Heaven

I chose to make a playlist of songs that are inspiring and a way to think about someone or something close to me and how they can relate to heaven. A couple of these songs are very emotional, and I can relate to them on different levels. I consider myself a sensitive person, and I make connections with songs. I enjoy all types of music, but these particular songs have meaning to me. It could be the lyrics, or it could be the way the instruments are being played that makes listening, relaxing. I believe in faith and the peaceful thought of loved ones in heaven or looking that way for help. All of these songs relate some how to “heaven.”

My Playlist of Songs….

Country- Carrie Underwood, “Jesus Take the Wheel”

This Carrie underwood song can relate to someone feeling overwhelmed and stressed. It presents a tragic even and needing help to get through it. The tone of this song is mostly sad and has emotional lyrics. She shows a tremendous vocal range, and it’s published in A major tonic. I feel this song has a moderate to slow tempo. The consonance of this song is pleading and captivating at the same time. You can hear the various instruments being played, such as the violin, guitar, and drums. Her chorus is turning to Jesus to guide her and give her answers. This is one of my most favorite songs.

Rock- Led Zeppelin, “Stairway to Heaven” 

Led Zeppelins “Stairway to Heaven” is known as a rock legend. This song tells a story about a woman who thinks that just because she has money and can buy whatever she wants, she believes she can buy her way into heaven as well. This song seems to have a couple of different tempos as the song starts very slow and light, mostly instrumental with the acoustic guitars and flutes opening the song in a very quiet tone, leading into the piano and drums with bass. The dynamics of this song is a crescendo. The instrumental sounds in the beginning, drive up to a louder vocal and use of instruments, creating a strong and somewhat sharp dissonance of these musical tones.

Traditional – Charlie Puth, “See you Again.” 

Charlie Puth (featuring Wiz Khalifa) created a masterpiece with this tribute to Paul Walker. He was an actor who died in a car accident. This song is to commemorate him passing away. It was made for friends of Paul Walker. The song is heartfelt and narrates the image of being able to see him again in heaven. It explains the bond between both family and friendships. This is a sentimental song and creates many sad emotions along with emotions of hope. A steady flow of these harmonious notes create a peaceful consonance, especially opening with a piano. I feel like you could say when the rap starts this takes away from the melody of the piano and brings some tension into the song. Here is where the rhythm takes place.

Blues – Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven.”

Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” is one of the most heartbreaking songs I have ever heard. There is so much power and multiple emotions with just Eric and his guitar. The lyrics of the song are dedicated to the passing of his four-year-old son. This song reflects the pain felt by Eric. I would say the tempo of this song is moderate. The Consonance is easy to listen to, the influence of the lyrics make this a touching low-key melody.

Country- Justin Moore “If Heaven Wasn’t so Far Away.”

Here we have Justin Moores “If Heaven Wasn’t so Far Away” This song is about wishing there was a way to get to heaven to see everyone who has passed on. You can hear the vocals, the piano, and guitar. His vocals carry the melody. I feel like you can relate to this song on many levels, no matter who you are. We have all lost someone in our lives relevant to us. This song would have an effect on the “listener” rather than the hearer. If you were to focus on the structure of this song, you would see the reflection of feelings about essential memories.

Rock- Guns N Roses “Knockin on Heavens Door”

Finally, Guns-N-Roses “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” presents lyrics that make you think. Why would someone be knocking on heavens door? I think this could be because of the dangerous world we live in. When you don’t feel safe, you may think something terrible will happen to you. In this song it appears, that is what happened to someone. They are seeing darkness and no longer need the badge and gun. I feel like the dissonance is this song is what makes it sound amazing. While some may think the tone is unpleasant as the vocals get higher, more emotion in inflicted. The chorus is repeated continuously with few new lyrics. The motive for the meaning is at the beginning of the song. I also think the harmonies are beautiful, they show vocal ranges from low to high and then even more elevated. As far as the structure it doesn’t change much, having only two, four-line vocals.