The Courage to Feel - Part II

This is chaos.....

“Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends.” Alphonse de Lamartine

This week’s theme, “The Courage to Feel,” is brought to you by Kate Clark, a musician who goes by the name of PHEMIE when she performs as an avatar. PHEMIE says she has always been interested in how writing and performing music can take you on a journey into and help heal emotional wounds.

I will be sharing PHEMIE’s full setlist, with links to both her originals and the covers she sang during her concert. We’ll do half the songs today and half the songs tomorrow. As you listen, see which words or phrases stand out for you. I’ll do the same and we can compare notes.

1. The first song PHEMIE sang was an original entitled, “My Heart is a Rogue.” Let’s have a listen:

   Line: “How do you hide your broken heart all of these years?”
   Thoughts: Who is hiding their broken heart? Whoever it is, they are hiding in twilight and corners while they silently disintegrate because it’s complicated. Ouch.

2. Particles
   Line: “I know that I'm swallowed in sea.”
   Thoughts: Questions, questions, questions. What is the sea that keeps her dancing AND staying still? How do floating, trying to balance, and being pulled down fit together? Whose hands are choking her? What do the colors represent?
   

3. Breathe Me by Sia
   Line: “Ouch I have lost myself again.”
   Thoughts: This reminded me of a friend who was deeply depressed at one time and the only way she could feel alive was to hurt herself. Once again, ouch!
   
   4. Cellophane by FKA Twig
   Line: “All wrapped in cellophane, the feelings that we had .”
   Thoughts: This poor woman is so busy worrying about not doing it for her partner and getting overwhelmed when he/she isn’t around that it’s no wonder she feels wrapped in cellophane. Makes me think of being constrained and unable to breathe. You?

5. Do What You Have to Do by Sara McLachlan
   Line: A glowing ember burning hot and burning slow. Deep within I'm shaken by the violence of existing for only you.”
   Thoughts: Existing only for one person is NOT healthy, and the burning ember makes me feel that she is being consumed by her feelings. And yes, that is violent.

6. Chaos by Phemie

   Line: “This chaos is a mainstay. Keeps me guessing through the games you play.”
   Thoughts: Whoever this person is, they are a masterful manipulator.
   

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• Let the Discussion Begin
  What is your overall impression of the songs so far?

• Have you ever felt that music was the only way to express your emotions?

• If you were to take us on a healing journey through song, which six songs would you choose?

See you tomorrow for the second set of songs.

Jena

Link
The two songs composed by PHEMIE that were shared in this post are available for purchase on Bandcamp:

Copyright 2021 by Jena Ball. All Rights Reserved/