Bands, Women, and making beautiful music

Women are like bands. Musical bands, that is... not therapeutic exercise bands, or terry cloth sweat bands... bands. And women- are like- bands. Women are amazing in the fact that they can just make everything in your world stop. Just one joke, one smile, one conversation, one date, and all of a sudden you can't get her out of your head. It's like this new band that you've never heard of comes out with a song- a song that you really connect with. And it's a gooood song. So after hearing a few more songs off of the album, you decide: OK. This is my band. This is going to be my lady. And over time, things may change. Maybe the lead singer moves on, and all of a sudden their sound is different. Or they do like the beatles and start doing all kinds of drugs. And then you realize, this band isn't really my favorite anymore. I think I want to move on.

And you think, 'what was all that stuff just 1 year ago... that first album?' Because I swear, that was some good stuff. Well, there's a lot of bands that can release one decent album. And there's a lot of girls who can make good first impressions. But it makes you wonder... am I looking for what I should be looking for? Maybe the catchy melodies and thumping bass are fun... but I should be looking for something a little more meaningful. Maybe the makeup and the flirtation... sure, that makes me feel alive and exilerated, but maybe those are things that won't last forever. The music industry looks pretty bad at times... I don't hear a lot of BBMak any more. Not to mention Cake, Fuel, Tonic, and Right Said Fred :-P. There's just a lot of young bands looking for what's temporary. Money, fans, and popularity. It makes you wonder sometimes... isn't this supposed to be about the music? About art, creativity?

And there's a lot of girls out there trying their hardest to get fans. Bettering themselves on the outside, and neglecting the music. Music shouldn't be about making money or filling seats. It's about the expression of emotions and truths that are too rich for spoken word alone. There are songs that simply must be sung, songs that absolutely need to be heard. And then there's "Shake your moneymaker" and "Miss new booty". And what's popular, what's cool, and what everybody tries to be... is fake, and temporary, they're lies. And we got girls valuing their bodies over their souls, with all the effects and consequences following after. We're living for the moment and wondering how yesterday's tomorrow got so bad.

Well... I'm a loyal fan. And I'm looking for a band to adore. I'll be at every concert, and try my darndest to learn all the words. And I'm pretty sure I don't want to settle for a one hit wonder. Because there are bands out there that have "it". And I want an "it" girl. I don't want 98* or Ricky Martin. I want Led Zeppelin. Or Snoop Dogg. Or the Beastie Boys. Or Weezer, or Green Day, or Frank Sinatra. A band that knows that they're a band to make music. I want a woman who knows she's a woman because she's meant to make music. It's not about ticket sales or fame or awards. It's not about sex or a husband or attention. It's about tuning your heart to sing that grace. It's about that melodious sonnet of loudest praise. And wow, those bands are hard to find. Bands that won't compromise for this or that. Focus, drive, faith, and having enough toughness to stay gentle and lovely. Beauty. Grace. I'd buy front row seats.

So how can you tell the enduring bands from the one hit wonders? Well I don't really know. A lot of times they look the same at the start. Well, there's something interesting about the woman that I admire the most. She didn't get married until her mid 30's. She had more important things on her mind. Does the idea of waiting until my mid 30's make me happy? Nah. After awhile bands kind of lose their youthfulness, and flare. The fun, idealistic lyrics turn introspective and deeper. Certain physical areas start to fill out as some start to move south. The fanciful bright flames of a woman's heart turn to deeper burning, glowing embers. I envision this: how incredible would it be to share those exciting youthful years with the woman of my dreams? Mmm Mmm mmmm... no doubt that it would be Amazing. But I'll tell you one thing. If 4 years until marriage has to turn into 14... for the right kind of woman, it'd be worth it. My mother is an incredible woman. And when I'm my father's age, if I'm a man like my father- I'm pretty sure I'll be able to sleep soundly. And if I'm sharing my life with a woman like my mother, any amount of struggle or patience would be worth it.

Although it bugs me a little bit- the idea of finding that woman at 24, just to see that she's not about "settling down" just yet. Oh well. So often I have to remind myself what it's all about. It's about the music. I'd say that loving music is much more important than loving a band that understands that just the same. It's about loving the music. And I'll be looking around from time to time, but my one passion, my one purpose, isn't about to change. And as much as I deeply, deeply, long to be singing a duet, singing solo is just alright with me. Because

E'er since by faith I saw the light
Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme
And it shall be 'til I die

-There is a fountain
Hymn, 1772

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We who were called to be Your people
Struggling sinners and thieves
Were lifted up from the ashes
And out came the song of the redeemed

The love we received through salvation
It fills your daughters and your sons

The sound of Your love
The sound of Your love
You've won Your children

-Leeland