When I was in high school one of my favorite television shows was Ally McBeal. It was a fun, quirky show about a young lawyer named Ally McBeal. One of the fun things about the show was that it would show the things that she would imagine. For instance, if someone said something that made her feel as though she had been shot through the heart we might see an image of her getting shot by an arrow. At one point in time on the show she went to see a therapist. One of the things that the therapist had her do was come up with a theme song for her life. Whenever she was feeling down or discouraged she was supposed to imagine that her theme song was playing behind her. Whenever she did this on the show it was like she was pumped through with whatever it was she needed – courage, confidence, determination, etc.
For some reason this idea of a theme song has always stuck with me. Over the years I have attempted to find a song that could be my theme song. I have tried out countless songs, but none of them ever seemed quite right and they all eventually fell to the wayside. A couple of years ago my best friend introduced me to the musical Little Women. I really liked the music so I purchased the album from iTunes and put it on my iPod. As I listened to the album there was one song that began to resonate with me. The song was called “Astonishing”. I started listening to that song over and over until I knew all the words. While singing along one day it finally dawned on me – I had found my theme song.
Whenever I am feeling down, overwhelmed, discouraged, or ready to quit all I have to do is belt this song out a few times and I feel completely rejuvinated. It is as though the songwriters explored the desires and longings of my heart and turned them into the lyrics of this song. After over 10 years of searching, I finally have my theme song and it is just as wonderful as I always imagined it would be.
What about you? Do you have a song that you listen to when you need a boost? Is there something else you use other than music? Let me know in the comments.
Astonishing
I thought home was all I’d ever want
My attic all I’d ever need.
Now nothing feels the way it was before
And I don’t know how to proceed.
I only know I’m meant for something more
I’ve got to know if I can be
Astonishing
There’s a life
That I am meant to lead
A life like nothing I have known
I can feel it
And it’s far from here
I’ve got to find it on my own
Even now I feel it’s heat upon my skin.
A life of passion that pulls me from within,
A life that I am aching to begin.
There must be somewhere I can be
Astonishing
Astonishing
I’ll find my way
I’ll find it far away
I’ll find it in me unexpected and unknown
I’ll find my life in my own way
Today
Here I go
There’s no turning back
My great adventure has begun
I may be small
But I’ve got giant plans
To shine as brightly as the sun
I will blaze until I find my time and place
I will be fearless,
Surrendering modesty and grace
I will not disapear without a trace
I’ll shout and start a riot
Be anything but quiet
Christopher Columbus
I’ll be Astonishing
Astonishing
Astonishing
At Last
I have a few theme songs depending on the activity. Glad you found one.
Thanks, Jill!
What a great post! I’m glad you have a theme song. Mine vary depending on my mood, but I can always find something from Keyshia Cole that is perfect for whatever I’m feeling. I think she is the Personal Anthem Queen.
Thank you, Emma. The music I just listen to while driving or something varies greatly on my mood, too. Glad you have your own “Anthem Queen” who can boost you no matter the mood. It really does work wonders.
I was hoping you’d reference Ally McBeal when I spotted the title.
Watched every episode!
Like Emma, my theme songs vary. Lately I’ve been relishing Adele’s “Someone Like You”… More because of the music and sound than the lyrics.
I love that song too! I sing along whenever it comes on the radio
Wasn’t it such a good show? My mom and I watched it faithfully every week and made sure to set the VCR to record if we weren’t going to be home (the things we had to do before the DVR). Well, actually, we forgot to set up the VCR on one occasion. It was the only time we forgot in 5 seasons of watching. It happened to be the series finale. *head desk*
My songs change but the two that encourage me to keep pressing forward despite opposition are Pink’s “Perfect” (the clean version) and Sara Barellis’ “King of Anything.”
I don’t listen to the radio much (and by that I mean never
), so I only just heard “Perfect” for the first time last week when it was performed on Glee. I really liked it! Glee (and my husband) is the only reason I know any current music. People have learned when trying to tell me about a song to give it’s Glee reference rather than it’s real performer, lol.
Pink can always get me pumped up too, Marcy.
Fun! I don’t have a theme song, but whenever I need a pick-me-up, Cake’s ‘Short Skirt, Long Jacket’ does the trick, every time!
I am not familiar with that song, but it sounds fun! Fun, slightly related fact: On the show, Ally was known for wearing questionably short skirts even in court.
I don’t have one particular theme song, but I have several that are reserved for different moods, occasions, writing, etc. They range from singer/songwriters like Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, John Hiatt to Pearl Jam. Just depends.
Fun post Jessica. My theme song changed a lot for a few years until it landed on “Broken” by Lindsey Haun where it has pretty much stayed. Maybe it’s time to find a new song. There are a lot of good ones out there. Most all my characters have theme songs.
I can usually get cheered and pumped up by “the girls”: Dixie Chicks, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Sheryl Crow…I used to be a huge Sarah McLachlan fan too.
The chorus to Tubthumping always gets me groovin’ (I get knocked down, but I get up again, You nay ever gonna keep me down…) Barenaked Ladies songs always make me smile too. And Train….
See what I mean? I’m a fickle theme song girl.
What a nice post. Makes me think – do I have a theme song? No, probably not, but I do feel a little more positive and energetic whenever I hear the song Dawn of a New Century by a group called Secret Garden. Also, believe it or not, patriotic songs tend to inspire me.
Nice to hear what inspires other people too. Those are some pretty good songs in the comments so far.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
I saw every episode of Ally M. too! Great show. I don’t have a theme song, there are a lot of songs that will perk me back up!
Great pick for your theme song, Jess! I don’t know if I could choose only one as my theme song. I think mine would have to be a variety, depending on my mood. I always thought that I could relate well to such songs as “I Don’t Wanna Be” by Gavin DeGraw, “Shine” by Collective Soul and “Break Stuff” by Limp Bizkit.
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