"Where I Belong" & 1 Year MARK!

We did it!  Whoever you are out there, taking a few minutes out of your day to read my crazy blog...Thank YOU!  There aren't enough words I could write or a song that I could post that would tell you how much I appreciate anyone's eyes reading my words.  Today marks one year of doing this crazy thing!  And although I wanted to do 365 posts, life got in the way and I ended up with 100.  I mean come on this is one HUNDREDTH blog...amazing.  I couldn't have planned it this way, it wouldn't have been so sweet.

A year ago, I thought I was stuck.  Like really stuck between chasing this dream of becoming an esteemed Nashville songwriter/life changer, college and moving to Nashville.  My life was already in Plan B mode years before that but in the end it all brought me to this.
Day 1 of The SongBird Project: http://songbirdproject.blogspot.com/2011/08/this-is-me.html

So I sit here tonight, a year after I embarked on this 'SongBird' project and I can honestly tell you I really found more of myself.  There's still so much more that I have yet to learn but I've really changed in this past year.  I don't even know how to summarize where this blog has taken me.  From being halfway done with college and getting a degree, having some amazing, life changing experiences, all of my Nashville experiences, dragging my family to every music venue in Nashville, living in my dream and then having to walk away from it, being recognized by my idols for these little blogs I post at midnight over their gems of songs, basically...I really believe this is the year.  

I feel like 20 is going to be really, really, really good to me.  I hope.

After everything that has led me to this moment, I can only think of one song that would even scratch the surface of my mess of emotions!  This is one of the first demos I've ever heard of Hillary Lindsey's, back in the good 'ole MySpace days, when it used to be the coolest thing ever to jump from page to page and become fascinated with songwriting.  Truth is, I still do it just on a different platform.  

I really wish this demo still existed out there but this song was recorded by another incredible, forgotten, singer/songwriter - Rachel Proctor.  

FM Radio:

Singer: Hillary Lindsey/Rachel Proctor

Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey, Troy Verges (The Dream Team)

Song: "Where I Belong"

I've wished a million wishes on a big empty sky
And I've spent too many endless nights alone
Wondering if I was broken and why everything felt so wrong
And where do I belong

I see beyond the end of time when I look into your eyes
It's so much bigger than this life and everything's right
I feel so safe, safe as a child in your arms
This is where I belong

I've seen my share of troubles
And tears I've shed in vain
Watched my dreams crumble
But all along the way
Someone heard me pray

The house is quiet now and my, my heart is full
And all the ones I love lay fast asleep and I am complete
I turn out the light and I whisper goodnight
And i know, this is where I belong

Follow this link: Rachel Proctor's MySpace

"Young Love"

65 degree weather turns me into a mid-tempo-summer-love junkie.  Like what has gotten into me?  I heard Hillary Lindsey's demo probably like 5 years ago on Aimee Mayo's Myspace and then it disappeared, nowhere on Earth to be found.  If anyone knows where I can find it or if they have it...I have open arms.

There's something about this song that once you've heard it, you know it like the back of your hand.  The saddest thing in the music business = the death of a song.  Unfortunately, the trio that recorded this amazing song has faded into thin air and like this demo are nowhere to be found.  And with them went this song.  Someone, like Lauren Alaina, could totally get a #1 if not at least a top 5 hit out of this song...paired with an April or May release would be airplay's dream.

FM Radio:
Singers: Carters Chord
Songwriters: Scooter Carusoe, Hillary Lindsey, Aimee Mayo
Song: "Young Love"

Ya had the headlights off so no one could see
Ya sneakin' up the driveway; I was 'bout seventeen
Waitin' there for you at the window 'round midnight

Smilin', arms wide open, runnin' 'cross the lawn
That crazy dog barkin' like a fire alarm
I jumped in the car and said, "Boy, you'd better fly"

You said, "Don't you worry, had a story to tell
"'Cause if we got caught, we were gonna catch hell
"But I'd pay any price for that look in your eyes"

When we ran like wild horses through the night
Stickin' to the back roads and stayin outta sight
Makin' the most of what little time we had left
How sweet it is, how sweet it was
Young love
 ]
Not a cloud in the sky, only the heavens and us
That ole radio singin', the tires kickin' up dust
Oh, in all my years, I don't think I've known a better night

Faded jeans layin' in a field on the ground
You and me smilin' rollin' 'round and 'round
In all my life, don't think I've held on quite as tight

We ran outta time with the rise of the dawn
Autumn was a-callin' for us to move on
And now, I only see you on a memory or two

When we ran like wild horses through the night
Stickin' to the back roads and stayin outta sight
Makin' the most of what little time we had left
How sweet it is, how sweet it was

Makin' the most of what little time we had left
How sweet it is, how sweet it was
Young love

Young love, yeah

"Oh Love"

Carrie Underwood can sing me the dictionary.  Well, it also helps that Hillary Lindsey is the musical 'Webster's' and defines every positive adjective out there.  This song just explodes your heart.  There is much to be said about a song that leaves more unspoken than said; and this song is one of those rare treasures.  I cannot explain why this song didn't shoot to #1 because it is more than worthy of it.  Flawless production, flawless vocals, flawlessly written, stays with you...should I say more or should I just let you listen?  Read these beautiful words on your second listen.  This isn't a song about all the typicals in a relationship, this is the 'love of your life' type song.  A long that is boundless, endless, and "Deep as the life from God's own breath."  Breathtaking.

FM Radio:
Singer: Brad Paisley/Carrie Underwood
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey (It shouldn't surprise you), Aimee Mayo, Gordie Sampson
Song: "Oh Love"

Strong like a mother holds her child
Free as horses runnin' wild
Real as a prayer on a lonely night
As sure as the ocean tide

Oh love oh love
All the many colors that you’re made of
You heal you bleed
You’re the simple truth
And you’re the biggest mystery
Oh love oh love

Deep as the life from God’s own breath
Endless even after death
Gone like a sunset

You can break a heart in pieces
Put it back together again

You can break down sweet forgiveness
You’re the one that never ends
Oh love

Oh love oh love
All the many colors that you’re made of
You heal you bleed
You’re the simple truth
And you’re the biggest mystery
Oh love oh love

"Simple Life"

Don't you just wonder what life would be like if you could just hit the pause button.  Seriously, like remove all of the complicatedness and just rediscover the simple things.  Kind of like making yourself 4 years old in your modern-current age body.  It would be refreshing and give every single one of us a new perspective.  Well, this is Hillary Lindsey's amazing response to that.  P.S. - Her version can't even compare to this.

FM Radio:
Singer: Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey, Troy Verges
Song: "Simple Life"

I have wondered this world far and wide
I've been all around to the other sideBut there's nothin' like comin' home
I wanna sit on my front porch and drink my lemonade
Cut my grass after church every Sunday
And go out on Saturday night
Live the simple life
Wake up in the morning to these fields of gold
And take a long walk down a gravel road

Spend my days in the sweet sunshine
Rock in my swing and watch my garden grow
Know that I'll always have someone to hold
Oh I-I-I wanna live the simple life

I wanna take a blanket down to the creek
And let the water sing me to sleep
Let go of time
Live the simple life
Lately I've seen too many city lights
I wanna go somewhere where I can see the stars at night

Spend my days in the sweet sunshine
Rock in my swing and watch my garden grow
Know that I'll always have someone to hold
Oh I-I-I wanna live the simple life

Spend my days in the sweet sunshine
Rock in my swing and watch my garden grow
Know that I'll always have someone to hold
Oh I-I-I wanna live the simple life

Find more artists like Carolyn Dawn Johnson at Myspace Music

"Wheel of the World"

Sometimes, one day can seem like every door has been slammed in your face and your trapped within four walls.  Then, there are days when you feel like you have it.  You have a place in this world, you know exactly where you stand, and doors are OPEN.  Well, Friday, Sept. 16th, 2011, was that day for me.  Besides the fact that I had the best, most realistic horoscope I have ever had...haha, it took learning how to play this song on the piano for me to realize that I am meant for more in this life.  Apparently, I'm not the only one in the world that thinks that this semester is slowly killing me, and, that life is an uphill battle.  Well, playing this song was the equivalent of hitting pause on my life.  It made me realize that there are other people out there facing such a worse battle than I could imagine.  Learning this song came out of the clear blue, but I am so thankful that I did, after this past crazy week...truth be told, I needed perspective, desperately.

Blame it on my impecable, yet sometimes annoying, memory, in which I can never forget anything, or blame it on the fact that there is never anything better than a Hillary Lindsey written song.  I go with both.  Well, thank God, Aimee Mayo, whom I think is absolutely incredible, hasn't taken down the "Wheel of the World" demo from her...yes, you guessed it, Myspace.  Click on the link and you can hear the original version. http://www.myspace.com/littlebluetypewriter

This song is impeccably written.  There is not one of us out there that isn't in this song.  My favorite line from any song I have ever heard is in this totally underrated treasure: "God put us here on this carnival ride, we close our eyes never knowing where it will take us next."  Who writes like this?  Hillary Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, and Chris Lindsey.  If I was stranded on a desert island, Carnival Ride would be the only album I would need.  Not to mention it has my #1 all-time favorite song on there, but I will get to that later...Or 6 Hillary Lindsey written songs.

Listen & Leave a comment!

FM Radio:
Singer: Carrie Underwood/Hillary Lindsey
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey
Song: "Wheel of the World"

Love goes out, out like a light
Out like a flame, and you can't find it anymore
Just when you think it's lost in the rain
It comes back knocking at your door

It's the wheel of the world turning around
It's the wheel of the world turning around
And around

God put us here on this carnival ride
We close our eyes
Never knowing where it will take us next
Babies are born and at the same time, someone's taking their last breath

It's the wheel of the world
It's the wheel of the world turning around

In the blink of an eye
It can change your life
And it never even slows down

It's the wheel of the world

I don't know what it is
I'm flying high
Then I'm wondering why I'm sinking on this ship, going down
Life keeps on moving anyway

It's the wheel of the world
It's the wheel of the world turning around
It's the wheel of the world
It's the wheel of the world turning around
It's the wheel of the world turning around
And around
And around
It's the wheel of the world turning around

It can open your heart
It can break you apart
And it never even slows down

It's the wheel of the world turning around
It's the wheel of the world turning around
It's the wheel of the world turning around
It's the wheel of the world turning aroundAnd around