Do What You Have To Do.

♫ And I have the sense to recognize that,
I don't know how to let you go.
...
Deep within I'm shaken by the violence,
Of existing for only you. ♫



This is one of the most profound and gritty songs that I've ever heard. It's absolutely exquisite. I like a lot of weird music (as you may know) and I figured that I should do a series on some of my favorite artists....aka my Pandora Playlists.

So, first up is Sarah McLachlan. I'm a big fan of ballads. And no one does them quite like Sarah. Her voice personifies bittersweetness for me. When I danced, one of the things my teachers always emphasized was drawing out each motion as long and as wide as your could, until you could feel the tension and strain and unwillingness to let go of the movement through out your whole body, and then we were told to hang onto that moment for just a little more before breaking into the next series of twists and turns and leaps. This concept is so beautiful for me and these drawn out moments were always where I felt the most emotional and completely swallowed up by the spirit of the dance. It sounds cheesy and stupid, but it really isn't. It's the most incredible feeling on earth. I've seriously never felt better than in the few seconds I was wavering on the hairs-breadth of falling into some emotion and pulling myself back to reality. Never felt more charged or alive. So, needless to say, I like music where the artist personifies this same intense emotional technique through their voice/melody/lyrics. You can always tell when a song speaks to me. I've been dancing since I was three. I was in band from the 7th grade on, but you know? I don't see music as a musician. I see it through the eyes of a dancer; always have. 

Always will. 

Even though I stopped dancing (one of my biggest life regrets) I will never be able to get it out of me. It's encoded in my DNA, it's in my blood. I can still turn, leap, kick, improv, anything...just give me the song. And for me, Sarah is really a champ- my muscles practically hum with that deep up-swelling of emotion. I've been a fan of her since I was about 16 or 17 (when I really started to get into modern dance as well...). I mean, just look at the lyrics to this song (just listened to it and almost started crying/dancing across the room). Her chord progressions make tickle my ears, yes, and the sweeping tempo changes make my heart race but at the end of the day, it's her lyrics that really get me. Also, I ironically...I love Canadian musicians. Lol. ^^

Do What You Have To Do. 

What ravages of spirit
Conjured this temptuous rage
Created you a monster
Broken by the rules of love
And fate has lead you through it
You do what you have to do
And fate has led you through it
You do what you have to do ...

And I have the sense to recognize that
I don't know how to let you go
Every moment marked
With apparitions of your soul
I'm ever swiftly moving
Trying to escape this desire
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
But I have the sense to recognize

That I don't know how
To let you go
I don't know how
To let you go

A glowing ember
Burning hot
Burning slow
Deep within I'm shaken by the violence
Of existing for only you

I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do
I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do
And I have sense to recognize but
I don't know how to let you go
I don't know how to let you go
I don't know how to let you go

Sarah McLachlan: Exquisite.