Phil Vassar, "Black & Whites," Happy Birthday Annette & Misc. Other Thoughts @ 2:30am!

Whoa! What an absolutely powerful and breathtaking song. I am speechless. I was just listening to Phil Vassar’s new album on CMT.com listening party and I was just blown away. A song, called, “Black and Whites,” is absolutely amazing. At first you think it’s about black and white photos, then maybe sheet music, but it turns into a song about living your life through music-specifically your own self-written music. Even though I don’t play piano anymore, I used to, I'm seriously sorry I ever quit, I can understand living life through music, writing and black and white. Music is the soundtrack to our lives, at least it is for mine. And "music is just peotry put to tune." (the great multi-talented Miss Trisha Yearwood said that) In the poetry and songs that I write myself, with black print on white paper. I just know (or at least am making a best guess-writer to writer) Phil wrote this in about 30 minutes and it’s probably, as I’m guessing, is the most personal thing he’s written to date, or at least more personal thing he’s written and released. Big difference there! LOL! I don’t like all of this album, "Shaken, Not Stirred," Phil used to own/run/play at a bar and nightclub in Nashville before he hit it big in country music. Anyhow, some songs on the album are way below what I’d expect from Phil, but some songs on there are amazing. Like “Black and Whites,” I have to get that album! Also on there is “Good Ole Days,” and “I Miss the Innocence.” My favorite though is B&W, and Erase. Only because, while I’m not there presently, I’ve been where that song is. “Erase,” definitely been there. Very powerful and moving and what I like best about it is it’s not all rimy-like. I love that Phil puts out songs that aren’t necessarily writer’s fare and even songs that don’t intend to change the world. The thing is, writing is writing, and it’s mostly done for the writer’s sake. Us writers are rather selfish when you think about it. We write for our own use, therapy, income, etc. We love it when others benefit from and enjoy our writing, whatever it may be that we write, but truthfully, it’s more about us than the audience. “The Hot Tub Song” is one of those that don’t claim to change the world, because not every written word has to have a true and higher purpose. Mostly, yes, I would agree that that's better. But, sometimes, you just want to write what comes out-even if it’s not incredibly important or meaningful. But see, it is meaningful, the minute it comes out and onto paper, it's meaningful, and it’s meaningful because it came from you-the writer. Anyway, The Hot Tub Song is so cool-it’s really all about sex. One of my favorite subjects! LOL! Since my family and friends read this board, I won’t go into that. But, I do want to say that I think writing about sex, in a risqué’, and classy way is very cool-the way Phil did..... You really have to listen to the song a few times to figure out that’s what it’s about. And I must say, the song is quite sexy itself! Anyway, I had a wonderful TG @ Grama’s and I listened to and viewed Billy’s video a few more times, and oh my gosh, another great and amazing song, makes me cry every time I hear it. It’s so true and beautiful. About letting children be little and young and innocent. And enjoying them every second for what they are at that very moment, isn’t that what life is really supposed to be about anyway? I think that’s one reason I like kids so much, because as I’ve said before, they just put it in perspective for you, or rather me. It’s all about the single, present, blessed moment with them, and that’s how all of life should ideally be. Anyway, the song B&W, by Phil, and the song LTBL by Billy are just breathtaking, they both gave me Goosebumps and the fact that they came from two of my favorite musical guys is even more wonderful! I wanted to write more about my TG, but not tonight. I’m too tired and want to go to bed. I’ve done a lot tonight and have much more to do tomorrow-girly stuff, make out Christmas cards, write final draft of English paper, read something for English and deal with Avon, PLUS, get ready for Hugh’s homecoming on Sunday! I cannot wait! I miss him soooooo much! Anyhow, I’ll write again later today, by the way, Happy 43rd Birthday to my former therapist and present friend, Annette C. Wherever you are today, I hope you have a wonderful birthday! You deserve it! Happy Birthday Annette!!! And Happy Holidays to all! Christmas times’ a coming’ and I can barely wait! Bye for now!

Many Blessings,
-SL

********
BLACK & WHITES
Phil Vassar

So many choices in my life these days
So much confusion, so many shades of gray
That sometimes I don't know
My left from my right
But I've got these old black and whites

Well, I'm every color that you can paint
A father, a lover, a mother, a sinner and a saint
From Sunday morning, to Saturday night
I've got these old black and whites

Under the spotlight or all alone at midnight
I know I'm right where I belong
It always unwinds me, it finds me then reminds me
That life is as simple as a song

Lovers, they come and surely they go
They fly you so high, say hello, say goodbye
And they leave you low
But that's all right here in these songs that I write
Right here on these old black and whites

So roll over Beethoven
Cause ol' Phil could use some room
I may be out of time and may be out of tune
But you know how it feels to pour out your life
Right here on these old black and whites
Livin life in black and white

http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/vassar_phil/799263/album.jhtml