Meaningful Music

My mother has played piano my whole life for our church. My father is a music junkie and has great taste- raising us on everything from Ozzy to the Osmond's, from the Hootie and the Blowfish to Van Halen. My grandmother was an Opera singer for years and years. Music is a major part of my life.

My drive to work is anywhere from 30-45 minutes. It's a rather long drive and I pass 7 other hospitals on the way just to get to the best one in the state. As I drive I listen to a play list titled 'Ultimate EMT Play list.' Knowing that we always need inspiration I thought it would be best to share what inspires me and why.

I hope you take the time to listen to each song if you haven't already. All the music can be listened to for free on www.playlist.com or purchased on Itunes.

How to Save a Life - The Piano Tribute Players

Anyone who has heard the original version of this song done by 'The Fray' knows why this song is a favorite and the first on the list. This version is done completely on piano and has even more emotion. This is the first song I hear when I get in the car, it helps me feel stronger. It's a longer track, but it is completely worth it.

Sky - Joshua Radin

This was a song I found in a closing scene of Grey's Anatomy- after a long hard day and loosing patients the characters still had their family, friends and colleagues. The lyrics remind me that whatever happens, I'll have people there at the end of the night. Whether it be my fiance who I can call and vent to, whether it be the nurses who will offer a shoulder to cry on or my readers, who help, simply by arriving on the blog.

Broken (Original Version) - Lifehouse

There are two versions of this song- the new/radio version is much more popular but has little to none of the emotion that this version has. I have both and prefer this one when using it as an EMT song. The tone of the song and the way they created the music to collide with the lyrics is beautiful- and the lyrics are so powerful and have brought tears to my eyes many nights.

'I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing.
With a broken heart, that's still beating.
In the pain, There is healing.
In your name, I find meaning.
So I'm holding on (I'm holding on)
Barely holding on to you...
I'm hanging on another day,
Just to see what you will throw my way...
You said that I will, will be okay.
The broken light on the freeway, left me here alone.
I may have lost my way now,
Haven't forgotten my way home.'

Never Let Go - Bryan Adams

This song was played for me by my first partner the day before my grandfather and my best friend died. It was supposed to simply inspire me for state competition- but instead this song changed my world. If you recognize this song, its most likely because this is the song from the movie, 'The Guardian'. It's the most fitting song for medical professionals- and the lyrics say it all.

'Can you lay your life down, so a stranger can live?
Can you take what you need, but take less than you give?
Could you close every day without the glory and fame?
Could you hold your head high, when no one knows your name?
That's how legends are made, at least that's what they say.
We say goodbye, but never let go. We live, we die, Cause we can't save every soul.
Gotta take every chance to, show that your the kind of man who
Will never look back, never look down, never let go.'

Into the Fire - Thirteen Senses

This is another Grey's song- it is played in the first episode of the series. As Meredith Grey scrubs into surgery she says 'I can quit. I can think of 1,000 reasons to quit and not one reason to stay, but here's the thing- I love the rush.' When I took an EMS refresher course I played this song before every test and I felt unstoppable. This is a strong song, and I encourage all of you to watch that first episode just for this song alone so that you can get the full feeling to it.

Life is Beautiful - Vega 4

Are you shocked to know this is another Grey's song? The writers of this show have done an excellent job in choosing music. In this episode (Season 3) a patient burned herself on purpose to avoid taking a test and it was up to Izzie to tell her to ask for help. The patient freaked out, yelling 'I'm not crazy!' To which Izzie replies 'No, your not, but you need help. You need someone to help take care of you.' This song was also used as a commercial for 'My Sisters Keeper'. This song also has such amazing lyrics- even if the song is exceptionally long!

'Life is beautiful. We love until we die...
Life is beautiful but its complicated. We barely make it.
We don't need to understand, there are miracles, miracles.
Yeah, Life is beautiful, our hearts they beat and break...
It's amazing where I'm standing, there's a lot that we can give.
This is ours just for a moment, There's alot that we can give.'

Breathe (2 AM) - Anna Nalick

One night I drove home from the hospital- tears burning my cheeks as they fell. I sniffed and whimpered and drove, fighting to just get some music on to distract me. Work had been that bad- and I don't remember why- but I do remember hearing these lyrics and feeling the emotion and the lyrics' truth.

'Cause you can't jump the tracks, we're like cars on the cable.
And life's like an hourglass glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And Breathe...Just Breathe.'

Shine Your Light - Robbie Robertson

I'm sure all of you have heard this song, if not- you best get to it. This song was on 'Ladder 49' in the closing scene- and made me bawl like a baby the first time I heard it. I absolutely love this song and on my weird shifts I love driving home to this song, looking up to the stars and simply absorbing the music. This song is definitely one all medical professionals need to hear.

'The cry of the city, like a sirens song,
Wailing over the rooftops the whole night long,
Saw a shooting star, like a diamond in the sky,
Must be someones soul, passing by...
Shine your light, Down on Me,
Lift me up, So I can see, (Ooh)
Shine your light, When your gone,
Give me the strength to Carry on, (Carry on).'

Where I Stood - Missy Higgins

Only one episode of Grey's Anatomy has ever made me cry- and that was in Season 4 when two ambulances collided and left two paramedics hanging upside down. They knew one of them wasn't going to make it and they called his wife. As his wife came to see her dying husband Meredith looks at the Chief and he tells her ' That's the job.' She sighs and repeats it. He places his hands on her hips and tells her, 'That's the job. This day, this day you feel helpless. This day makes all those other days where you fight to save a life and loose. You take it in.'

Kristy, Are you doing OK? - The Offspring

Life was tough, it was cold and icy. January. School was unforgiving and life was even more unbearable. I had no place to live and my car was breaking down. As I pulled into the school parking lot I paused and listened to the radio when this song came on. I felt like The Offspring were talking to me with their short chorus. Two weeks later I found a place, got a second job and fixed my beat up old car- it's the song I play on my bad days when I need that pick-me-up.

'Can you stay strong, Can you go on?
Kristy, Are you doing OK?
A rose that won't bloom, Winter's kept you,
Don't waste your whole life trying,
To get back whats been taken away.'

Address in the Stars - Caitlin and Will

Anyone who has lost someone will be touched by this song. This song has almost nothing to do with EMS, but at the same time everything to do with it. To do this job we have to believe in something. We have to have some sort of faith and this song is the one that helps me remember my beliefs, my faiths and my understandings of the unknown.
It's a song about being left behind after someone you love passes away. She musicians did such an amazing job vocally and on the music video. It's a beautiful song that I hope you all take a moment to listen to- with tissues! I cry almost every time!

How to Save a Life - The Fray

My play list ends the way it begins- with the same song but with lyrics. The Fray does such a great job with their vocals on this song and adds so much inspiration and emotion. By this point I am sitting in the parking lot at work, staring at the building. As I pack up my belongings I smile, because I know 'how to save a life.'

'Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend.
Somewhere alone in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night,
Had I known how to save a life.'