I Want To Make The World Turn Around

I couldn't find this song for playlist, so if you want to listen to it, click here.

The Steve Miller Band is known for songs that we all know such as Abracadabra, Fly Like an Eagle, and Jetliner, among others ;)~. So I was kind of surprised when I was listening to my thousands of songs coming up with this list when I came across this song that I'd never heard before. I didn't even know it was part of my "collection".

In typical Steve Miller free love fashion he wrote this song. However, I wonder if he knew that what he was writing was actually somewhat spiritual. Especially if you look at it from a Christian point of view. If you do look at it from a Christian point of view you could apply it and then with God's help turn the world around! So go ahead, give it spin. With God's help turn the world around.

Steve Miller Band - I Want To Make The World Turn Around

I don't want to live in a world of darkness
I want to live in a world of light
I don't want to live in a world that's heartless
I want to live in a world of sight
Well you know, I want to make the world turn around

Living in a world of justice
Living in a world of shame
Living in a world of freedom
Living in a world of pain
Well you know, I want to make the world turn around

Turn the darkness into light
Turn the hunger into life
Turn the wrong into right
Put an end to the strife
Turn the blindness into sight
Save a human life
Make the world turn around

I want to live in a world of gladness
I want to know what your heart is made of
Don't want to live in a world of sadness
I want to live in a world of love
Well you know, I want to make the world turn around

Living in a world of justice
Living in a world of light
Living in a world of freedom
Living in a world of sight

I want to send a message
To every boy and girl
I want to send a message
About the world
We got to build it up
Stop tearing it down
We got to build it up
Make the world turn around

6 Underground

For my next trick... uh, song, I have an "oldie but goodie". It disgusts me to call it an oldie, but if it were a kid it would be a teenager! The song is 6 Underground by the Sneaker Pimps. This song is a memories song for me as it was in just about any movie that I ever took a girlfriend to! Those movies include The Saint, Can't Hardly Wait, Enemy of the State, and Cruel Intentions. Recently in 2009 in Ghosts of Girl Friends Past starring Matthew McConaughey had this song too. Perhaps with the mix of M.M. and the song I should fittingly see this with Jessica (my girlfriend... uh, wife) It's the ultimate seduction soundtrack song! And Caleb's soundtrack needs one of those! ;)

I'm not going to go to deep into the meaning of this song as once again I like the song and music over the lyrics. She could be singing the word watermelon over and over for all I care. The tune is catchy, rhythm is chill, and the voice seductive. Funny thing though is that from what I can tell the song is about drugs, or death, or both. So hot, not! Oh well presentation is good.
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6 Underground by Sneaker Pimps

take me down
6 underground
the ground beneath your feet
laid out low
nothing to go
nowhere a way to meet.
I've got a head full of drought
down here
so far off of losing out
round here
Over ground, watch this space
I'm open to falling from grace.
calm me down
bring it round
too way high off your street
I can see
like nothing else
in me
you're better than I wannabe
don't think 'cos I understand
I care,
don't think 'cos I'm talking
we're friends
Over ground, watch this space
I'm open to falling from grace
talk me down
safe and sound,
too strung up to sleep
wear me out
scream and shout
swear my time's never cheap
I fake my life like I've lived
too much,
I take whatever you're given; not enough,
Over ground, watch this
space, I'm open
I fake my life like I've lived
too much,
I take whatever you're given; not enough,
Over ground, watch this
space, I'm open
to falling
from grace...

A-Punk

A-Punk showed up on my list because it's a peppy song. Sounds cheery and I like it. The music behind the vocals never really led me to listen to the lyrics much, especially since the singer appears to have an accent. But whenever it comes on I find my head bouncing back and forth and myself jumping up and down (if sitting) at the same time. So any song that makes you just start moving should be part of your soundtrack!

Needless to say, since I'm posting the lyrics of these songs on my soundtrack, I'm not entirely sure of the meaning of this song. From what I can gather Johanna comes back to the city to visit a boyfriend or brother before he dies. I say this because she took the ring off of his lily white hand (indicating death?), and said that she had pre-planned it by "having no fear". Another thing that makes me think he has died is the mention of Sloan Kettering which is a cancer center in NY. Then the song takes a turn and talks about him going to New Mexico and playing the harmonica. Perhaps it's a memory? But then it returns to him being post mortem saying that he saw Johanna in the subway and that she now lives in Washington Heights. He also seems to suggest that she threw the river into the sea to erase memory of him, but that he's half the memory? I don't know! Perhaps you can help me out, if you have a clue. :)

Regardless of the subject matter the tune is peppy and his vocals are peppy too, and darn it if it's not the peppiest "sad song" ever. Maybe I have it all wrong and it's a happy song. If you just listen to the musical part of it, you'll think it's a happy song.

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A-Punk by Vampire Weekend:

Johanna drove slowly into the city
The Hudson River all filled with snow
She spied the ring on His Honor's finger
Oh-oh-oh

A thousand years in one piece of silver
She took it from his lilywhite hand
Showed no fear – she'd seen the thing
In the Young Men's Wing at Sloan-Kettering

CHORUS:

Look outside at the raincoats coming, say OH

His Honor drove southward seeking exotica
Down to the Pueblo huts of New Mexico
Cut his teeth on turquoise harmonicas
Oh-oh-oh

I saw Johanna down in the subway
She took an apartment in Washington Heights
Half of the ring lies here with me
But the other half's at the bottom of the sea

What If I Stumble

The beginning quote from this song is a strong quote and one that I feel is very true. There are so many people who profess the name of the Lord, go to church on Sunday, and then go live their weekly life as though they're the same as everyone else. It is my belief that less than half of most church congregations are truly Christ believing, walking, living Christians. They're just professing, but not living. The Bible says that in the end days there will be a great falling away from the church, and I feel this is why our churches are full of professors and not livers. The Bible also says that many when they die will be at the gates of heaven and be surprised to think they were Christians only for Jesus to say, "Away from me, I never KNEW you."

Think about it, in your workplace or neighborhood can you really point out or see a difference in people that you would believe to be a Christian versus anyone else? If you are a professing Christian and people can't see the difference in your daily walk compared to others in the world then you might want to re-examine the legitimacy of your salvation and commitment of profession. Don't be surprised at the gates, it's too late then!

This doesn't mean that you get a bull horn and stand on a street corner. It also doesn't make you superior to others or an elitist. And it certainly doesn't mean you remove yourself from this world and live in a "Christian shell". It does mean that people should see a noticeable difference in who you are, how you act, and what you say. So much so that they may even ask you, why are you this way, or that way? One important thing to remember is that if you choose to walk this life, you won't be perfect, you will mess up, you will stumble. The good thing is that God will always forgive you and help you move forward, helping to rid you of your troubles if you show the desire to live righteously and by his way.

"What If I Stumble" is a comforting song for me, reminding me that God will always love me no matter how badly I mess up. I will fail God too many times to count, but He will NEVER fail me. I just have to ask for forgiveness through Jesus and work to leave my former self behind.

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What If I Stumble - by, dcTalk

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."

Is this one for the people? Is this one for the Lord?
Or do I simply serenade for things I must afford?
You can jumble them together, my conflict still remains
Holiness is calling, in the midst of courting fame
Cause I see the trust in their eyes
Though the sky is falling
They need Your love in their lives
Compromise is calling

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
You never turn in the heat of it all
What if I stumble, what if I fall?

Father please forgive me for I can not compose
The fear that lives within me
Or the rate at which it grows
If struggle has a purpose on the narrow road you've carved
Why do I dread my trespasses will leave a deadly scar
Do they see the fear in my eyes? Are they so revealing?
This time I cannot disguise all the doubt I'm feeling

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

What if I stumble?
Everyone's got to crawl when you know that
You're up against a wall, it's about to fall
Everyone's got to crawl when you know that

I hear You whispering my name [You say]
"My love for You will never change" [never change]

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
You never turn in the heat of it all
What if I stumble, what if I fall?
You are my comfort, and my God
Is this one for the people, is this one for the Lord?

Stop and Stare

Stop and stare is a misleading title simply because it would make me think that people are stopping and staring at me, or that I would need to stop and stare at something tragic, like a wreck. But in this song it's saying stop and stare in the sense that you should stop and take a look at who you are, what your life is. I don't know about you, but I've felt much like how this song describes. Particularly in the first paragraph, err stanza.

Since moving back to KC from Des Moines shortly after being married; I've seen old friends mostly go over the last several years, my great "adolescent years" church change dramatically, woken up to the fact that I live in a place that is far different from how I see myself anymore, and have grown tired of knowing my "stomping grounds" only to be regularly reminded of mostly good memories and some bad with no connection to either any longer. It's like living in a shell of what I knew. So I find the first stanza very true.

As the song moves ahead the thoughts continue... Every now and then I have a sign of hope for getting a new or fresh start here only for it to whither away because the same energy and commitment that was once there isn't anymore. It seems that energy only is available once and can only be rekindled with the old. The energy for starting anew can only be done with say, your spouse and kids. Which I believe is why our best "family/couples" friends are in Des Moines, and Rapid City (from Des Moines) when we (wife and kid) depended only on each other and made friends together. They were families that we were able to make friends with and grow with together, new at the same time with no pre-history, and in a NEW place! So being where I am today, that's how I feel, "I think I'm moving but I go nowhere". And then it's true too, that I've become what I didn't think I could be (reclusive), and I wonder why I'm 'here' not there, as the song says.

Finally, the song to me seems to say that he tries to cut ties with his former self, and move on to start new and starts to go only to be pulled off focus and then he finds himself right back where he was. All I can say is ditto.

This synopsis is not to be misconstrued with unhappiness with my wife and kids. To the extreme contrary - they are my lifeblood here on earth. It is definitely though a disappointment that as my friends have moved on that it is very difficult (for guys, or this guy anyway) to make good guy friends who are married. They rightly so are committed first to their families and in most instances still have their "posse" around to be pals with, or are like me would rather make good strong "family friends" where the wives, husbands, and kids all mesh together, and separately as pairs for their own nights out as just couples, guys, or girls.

So there you have it song #3 on Caleb's Soundtrack:
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Stop and Stare - by One Republic:
This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us
It's time to make our move, I'm shakin off the rust
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
I'm staring down myself, counting up the years
Steady hands, just take the wheel...
And every glance is killing me
Time to make one last appeal... for the life I lead

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're 'here' not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can u see what I see

They're tryin to come back, all my senses push
Un-tie the weight bags, I never thought I could...
Steady feet, don't fail me now
Gonna run till you can't walk
But something pulls my focus out
And I'm standing down...

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, you don't need

What u need, what u need...

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be
Oh, do u see what I see...

Dig

Again, I think the song “Dig” by Incubus is open and honest. So far, you might say I’m just looking to be open and honest about myself. I try to be anyway.

Whenever I hear this song, I think of my wonderful wife! It could be a form of a dedication song, but I like to think of it as more of a thank you song. Even though I try to be open and honest, loving, and good, the fact is that I’m nothing more than a human pursuing God and his will for me while being chased by Satan. Unfortunately Satan gets my heel more than I’d like to admit and I end up being covered in weakness, sickness, jealousy, and meanness. But God has blessed me with Jessica. She stands by me no matter how much I fail and she “Digs” me out of all that muck and finds the “better part of me”. She helps me remember that she loves me, my kids love me, and most importantly that God loves me. In the “end” when friends fade away, and kids grow up, we’ll always have each other. I love my “digger”. Thank you Jessica. Thank you God, for Jessica.

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Dig - Incubus

We all have a weakness
But some of ours are easy to identify.
Look me in the eye and ask for forgiveness;
We'll make a pact to never speak that word again
Yes you are my friend.

We all have something that digs at us,
At least we dig each other
So when weakness turns my ego up
I know you'll count on the me from yesterday

If I turn into another
Dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me
Sing this song
Remind me that we'll always have each other
When everything else is gone.

We all have a sickness
That cleverly attaches and multiplies
No matter how we try.

We all have someone that digs at us,
At least we dig each other
So when sickness turns my ego up
I know you'll act as a clever medicine.

If I turn into another
Dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me.
Sing this song!
Remind me that we'll always have each other
When everything else is gone.

Oh each other....
When everything else is gone.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ohh
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh

If I turn into another
Dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me.
Sing this song!
Remind me that we'll always have each other
When everything else is gone.

Oh each other....
When everything else is gone.
Oh each other....
When everything else is gone.

Song Number One - Leave Out All The Rest

Leave Out All The Rest - Linkin Park

I dreamed I was missing
You were so scared
But no one would listen
Cause no one else cared

After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here

So if you're asking me
I want you to know

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
[End Chorus]

Don't be afraid
I've taken my beating
I've shared what I made

I'm strong on the surface
Not all the way through
I've never been perfect
But neither have you

So if you're asking me
I want you to know

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
[End Chorus]

Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are
I can't be who you are

--- I felt this was a good first song, because you just never know when you're going to go, when your time is up. For the most part I like what this song says. It's honest. He's saying that aside from a few people or one in his instance that if he's gone not many will really care. Which sadly is probably true with many. He's saying that he's not perfect and to not be upset at him for things that weren't right or perfect. He doesn't want resentment to be held and wants the person to remember him in good standing and from good times. This is a song I'd like played at my funeral someday. Morbid? Maybe, but again I could step out of this chair and take my last step, I'm not in control - you know?

Hope you enjoyed the song, it's meaning, and perhaps left you with something to think about today. See you tomorrow, maybe... ;)