Is music an inspiration to your photography? Does a song’s mood or its lyrics spark ideas for a photoshoot? In his unique and inspiring post, Music to My Eyes, Egidio begins with thoughts about hearing Andrea Bocelli’s “Con Te Partirò” moments before parking his car, and how that song is ingrained in his mind when he sees the Davis Mountains, Texas.
I get it.
We drove into the same scenario when we arrived in Sedona early one morning. A panoramic view presented itself when U2’s – It’s a Beautiful Day came on the radio. Since that day, it feels like our Sedona song, and it also comes to mind when we are on road trips with wide open spaces.
It’s a beautiful day…
Don’t let it get away.
The song’s message is about finding joy in the small things. Not always an easy task this day in age, but regardless of what is going on around you, find the good, and…
Take it Easy.
Yes, there really is a Winslow, Arizona. The Eagle’s song put the town on the map when the band was stranded there in the 70s, and conjured up the lyrics. It is a sleepy, little town along Route 66, and might be considered a gateway to the west. It is complete with souvenir shops, instagram-worthy photos, and the historic La Posada Hotel. Winslow is worth the stop if for no other reason than,
Standing on the corner….
Want something else to do? America’s favorite pastime gets a nod here in Arizona too. The Phoenix area is a mecca for the peanuts and crackerjacks crowd – baseball. The Cactus League teams practice from January through April when the official season begins.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame…
On a more somber note, if I could choose one song that resonates with my heart and soul over and over again it is Taps. Played by bugles at formal military ceremonies, the words signify the end of the day and as a tribute to those who have died for their country.
For me it is personal. As a volunteer gardener at our local National Cemetery, trimming roses was secondary to the people I met seeking understanding and peace. You haven’t lived until you have shared a beer with a man at the gravestone of his son who saved hundreds of lives, or talked with a 96 year old history-book-of- a-man visiting lost comrades. So ya…every time I turn into National Cemeteries, Taps is on my mind.
On Veterans Day a year ago, it was my turn to gravitate towards finding that same peace, comfort , and understanding in Taps. I am still shedding tears with thoughts of the bugler at my dad’s funeral.
Music to my eyes? An understatement.
Day is done, gone the sun…All is well, safely rest…
At the risk of ending with a tear, let’s clear the mind, the soul, and the car at the same time.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t pull into a carwash without bouncing around on my seat singing its namesake: Carwash. These days there is an echo of hope from a tinier human in the backseat. Unimpressed with either the song or my singing, she requests our friend song. Mind you…this is a huge step up from Frozen’s, Let it Go.
Yes, little girl You’ve Got a Friend in Me. – Randy Newman
So the moral of the story is…
You might not ever get rich (at the carwash),
but you might find yourself rich...in character.
Wind Kisses, Donna
Thank you to Egidio, for this fun and enlightening challenge, Music to My Eyes. Be sure to link to Egido’s post in his comments section, and also use the Lens-Artists tag so we can find you. Last week, Ritva took us to an abstract wonderland, where we might never look at the world the same again. I am amazed at the exploration it insighted. Next week Tina is sure to delight us in both her encouragement and her phenomenal talent. Be sure to check in with her Saturday, 12:00 EST.
Interested in knowing more about the Lens-Artists challenge? Click here for more information.
This playlist of amazing tracks and lovely captures is certainly wonderful 🙂
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Thank you Hammad. It was fun to put together. I think we all love music and find ourselves humming tunes sometimes when we don’t even realize it.
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The song Take it Easy plays often in my car and it’s not through any radio station. I shuffle the entire playlist in my Amazon music. The song instantaneously put me in a road trip mood and it’s relaxing.
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Isn’t that true? It was probably a little too far to get to on your last road trip, but it is definitely a great place to swing into if you are heading to Petrified Forest, or heading east on Rt .66.
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It’s definitely a good destination for the next time.
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Brilliant photos and songs for this week :D 😀
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Thank you Cee. We will all be singing with our photos this week
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I’ve actually figured out the song I want to put. It’s an old song I learned when I was five or six. It was on a childrens record.
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Awesome. Go with it!
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I like how you responded to Egidio’s challenge Donna. You seem to connect music to many places and experiences. I like music, but rarely connect it to a specific place or image. This challenge might stump me. 😊
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Thank you Brad. Yes, music reminds me of certain places and things. It has been fun to read through a few other contributions to see how others took the challenge too. I hope you’ll join us, and if not… enjoy the day. I aways enjoy seeing the seasons change through your lens.
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Thank you for the kind acceptance Donna.
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Thank YOU Brad.
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Beautiful photos and article. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Debbie.
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Some posts just make you nod all the way through, Donna. I love those U2 and Eagles songs. Taps always brings a lump, and one that I almost can’t bear to listen to is ‘Bring him home’. But I can definitely always bounce to ‘Carwash’!
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Ya…Bring Him Home is tough too…. Thank you Jo.
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Donna, as I look at each of your photos I can hear those songs playing. Reading about Taps and seeing your images of the National Cemetery brought tears to my eyes. I can never hear Taps without thinking about my father’s funeral.
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I forgot you lived that same life I did as a military kid. Ya…gets me every time…. And I often say…thank goodness for its powerful sentiment. After writing the post, I have found myself thinking so much about my dad and his presence in my life. All cherished memories.
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GREAT selections. I love the green Lamar Valley and the words to Taps. Excellent.
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Thank you John.
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Wonderful choices, Donna! Ending with a tear is just fine. Although I’ve never been to a funeral where Taps was played, there’s no denying how moving the music is, how it stirs the soul. Thank you for sharing your experience.
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Thank you Marie. Music does stir the soul in many ways.
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Donna, you had me with the Lamar Valley opening photo. I knew I was in for a special treat. The song/photo choices you presented brought me a rollercoaster of emotions. Thank you so much for these beautiful images and music. About the Winslow photo, I do have a photo at that corner. That song is great. Also, I’ll never drive into a carwash now without hearing “Carwash.” Great post from start to finish!
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Egidio really has a great theme this week, and I’m glad to have read your post for further inspiration. There are so many song titles to go along with our images. You really picked some good ones to go with your fab photos, Donna! Music certainly sets the stage for mood, whether a song in our head or playing through a speaker. I think the Winslow AZ song will remain an earworm for a while yet 😉
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Music does set the stage for mood. Who doesn’t love to blast the radio when cleaning? lol. Thank you so much Terri. This was a unique challenge for sure and as I read this morning, I too am singing with some other contributions. Happy Sunday.
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Wonderful choices 👍
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Thank you!
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That’s a hard one, Donna, other than Winslow, AZ. One that comes to mind, though is Carefree Highway. I don’t have any pictures, though. 🙂
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I loved that song! I’ll bet if you turn on your radio, you will realize how many songs you love that remind you of an image. since I started the challenge, I keep thinking of others. One guy did “Year of the Cat”. Remember that song?
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I remember that one. I have a couple for my post on Wednesday. I thought of some others during church.
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Oh yes…church! Always some favorites ingrained in our minds. Interesting….following a major stroke, my dad could no long communicate and his speech was slurred, BUT he could hum and sing the hymns from church on point! I cried the day I took him. It is amazing what is ingrained in us.
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That is so cool. Our pastor’s mother has Alzheimer’s and she can sing all the old hymns with him. He took a video of her singing, and played it in church one Sunday. I cried.
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It is fascinating
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I agree 🙂 xxx
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The last sequence (before the car wash photo) squeezed my heart, as I know yours for that. Thanks for inviting me to share in it once. 😘 I did a car wash sequence once on photos, but hadn’t thought of it. You’re always thoughtful and thought-provoking with your posts and I appreciate that.
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Thank you Janet. Lots of ways to take this challenge, but I definitely had to include Taps. HOW to weave it in was the hard part. I am glad you came to an event one day too. It IS special to me.
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I have an almost identical shot of the corner on Winslow somewhere in my archives. 😉. I wonder how many others are out there.
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And most from that exact same spot.lol But the Rt 66 street painting and the two statures are new since this photo.
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🎵🎶 It’s a goat my lord in a flatbed ford, slowin’ down to take a look at me🎶🎵 😁
Great post Donna, photos songs feelings, got the lot 👍😀
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lol Keep on singing…
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Your collection is great Donna 👍
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Thank you, Teresa
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A fun response to the challenge, with some great landscapes.
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Thank you Margaret.
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Such beautiful songs perfectly align with your marvelous clicks, Donna.
Eagle’s song , my favourite.
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It was a fun challenge to put together. Thanks Philo
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You are welcome, Donna
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Such a great matching of music and photos, and I can hear some of them without turning them on , I know them so well. As I so like to take it easy, on a beautiful day and hope I can say that you have a friend in me.
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Indeed! Thank you Ritva.
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The car wash was a surprise for me. Very funny 👍👍👍😂😂
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Don’t want to end on a sour note. Always love a carwash.. Thanks Andre’.
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😁
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Taps always gets me too. It is amazing how certain music becomes our personal life sound track.
Thanks for this wonderful post!
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Yes. That it a good way to put it.
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Wonderful post as always Donna. Quite a mix of emotions, and that’s what music is all about, right? There is a song for every moment of our lives if we think about it. I was so touched by your Taps reference – and then as always you lifted us up with you closing. There is a song that reminds me of my dad’s passing which was much longer ago. It’s only played in church so I don’t hear it often any more (😊) but you took me right back there. Thanks for so many terrific moments this week.
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Thank you Tina. Taps is pretty powerful . Funny, I wasn’t sure I really liked my post, but I did like the songs I felt I wanted to use. It was a fun challenge. And more fun to read others.
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A beautiful sequence, Donna, and great combination of photos and songs! Yes, music does make us emotional what way ever …
I was thinking that music reminds me more of situations with people or of people in general and not pictures, but then, I picture the situations, don’t I? One song that makes me completely emotional is “Gracias a la vida” with Mercedes Sosa.
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Listening to that now. Such passion and projection in her voice. Reminds me of being in Spain and sitting in a tapa bar with music in the background.
and thank you.
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That song always moves me to tears … 🙂
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Aw, Donna, your post is written like a song all on it’s own. The breathtaking images flow like precious notes (highs and lows) in the songs of life. I always cry when I hear Taps – the memories of the souls that gave so much are forever embedded in our hearts. The tribute message about your dad is so heart-warming.
Isn’t it precious that we teach our little ones how not to sing certain songs in the car and then love it when we sing others? I can’t carry a tune, but one of the first songs I learned from my mom was “Jesus Loves Me” and I can impress my kids and Mr. with my rendition…that and “Itsy Bitsy Spider”. 😂🤗
Well done for the prompt – as I read your post, I could tell you were having fun putting it together!
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It was a great challenge, and I think I am more humbled by the contributions of others. The challenge tapped into emotions like no others. but yes…I did have fun with mine. Thanks Shelley.
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Aw, that’s indeed an added bonus to the fun! 🥰
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Amazing post Donna! You brought us through a myriad of emotions only to end up happily at a carwash. Wonderful.
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Thank you Anne. A wonderful fun challenge.
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Fun set indeed. Especially that car wash
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thank you.
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The song choices and your images of places – very creative!!!!!
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It was fun to put together this week.
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Love the Winslow Arizona photo ( and the song too!)
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Yes…iconic. Thanks Nora.
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Huge respect for your every effort, you did a great work here.
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Thank you Asif.
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A musical soul. Life and it’s soundtrack. I love how you are raw with your emotions on this one, what there’s darkness and light and their songs. Your photos are always brilliant, Donna. But it’s your words and thoughts that bring them alive.
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Thank you Sofia. I enjoyed the challenge, but I have to say this week I am blown away by the posts. Interesting and creative.
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I couldn’t agree more.
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I like your crop of Winslow. Leaving out the statue makes the photo true to the song. Of course, now there is another statue there as well. A worthy stop on I-40.
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Yes. I have to say, even though the statures SHOULD be there, I liked it better when they weren’t . Thanks John.
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What a beautiful and touching post, Donna. Your volunteer work is really something I admire. It’s fabulous to be there at the gravesite when someone needs a person to listen, share a memory, or shed tears. Just a wonderful thing to do–a gift to them and a reminder that compassion is an incredible gift to the giver and the receiver. On a lighter note…I’ve been to that corner in Winslow!
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Thank you Patti. Yes. There is no greater gift than time, regardless of the side you sit on.
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Beautiful photos. 🙂
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Thank you.
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My pleasure.
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Lovely!
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Music to my eyes ❤️❤️ ❤️ What a fabulous series of auditory/visual pairings. How serendipitous that “It’s a Beautiful Day” played as your came across that stunning vista – Road Trip music is so important!
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Thank you Ju-Lyn. It was fun to put together.
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Wow
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Just so beautiful… Thank you, Donna!
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