Along with a theme and symbol for each new year, I normally have a song as well. But not this year. A song had not shown up for 2017, and that was okay. I don’t ever want to force something to happen. I’ve learned to trust and allow what is to be to flow to me, making itself known by way of synchronicities and repetition.
And, I have an amazing quote this year. Perhaps Alan Rickman’s words took the place of a song. I’ve continued to stay open, and unattached to any particular outcome concerning a song for 2017.
The Academy Awards nominations were announced this morning. I love this yearly award show, and enjoyed scanning through the list of nominees. The musical La La Land captured the most nominations, tying a record. As I looked through the Best Song list, I was curious about the song from La La Land, Audition (The Fools Who Dream).
I listened to the song, again and again, on YouTube. There are a couple of other nudges that I get from the Divine, when I am supposed to pay attention. These taps on the shoulder include an increased heart rate and tears filling my eyes.
As the song repeated, sung with great feeling by Emma Stone, my heart rate quickened, and tears slowly filled my eyes. This. This song… Was this my song, for 2017?
Audition (The Fools Who Dream)
My aunt used to live in Paris.
I remember, she used to come home and tell us these stories about being abroad and I remember she told us that she jumped into the river once, barefoot.
She smiled…
Leapt, without looking
And tumbled into the Seine
The water was freezing
She spent a month sneezing
But said she would do it again
Here’s to the ones who dream
Foolish as they may seem
Here’s to the hearts that ache
Here’s to the mess we make
She captured a feeling
Sky with no ceiling
The sunset inside a frame
She lived in her liquor
And died with a flicker
I’ll always remember the flame
Here’s to the ones who dream
Foolish as they may seem
Here’s to the hearts that ache
Here’s to the mess we make
She told me:
“A bit of madness is key
To give us new colors to see
Who knows where it will lead us?
And that’s why they need us”
So bring on the rebels
The ripples from pebbles
The painters, and poets, and plays
And here’s to the fools who dream
Crazy as they may seem
Here’s to the hearts that break
Here’s to the mess we make
I trace it all back to then
Her, and the snow, and the Seine
Smiling through it
She said she’d do it again.
I haven’t seen La La Land yet, but I already love this song. I’ve listened to it several more times today and it stirs my heart each time. I would have liked the aunt that Emma sings about. She reminds me of Greg’s Aunt Pearl, who traveled the world, well into her 80s, returning home with souvenirs for us all and marvelous stories to tell. And it makes me think of my mom, who has a creative, gypsy soul, and loves traveling as well.
She has passed that desire on to me.
This song is about dreaming, and creating, and seeing the world with new colors. It’s about living life to the fullest and being daring and having no regrets. I can relate to the aunt that the song is about. I want to be the aunt, the fool who dreams, and celebrate the glorious messes that I make. Who knows, indeed, where it will lead me?
Audition (The Fools Who Dream) might win an Oscar for Best Song of the Year. Whether it captures the award or not, it has captured my heart and my imagination. It is my Song of the Year.
Listen to Audition (The Fools Who Dream)
