Several times I have shared how much I love music, from my current workout playlist, to favorite songs and my adoration of Dave Matthews.
I have a short list of songs that I *must* hear performed live before I die because they are some of my all time favorites, meaningful to me and have helped me find my voice when my own words have failed me or I simply admire the artist so much that I have to see them in concert. In alphabetical order, they are:
- #41 by The Dave Matthews Band*
- A Thousand Years by Christina Perri*
- Anna Begins by The Counting Crows*
- Clarity by John Mayer*
- Good Enough by Sarah McLachlan
- Nick of Time by Bonnie Raitt*
- Piano Man by Billy Joel*
- Pictures of You by The Cure
- Second Hand News by Fleetwood Mac*
- Someone Like You by Van Morrison
I’ve been lucky enough to see the starred ones, some more than once!
Last night I saw Christina Perri at a small radio marketing event that my sister’s company was involved in at the Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood. Perri sang only three songs, two from her new album, released this week and opened with “A Thousand Years”.
I cried through the entire song. I didn’t sing along even though I know every word, I just cried.
I loved the Twilight series, read the books and was first in line to see the movies (all five), but I don’t remember hearing Perri’s song during the credits of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1. Apparently after fans heard it on the movie’s soundtrack, they adopted it as “Bella and Edward’s song”. It’s significance to me isn’t Twihard related; for me it served as an anthem during my struggles with infertility, a love song to a child I longed to meet someday.
I’m still recovering/processing/coming up for air from that chapter of my life and it’s proving to be harder than I thought. Infertility is a crazy roller coaster ride of ebbs and flows, hope and disappointment and there were some very dark days when I didn’t think I could handle it anymore and those were the days I turned to my infertility playlist for inspiration, a good cry and above all comfort. “A Thousand Years” is on that playlist and will always be a favorite and gentle reminder of a very difficult period of my life.
Last night was only the second time I have heard the song since my miracle, Lola was born and I was completely overcome with emotion. It’s a beautiful and moving song.
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
Not only did I get the chance to hear Christina Perri live, I also met her after her set and told her how much her song means to me. She was gracious and kind and asked how everything turned out and thanked me for sharing my story.
It was a very special experience. Thank you, again, Leah! You better believe I rushed home to snuggle our little Lola.
Meeting Christina Perri – Hard Rock Cafe, April 2, 2014
