It's Monday and it's time for music!
Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers? We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! We are brought to you by Cathy of Curious as a Cathy, Stacy of Stacy's Random Thoughts, Marie (Xmas Dolly), and myself, plus other music loving bloggers.
Today's prompt is: "According to CoolKidFacts, November is a shopaholic’s dream month with the various promotions kicking off early on around the globe. Build your playlist of songs inspired by things on your holiday wish list to “shop” specific songs/lyrics. Just have fun!
But I am going to deviate because it's November 9.
On November 9, 1965, the Northeast United States (including most of New York City, including where I lived at the time) was struck by a major blackout. It started around 5;16 pm, originating near Niagara Falls, Canada, and caused a chain reaction that resulted in some 30 million people losing power. Most of New York City, including where I lived, was blacked out. My father was one of some 800,00o riders stranded in the New York City subways. As for me, I've told the story of the blackout before - including my personal experience during that night.
This night shaped the person I became. The strength I developed helped me through other rough times in life.
We all face challenges in life, and this is reflected in our music. Let's listen to some songs.
I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor's 1979 hit.
Fight the Good Fight - Triumph
This is a band I like, and I'm going with one of their 2015 songs. Here is Throne from Bring Me the Horizon
1981 brought us the iconic Don't Stop Believin' from Journey.
1974's The Show Must Go On from Three Dog Night.
And now (trigger warning) a grim topic I must touch on today. I normally don't, but today is an exception.
November 9-10 marks the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, when at least 91 Jews were murdered and 7500 Jewish owned businesses were vandalized during a night of state sponsored terrifying violence against Jews in several European countries. Police were ordered not to interfere.
Hate is rising in our country, and in other countries, today.
I want to introduce a Rush song called Red Sector A. I've had it on my blog before and I am featuring it again today.
Neil Peart, who wrote the song's lyrics, said that the song was inspired by stories told by bandmate Geddy Lee's mother, who was a Holocaust survivor (as was his father). The lyrics intentionally leave the context of the song open.
As the Simon Wiesenthal Center said on their website,
And that's a wrap.
Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.
Somehow we are surviving!
ReplyDeleteGloria Gaynor and Journey take the trophy this week, although Journey was probably the song I listened to most, even though I never owned a Journey album back in the day.
ReplyDeleteI am Canadian and Neal grew up where I live but I am not a Rush fan. I like the music but it is Getty Lee's voice that irritates me something awful. I didn't know Lee's parents were part of that horrible ti.e in Germany. This was a horrible moment in 1939 and these gangs were probably just kids like here. Get them riled up, flame the fear and bring out the anger and there you go. I wish all s tools would teach about WW2 and not just what happened to them but all people. Let's pray thoa doesn't happen again but the States already have their mobs with a" job" and they take it r
ReplyDeleteToo close for comfort.
It's mind blowing why hate exists. One race/culture is not better than another. One race/culture should never dominate another. In God's eyes, we were created equal. In our evolving world, hatred for Jews continues and for centuries Christians have been slaughtered. The One true God is a god of love, but He is a just God and will deal swiftly against the enemy of His people.
ReplyDeleteI read your post from Nov. 9, 1965 for the first time and left a comment. I know a lot of years has passed, but I know it still has to haunt you just bit still. I am hugging you right now and hopefully you'll feel it as you read this, Alana.
Thanks for sharing mostly new song picks to me. Have a boogietastic week, darlin'! xo
Lots of memories in your music today, especially that Gaynor song. And your point about hate rising in our country is well taken. Unfortunately certain politicians seem bent on fomenting and weaponizing hate for their own purposes and that is an uncomfortable reminder of Kristallnacht.
ReplyDeleteI remember the blackout. Great theme
ReplyDeleteThose are really good songs. This is Mary Kirkland, for some reason Google won't let me sign in right now.
ReplyDelete