“My” Voice Cover Songs

March 28 to June 1

“My” Voice Week 1 Cover – “Anyone” by Demi Lovato

Link: https://youtu.be/umEDfMU0b5o

Coincidently, I first heard this song on “I Can See Your Voice”. Then learning the “Camp Rocker” Demi’s backstory on the song made it an instant go to on the “survivor” playlist.

And the lyrics hold a very personal meaning as well, overcoming a paralyzing fear of performing, and a big part of where my songs originate from . . . “is anyone listening to me?”

“My” Voice Week 2 Cover – “Unloved” by Jann Arden

Link: https://youtu.be/g_w9Gaggmus

Have watched her perform 3 times, needless to say picking only one as a favourite, nearly impossible.

Jann’s ability to sing dark, laugh loud, & speak real is a life lesson that helped me many times. This song hits the tear ducts every time. So many people struggling in our world . . . such a simple solution . . . are they “Unloved”?

“My” Voice Week 3 Cover – “Something to Believe In” by Poison

Link: https://youtu.be/xTotfNBIfXo

Music holds that power, and this song forever changed my path.

And following lead singer Brett, a fellow T1er, through his close calls, but “keeps on rocking” attitude, well who needs more proof that music heals than that!! And yes there were several years of “metal” hair way back when . . .

“My” Voice Week 4 Cover – “Just a Girl” by No Doubt

Link: https://youtu.be/u24V4RMIQCI

Category: Great protest songs. Marley, Dylan, Stefani? Yep one of my go to songs when news about the outside world feels heavy – I’ve had it up to here!!!

And for so many, a reminder it’s ok to just be yourself, just a girl (or boy). Cause it can get overwhelming trying to figure this life out . . . “no doubt” about it!!

“My” Voice Week 5 Cover – “Say” by John Mayer

Link: https://youtu.be/vf3otHFQWeg

The Bucket List movie opens with – “when he died, his eyes were closed, and his heart was open”. Two of the greatest actors, portraying polar lives, in life’s most vulnerable position – facing death. Cut to end credits rolling, and a song perfectly recaps it . . . songwriter synch goals!!

Closing words are same as opening. Brilliant writing & reminder, as so many “live” with their eyes & hearts closed, and so much suffering . . . may be the key is to just “say what we need to say”

“Say” may seem simple vocally. Singing through decades of memories & emotion the song & movie represent, not as easy as one might think.

“My” Voice Week 6 Cover – “Crazy” by Patsy Cline/Willie Nelson

Link: https://youtu.be/aZyiXytfkG4

This one has several meanings, strangely less to do with relationships, more to do with life . . .

*Songwriting – how to choose just one from the old classics? Those eras held simple but powerful words, male and female versions, and my favourite tool – no chorus!!

*Always been more a gentle reminder to self, at times questioning life events, the battles in my brain, “crazy for feeling so blue” . . . music heals

*And an eerie connection between first seeing the yellow dress on the release, and two other pics of yellow dresses taken decades apart . . .

“My” Voice Week 7 Cover – “Tonight” by Sugarland

Link: https://youtu.be/qGuSPk5-UCM

4hr Highway16 roadtrips x 8to10 times/yr x 10 years + every Sugarland song on replay = how do you choose just one??

This song by itself is a vocal lesson!! Did you know it only has 50 different words in the whole song – don’t need to remember lots of lyrics, just sing!

“My” Voice Week 8 Cover – “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” by BSB

Link: https://youtu.be/GLTkoUXAkbI

There are songs where a few lyrics might match your life, then there are some that every word applies . . .

1999 the boys became men, and the song became a best friend. In my first original release, it describes losing mom at 13, and another later in life. Also saw a son too young ripped from a family, almost lost a child, and survived my own close calls being a T1er. And other life challenges can also lead to “guilty roads” and pain trying to deal.

Anyone whose crawled deep through trauma & grief will know that feeling, “something missing in our hearts” On a positive note . . . found a new singing tip. Swinging your arms and snapping your fingers will keep you from crying while singing

“My” Voice Week 9 Cover – “I’m Not Dead” by P!nk

Link: https://youtu.be/GqhsB7Pod3A

A reminder to self!! I am a true believer songs find us when we need them . . .

In a 4.5 decade, at times tumultuous relationship with my life partner T1 diabetes. As a kid, doctors said do perfectly what they say, or I wouldn’t live to 30. Song released in 2006, and, well, I wasn’t dead yet!!! Past 8 years several doctors saying same – your living in a body 25 years older than you. Coincidence that during that time, I starting working on my own music . . . and I’m not dead yet?? 🤷🏻‍♀️🎶

Usually lyrics explain my life better than I can:

• Incurable – “with a devilish smile” “you always comes back around”
• Autoimmune – “I’ll will find you”
• 6-8 daily needles and finger pricks- “ink of my tattoo”
• Tracking blood sugar and lab results – “you can do the math, but can’t erase the facts”
• Through winters (unwell) and summers (heathy) of chronic illness, no remission – “just like the change of seasons”
• Making peace with my illnesses – “I’m not scared . . . just changing”

I also have a lifelong relationship with my sanctuary, music . . . “my crack of sunlight”