A Musical Journey

A Musical Journey of Recovery

I feel that some songs resonate with the 12 Step progammes of recovery:

  • I am humbled and inspired by the enduring vision painted in "Image", by John Lennon.
  • Sting's "Message in a Bottle" is the cry for Help from people who are still suffering.  "Save Our Souls!" they cry out.
  • "Home by the Sea", by Phil Collins.  No song I have heard yet resonates more strongly with how [insane] I was before finding the 12 steps of recovery; the feeling of "family", and "comfort of home" I feel at most meetings; the process of purging the ghosts of my previous life; the unconditional love poured out by people sitting down and listening to each other with such patience and understanding.  The music has an eery style, so much like the mystery of how Alcoholics Anonymous works.
  • "The Power of Love", by Frankie Goes to Hollywood says, "Purge the Soul.  Make Love your goal." Not only a death-defying process, but a path to unimagineable freedom and happiness. So simple and so powerful.
  • "Welcome to my World", by Jim Reeves (also sung by Elvis Presley).  All you have to do is knock, and your door to recovery, and maybe a few miracles will open. 
  • "Hurts so Good", by John Mellencamp.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to gain an overview of my musical journey, and how music has inspired my recovery.

Imagine - John Lennon

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one


The Musical Journey:

Wipe Out

Wipe Out As it says in The Big Book , "If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn't want it." Alcoholics Anonymous: The Big Book online, page 132 In recovery, we absolutely insist on having fun! ...

Home By The Sea

Welcome to the Home by the Sea Listening to Phil Collins singing this song gives me that homecoming feeling of being welcomed to a 12 step meeting, sitting down, and listening to others tell their journey, reliving their lives --  through sorrow,...

Not Afraid

Fear Fear , this short word, somehow touches about every aspect of our lives. "It was an evil and corroding thread; the fabric of our existence was shot through with it." (Big Book , page 67) In addiction our lives are shot through with fear, although...

Sail Away

Sail Away Finally I surrendered and fully accepted, “What will be will be.” Then, as my life became attuned to the gentle rhythm of the 12 Step programme , I started noticing how people were becoming more attracted to me. Some even asked me to be the...

Different Drum

Different Drum When we practice the 12 Steps we learn to walk to the beat of a different drum. We become free, unburdened of any person, place or thing that tries to pull the reins in on us. Different Drum You and I travel to the beat of a diff'rent dru...

Love

The Power of Love Aye, feels like fire I'm so in love with you Purge the soul Make love your goal [1]-The power of love A force from above Cleaning my soul Flame on burn desire Love with tongues of fire ...

Help Me

Help Me! I have a problem with the Bottle How many people are there out feeling like this castaway, and needing help? Message in a Bottle Just a castaway, an island lost at sea, oh Another lonely day, with no one here but me, oh More...

Miracles

All 12 step programs make promises and the deliver miracles like those of Alcoholics Anonymous . All you have to do is knock, and your door to recovery will open. Welcome To My World of Miracles Welcome to My World Welcome to my...

Higher Power

A Higher Power is Hidden in Us All This song is about the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The angel opens her eyes in birth, and closes them in death. The angel is both a symbol of the divine and of life, and the living people themselves (eyes opening...

Bathe In The River

Bathe In The River Escaping from the prison of addiction , finding freedom from the past, and learning to let go of worry  are just some of the gifts of working the 12 steps . Bathe I'm gonna bathe In the river Gonna h...

Struggle

Had enough of Struggle? Have you had enough of struggle , worries , emptiness, and feeling lonely? If the answer is yes, then maybe its time to accept that you have a problem , and give the 12 Steps a try: Close the door on addiction with steps ...

Starting Anew

Starting Anew   Come let us go a-roaming!   The world is all our own, And half its paths are still untrod,   And half its joys unknown. The way that leads to winter   Will lead to summer too, For all the roads end...

Friends of Mine

These Friends of Mine in Recovery I am overwhelmed with gratitude every time I listen to Lisa Crawley's beautiful song and reflect upon the many Anonymous people that have helped me on my journey of recovery. Addiction is a lonely place to be....

Hurts so Good

Recovery Rocks!!! With love to my Sweet Angel from Heaven, a gift of recovery, from Popeye! John Mellencamp Hurts So Good When I was a young boy, Said put away those young boy ways Now that I'm...

Finding God

Finding God, without Conversion The word "God " has religions connotations. This frightens most people who are looking for a solution to their addiction. Many people suffering from addiction either hate religion, or are frightened of it. If you are...

The Space Between

The Space Between - Step 4 of the 12 Steps Sam Allen's song The Space Between is about finding the willingness to work Step 4 of the the 12 Steps  of recovery. The Space Between The Space Between - Lyrics You know the silly things a...

God Is In People

The Kingdom of God is Among You A wonderful way of life is available to everyone, free for the taking.  You don't even have to believe in god.  Simply work on Step 2 . Charlie Chaplin Speaks Out Charlie Chaplan is famous for his silent comedy movies.  In...

I Just Had To Let It Go

The journey of recovery has moved me away from material pursuits and seeking instant gratification. These are now secondary to the adventure of trying to make the world a better place . Watching the Wheels People say I'm crazy doing...

My Sweet Lord

George Harrison was a tremendously spiritual person. Materially successful to a degree that most of us could never even imagine he realised that there was much more to life. After his realisation that material success was hollow, and his subsequent spiritual ...