FROM MY LIFE

Heaven And Hallelujah

There’s a theme in that title — sharing three acoustic songs

Where I know a lot of music and listen to many genres, I rarely remember the names of songs or artists, let alone know what specific music terms means. I came across the term ‘acoustic’, and not knowing what it meant, I searched for more information.

What does acoustic mean?

My go-to website when I want to get information, is Wikipedia, and that’s where I found this information:

Acoustic music is music that solely or primarily uses instruments that produce sound through acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means. While all music was once acoustic, the retronym “acoustic music” appeared after the advent of electric instruments, such as the electric guitar, electric violin, electric organ and synthesizer. Acoustic string instrumentations had long been a subset of popular music, particularly in folk. It stood in contrast to various other types of music in various eras, including big band music in the pre-rock era, and electric music in the rock era.

Music reviewer Craig Conley suggests, “When music is labeled acoustic, unplugged, or unwired, the assumption seems to be that other types of music are cluttered by technology and overproduction and therefore aren’t as pure”.

The above made clear what acoustic means, but even so, I couldn’t think of any acoustic songs. So, I reverted to Google again.

My eye fell on two favorite songs, which formed a theme — and I added a third, which is one of my favorites.

Stairway to Heaven — Led Zeppelin

At the end of every year, starting on Christmas Day, the Top 2000 airs on one of our major radio stations. My husband and I love listening to it, especially on New Year’s Eve when, just before midnight, we hear the number one song. In the top 20 songs of the Top 2000, the DJ’s play many extended versions of the chosen songs.

One song that has been in the top 5 since the Top 2000 started in 1999 until 2020, is Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. In 2021, it took the number 7 spot. The moment I hear the intro of the song, something happens. I feel the music. It’s not a song I where I want to sing along. No, it’s a song where I want to listen, not for the lyrics, but the music itself. It’s brilliant.

Hallelujah — Lisa Loïs

Where I absolutely love the original version of this song by Leonard Cohen, many artists covered this song over the years, and there are some really excellent covers out there.

However, I want to highlight this version by a Dutch singer — Lisa Loïs — who won the Dutch X-factor in 2009 with her version of Hallelujah. This was back in the days where we still watched every talent competition, and Lisa was a favorite of mine from the beginning, because of her fabulous voice.

Listening to this acoustic version literally gave me goosebumps all over, and as always, brought tears to my eyes. She has so much control over her voice, and masterly performs this song.

Tears In Heaven — Eric Clapton

This song is written about the death of Eric Clapton’s four-year-old son, Conor, something that always goes through my mind when I hear Tears In Heaven.

My mom passed away in July 2017, and as I have written before, nothing can prepare you for the ache of losing a loving parent. I think of her so much, still almost daily, and hearing this song just brings some of the pain to the surface again.

Would you know my name If I saw you in heaven? Would it be the same If I saw you in heaven? I must be strong and carry on ’Cause I know I don’t belong here in heaven

Would you hold my hand If I saw you in heaven? Would you help me stand If I saw you in heaven? I’ll find my way through night and day ’Cause I know I just can’t stay here in heaven

If there is one thing I absolutely know for sure, it is that my mom would want me to live my life, to ‘be strong and carry on’ and to ‘find my way through night and day’ just like the song says. Her life ended too soon, and where her passing changed my life so completely, mine didn’t end with hers.

These are all rational thoughts, things I know, but also things that are far from my mind when I am sad. Then I have thoughts about her in heaven, wondering whether she would know who I am. I have thoughts about how much I need her to hold my hand, how I miss her support, her wisdom, her laughter, the things we shared.

While up to five years ago Tears In Heaven only brought on thoughts of how terrible it must be to lose a child, ever since it makes me look up at the clouds, imagining mom there somewhere, and wishing I could be with her just for a couple of moments, just to hear her encouraging words, so I can indeed carry on and find my way.

If you’re thinking of joining Medium, click on my referral link to support me and other writers.

Find more of Marie on her lists, and here…