the marijuana relieved her nausea and chronic pain, allowing her to feel normal.

Etheridge also said that when she used it for medical reasons, it didn’t make her high. Her experience with the drug has pushed her to fight for the legalization of marijuana. Even with her busy schedule as an activist, Etheridge has found time to tour as well.

Join forces with Hard Rock, Melissa Etheridge, the Bangles, and a host of musicians around the world for Pinktober, the campaign for breast cancer awareness. Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels everywhere are hosting Pinktober parties and live music events, raising awareness and money for local, national, and international charities, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation such as The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and The Caron Keating Foundation. As well, a portion of Pinktober apparel and accessories sales go directly to breast cancer research.
Source.

OK, fine. I’ll do double duty today… just because I can. And because it should be kinda short. And because it is technically an update on what I’ve been up to. And because I get to use the title above.

Same week as the Kanye/Taylor incident something far more enjoyable took place – VH1 Divas Live 2009. I have yet to see the full show in decent quality or on tv. But I did watch, despite my apprehension on Miley Cyrus’ presence on the roster, because Kelly was going to perform, and I wanted to get to hear Adele too. I also found Jordin Sparks and Leona Lewis to be entertaining, so I was looking forward to that. Unfortunately, Miley confirmed my preconception of her singing abilities, despite duetting with Sheryl Crow, whose music I’ve been a fan of for a long time. The rest were hovering between “nice”, “good” and “that was actually pretty cool”.

Then the show closed with Kelly having a duet with Melissa Etheridge on Melissa’s track Bring Me Some Water. And they brought the house down, as expected. Whenever I watch or listen to that performance I can’t help but grin from ear to ear, get all pumped up and barely resist (if in public or too late at night) the urge to sing and jump along. It’s one of those not-common-enough moments when two artists completely click on stage, making each other bring on their A-game, and both enjoy performing so much that they just exude the joy of music… you’d have to be emotionally impaired not to get sucked up into the excitement of it all.

Thanks to the YouTube nazis though, all I can put up for now is the audio below.

Well apart from playing that whenever I feel the need for an energy and mood boost, I have since started researching Melissa’s music. (If you’ll remember, that was one of the perks of being a KC fan… you get introduced to all kinds of artists and music, all the time.)

And despite it being surprisingly difficult to get a hold of her complete discography – at least from my end of the world – I have heard enough to honestly say I love her stuff. She’s a very inspired (and inspirational) songwriter, an accomplished vocalist, an awesome guitar player and a terrific performer in general. I already have a number of favourite tracks.

And since I just heard this a few hours ago, and I’m still in a giddy mood, and because it just is FREAKIN’ FUNNY… here’s a song that got my night rolling… with laughter. It’s called Threesome.

There is a pack of wolves chasing our past away. I asked it to stand its ground, unwilling to let go, but I can see the terror in its eyes.

And so I ask you again, perhaps for the last time, to leave me with something to remember you by. A letter … a lingering touch … or a shirt still tinged with the smell of cigarettes and Burgundy. (I’d ask for your voice, but it already lives in my head.)

Give me something that belongs to me. Before they come to tear our history apart.

Kelly Clarkson and Melissa Etheridge rocked VH1 Divas Live. Such a great song.  Watch the video:

It’s gonna be OK
Just hold on tight
Let it all go away…
– Melissa Etheridge

MON SEPT 21
david gray on regis & kelly
aaron carter on bonnie hunt
lynyrd skynyrd on conan o’brien
black joe lewis & the honeybears on craig ferguson
living colour on jimmy fallon
matt & kim on jimmy kimmel
franz ferdinand on carson daly
flaming lips on colbert report

TUES SEPT 22
raphael saadiq on today show
ll cool j on regis & kelly
paolo nutini on ellen degeneres
sean kingston on wendy williams
noisettes on letterman
monsters of folk on conan o’brien
reba mcentire on craig ferguson
kid cudi on jimmy kimmel
mat kearney on carson daly
herb alpert on tavis smiley

WEDS SEPT 23
sheryl lee ralph on wendy williams
mary j blige on letterman
wynonna on conan o’brien

THURS SEPT 24
chynna phillips on the view
noisettes on ellen degeneres
nelly furtado on tyra
jay z and barbra streisand on oprah
snow patrol on letterman
india.arie on conan o’brien
paolo nutini on carson daly
smokey robinson with joss stone on jay leno
phoenix on jimmy fallon
nelly furtado on chelsea lateley

FRI SEPT 25
honor society on today show
mika on gma
alexa ray joel on wendy williams
david gray, ll cool j on letterman

SAT SEPT 26
u2 on snl
hardly strictly bluegrass festival on austin city limits

MON SEPT 28
harry connick jr on today show
melissa etheridge on good morning america
passion pit on letterman
brad paisley and sheryl crow on jay leno
paramore on conan o’brien
metric on carson daly

TUES SEPT 29
miranda lambert on letterman
alice in chains on jimmy kimmel
harry connick jr. and gloria estefan on the view

WEDS SEPT 30
harry connick jr on letterman
brad paisley on conan o’brien
alice in chains on jimmy kimmel

THURS OCT 1

FRI OCT 2
avett brothers on letterman
shinedown on jimmy kimmel

SAT OCT 3
dave matthews band on austin city limits
lady gaga on snl

Today is the Portland Race for the Cure. It is the largest on the West coast and the third largest in the country.

The first time I heard Melissa Etheridge’s I Run For Life it was a version with cancer survivors interspersed telling their stories. I sat in the car and cried it was so emotional. Then about a year ago I saw Melissa in concert and she sang this song. Many people in the audience got teary eyed, myself included.

This is my annual tribute to my friends who have fought the battle, some won and  some who lost the fight.

Artist: Melissa Etheridge
Title: I Run For Life

It’s been years since they told her about it
The darkness her body possessed
And the scars are still there in the mirror
Everyday that she gets herself dressed
Though the pain is miles and miles behind her
And the fear is now a docile beast
If you ask her why she is still running
She’ll tell you it makes her complete

(Chorus)

I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth, for all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me my friend
I run for life

It’s a blur since they told me about it
How the darkness had taken its toll
And they cut into my skin
And they cut into my body
But they will never get a piece of my soul
And now I’m still learning the lesson
To awake when I hear the call
And if you ask me why I am still running
I’ll tell you I run for us all

Chorus

And someday if they tell you about it
If the darkness knocks on your door
Remember her
Remember me
We will be running as we have before
Running for answers
Running for more

Chorus

I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth, for all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your daughter, your wife
For you and me my friend
I run for life

I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me my friend
I run for life