I sit here clutching useless lists,
keys for doors that don't exist,
I crack my teeth on pearls.
I tear into the history,
show me what it means to me in this world


'Cause I am due for a miracle,
I'm waiting for a sign.
And I'll stare straight into the sun,
and I won't close my eyes
'til I understand or go blind.


I see the parts but not the whole.
I've studied saints and scholars both,
but no perfect plan unfurls.
Do I trust my heart
or just my mind?
Why is truth so hard to find in this world?


'Cause I am due for a miracle,
I'm waiting for a sign.
And I'll stare straight into the sun,
and I won't close my eyes
'til I understand or go blind.


I know that there's a point I've missed,
shrine or stone I haven't kissed,
scar that never graced my wrist,
a mirror that hasn't met my fist,
but I can't help feeling like


I'm due for a miracle,
I'm waiting for a sign.
I'll stare straight into the sun
and I won't close my eyes.

--'Stare At The Sun' Thrice--

Why say it yourself when someone else can sing it for you?

Y is for Yellowcard

Rough Landing, Holly | Yellowcard

Even though Ocean Avenue is my favorite Yellowcard album, this song is pretty good. And a lot less painful to listen to since it's not connected to certain times, people, or events.

W is for The Wonder Years

This Party Sucks | The Wonder Years

This song pretty much sums up my feelings on the lifestyle a lot of my peers choose to live.

I can't believe I ended up here again,
watching a terrible band play songs I hate in the basement.
I can't believe that I got stuck here again,
while the kid with the dress tells me he's smarter on acid.
I can't believe I'm not running away,
so just say, say, say you'll stay.

V is for the Vitamin String Quartet

Smile Like You Mean It | The Killers

There are a few things that make this song special. First of all, my friend Melissa made me a mix CD one year in high school. On it, she put songs that reminded me of her. Among "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan and "Let Go" by Frou Frou was this song I'd never heard before. I've listened to The Killers' version maybe a thousand times because it's a great song. But here was this beautiful cover. I listened to it maybe twenty times in a row after I got the CD, just so I could memorize each note. Every time I hear it, I can't help but think of Melissa. She's been a great friend, though we've lost touch a bit since high school. I talked to her the other day though, and I realized just how much I miss her and our ridiculous antics. She is the Hobbes to my Calvin, really.
The other thing that makes this song special is just the general feel of it. I put so much stock in lyrics that sometimes I forget that just the feel of a piece can speak to me. This song has always felt soothing and nostalgic. There were many nights in high school (and college too) that I cried myself to sleep for one reason or another. But I could (and can) always play this song and just go to a place of rest. It may not always make me happy, but it will always make me peaceful.
Also, it's played entirely on strings. I love string instruments, specifically violin. They just have the most beautiful sound to me.

U is for The Used

All That I've Got | The Used

Kickin' it high school tonight.

T is for Third Eye Blind

Can't Get Away | Third Eye Blind

S is for Say Anything

Cemetary | Say Anything

There are too many songs by them that I want to post, but I'm just going to stop right here and save those for later.

R is for Red Hot Chili Peppers

I am so glad about their new album.

Soul To Squeeze | Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie | Red Hot Chili Peppers

R is for Rise Against

Yes, I know that I skipped Q. I wanted to do two R posts instead.

The Good Left Undone | Rise Against

Swing Life Away (Acoustic) | Rise Against

If there's any concern as to why I like this band, these two songs should clear it up. They write great songs.

P is for Pearl Jam

Black | Pearl Jam

I know someday you'll have a beautiful life.
I know you'll be a star in somebody else's sky.
But why, why, why can't it be in mine?

Music, music and more music

I can't stop. And I don't want to.

Jude Law and a Semester Abroad | Brand New

This is my least favorite Brand New album, but that doesn't mean much because I love it so much.

O is for the Outfields

Your Love | The Outfields

Stand By Me | Ben E. King

Can't stop listening to this.

N is for Neutral Milk Hotel

Two-Headed Boy / Two-Headed Boy Part 2 | Neutral Milk Hotel

So this band is a new find for me. Jesse Lacey, as it happens, is a huge fan of this band. He did a cover of 'Part 2' also. So I downloaded the two albums I could find. I haven't done an intense listening, except for these two songs, but I plan to look up the lyrics and do that soon.

M is for Manchester Orchestra

Where Have You Been? | Manchester Orchestra

This is the first Manchester Orchestra song I ever heard. I saw them in concert at the beginning of the summer and they didn't play it, but I was okay with that. They put on a great show, though I wish their set could have been longer. (I also wish Jesse Lacey would have appeared on stage spontaneously.)

L is for Ludo

Hum Along | Ludo

This song is important to me.

K is for The Killers

Couldn't decide which song I wanted to post so you're getting a double feature.

Read My Mind | The Killers

All These Things That I've Done | The Killers

J is for Jack's Mannequin

Bruised (Acoustic) | Jack's Mannequin

Every time I hear this song, I have to listen to it like 15 times in a row.

Come and lift this curse
so we can bury it deep
where it won't hurt,
and spend our summer
in a backyard romance,
caught in a first glance,
singing,
"Lay love down on me,
lay love down on me."

I is for Iron and Wine

Upward Over the Mountain | Iron & Wine