Feels Like Tonight

Nos·tal·gia [no-stal-juh, -jee-uh, nuh-]

NOUN

A wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time; yearning for the return of past circumstances, events, etc.

 A negative connotation is linked to the definition, however, after reading Chuck Klosterman’s “Nostalgia on Repeat” I reflected on my views.

Klosterman claims, by transporting ourselves in to an earlier draft, it is up to the individual to find meaning to our repeated actions and miss the way things used to be. I agree.

I find myself always lost in music, running through phases of a few favorite songs. For me it’s natural to listen to one song repeatedly. I dive into the lyrics. I pick apart their meaning. I fall in love. But before long, I move on to find another intriguing song begging for my ears to listen.

Someday, though, my playlist—fill of songs I love, I hate, I admire, I despise—I reverse the clock for a moment, no matter the evoked emotion. A memory flashes behind my eyes and for a span of three, four, five minutes I wish I could return to the time. Weather I tell myself to live for the moment, learn, live, forget, songs are tied to moments I wish I could change.

One song that comes to mind is “Feels like Tonight” written and performed by Daughtry. I knew of this song at a young age. The carefreeness of it all overwhelms me. Yet instead of bring back time to when I first knew the song, I am reminded by the lyrics. I remember times where I could’ve not ruined a moment, an event, a friendship. I remember the days I could’ve made a difference, yet just let the moment slip through my fingers.

Now if my nostalgia is positive or negative, I can’t decide. But I see it more as a balancing point for me. For me, I am able to find equilibrium of my idealistic values.

If it’s obtainable, I highly doubt the perfect me—inside my head at least—to ever make an appearance. If it’s unobtainable, at least this nostalgic person is worth striving for.

It Arrived.

After two and a half months, it arrived! My personally signed Baptized lyric booklet.

 

I received Daughtry's CD as a Christmas gift from my sister. I was beyond stoked. I owned their previous three albums and loved their style. Either way, if I didn't receive Baptized, I would've bought it with Christmas money because Daughtry is one of those bands whoes music can be plagued on repeat without becoming annoying.

But more than their music, I look up to founder Chris Daughtry for seizing the opportunity to audition for American Idol.

Now, if asked who my American Idol is, I could never give one answer. I have to name them all. And only two have actually claimed the title of The American Idol. Daughtry being one of the people not claiming the title but the title does not signify the best.

Daughtry performed on the fifth season placing fourth. He is one of the most recognized artist from American Idol. Watching the show, I was only 9 but his music stuck with me. Even if I didn't remember his name and the name of his first single, I could never forget his voice.

It was not by chance that I stumbled across the self-titled debut, and from there, I could never stop listening.

But when I found the lyrics booklet missing from Baptized, my sister didn't miss a beat in the explanation:

"If the booklet was sent to 2800 Olympic Boulevard in Santa Monica California by December 1st, Daughtry will personally sign the booklet."

Excitement bubbled inside of me. And that same feeling resurfaced today when finding the envelope in the mail.

All four CD. And the last with a personalized touch. I never thought I'd see it come.

Spectrum

It's not the words that create a song, but the lyricist thoughts. It's not the lyrics that hold emotion, but the performance.  It's not the song itself that tops the charts, but the musicians behind it. A perfect example, "Radioactive".  

 

With the original artist bring Imagine Dragons, lead singer Dan Reynolds said, "Radioactive is a powerful-sounding song. There's a personal story behind it, but generally speaking, it's a song about an awakening; kind of waking up one day to do something new, and see life in a fresh way."

 

 

 

However, even with Reynold's goal in mind, doesn't mean the message cannot be conveyed by others.  

 

After reaching a top ranking among the Billboard charts, and being the top 3rd single sold in 2013, "Radioactive" has been covered by numerous other artist. Although, the personality changes from performer to performer, the message is broad enough to reach an abundance of people.  

 

The original version balances elements of dubstep, electronic rock and alternative rock. But the covers hit much more than just a few genres. Variety from a piano set to a gutteral scream, I'm sure whatever music that you listen to, you will be able to find a descent cover to fit your taste.  

 

Violins create the texture with Lindsey Stirling & the accapella of Pentatonix:      

 

 

Daughtry takes a step down from his rock and roll to show vulnerability with the backing of the ivory keys:
      

 

Screams evade the melody with post-hardcore Our Last Night:
  

This comes to show music breaks boundaries within itself. The spectrum is as vast, as wide, as deep as the ocean.  

Who knows what will happen when I eventually cover the song. Maybe I'll add my own spin, change the melody a bit. It's at the hands of the performer to embed their creativity and lend their personality to stand out among the rest.  

That is exactly what Imagine Dragons did. That's what Lindsey Stirling did. That's what Daughtry did. That's what Our Last Night did. That's what I plan on doing.  

It's mine to claim a place in the spectrum that is limitless.