Last week I had a last minute chance to go to a concert. The concert was in celebration Progressive Magazine’s 100th anniversary and had Catie Curtis, Melissa Ferrick, Dar Williams, the Indigo Girls and Ani Difranco. I could have gotten a ticket months ago, but I was a little overwhelmed by the line up. I’m either super annoyed at concerts (at people blocking my way, dancing in front of me, singing loudly etc.) or too emotional. We saw Dar Williams 2 years ago and I cried through most of the show. Just so beautiful. And I’ve seen Ani about 6 times, and the Indigo Girls 7 times, and I have crazy stories from all of those shows and those different times in my life.
So at the day before a friend of mine couldn’t go to the show and sold me her ticket. I am so glad. I didn’t realize how much I needed the music and the energy. I did cry most of the show (well, from Dar Williams on as I’m not really into Catie or Melissa). I knew I’d be emotionally overwhelmed but I didn’t expect that it would be out of appreciation.
Usually when I think of the amazing women who have influenced my life significantly, I think of family, mentors, friends. I realized while listening to Dar, Emily, Amy and Ani, that they’ve also had a huge impact on my life. From early high school on, I’ve gained incredible wisdom and support from these strong women. In college their lyrics were revolutionary– they were out, they were feminists, and they wrote lyrics that were like anthems. There are certain songs that Dar, Emily, Amy and Ani have written that I can listen to and instantly feel centered, grounded, reminded how how incredible the world is, and strong enough to move forward. I never really thought about the strength they have provided me through various ups and downs until I was sitting there listening, absorbed in the energy of the show. I mean, thank goodness for these women. Where would I be without them?
Throughout the show, inbetween solo sets, they played together. And there’s nothing I love more than my favorite artists singing together– like Ani and Dar singing a cover of Comfortably Numb– and watching them sing together live was just beyond awesome. It’s nearly a week later and I still feel high from the whole experience.
The final song everyone sang was the Indigo Girls’ Closer to Fine. The audience sang every word. Afterwards I left thinking I didn’t ever need to see any of them again in concert– it just couldn’t ever come close to seeing everyone sing Closer to Fine. Really, no more concerts for me (okay, I’d still love to see Hem and Nina Nastasia– oh and I wouldn’t pass up Imogean Heap or Bjork tickets, either).
Thank goodness someone had the brains to record the final number. Here you go– enjoy. I’m going to watch a bit myself now to put a smile on my face before I go to sleep…
I’m trying to tell you something about my life
Maybe give me insight between black and white
And the best thing you’ve ever done for me
Is to help me take my life less seriously
Its only life after all
YeahWell darkness has a hunger that’s insatiable
And lightness has a call that’s hard to hear
I wrap my fear around me like a blanket
I sailed my ship of safety till I sank it
I’m crawling on your shoresI went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
There’s more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
(the less I seek my source)
The closer I am to fine
The closer I am to fine
I just wanted to raise my hand and say ‘yeah, me too!’ to the idea that these songs and women can center me at times when I really need to be centered. I really think that “Southland in the Springtime” may have saved my life my first year of college.