One of my favorite things to do is jam out in the car by myself. I crank up the notch to max volume, so that I can fool myself into thinking I sound Beyoncè good. That’s exactly what I did on my ride home from work today. My choice of songs on the 45-minute ride was different than the usual though. I listened, I sang, I rapped the same three songs on repeat. I want to give a shoutout to each of the three, because for the first time, in a long time, I felt chills run down my spine all the way up to my cheeks. The lyrics were so damn powerful that I felt chills in the cheeks, people! And that’s unheard of.
Song #1: Dear Mr. President by P!nk
Ugh. I wish I could hug that woman. P!nk deserves the biggest freakin’ hug, and not just from me. A human rights advocate, a people advocate, a woman of her word, who will wear whatever the f*ck she pleases and chop off and dye her hair almost every other week.. If anyone is seeking a strong exemplification of authenticity, of audacity, please just go listen to P!nk, to her lyrics, to her speeches, and to her voice that amplifies and touches hearts even amongst the frustration we can’t run away from. Every time she speaks, every time she sings, P!nk deserves a mic drop.
It’s ironic how this 2011 song is still so relevant today. I don’t like that. Actually, I hate that, and I rarely speak of hate. I hate the fact that in 2011, P!nk released a song in hopes of future progress. And here we are today; it’s almost as if we made no strides. Please don’t read into that too deeply, because Barack and Michelle were downright heroes before and beyond their time at the White House. I’m never one to speak politics, but I am not proud of our President today.
Listen to the lyrics carefully to understand how the following relates.
As I exited the highway coming from work this morning, I saw a homeless man approaching cars and getting denied one-by-one. I was jammin’ out to this song in the moment and had a couple bucks laying around so I rolled down my window, called him over, and gave him $2 that probably made his day. We fist-bumped, then he limped away.
I trust that there are good people in this world. I trust that there are homeless people in this world that genuinely could use some help. They’re a stranger to me, but they’re not a stranger to someone else. I find myself to trust easy, because it’s hard to think someone would lie to a person with good intentions. P!nk has inspired me to care less about what others think of me and instead, to extend a hand of kindness and generosity as an advocate for the good humans in this imperfect world.
Song #2: 1-800-273-8255 by Logic
An overdue song by a man that empowered and encouraged people to speak up and speak out and seek help, because suicide is preventable. I once had someone tell me that going to therapy is a “recent invention.” Recent or not, it is nothing to ever be ashamed of. In fact, I can proudly tell you all, I’m so thankful for my therapist. The coping mechanisms of mental health vary for each individual. It isn’t my intention for this blog post to educate others on an awareness I’m far from qualified to speak intelligently on. However, it’s incredible what Logic has done with this song. Some may think of music as therapeutic; some may just need to hear the right words; some may just need to witness a performance so powerful that the message becomes contagious.
Part of the lyrics read:
I’ve been on the low
I been taking my time
I feel like I’m out of my mind
It feel like my life ain’t mine
Who can relate? Wooo!
Rhetorical question or not, many – myself included – can relate. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Logic, for paving a way for hope for an end to the mental health stigma that still unfortunately exists in this imperfect world.
Song #3: Same Love by Macklemore
Love is love is love is love is love….
I’m going to keep this one short and sweet, because anyone that knows me already knows that I support love in all and any forms. I struggle to understand the unsupportive side. What’s dope AF though? every.single.last.word of this song. Attention to detail is commonly found in 9 out of 10 job postings.
Dear Macklemore, I would hire you for just about any job after this song. Your choice of words is unparalleled. It’s exceptional. It’s relatable. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Macklemore. “She keeps me warm,” and you fought and spoke out for equality in love even among the coldhearted culprits in this imperfect world.
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This imperfect world. This imperfect place of being. This imperfectness is okay. It’s more than okay. I’m actually smiling ear-to-ear, because these powerful people touched me this morning. My singing voice will never compare to theirs, yet my imperfect actions will continue to echo the motives of their lyrics.
Hawaiian Princess Pieces 