48/365 Beatles Revolution

28 years ago today, my dad took me and my friend Mike to see a DePaul basketball game at Alumni Hall for my birthday. On the way home, we heard the shocking news that John Lennon had been shot. This song, one of my favs, goes to him and his music and how he lives on in the hearts of many.

47/365 Belly- Feed The Tree

Does anyone remember this song from the early '90s? I remembered the song but not the artist- not even vaguely. Its a good piece- kinda reminds me of The Cranberries or 10,000 Maniacs. Anyway I like the lyrics as she illustrates how growth and beauty comes out of pain and suffering.

...I know all this and more...

46/365 The Who- Getting in Tune

I heard a version of this song last week on XRT where Pete Townsend invited Eddie Vedder to sing. I cant find it on YouTube-you will just have to imagine. For whatever reason this song moved me. When words and music come together its like the perfect combination of logic and emotion- it just works-it strikes a chord.

I get a little tired of having to say do you come here often
But when I look in your eyes I see the harmonies and the heartachs soften

45/365 Eddie Vedder- Society

Featured in the movie Into the Wild, this song strikes some truth chords. Is there no end the the wants we have that are twisted around and thought of as needs? How much do we really need? And if we get everything we "need" will we be happy- or will we just create more "needs" so that we just don't really have to look at the truth of the matter. Is life about collecting treasures?

44/365 Nickleback- If Everyone Cared

Working with an organizatin called Solid Rock Carpenters, my friend Jan spent the day building frames for houses that are being shipped to Louisiana. This song was featured in the video that highlighted the days events. When people come together for a purpose, it reveals God at work. If everyone shares and swallows their pride....

43/365 Neil Young- Cowgirl in the Sand

Neil Young and CrazyHorse was another one of those albums listened to on the basement stereo in the late '70's. This guitar solo is like a drug-it brings me to another place-one that can not be measured by time and space.

42/365 Cat Stevens-Miles from Nowhere

This is my Favorite of many Cat Stevens songs. I always smile when he goes into the rocking pounding on the piano part. Lord, my body has been a good friend, but I wont need it when I reach the end. This video also feature Father and son- timeless message true about the pains of letting go of your family and moving toward your own thing.

41/365 Sheryl Crow- First Cut is the Deepest

Written by Cat Stevens, peperformed by Rod Stewert, this version by Sheryl Crow is awesome. We can all relate to this song as the fear of being hurt again holds us back from experiencing a new relationship.

42/365 Joni Mitchell- Big Yellow Taxi

This one speaks for itself. Yea.

41/365 Joni Mitchell- Both Sides Now

I found this video when I was showing Caroline her version of Big Yellow Taxi- which is also brilliant. She was so young when she wrote this song-I wonder how she could be so insightful. Her thoughts and expression of clouds, love and life show a sort of a passage from childhood to adulthood. Honestly, the childlike mindset sounds so much more appealing to me.

40/365 Amy Mann -Enough

I watched this movie about domestic violence with my daughter the other day. I understand that something else needs to be done to protect the ones that are violated. No one should ever have to take that kind of treatment. Anyway this song by Amy Mann touched me as I saw how Slim was acting out of real love- love for herself and her only child as she got herself out of a hopeless situation.

39/365Pink Floyd

Mother. Yes, you will always be a baby to me. Babies need to learn about the world and take risks, make their own decisions and fail sometimes in order to grow into adults. I had a complete trust in his judgement and realized what it felt like to have an adult "baby" as I sat as a passenger realizing that he has learned and risked and failed and had grown.

38/365 Joe Crocker

His songs, always passionate, strong voice. I remember he was known for his long curly hair and his unique way of moving around the stage. Unchain my heart, set me free.

37/365 Bruces Red Rocket

Yup, they rock. Inflatable Gurlfriend

36/365 Marvin Gaye

Mercy mercy me..... Marvin Gaye is one of those artists who can go on about social issues and political unrest yet still have this double as a bedroom song.

35/365 My Morning Jacket

Im Amazed.

34/365 Danielia Cotton

This song is called Bang My Drum. Heard this on XRT this am. Of course I love it. I think I found my new favorite.
Everybody's got something they'd like to throw away
Sometimes everybody's got way too much to say...

33/365 In My Life

This morning on WXRT's Breakfast with the Beetles, this song was voted #1 favorite Beetles song of all time. I can see why. It comes from the heart with sweet, simple and true lyrics.

U2-Mary J Blige- One

This is the song Bono uses to promote the One campaign. One love. We need to carry each other. The issue of poverty and disease is serious. If all of us did our part as we should....

31/365 I'll take you there

This Gospel feel good song by the Staple Singers really does take us there. Mercy. Play on it, play on it. I know a place...

30/365 Jack Johnson

David A. gave me a copy Jack's disc a few years back nand told me, "Cathy J, you are going to love this artist." I fell in love. The misic is so free and easy- it reminds me of Bob Marley and The Greatful Dead. Awesome.

29/365 Jeremy Camp - Walk by Faith

Another God song that has brought me through tough life-changing times. God's perfect plan is better than any plan I can come up with on my own even if it means going through suffering and loss.

Will I believe you when you say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Help me to RID my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With the one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do

yeah, yeah , yeah, yeah, ya

well i will walk by faith
even when i cannot see
because this broken road
prepares your will for me

Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

28/365 Norah Jones Thinking About You

So yea, Norah Jones. She is a cross between Bonnie Raitt and Ricky Lee Jones. Hard to believe that such a soulful, breathy, jazzy voice can come out of an innocent looking young lady. I loved her music the second I heard it.

27/365 Chevy Van

Last night when I was driving through my dad's "old neighborhood" (Italian gone Puerto Rican gone yuppie) I remembered the times at grammas corner apartment,going to get italian ice at the corner store and meeting with the neighborhood kids. This song popped into my mind as a measure of the time.

this video is a funny spoof of the song

26/365 Deep Purple

One of the rockin' 70's bands! This song was almost identically reproduced by my brother Joe and I as we found new uses for our touch tone phone. Far out! We were such a musical family.

25/365 Natural Woman

This song was on carol King's Tapestry album so I consider it a song from my childhood. Among other songs, I used to sing this one to baby Andrew just about every night when I rocked him to sleep. He loved it when I sang to him.

Aretha doesn't have the title Qeen of Soul for nothing. Seeing this video gave me the goosebumps.

24/365 Heart

This was one of my many "grab the hairbrush" songs. I did a lot of pretending to be a rockstar. Well, ok, I still do. When it was all males doing it, Heart showed me that females can rock even better. Dreamboat Annie is a classic album in my book.

23/365 Roxy Music

Smooth and slow, Bryan Ferry has one of the sexiest voices I have heard. The music makes me want to sway. Classic.

22/365 Jesus Christ Superstar

This is my favorite rock opera. I have the songs imprinted on my memory. I learned more about the life of Jesus and his heart through these songs than I did in Catholic school. Be kind, don't worry about the future, dont judge, love.



Hersey HS put on an amazing performance of JCSS this spring.

21/365 Madonna

1981? This is the first Madonna song I ever heard. Stephanie and I loved her voice and her dance moves. Simple and fun. Little did we know that she would become a Diva.


Love the bracelets.

21/365 Prince

During her days of obsession with black-like musicians, Jane talked me into taking her and a bunch of her pubescent friends to see this movie. Although in todays standards, it would not be so shocking, I had to reach over and cover 4 sets of eyes during some parts.

I wish I could show you the pic of her covered in MJ buttons, wearing fingerless gloves and the big hair. LOL.

20/365 Beauty for Ashes

I love this gospel song. The words are encouraging. As I get older and experience this over and over again, I KNOW that its true and it gives me assured hope and confidence for the future.



He brings Beauty from ashes,
strength from fear
gladness from mourning
peace from despair

19/365 Ziggy Marley

If we could just let go of all of our fear, jealousy and our "need for more" perhaps we could actually lead a life of love. Sometimes I think the Rastafarians have the right idea about religion. Simply love. I know what I believe- its not exactly this but I like what he says. Of course, Reggae music always puts me in a good frame of mind.



All my days I've been searching, to find out what this life is worth
through the books and bibles of time I've made up my mind
I don't condemn, I don't convert, this is a calling have you heard
bring all the lovers to the fold, cause no one is gonna lose their soul

18/365 mean kitty song

17/365 Casting Crowns

This was my theme song for a while. Through this song, God gave me the courage to do some things that I never in a million years thought I would do.

Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

but the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
i will soar with the wings of eagles
when i stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are

16/365 Cheap Trick

It was Senior year. Cheap Trick was a new up and coming band who played at a pub in Highwood. They were not too strict on the underage thing. I was dating Nick T, a boy with a pick up truck who lived in a mansion in Bannockburn. It was a fun time.


I WANT YOU TO WANT ME

15/365 Elton John

This song reminds me of summer when my main mode of transportation was my bike. We rode up to 31 Flavors at dusk to get bubble gum ice cream, riding back home with our bike lights and reflectors (no helmets). We rode the hills of Glenview which are now finely manicured subdivisions. We rode up to Techny to visit the farm , pick apples from the orchard and become close to God in the grotto.


Philadelphia Freedom

14/365 Slightly Stoopid

I think Nancy had this song on her myspace page. I fell in love with the guitar work. I'm not sure I Totally understand the lyrics but it sounds like an awakening of what is real and a positive forward.

...closer to the sun and further from the moon...

13/365 Third Day

I believe in a faith that is strong
I believe in a hope that will carry on
I believe in these things and more
Most of all, most of all
I believe in love.



This song was prevalent in my heart 5 years ago when a group of us from church took our bible camp to the poor neighborhood after praying and brainstorming about how to love our community. It was the summer of love for me and I have done church differently ever since.

12/365 Billy Squire

Talk about obnoxious. Laying in bed with my head spinning, I can hear the beat of this song coming from Michael's room. This is one of the worst songs ever but Stephanie and I laughed our butts off making fun of this song and Michael too! Thats what big sisters are for right?


Stroke me stroke me

11/365 Rod Stewart

Eew. Parts of the river are a little bit smelly. Alone in his parents house, he purposely pun on this song and wanted to make out. I was 15, he was 17. I was innocent, he was not. Luckily I did slip out the back door.

10/365 Linda Ronstadt

In the fall of 1978, the entire family drove Joe to college at Miami of Ohio. Joe was probably embarrassed to have his family with him as we were young and obnoxious. Anyway, Joe had a poster of Linda in his dorm room- you know the one with her on roller skates wearing short shorts and a satin jacket. She was the hottest. I later discovered a lot more of her music with this song one of my faves.

9/365 Waiting

We wait. Wait to turn 16, to finish college, get married, have a kid, have the kid grow into the next stage, to grow old with our mate, to get divorced. We wait in line, in traffic, that phone call, our paycheck, for spring to come. In our waiting, some of us have to train ourselves to live in the moment, to be content with what we have and to share that with others.



I liked this "behind the song" video because it shows how the song was born and it seems so simple.

8/365 Blind Faith

With Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton, Blind Faith was way ahead of their time. This is one of may favorite albums from my Dad's collection. He actually had the cover with the naked girl playing with a toy airplane on it. It wasn't considered child porn back then.

7/365 Sweet Emotion

My parents bought this album for us one Christmas. My brother an I laughed as we listened to some of the songs' lyrics and wondered in the rents had any idea what they were buying for us. We played this on our square orange record player. Good times.

6/365 Real Me

I went to see the The Who's movie Tommy at GBS when I was a young Freshman. I didn't get it. My favorite album was Quadrophenia with this song as one of my top favorites. I saw the Who in concert with Karen and Jane i n 1978.

I went back to my mother
I said, "I'm crazy, ma, help me"
She said, "I know how it feels son
'Cause it runs in the family"

Can you see the real me, mother, mother
Can you see the real me, mother, ooh mother
Can you see, can you see, can you see the real me
Can you see, can you see the real me, the real me, the real me

5/365 fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac is one of my all time favorites with Gold Dust Woman sparking some pretty vivid memories of Sophmore year dance class with Sr. Nancy. Sassy Cathy grabbed the microphone when this song was playing and proceeded to sing out. My classmates listened and I actually got compliments.

4/365 Wharf Rat

As a young girl learning about life, walking downtown, seeing dirty bearded men with bags sitting on the sidewalk sleeping or asking for money, this song opened my eyes to one possible reason or cause of homelessness. I was inspired to take time out and give people the time of day.
Old man down, way down down, down by the docks of the city.
Blind and dirty, asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee.
I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story.
My name is august west, and I love my pearly baker best more than my wine.
More than my wine - more than my maker, though hes no friend of mine.

Everyone said, Id come to no good, I knew I would pearly, believe them.
Half of my life, I spent doin time for some other fuckers crime,
The other half found me stumbling round drunk on burgundy wine.

But Ill get back on my feet again someday,
The good lord willin, if he says I may.
I know that the life Im livins no good,
Ill get a new start, live the life I should.
Ill get up and fly away, Ill get up and fly away, fly away.

3/365 Neil Young

Most of the songs on this album were awesome. I like this song for its confessing honesty and how the music depicts the feeling. Plus I am drawn to the guitar solo.
Down by the river...

2/365 Pink Floyd

And by the way, which one's Pink? My first concert was Pink Floyd Animals tour at Soldier Field. What an experience. I was scared of the crowd, of the music of the M80 that was thrown into the crowd, hitting some of the people I was with. Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall were my favorite albums. Animals-not so much. I don't think they allow concerts at Soldier Field anymore-and for good reason.