Here is my attempt to introduce myself via pieces of music. Each describes aspects of my personality and hopefully let you know a little about myself.
I Don't Wanna Be
Gavin Degraw
This song represents two important aspects of me - my past and future. Degraw sings about how he has spent life living up to the standards and opinions of people around him- people who don't really care about him. Its about breaking free from a mindset a lot of people experience and are stuck in. That we are afraid to be ourselves because everyone around us behaves differently. As soon as he embraces himself, he realizes that he is awesome and that there is no better way to live life.
I relate to this song perfectly because I have wasted a lot time in the past fitting into communities of people that made me feel awful. Throughout this summer I've been changing my attitude towards myself and it feels good. I've realized that being yourself is the only way your really going to make friends and be successful. It also makes me more sensitive to other peoples' feelings and more aware that they could be going through a similar situation as me.
You Make My Dreams Come True
Hall & Oates
This song represents my happiness and love of life. It always makes me want to get up and dance. Its upbeat sound and lyrics remind me to not be so serious all of the time and enjoy living in the moment. Sometimes I get distracted by the actions of others, but songs like this make me feel good and grateful for everything I have. A lot of my clearest memories of high school are when I was the happiest, and that exactly what I want college to be like.
Make You Feel My Love
Bob Dylan (Cover by Adele)
This is my favorite song. Its emotions and lyrics are everything I stand for in life. That dedication and loyalty to other people are the foundations of a relationship. I plan on playing this song at my wedding... to whoever I love enough to marry. It's cheesy, but it expresses the idea that when I'm in love with someone I will do anything to make them happy.
Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2
This is one of my favorite pieces written by my favorite classical composer. By playing pieces like this I have been able to appreciate the hard work and dedication put into accomplishing goals (large & small alike). The time and focus it takes to produce this music has inspired me to work harder at any challenge I face. The piece has no lyrics, yet I can understand the emotion that is being communicated through the sound.
"A lot of people want a shortcut. I find the best shortcut is the long way, which is basically two words: work hard."
Randy Pausch
When I Look to the Sky
Train
"I can always find my way when you are here."
I know that this song is specifically written about a girl, and this guys relationship with her. But a majority of the song represents how much I value my closest friends. They have been here for me for a long time and its going to be hard living away from them.
I've never taken any friendships I have for granted because those people haven given me the confidence to be myself and do what I love. Nothings better than knowing you have trustworthy friends that you can talk to about anything. Moving forward in life, I know now what it takes to develop relationships like this and what is necessary to help them grow. Even though I'm now living miles away from some of my best friends I always know that they are accessible to me and that I shouldn't ever feel alone.
Matt, I really enjoyed your post about Gavin DeGraw. "I Don't Wanna Be" is a really awesome song. I thought your situation in high school was quite interesting. Similar to you, I also tried fitting in with some people that I should not have wasted my time with. This song sheds light on the importance of staying true to yourself and not being anything other than what you truly are. We shouldn't have to prove ourselves to anyone, and if they don't accept you for who you are, they are simply not worth your time. Great post Matt!
ReplyDeleteHey Matt I also really loved your post about "I Don't Wanna Be". I am a firm believer in being who you are no matter what. I used Lady GaGa's "Born this way" in my blog to show that being who you are and not what other people think you should be is important. I agree with you that just being yourself can make your life so much happier. In the words of Darren Criss "There is nothing more bad-ass than being who you are!".
ReplyDeleteI really liked and related to the Gavin DeGraw song in that trying to fit into a bunch of communities just for the sake of fitting in can be a huge waste of time. I also noticed how there was a lot of variation in your song choices but they were all pretty easy to name. There was happiness, loyalty, pure emotion - I thought your variety was really intriguing. I also liked how you were able to feel and sense emotion in a song that had no lyrics and focused more on your interpretation of respect for hard work!
ReplyDeleteHey Matt -
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job with the assignment! I read this and gained a lot from it, about your values and where you're at; I'm glad you're coming to college with a framework for how you'd like it to turn out. Certainly, I hope it's that happy experience you're looking for! Based on what you wrote here, I'm sure your friends from home value you as much as you do them - so keep it up!
Great work!
- Casey