Life Through Music: “Holding On For Life” by Broken Bells

It’s crazy to think that 2013 is almost done. As the last few weeks are in front of me I look back on the year. One thing that I realize right away is that 2013 had some great music that found its way to me. Or it is that I am fine tuning my vibration in the universe? I feel that as I continue to do the work on myself the more the world around me responds to this movement. Music is just one of the best examples for me to show a direct connection to where I am at a given moment in time. From the up beat dance music brought on by Daft Punk, Justin Timberlake, and Empire of the Sun to the harder hitting albums from Late Night Alumni, Imagine Dragons, and even music from the lovely Krista Herring. Plus just all the other songs that came to me over the year some new and some old, but all with the right message at the right time. 

So why I’m bringing this is up is that although 2013 is almost done there is already some music that I’m already excited for that is slated to come out in January. January 14 to be exact. The first single though has been available since November 5 and I instantly fell in love the first time that I heard it. It wasn’t till these last few weeks that I really started to listen to it over and over. If you are unaware of who the band Broken Bells is than I suggest you go right now to Youtube and educate yourself. Broken Bells is a side project of the artist/producer Danger mouse (real name Brian Burton) and James Mercer who is the lead guitarist/singer of the band called The Shins. This is a collaboration I never saw coming, but the connection between the two artists is quite magical. 

James Mercer (left) and Brian Burton (right)

So, the song that I picked for my song of the week is called “Holding on For Life” by the Broken Bells. Before I get into the lyrics I wanted to make a comment that I think that the 70’s era of music is making its way back into mainstream music. You can actually hear it in a lot of the music I posted above when talking about dance music. This song from Broken Bells is no exception to this trend and I guess they aren’t leaving any room to ponder it with the title of their next album called “After the Disco”. It’s not directly disco music that is for sure, but there is definitely some disco influence with a new spin on it. It’s a wonderful mixture of new and old in my book. 

Right from the beginning I get hooked by the sweet bass line and the strumming of a guitar. Then the rest of the new age electronic sounds come in making you want to wander your way to the dance floor and just get lost in the vastness of the sound. This songs sound is what I imagine space music should sound like.

Lyrics:

“Holding on For Life”

Girl, take a seat
Rest your weary bones
Your secret's safe in my hands
Tell me 'bout the years
And let me buy an hour
Maybe help me to understand

Ain't nobody calling
Ain't nobody home
What a lovely day to be lonely

You're holding on for life
Holding on for life
Holding on for life
You're holding on for life
Holding on for life
Holding on for life

Light another cigarette,
Burning in the cold
Waiting on the street for your man
You're trying not to look so young & miserable
You gotta get your kicks while you can

And in the Latin Quarter,
Sitting on your own
What a lovely day to be lonely

You're holding on for life
Holding on for life
Holding on for life
You're holding on for life
Holding on for life
Holding on for life

(Yes, I am holding on for life. No matter how bumpy the road gets. I would also go further and say that I’m also holding on for Love. The moments in life that I live for are the ones that are full of love.)

Well, you may belong
To another time
Still you have to carry on, yeah
Nowhere else to go & you never know

(Some times in life I do feel I was born in the wrong time period, but I must carry on with what I was given.)

What to hide and what to show, noo!

Like last weeks song the bulk of what I connected to in this song lyrically is the chorus. That message of holding on for life. Last week I felt lost on where I’m going and this week I holding on harder and weathering the storm as it were. Finals for school are next week and I’m just trying to finish out this year strong so it will carry on into the next year.  Can wait for the music I will hear in 2014. Till then appreciate what’s left of 2013 its been a hell of year. I hope you are appreciating the last of 2013 as well and thinking about what you bring to 2014. Take care. 

As always I bring this to you with much love and pure D-lite. = )