Sunday Song — doors

The link above takes you to some magical doors from the wide world…. my favorite is probably the last, such vast scope for the imagination. Doors don’t necessarily need to be painted and themed to usher you into other realms.

Open or closed, entry or exit — all portals offer a choice. One doesn’t always see the decision as you are making it — it is just the passage between here and there. What here and what there are are often questions that get answered in the after, you know, the “oh wow that was what that meant” flash of insight.

Remember, the Lady, or the Tiger? It’s in every short story anthology in the universe, give or take five.Surprisingly, it’s only Victorian aged, though many think it’s one of the classic Aesop tales. Its very title has become shorthand for an impossible choice. One door true love, the other you’re tasty with ketchup — however, it’s occurred to me more than once what if the lady was a harpy and the tiger just an overstuffed kitty, nuzzly and warm?

You just don’t know. Door #1 could bring fabulous treasures or a “rock,” like poor Charlie Brown. Sliding Doors (1998), one of my favorite movies, and I think one of two where I enjoy Gwyneth Paltrow, we see Helen’s (Paltrow) life in two separate trajectories depending on whether she makes the doors of the tube… it would be lovely to know that closing this door opened that one full of promise and delight.

Think about Carl Sandburg, and you should give him thoughts — he’s a lovely writer, no matter how intimidating the bio of Lincoln seems. A son of Swedish immigrant parents,with many siblings — Carl opened and closed doors from a young age that brought him survival and experiences that informed his work. Just a quirky little piece to share tonight. Enjoy!

An open door says, “Come in.”

A shut door says, “Who are you?”

Shadows and ghosts go through shut doors.

If a door is shut and you want it shut,

     why open it?

If a door is open and you want it open,

     why shut it?

Doors forget but only doors know what it is

     doors forget.

–> Doors by Carl Sandburg

y’all come in or come back soon:

• Back at your Door (Maroon 5) — really jazzy for them in their “underexposed” days
• Every Time We Say Goodbye (Annie Lennox) — while nobody sings it like Rosemary Clooney, Annie Lennox is fantastic — think of her torchy voice!.
• Hello City (Barenaked Ladies) — the cynicism, the awareness, the newness all work here — plus, they are just cool
• Let My Love Open the Door (Pete Townshend) — one of nature’s most perfect songs… by a rock god
• Don’t Pull your love/then you can tell me goodbye (Glen Campbell) — didn’t realize how much of a weakness I had for him — but his voice is just melty — and the part where he says “kiss me each morning for a million years,” jeez!
• Hello Good morning (Sick of Sarah) — punky rock band in the vein of DollyRot or other grrrrl groups — this song works in the manifesto vein
• Love is an Open Door (from Frozen) — even though this is a duet with the spineless villain, the song is adorable
• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Sir Elton John) — want to see him live soooo much! This is such a great independence day kind of song
• Knocking on Heaven’s Door (Wyclef Jean) — throw a stick and you’ll hit a cover of this — I really love Wyclef’s , rootsy & island-ish. A close second might be the Grateful Dead/Dylan collaboration — it isn’t for everyone, but they sound so damned sincere
• Hello Walls (Willie Nelson & Faron Young) — Faron had a hit with this Willie song back in the days of the Tennessee Ernie Ford show… goodbye never felt so welcoming
• Two Doors Down (Dolly Parton) — an iconic song from the most wonderful…  though Me’Shell Ndegéocello has a fantastic version
• Hello, Goodbye (Beatles) — classic song, from McCartney’s band before Wings
• On My Own (Peach Union) — from Sliding Doors, to be free is a challenge & a joy
• Like a House needs a Door (Sarah Humphreys) — folk rock with a ’60s feel– such a cool song, you can imagine a choral performance!
• My Doorbell (White Stripes) — doors need doorbells — and this rhythmic, insistent song is a perfect accompaniment….
• Don’t Feel Like Cryin‘ (Abra Moore) — another song from the Sliding Doors soundtrack — making a choice & living with the consequence.
• Out of Goodbyes (Maroon 5 & Lady Antebellum) — crossover song that will appeal to both pop/country fans — a little dirge-y but it does have a hook
• Say Goodbye (Arc & Stones) — one of my oldest’s favorite bands — their indie cred is reinforced with this fantastic ballad
• Impossible/It’s Possible (from Cinderella) — the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical offers all sorts of choices….
• Best of all Possible Worlds (Little Willies) — the band containing Norah Jones, Richard Julian, Jim Campilongo, Lee Alexander, and Dan Rieser — they cover classic country songs in their own inimitable style — this cover of the Kris Kristofferson song is delightful!

Take care,
Aly