From The Fugees to The Redwalls to good ol’ Janis Joplin … my musical preferences cover a wide spectrum. Depending on the mood, the weather, the time of day or the activity I tend to gravitate to a certain genre or artist. As life goes on the mood, the weather, the time of day and the activities continue to change and along with that the music, the soundtrack to my life, changes as well. Well … usually. But sometimes … sometimes, something happens. Every so often a song comes into my life. I enter a trance. I get lost in the beat, I start listening to the instruments individually, I overanalyze the lyrics, I choreograph in my head, I can’t escape it. Suddenly, the song is carrying me through my entire day. It blares from my speakers during my morning shower, it follows me to work on my iPhone, it helps me pass my time stuck inside the Microsoft Office Suite, it runs with me along Elliott Bay and it plays in my head as I fall sleep. Sometimes this lasts for hours, sometimes for days, sometimes weeks and one time … an entire month (Vanessa de Mata, “Boa Sorte“, November 2009). Such an occasion is rare and there have been very few songs honored to play such a large role in my life. “Sinnerman“, “Crosses“, “Camilo” and, of course, “Mercedes Benz” have been amongst the privileged. As of late it’s been “Dancing On Our Graves” by the Cave Singers. The song has been a constant in my life since last Wednesday. In the midst of a house cleaning adventure I revisited the 2008 single accidently. On Thursday, it was my jukebox selection at Linda’s. On Friday, it inspired me to practice my rusty fouettes for the first time in four months. On Saturday, it joined me for my morning cup of coffee. On Sunday, it followed me to Ravenna for a mashed potato adventure. On Monday, it’s still here. I’ve played the song from every audio device I own, I’ve choreographed a motion for every count, I’ve read the lyrics, thought about them and read them again. I’ve dissected the song in every way possible, but I’m still not sure why it’s lingering. The reason will become more clear with time. It always does. For now … here’s my reality. Take a listen …
Day 9,363. Oh, you and me dancing on my grave.
Forever Paisley 
Express yourself …