By DeeDee Garcia Blase

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once penned: “Music is the universal language of mankind — poetry their universal pastime and delight.”

Many of us have fond memories when it comes to lyrics we identify with in songs sung by the likes of Bob Marley, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, Rage Against the Machine, Pink Floyd and so forth.  How is it that a John Lennon or Marvin Gaye song has everlasting global and sustaining reach when they sing of peace or war?

Why is a lyricist/musician more influential than a political pundit?  People remember songs moreso than a political column.

Political pundits and writers seem to be losing their edge these days, and the columns and opinions they write seem to be worth their salt for only a day or two.  The goal is to keep the masses more informed about our surroundings and the direction of our Nation, but pundit writers are having a difficult time with making politics sexy and/or because of their negative non-addicting views.  Mundane topics equate to loss of interest which leads to a lack of knowledge.

More importantly, mere political pundits forget the “unity” message when they increase divisiveness in our “United” States.  Many of them add fuel to the fire when stubborn lines are drawn between Democrats and Republicans.  Shouldn’t resolutions be based on issues – not necessarily the team you are on when toeing the Party line?  Shouldn’t the United States in essence be one big team?

As a former hard core political activist searching high and low for penetrating messages that will leave a long-lasting impression within people’s minds – I have come to the absolute conclusion that musicians and great writers are the ones who come up with memorable coined phrases and quotes leaving a lasting global ripple effect.  I believe words should be like a type of hot branding iron being seared onto leather.  Writers want our words to be branded and forever remembered in the minds of people.

Dopamine is an addicting feel-good chemical, and according to researchers reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience  our brains can pump out dopamine both during the phase of musical anticipation and at the moment when chills hit in full force.  And since people love music, I believe there is a need for more positive political expression by way of music right now in an effort to tap into the masses, increasing knowledge and good energy.

Some of the most brilliant minds in history have relied on soothing music as a venue to open up creative ideas, or to simply be soothed and relaxed during times of trials and tribulations.

During my teens I learnt how King Saul tapped into music, in order to be soothed and for negative energy to flee him.

1 Samuel 16:23 states:

“So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well…”

It doesn’t surprise me to learn King David (in essence) sold millions of copies of his lyrics in print, and performances of his work all over the world earning him the title of the best selling musician of all time.  Books and literary works continue to be sold referencing the Song of Psalms, not to mention the countless musicians who have created music based on his lyrical expression.  King David poured out his soul, his love and agony – offering the sweetest poetry of Israel.

Does anyone remember what Jane Fonda said when she spoke against war?  Yet everyone seems to remember John Lennon’s message about Peace.  Music taps into emotions of the human spirit and it also connects it to a memory.

The world is ready for new and emerging talented lyricists and musicians who are able to express ideas that embrace love, life, and positive political messages.  Musicians who have a sincere concern for the direction of our Nation ought to rise up – because the time is now for their message to be received by others in the most memorable medium possible.

They say Spanish is the language of Love and it is wonderful to hear the fusion of English and Spanish music challenging hate and bigotry.

Very cool photo taken from DJ Ashba’s FB fan page. Looks like he is praying.

with creating and developing projects.  I was pondering and sort of wondering about the greatest musicians of all time that goes back to the ancient of times because I have several favorites and have a wide range of musical tastes. That said, King David popped into my mind because David and his harp was the only thing that could soothe King Saul back in that era.  With many millions of copies of his lyrics in print, and performances of his work all over the world, any day of the week, King David also holds the distinction of being the best selling musician of all time. 

David wrote countless psalms and poured out his soul, and I would’ve liked to have seen him with an electric guitar. And I didn’t realize til recently how much I looked up to David and soaked in his psalms during my teen years when I was learning about him.

I know I will have to write about King Saul and later King David in a piece that will preface another major project I’m working on as I seek to find that perfectly synced breakthrough.  Everything has to feel right …  it has to feel the best and as perfect as I can get it in order for me to work better — for that perfect product and outcome.  Anyhow, while I was thinking of how King Saul had to use King David’s harp and music to get by in life … a guitar solo I heard by DJ Ashba keeps reoccurring in my memory after seeing his solo at a GNR concert in Las Vegas.  I sat there and listened to this guitar solo over and over (what can I say, it’s so soothing to me), and asked what the guitar was saying to me if it could talk, and here is what the guitar said to me because it seemed like I could hear the words emitting from the strings being plucked:

[If my lyrical words needed a title below, it would be Electric Love]

:57 Minute mark of this DJ Ashba guitar solo

I’ve been thinkin’…
Won’t you tell me you need me
Is it just me needing you
Bleeding my soul to you

1:11 Minute mark

Baby, pleeeeease
Tell me how much you need me
Clenching fists, filled with angst, soothe me now

1:26 Minute mark

Grab me now
Fill me somehow
Take me in and breathe me  in
Won’t you receive it all in with all I have to give
Never coming down off this cloud
And when we do we’ll share a life and make it beautiful again

1:40 Minute mark

Won’t you beeeg, fight, scream and plead for me
Can’t you seeee my heart is aching deeply for you?
Sitting here
Restless
Defenseless
Helpless
Relentless
It seems like…
Your love has taken it a whole ‘nother level

1:54 Minute mark

Tell me how much you need me
Beg and plead the love I have 4 you
Set aside all pride
It’s just you and I
Close the door and shut out this world

2:09 Minute mark

Baby, pleeeeease…

2:12 Minute mark

Tell me how much you need me
The way I need you
Electric love is screaming that I’m your destiny

2:23 – 2:50 Minute mark

Guitar Break too good and I’m too speechless to find words for this part of the video [but hints of "electric love screaming I'm your destiny" rises up in the spirit during this part]

2:51 Minute mark

Won’t you beeeg, fight, scream and plead for me
Can’t you seeee my heart is aching deeply for you
Sitting here
Restless
Defenseless
Helpless
Relentless
It seems like…
Your love has taken it a whole ‘nother level

3:05 Minute mark

Tell me how much you need me
Beg and plead the love I have 4 you
Set aside all pride
It’s just you and I
Close the door and shut out this world

3:20 Minute mark

Take my love … I’m all yours
I’m screaming and will always come back for more
Regardless the thorns
Baby please I’m on my knees, I’m on my knees

Burning electric love is screaming that I’m your…I’m your…I’m your destiny