Songs for the Cold

Star: Spica (Virgo constellation)
Mood: Freezing

Blue for the cold. Blue for the fading day. Blue for the uncertainty of things.
Blue for Fear.

This color reflects the thematic that surrounds us. Lebanon is a country of blood. It has always been the case, but now more than ever. Instead of choosing Red, I decided to go with Anxiety over Death.
The songs that will make the setlist of November are not angry songs, because the country is much more fuming than grief-stricken, but rather serene.

Therefore I chose 5 simple piano-driven melodies. They struck me because in their simplicity, they touch me more than a majestic mournful ballad.
To reach these beings is like reaching for the Wheat, represented by the brilliant blue-star Spica (Virgo constellation). I've already talked about this constellation. And because Spica represents the continual rebirth of the wheat every spring, it incites me to believe that we are still here, and we will continue to renew our blood amid the problems that the country is diving us in.

01. Answer (Sarah McLachlan) – from the album Afterglow [2003]
"Cast me gently

Into morning

For the night has been unkind"
Not a big fan of her music generally, but I must say this is very evocative. I could have easily picked Angel (From the oh-so known City of Angels OST) but instead I chose this. Much more intimate. I cheated here, because this has some strings and background drums too, but I like it.

02. October (U2) – from the album October [1981]
"October

And kingdoms rise

And kingdoms fall

But you go on...and on..."
Yeah, not the typical U2 you're used to hear. However, this is short, direct and simple as hell. Sometimes big bands need to weep too. And I'd take this over "One" any day.

03. The Drop (Peter Gabriel) – from the album UP [2002]
"one by one

you watch them fall

and wonder where they're falling to"
For Peter Gabriel, writing ballads is easy. Even though I must say his lyrics are sometimes effortless. Two piano-songs to choose from. Here Comes the Flood, and this. For me, it's this. The only less-than-four-minute track on his opus UP, this is one of the finest he's produced. Many say it's written for the US soldiers who were leaving for the war. I'd say this touches me like few tracks do.

04. And Dream of Sheep (Kate Bush) – from the album Hounds of Love [1985]

"Let me be weak,

Let me sleep

And dream of sheep"
Intriguing song. Although it's still yet icy piano, it has these moments which disturb you. You want to free yourself, but there's something always forcing you to stay behind. Alert.

05. Baker Baker (Tori Amos) – from the album Under the Pink [1994]
"Time thought I'd made friends with time

Thought we'd be flying

Maybe not this time"
1,000 Tori songs to choose from. While this might not be the perfect choice, it's a song that always cheer me up, although it's fabulously sad. The version on the "A Piano" box set is even better because it has clearer strings that match well with the fragile piano. And fragile this song is. It could melt in you easily, but it can break your heart in the same way.