Today I woke up refreshed. After too many nights in a row with very little sleep, I broke down last night, passed out, slept, dreamed. I woke early, before the sun. Coffee, writing, music. I let songs spill out, cover me, fill me with feelings. Today is going to be something beautiful. I can feel it.

I filled three journal pages with a stream of consciousness kind of poetry. Not that it was poetic, but maybe, in a way, it was. My thoughts are rapid fire. I try to keep up with them, but have to stop on the side of the road, side cramp, breathless. And there my thoughts are, up ahead, miles away from me. We will catch-up eventually. For now, I just sit, turn up the music, listen.

Give Me Five – May 3, 2021

You can listen and follow along with May’s Give Me Five at Spotify and YouTube

Song 1: “You Ain’t Gotta Worry” by Jai’Len Josey

“Illustrations” by Jai’Len Josey – from the EP, Illustrations (2020)

“But, the hard part,
that the pain killers don’t work every 247,
the blades never cut even,
the blood never goes away.
And ya twist come out wrong,
And you’re wishing for another season.
But, the rain’ll always wash you clean,
and tomorrow is another day”

This song is so beautiful, the lyrics so raw, real, painful, true. I feel so much of it. A past me, a now me. It reminds me of teenage age, of high school, of all that hidden pain. So many secrets I carried around with me, like rocks in my backpack. I kept adding more.

I have no more room for secrets. The weight is too much. I need to unpack it all, lighten my everything, fill it up with hope. And music.

This EP is a gift. Jai’Len’s voice is a gift.

To hear more of Jai’Len Josey, and to help support her music, go here.

Song 2: “Dreaming” by Poly Styrene

“Dreaming” by Poly Styrene – from the album, Translucence (1980)

“Flashing dazzling sparkles all around.
Murmurs fading whispering the sound.
Hallow echos on a tightrope line.
Did you ask me for the right time?

Away I’m dreaming.
I’m dreaming away.”

A new song discovery. A new album discovery. How have I never heard Poly Styrene’s solo work? I think I need to lose myself in this album for a spell.

This song is dreamy. Yes, I know, an eye-rolling pun. But really, it is dreamy, poetic, lovely.

I miss dreaming when sleep is so hard to hold. But, last night I slept. Last night I did so much dreaming.

To hear more Poly Strene’s music (and her band, X-Ray Spex), dream it so, and end up here.

Song 3: “Hold On, Hold You” by Wild Child

“Hold On, Hold You” by Wild Child – from the EP, 1996 (2018)

“So I will not ask you where you’ve been sleeping,
and you shouldn’t question my smile.
We’re gonna lose if we try to hold on forever.,
So please let me hold you for a while.”

Another dreamy sound song, with heartbreak weaved within all the lines. I keep hitting repeat. I keep listening, until I’m singing along.

Memories unlock, open up, dive into the ocean, and swim swim swim. Music is some kind of magic this morning.

To hear more Wild Child, and to support the music, swim on over here.

Song 4: “Smoke Signals” by Phoebe Bridgers

“Dreaming” by Phoebe Bridgers – from the album, Stranger In The Alps (2017)

“One of your eyes is
always half-shut,
something happened when you were a kid.
I didn’t know you then,
and I’ll never understand,
why it feels like I did.

“How Soon Is Now” in an ’80s sedan,
you slept inside of it because your dad.
Lived in a campground in the back of a van.
You said that song will creep you out until you’re dead.

And, you must have been looking for me.
Sending smoke signals.
Pelicans circling.
Burning trash out on the beach.”

This is my favorite song today. This is my favorite Phoebe Bridgers song today. It spreads prickles across every inch of my skin. Tears come. I feel everything all at once.

This feels like the best love song I’ve ever heard.

To hear more Phoebe Bridgers, and to support her music, spin around until you land here.