Breakable

I'm not sure if you've heard her name before, but you've definitely heard her songs. In fact, if you watch any Old Navy commercials, you know "the Sweater Song" (even thought that isn't it's official title). I am addicted to Ingrid Michaelson because of a generous gift from one of my fave friends Sarah for Valentine's Day. What is amazing to me is how much music stills and quiets my heart more than anything else, especially on a day when it seems to turn my heart upside down.

But, enough about me.... let's talk about Ingrid.

She sang on Joshua Radin's latest release (who also has a great hit "Amy's Song"- wonder why I love that one). She's circled the talk show circuit, spending lots of time on Good Morning America and Jimmy Kimmel this week. One of her more popular songs "Keep Breathing" was a key feature on the end of Season 3 of Grey's Anatomy... (Yeah, you remember the part - Christina, after Burke left her, trying to tear her wedding dress off so that she could breathe. That was powerful!)

What I love about her is her genuine transparency. She has an ability to convey so much feeling and emotion in so little words. Her melodies flow back and forth, allowing you to enter in the music and let it wash over you. There is a keen truth and honesty in her lyrics and a strength in her voice that resonates. She talks about good and bad, strength and weakness. All in all, I haven't been able to get her album off of my iPod. And the awesome thing: She did it all by herself. No label, just Ingrid. Selling her love on iTunes.

So, here's the track that has been in my head this week. I think it speaks to a lot of people I know... myself included at times.

Breakable

Have you ever thought about what protects our hearts?
Just a cage of rib bones and other various parts.
So it's fairly simple to cut right through the mess,
And to stop the muscle that makes us confess.

And we are so fragile,
And our cracking bones make noise,
And we are just,
Breakable, breakable, breakable girls and boys.

You fasten my seatbelt because it is the law.
In your two ton death trap I finally saw.
A piece of love in your face that bathed me in regret.
Then you drove me to places I'll never forget.

And we are so fragile,
And our cracking bones make noise,
And we are just,
Breakable, breakable, breakable girls and boys.

And we are so fragile,
And our cracking bones make noise,
And we are just,
Breakable, breakable, breakable girls-
Breakable, breakable, breakable girls-
Breakable, breakable, breakable girls and boys.

Welcome!

People have always told me that I have a few quirks. Probably the strongest quirk is to pick up music lyrics after hearing the song once. Yes, I said once. I'm not guaranteeing that I'll remember the lyrics all of the time, but about 95%. This trick generally allows people to tell me I'm like "iTunes on crack."

Another quirk is that I seem to have a soundtrack for my life. There are certain songs on my playlist that completely express who I am. Five songs constantly remain in my playlist, and there are many others that rotate in and out. I just have a deep love for creative, honest, genuine music. I think that sometimes songs can explain my heart better than I can. There are also many times when a song transports me back to a past era in my life, and evokes feelings that make me remember all of the things that have molded me to be who I am now. You know you remember those songs. If a certain song comes on in the car, the music triggers past emotions of where you were when that song was popular.

A third quirk is that I love spreading my passion for new music to people who may never hear specific artists. It is a huge goal in life to expand other's musical horizons. I'm generally good at offering many options, which is what I hope to do here.

Some songs give peace, some make you think, some make you laugh, and some make you cry. I hope that the music you hear in the soundtrack of my life resonates something much deeper than anything I could provide.

So take and enjoy! I'll always link to iTunes or appropriate websites to make sure that you can get the music you like. Please give me feedback to let me know what you latch onto!