Overplayed

You know the feeling...

You're driving in your car and a song comes on the radio that you've never heard before. Its unique rhythm catches your attention. The instrumentals are perfect for your current mood.

You turn it up. Now you can hear the lyrics. Wow, what an incredible verse. Boom. Then the chorus hits you. It's perfect. You wouldn't change a single word.

The next verse finishes and you're starting to type a reminder in your phone to download this song as soon as you get home.

Swing open your door, quickly open your computer, google the lyrics, find the song, youtube the video. Hit that beautiful button: download.

The download takes a few minutes and your anticipation to hear the song again is growing wildly. There it is... finally, in your iTunes.

Play. Enjoy. Repeat.

Play. Enjoy. Pick out your favourite line. Repeat.

Play. Enjoy. Sing your favourite line. Post your favourite line on Twitter or Facebook. Repeat.

Play. Enjoy. Sing the whole song out loud. Send it to a friend. Put on your iPod. Play in car. Play while working out. Play while eating dinner. Play before going to sleep. Play when you wake up. Play when you brush your teeth , comb your hair, get ready for school, while waiting in line. You play this new song so often because you just can't get enough of it.

You love how you discovered it before anyone else did. You love how it's lyrics mean something special to you right now. You love the beat, tempo, flow.

Maybe you even tried listening to some other songs but none of them were as currently satisfying to you as this new one.

But then it happens.

You press play... it starts... and just a few beats into your song a new emotion emerges. You want to skip it. You've heard it too much. It doesn't give you that heart-race it once did. It doesn't make you want to blast it in your car. It doesn't give you goosebumps. Yes, unfortunately it has been - like so many others - overplayed.

Overplayed. Excessive.

How many times have we overdone something? Whether it's finding out a new favourite recipe, food, television show, trend, fad... What is it with so many people excessively over indulging?

Just like the song... when we find something good, it's as if we can't get enough of that good thing. There is no satisfaction. There is no rest. Until it all becomes too much and the entire ideal has been exhausted.

Why do we do it? We know that once we have the song downloaded we can listen to it whenever we want, yet we want to listen to it as much as possible to the point where it's very sound irritates us. This goes for food, relationships, entertainment.

People like to rush. People like to obsess.

Is it worth it? Will people ever understand that time is our friend? Or will they make the same mistake again with the next song they suddenly discover they love?

Will they repeat the same steps all over again?

Play. Enjoy. Appreciate a new track. Take sometime. Repeat.

Yes, it may be hard not to repeat the song at first. It's new and exciting and hey, I can't blame you for wanting more. Taking it slow, however, will surely play off when a month from now you still want to listen to that song, eat that food, wear that outfit, etc.

rude

I'm all for sexually expressive songs and music that can create illusions in your head... But this song is just what the title says: rude. Rhianna's blunt new song is vulgar and gross - not to mention extremely annoying.

What ever happened to females acting lady-like?

I'm not one for saying girls shouldn't be wild and crazy and have a good ol' time... but when is the line crossed? When does a woman stop appearing free and fun and begin to appear and shallow and trashy?

Feminists are all for promoting women raising their voices, having voices.

However, when all women have to talk about is demeaning lyrics such as "boys getting it up" it's like taking one step forward and two steps back. Smarten up.

I think back to Audrey Hepburn and Jane Russell and the vast amount of respect these women had and how that is something that is hugely lacking in our day and age.

What do you think of this video? Better yet: the lyrics?

sleepy

I've been going off just few hours of sleep for the past little while; today I'm especially tired.

There are weeks when we simply anticipate the weekend, and then there are days - like today - when we're on our knees begging for it to come.

Enjoy this tune. It's my absolute favourite. Let it take you away to wherever you want to be this evening. At home, at a friends, at an event, at a place of understanding - or even the weekend...

the meaning

Have you ever loved a song and not quite understood exactly what you thought it meant.

You could try wrapping different situations you're going through into the song but there are certain lyrics and meanings that don't quite match.

That's happened to me with a few favourites.

Recently, I have found out their meaning. I've been put in situations where suddenly these songs make so much sense. My situation must have been exactly what these artists were writing about.

I understand you. Now that I'm here, maybe it was better when I didn't know.

okay okay

So as some of you may recall, part of my new years resolution was to be more friendly/forgiving/open-minded to people.

Throughout the past several years I've felt a loathing towards a particular teen idol. I couldn't stand her popularity at such a young age, I've felt that she isn't nearly as attractive as people seem to think she is and I've stated on many occasions that I do not think she has a great voice anyway (nor acting ability.)

Yes, I'm talking about Miley Cyrus.

My sister has begged to differ since the early days of Hannah Montana. She has been a long-standing fan of Miley and we've often teased each other about our opposing views.

With trying to keep to my new years resolution with giving people a chance, I downloaded several of Miley's songs. I didn't listen to them much before tonight and suddenly I've discovered a small but sure change of heart.

Yes. I've said it. I, Meltab, am admitting to have actually enjoyed the songs I have listened to.

Feel free to ridicule me or point out that I may be showing the signs of a hypocrite, but I am here at 2:41 in the morning willing to acknowledge that I made a snap judgement in the past that turned into a stubborn grudge towards this young girl and I am willing to state now that she actually seems like an interesting individual and her songs are indeed catchy.

So there.

I've said it. Okay?!

It's funny what can happen when we decide to finally let things or people into our hearts. It is too often that we hold things so strongly against each other that these negative feelings blind us from a lot of truth.

Today, try to open up to someone and see what happens...