E. G. Bella

Happy Friday!

I’m back with another fun blog tag! This one might be stolen…but is it technically stealing if I have permission? I found it on Mia Harden’s site (right here), and it looked like a neat chance to share some of my favorite songs – and hopefully learn about yours as well!

The rules:

1. Tag the creator of this blog tag, so anyone can find their way to the full list of prompts and graphics. (You can find that at Me & Ink).
2. Choose how many prompts you want to do (up to 17). Free feel to use (or not use) the headings or the graphics (either old or new versions).
3. Name 1-5 songs per prompt and have fun!

And now for the songs…

~ She Used to Be Mine – Waitress ~
//She’s imperfect but she tries/ She is good but she lies/ She is hard on herself/ She is broken and won’t ask for help/ She is messy but she’s kind/ She is lonely most of the time/ She is all of this mixed up/ And baked in a beautiful pie//

I’m using this section for my latest favorite Broadway musical songs, and this is one of them! I don’t know the musical, but this soulful song has been tugging at my heart lately.

~ Words Fail – Dear Evan Hansen ~
//Words fail, words fail/ There’s nothing I can say//

Again, I haven’t actually seen this musical, just listened to the soundtrack. But this song grips me with how emotional and raw it is. Platt (the actor)’s vocal talent is also incredible.

~ If Only – The Little Mermaid ~
//If only you could know/ The things I long to say/ If only I could tell you/ What I wish I could convey//

I really like the depth and overlapping parts of so many characters in this one. The Broadway version of this story adds so much to it in my opinion – including this song.

~ Carrying the Banner – Newsies ~
//Ain’t it a fine life carrying the banner through it all?/ A mighty fine life carrying the banner tough and tall//

Newsies is one of my very favorite musicals, and this is only one example of the amazing songs from it. I love the energy and huge cast in this, and also…those harmonies!

~ Matchmaker – Fiddler on the Roof ~
//Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a match, Find me a find, Catch me a catch//

I grew up knowing this movie and its songs, but this one has been in my head more lately. It’s so catchy! And I love the fun dynamic between the sisters as they sing and goof around.

~ When You’re With Me – The Afters ~
//The sun shines brighter when you are here/ My heart beats louder, and time just disappears/ Everything is how it should be/ When you’re with me//

This is such a touching one, and it gets stuck in my head often. I love that the themes are not just on infatuation but on loving someone as long as they live, for better or worse.

~ Perfect – Ed Sheeran ~
//Baby, I’m dancing in the dark with you between my arms/ Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favourite song/ When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath/ But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight//

I usually stay away from more popular love songs, but this one is so sweet. I can see why so many people use it for first dances at weddings – it’d be perfect for that. Very cute.

~ Girl of My Dreams – Brandon Heath ~
//Falling in love is a beautiful thing/ Like every morning’s the first day of spring/ God must be smiling down over me/ I’m in love with the girl of my dreams//

This song is another very sweet one, and I love that it’s told in a story format. There’s humor and lots of relatability, also giving a touching picture of love, before and after marriage.

~ Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts ~
//This much I know is true/ That God blessed the broken road/ That led me straight to you//

This has been one of my favorites for a long time. I really like its message, and the reminder that God can use our past, no matter how broken, to bring about good things.

~ Better – JJ Heller ~
//You make me laugh a little louder/ You make me dream a little bigger/ My life is so much sweeter/ ‘Cause you make me/ You make me better//

I love this one. It’s deep, but sweet and uplifting as well. This seems like the perfect song to send to your significant other to make their day, and remind them that you care so much.

~ It’s OK – Nightbirde ~
//It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay/ If you’re lost, we’re all a little lost and it’s alright//

This song nearly made me cry even before this truly beautiful woman passed away this year. Her journey was very inspiring, and these words touch me every time.

~ The Last Goodbye – Billy Boyd ~
//Night is now falling/ So ends this day/ The road is now calling/ And I must away//

I don’t often cry at songs, but this one definitely makes me emotional. The fact that it was sung by the actor for Pippin in the last Lord of the Rings movie is sweet, and the lyrics are deep.

~ The Call – Regina Spektor ~
//You’ll come back/ When it’s over/ No need to say goodbye//

Another one that tends to make me emotional. Again, I associate the song with a movie – Prince Caspian– but the lyrics are actually very deep, and I come back to them often.

~ I’m Still Here (Jim’s Theme) – John Rzeznik ~
//And I want a moment to be real/ Wanna touch things I don’t feel/ Wanna hold on and feel I belong//

I think it’s partially the fact that this song is paired with an emotional montage in Treasure Planet, but this one gets to me. Plus, I think a lot of people can relate to the lyrics.

~ Say Something – A Great Big World ~
//Say something, I’m giving up on you/ I’m sorry that I couldn’t get to you/ Anywhere, I would’ve followed you/ Say something, I’m giving up on you//

This is a commonly-known ‘sad song’, but for a reason, in my opinion. The music and lyrics are both very emotional, and the lyrics could apply to a lot of really difficult situations.

~ Better When I’m Dancin’ – Meghan Trainor ~
//But I feel better when I’m dancing, yeah, yeah//

An obvious one, but it never fails to make me want to dance. The lyrics may not be very profound, but the general catchiness of the song makes up for it in my opinion, haha.

~ Téir Abhaile Riú – Celtic Woman ~
//Here today and she’s gone tomorrow/ And next she’s going to Galway/ Jiggin’ around and off to town/ And won’t be back until morning//

I absolutely love Celtic/Gaelic/Irish music, and it always makes me want to dance. Instrumental, with lyrics and vocals…anything. The style is just one of my favorites.

~ Glow in the Dark – Jason Gray ~
//Doesn’t matter how deep, how dark the night is/ Keep hoping, keep on shining/ And they’ll see His light burning in your heart//

I’ve always liked this song, for the powerful lyrics, and for the upbeat tune, both of which get stuck in my head. It helps cheer me up and makes me want to dance every time.

~ King of New York – Newsies ~
//And there I be, ain’t I pretty?/ It’s my city, I’m the king of New York//

Yes, another Newsies songs, haha. But I can’t help but want to join in the boys’ choreography whenever I watch this. Actually most the songs from it are very infectious.

~ Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex ~
//Where did you come from, where did you go?/ Where did you come from, Cotton-Eye Joe?//

I hardly even notice the lyrics of this song anymore, but ever since I learned the line dance and a circle dance set to its tune, it makes me want to dance whenever it’s played.

~ Touch the Sky – Brave ~
//I will ride, I will fly/ Chase the wind and touch the sky//

Another example of my favorite Celtic music! I really like the movie Brave, for many reasons, but it’s spectacular music is definitely a huge factor. This song in partiuclar.

~ I See the Light – Tangled ~
//And at last I see the light/ And it’s like the fog has lifted/ And at last I see the light/ And it’s like the sky is new//

Tangled is another one of my favorite movies, and this is my favorite song from it. It’s just so sweet, and the instrumental is also beautiful. I enjoy playing on this on the piano.

~ On My Own – Les Miserables ~
//On my own/ Pretending he’s beside me/ All alone/ I walk with him till morning//

This song always hits me hard. The entire movie (or show) is very heart-wrenching, but this song and how Samantha Barks sang it is just very emotional and beautiful.

~ Out There – The Hunchback of Notre Dame ~
//And out there/ Living in the sun/ Give me one day out there/ All I ask is one/ To hold forever//

I still question why Disney chose this story to turn into a children’s movie, but I do appreciate most the music – this song in particular. Tom Hulce’s voice is fantastic.

~ We Don’t Talk About Bruno – Encanto ~
//A seven-foot frame/ Rats along his back/ When he calls your name/ It all fades to black//

Okay, I’ll admit it, I understand the hype behind this song, haha. I listen to it sparingly so I don’t get sick of it, but all the layers are incredible. I want to see it as a Broadway show!

~ Christ the Lord is Risen Today (hymn) ~
//Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!/ Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!//

This is one of my very favorite hymns, so obviously I want to sing along any time I hear it. Especially the Alleluia part. I wish it was played more often than just on Easter every year!

~ You Say – Lauren Daigle ~
//You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing/ You say I am strong when I think I am weak/ And you say I am held when I am falling short/ And when I don’t belong, oh You say I am Yours//

Lauren Daigle has a broader range than mine, but overall, I can sing most her songs pretty comfortably. I got to sing this one for a musical, and the lyrics are very touching to me.

~ The Place Where Lost Things Go – JJ Heller ~
//Well maybe all those things/ That you love so/ Are waiting in the place/ Where the lost things go//

JJ Heller is another artist whose songs I like and can sing comfortably, and this one often loops in my head (also from Mary Poppins Returns). It has such sweet lyrics.

~ Part of Your World – The Little Mermaid ~
//Up where they walk, up where they run/ Up where they stay all day in the sun/ Wanderin’ free, wish I could be/ Part of that world//

I’ve had a far-fetched dream of playing Ariel on stage since I was about six, so this song encourages me to pretend, haha. It’s also closer to my range than a lot of Disney songs.

~ Safe and Sound – Taylor Swift ~
//Just close your eyes, the sun is going down/ You’ll be alright, no one can hurt you now/ Come morning light, you and I’ll be safe and sound//

I first heard this song in the Hunger Games credits, and was drawn in by how hauntingly beautiful it is. It remains one of my favorite emotional, almost chilling songs to sing.

~ Fireflies – Owl City ~
//You would not believe your eyes/ If ten million fireflies/ Lit up the world as I fell asleep//

I have memories of this song playing often while my siblings and I played games with my dad. Hearing it makes me think back to those nights, and I think fondly of it for that reason.

~ Gated Community – Veggietales ~
//Oh! The Gated Community/ Is where we like to be/ Everything’s so lovely/ Oh, our hearts are filled with glee//

Veggietales was my childhood, haha. This is just one of their many amazing songs that I liked. Funny enough, I actually enjoy Veggietales even more now than I did as a child.

~ Blessings – Laura Story ~
//’Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?/ What if Your healing comes through tears?/ What if a thousand sleepless nights/ Are what it takes to know You’re near?//

God used this song to minister to my family in the midst of a very painful hardship, and it still reminds me of those first months of grief. Not a pleasant memory, but bittersweet.

~ In His Time – Maranantha ~
//In His time, in His time/ He makes all things beautiful/ In His time//

We used to have music playing every night at bedtime, and a Maranantha playlist was one of the most common ones for a long time. The songs still make me sleepy (in a good way).

~ Kung Fu Fighting – CeeLo Green
//Everybody is kung fu fighting/ Your mind becomes fast as lightning/ Although the future is a little bit frightening/ It’s the book of your life that you’re writing//

Guitar Hero, anyone? I don’t even know most the lyrics to this song, but I got pretty good at strumming the rhythm, haha. My family and I played it often, and it was a fun activity.

Now to peel myself away before I get carried away even more… What a fun one! Thanks for joining me as I got to ramble on about one of my favorite topics, haha. I think it’s fascinating how much music can influence us…through memories, associations, emotions, etc. It’s definitely a powerful thing, and I always enjoy sharing some of my favorite songs.

What are some of YOUR favorite songs? What music would you respond to these prompts with? Do you have any recommendations? I’d love to hear about them, so please feel free to do this tag on your own blog, or let me know your answers in the comments below!

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