bell hooks was right—it is All About Love
I dissect some of the greatest musical works of art are fueled by either the jarring lack or bliss abundance of love.
Reader, I know a mere few weeks ago I was ranting about how you should break up with your significant other before Valentine’s Day. And that’s a hill I’m willing to die on. But it’s a new week, today is Valentine’s Day proper, mercury is out of retrograde, and I’m feelin’ the love. More specifically, I’ve been listening to the love.
Long ago one somber night I was curled up in bed while tears streamed down my face and my heart ached ragged and raw. I’ll call it That Night. We’ve all had a night like That, hell, I’ve had a couple dozen. I instinctively did what I’ve done most of my life while wavering through emotional lows: I reached for my trusty pacifier to soothe my turmoil—my music playlists.
Music has always been a grounding pillar in my life. Fleetwood Mac got me through college, the late and great Amy Winehouse got me through my first heartbreaks. I’d say I’m an old soul when it comes to music, enjoying vintage records that are