World Peace Through Cowbells
By: Ginger | August 21, 2009 | Category: Fun
Some of my blogs lately have been pretty serious and perhaps just a little intense, so it is time to lighten it up a bit. Whenever I am in a funk or taking life way too seriously, I turn to music to settle my nerves and put a little
spring back into my step.
Recently, as I was driving down the highway listening to a 70's radio station, I heard a peppy little song with one of my favorite percussion instruments... cowbells. I had a profound moment of clarity on highway 10. What the world needs now is love sweet love (hats off to Burt Bacharach and Hal David for that great song) and more songs with cowbells. If we were to put all of the people who are angry and hellbent on mayhem in a room and play them some songs with cowbells, it would suck the anger right out of them!
Thinking I was really on to something, I shared my love of songs with cowbells and my “peace through cowbells” theory with my husband. He just rolled his eyes and then he showed me a Saturday Night Live video clip featuring Christopher Walken directing the band to “add more cowbells.” Apparently, I can't come up with an original thought that SNL hasn't already covered in a skit.
I am kidding about the “peace through cowbells” thing... sort of, but music can significantly alter my mood and put me in better spirits. I listen to different music depending on my mood. Our country has such a rich, wide variety of music (blues, jazz, rock, rap, gospel, country, etc.) because of the various ethnic traditions and influences in our country.
I decided to do a search on USA.gov to see what musical resources were available from the government. I was amazed at the volume and rich history represented in our government's musical archives. Here are just some of the resources that are available:
- The Library of Congress has a pretty interesting music collection and even a blog that covers interesting musical topics.
- Music Resources for Children
- American Music Collections
- Federal Resources for Educational Excellence
Take a few minutes out of your crazy, busy day to sit back and relax. Go check out some of these resources and go put on some cowbell music. Drop me a line to tell me about some of your favorite songs and why you like them.
I will get us started. I love “Grazing in the Grass.” I like the original instrumental by Hugh Masekela, because of the cowbells, of course. I also like the 1969 version done by “Friends of Distinction.” This song just starts me dancing and fills me with happiness. The lyrics are about sitting back and enjoying the moment. There are times when we all need to do that. Have a good week and I'll see you next Friday.
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Say Amen by Ginny Owens on her Say Amen album. It is a song that Ginny wrote with Ronell Ragbin whose only wish was to record a song and perform a concert before she passed away from cancer. Ginny brought a song she had been working on for years that she and other song writers were unable to finish. With in thirty minutes the song was finished and they were on their way recording the songs. After listening to the song I was surprised how good the song really was.
Nothing to Say by Andrew Peterson on his Carried Along album. Andrew is a brilliant story teller whose songs are able to catch you up in song and make you think that you are right there experiencing what he is experiencing. This was the first song of his that I heard and it has been one of my favorite songs ever since that day.
Hold me Jesus by Rich Mullins on his A Liturgy, A Legacy, and A Ragamuffin Band album. I was introduced to Rich Mullins music by a friend in 1993. I amazed at his ability to tell a story in his music. Hold me Jesus has become one of my favorite songs of all time.
Thomas
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