The Popular Music

Picture this, you're in the car and you turn on the radio hoping to hear some good songs. You go to a station that plays the newest hit songs, and you decided to listen.

Hear songs about partying/getting drunk/sex? Yeah, not surprising. In the music world, (and society actually) topics like these are completely acceptable. Most "romance" songs are about meeting someone in a club when you're drunk. That's not love.

Its funny, actually. Those people who listen to those kind of songs are more likely to bash musicians like Owl City, LIGHTS, Skillet, ect., because of the clean messages. To those people, if a song isn't about getting drunk or high, it's a bad song.

The reason why I listen to the groups I listen to is simple. They're clean, and usually pretty positive. And their romance songs are actually deep and mean real love too. Examples:

"This is the last night you'll spend alone, I'll hold you in my arms and I won't let go." -Skillet, The Last Night (not necessarily limited to romance but it works)

"I'm not yours, and you're not mine, but we can sit and pass the time." -LIGHTS, Quiet

"Chills run down my spine, as our fingers entwine, and your sighs harmonize with mine." - Owl City, If My Heart Was A House

See? Sweet, innocent songs about real love. That's what love is supposed to look like. Not what society and music makes it look like.

And then there's the issue about God. Not surprisingly, many of todays popular songs BASH God. So, that's why there are groups who are Christian people with Christian themes in their songs who are mainstream artists. They're trying to help clean that up.

"Dear God, I was terribly lost when the galaxies crossed and the sun went dark. But dear God, you're the only north star I would follow this far." - Owl City, Galaxies

"I'm at war with the world cuz I ain't never gonna sell my soul. I've already made up my mind, no matter what I can't be bought or sold." - Skillet, Awake and Alive

So really, the reason I love Owl City/Sky Sailing (and LIGHTS, Skillet, and a few other groups not mentioned) is because the songs are clean, and either talk about God, true love, or the beauty of earth. Isn't that a lot better than a song about partying all night? I think so. So take some time to look at what you're listening. The "top songs" are not always the best choice.

People

I don't like people. Yet I do. Confusing? Yes. Very.
It's actually simple once you break it down though. Yes, I like people, I get worried for people, and many people have my sympathy, especially when disaster happens. So yes, I do like people and I do care for them. (I am a person who rants about how America overspends while people in Africa starve.) But I also can't stand people.

I hate being in big crowds, I hate talking to people, I hate interacting with others. Unless, of course, I know you well. But really, I am not a people person. Now, I love going to places like the mall, the zoo, ect. But I don't like the interactions of people. Why? Maybe it's because some people are just so, ignorant, that they irritate me. Or their pushy. Or  rude. Or snobby. I don't know, I just can't stand people.

I am also the kind of person who makes friends pretty easy, but has a hard time attaching to someone. But if I get attached to you, you're pretty much gonna have a loyal friend for life. Seriously. I am the person that if you mean a lot to me, I will never forget about you. Ever.

So yeah, pretty much my opinions on people. I'd say more, but school has worn me out so much that this is pretty much the most intelligent thoughts my brain can come up with.

So until later, see ya! :D

Tell Your Loved Ones.

"Trying to forget someone you love is like trying to remember someone you never knew."- Adam Young 

Picture someone you love, someone who means a lot to you. They could be anyone. Just think of someone who you need in your life. Now imagine life without them. Could you forget them?

Now try to remember someone you have never met. Impossible, huh?
Sometimes its harder to forget someone then you may think. Many people take their friendships and relationships for granted. What happens if that person dies, or just simple decides the relationship with you isn't worth it?

You need to be careful. Make sure your loved ones always know you are there and that you care about them. Sometimes it may seem to them that you don't care, so they break off the friendship. Please everyone, let everyone know how much you love them. You never know how much longer you have with them.

What is a role-model?

Who are real role-models? You know, that's a topic I've been wondering about for years. It's a rather tricky subject, to say the least.

A role-model could be anyone. Your parents, your teacher, your favorite singer, your favorite author, the list could go on. Anyone can be a role-model. Even you and I.

I guess in the end, it all depends on your views on life, religion, ect. But for a Christian, finding a good role-model is rather tricky. You want to find someone who you respect and are interested in, but also has a good faith in God. This is always the tough part. Tough finding someone like that, and tough being that person.

Let's take a look at my role-model, shall we?

Adam R. Young, many of you may know him under the name Owl City. Adam is an introverted Christian who grew up in Owatonna, Minnesota. As far as I know, he was raised a Christian and his relatives are strong in their faith as well.

Adam is one of those people who strives to serve the Lord in any way he can. He even says that if he didn't feel like God wanted him to sing and preform, he wouldn't do it even though he loves it. He writes all his lyrics in some way to honor God, and often even puts scripture in his weekly blog posts. Since he is so humble, and in no way tries to force Christianity on anyone, people respect him. Even non-Christians have said things along the lines of, "I respect his faith, and even though I am a non-believer, I respect him and his walk with God."

This is a blog Adam wrote on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 (Woah, that was the day I went to his concert, XD) Link It's a deep passage about truth and love, and he uses Biblical backup. I highly reccomend reading it.


"Yes. Jesus Christ is my everything. I’ve given Him control of my life, asked Him to come into my heart to work in my life and change me into a new person, someone He wants me to be. I strive to honor Christ in everything I do, say, make and think. Nothing is more important to me than my relationship with Him."-Adam Young

Then there's his music. He writes every word, every bit of each song, by himself, in either his bedroom or basement. That, my friends, is what I call passion and commitment. He often rewrites songs many times before he feels like they are complete, and will even spend days sometimes just thinking of a name for the song. Passion about something is another great thing to look for in a role-model.

Optimism, yes, that is something Adam definitely portrays through his music. In all honesty, it really is hard to stay in a bad mood when listening to his music. It's just so uplifting and happy that you can't help but remember that everything is going to be okay in the end. And I know for a fact that aspect of his music and personality has brought many, many people out of depression.

When you have a role-model, they are usually someone who you can relate too. So here's an example from me.

Shyness: It's pretty well known that Adam is introverted. In fact, he wasn't even able to do phone interviews until a year ago. It just goes to show how much God can help someone overcome something like that in order to serve Him. Without his faith, I doubt Adam would be able to sing for people and sign  autographs. He's just too shy.

For most of you who know me, I really have a hard time speaking up. Unless of course, I'm with my friends and then often times I won't shut up. But usually, I'm quiet. Honestly, I think it's partly because 1. I'm afraid of sounding stupid, and 2. I don't just speak, I have to think about what I'm going to say. Having a role-model who can overcome something like being shy to do something he loves is really, really inspiring, and it makes me feel like its okay to be quiet. There's nothing wrong with it.


I just really love everything about his personality. He is extremely humble, and loves his fans to death. He's just a great, great guy, with an amazing God-given gift.

So in conclusion, its safe to assume that a good role-model is someone who:
1. Loves God and strives to walk in faith.
2. Someone who you can relate too.
3. Someone with a great personality for who you are.
4. Someone who inspires you.

No ones perfect. Not even the best of role-models. But its always nice to have someone to look up too, and even if they make a mistake, maybe it'll help you learn from it.

Something to think about.

Sorry to start off so seriously, but this has been on my mind a lot since I read it.

This is an interview Adam Young (Owl City) did with a Christian newsletter thing. Here's the full article if you'd like to read it, its super neat. http://www.christianpost.com/news/interview-owl-citys-adam-young-and-his-god-inspired-music-51554/

This is what keeps popping into my head:

CP: Do you have any stories to share of people telling you how much your music inspired them?

Young: One girl told me she was at the end of her rope and had a handful of oxycotton pills, ready to end her life … and then my song started playing over the radio and it made her stop and think. She thanked me for saving her life and that meant more to me than you can imagine!

It's honestly just hard to fathom how that would make you feel. And the odds of that, too. If the song hadn't played at that moment, she probably would be gone. I think that's got to be one of the most powerful things to hear from somebody.

My good friend Sarah is already well on her way to becoming famous. She's 16, nearly 17, and is already getting paid to sing places, and even preformed at Heavenfest last month. She tells me many times she just wishes she could inspire people. She tells me that's her goal.

I imagine inspiring someone is an amazing feeling. I'd love to inspire people with my art. But to help someone out of suicide just because they hear your song over the radio, wow. That's powerful.

It makes me thankful that Adam is so strong in his faith in God. It seems like God is using him to reach out and change people, and thats exactly what he's doing. It even proves someone as introverted as him can overcome and save people just by inspiring them. All it really takes is faith in God. 

Heyy

I used to have one of these. Forever ago. Hmm.
Maybe I'll actually use this one hah.

Anyways I just felt like I needed a place where I could write down my thoughts and share them. :)