Overcome [ Mixing Music Challenge ]
Prompt: Well, I looked my demons in the eye, laid bare my chest, said do your best to destroy me. - "Empty" by Ray LaMontagne.
I was unfamiliar with this song, and so although I listened to it afterwards, I focused on making the mix using only the lines given to me. Reading it the first time, I felt strength in the words - a sort of reckless, impudent, confidence. However, when I went back to begin working on the mix, I also began to see the opposite in it. These words could also be viewed as a surrender. I found songs I liked from both sides of the spectrum, but when I couldn't bring myself to choose, I decided to make a dual mix focusing on both of these feelings.
Sorry about the lack of cover art.
defiance.
Because they will never break you.
Pillar | Fireproof
I know where I stand and what'll happen if you try it, I am fireproof.
I know my heart and I just can't deny it, I am fireproof.
I tried to tell you but you wouldn't be quiet, I am fireproof.
I'll never bow down and you won't buy it, I am fireproof.
Exilia | Can't Break Me Down
Every time that you built me up, you had to knock me down.
Every time, but I've had enough, take your best shot now.
You can't break me down, you can't push me around.
Still I stand, still I stand.
Regina Spektor | Apres Moi
I must go on standing,
you can't break that which isn't yours.
I must go on standing,
I'm not my own, it's not my choice.
Tom McRae | Stronger Than Dirt
But I am stronger than you, and I am braver than you,
and I will still be here when the dust has cleared.
Will you?
Flyleaf | Fully Alive
Here she stands today in her brilliant shining way.
Fully alive, more than most, ready to smile, and love life.
acceptance.
Because they already have.
Laura Marling | Failure
A preacher pushes me aside and asks to wash my sins, I said no, la la.
If He made me in His image, then He's a failure too.
And I used to need a couple people keep my head down,
now I need a whole lot more to keep me on the ground but oh, la la,
I gave up something and I gave it up for nothing, and I am failure now.
Bright Eyes | Nothing Gets Crossed Out
Now I'm tryin' to be assertive, I'm making plans.
Wanna rise to the occasion, yeah, meet all of their demands.
But all I do is just lay in bed and hide under the covers.
[...]
But now I've got to crawl to get anywhere at all.
I'm not as strong as I thought.
So when I'm lost in a crowd, I hope that you'll pick me out.
Oh, how I long to be found.
Ani DiFranco | Bodily
I am trying to take an appreciative approach to life in your wake.
I focus on the quiet now, and occasionally I'll fall asleep somehow.
And emptiness has its solace in that there's nothing left to take.
Cat Power | Metal Heart
Losing the star without a sky. Losing the reasons why.
You're losing the calling that you've been faking, and I'm not kidding.
It's damned if you don't and it's damned if you do.
Be true 'cause they'll lock you up in a sad sad zoo.
Red | Already Over
I'd give it all to you, I offer up my soul.
It's already over, already over now.
Give it all to you, letting go of me, reaching as I fall,
I know it's already over now.
.zip
The zip file also includes "Empty", the song from which the prompt is from.
If you'd like an individual song uploaded, just ask.
Comments are love.
I was unfamiliar with this song, and so although I listened to it afterwards, I focused on making the mix using only the lines given to me. Reading it the first time, I felt strength in the words - a sort of reckless, impudent, confidence. However, when I went back to begin working on the mix, I also began to see the opposite in it. These words could also be viewed as a surrender. I found songs I liked from both sides of the spectrum, but when I couldn't bring myself to choose, I decided to make a dual mix focusing on both of these feelings.
Sorry about the lack of cover art.
defiance.
Because they will never break you.
Pillar | Fireproof
I know where I stand and what'll happen if you try it, I am fireproof.
I know my heart and I just can't deny it, I am fireproof.
I tried to tell you but you wouldn't be quiet, I am fireproof.
I'll never bow down and you won't buy it, I am fireproof.
Exilia | Can't Break Me Down
Every time that you built me up, you had to knock me down.
Every time, but I've had enough, take your best shot now.
You can't break me down, you can't push me around.
Still I stand, still I stand.
Regina Spektor | Apres Moi
I must go on standing,
you can't break that which isn't yours.
I must go on standing,
I'm not my own, it's not my choice.
Tom McRae | Stronger Than Dirt
But I am stronger than you, and I am braver than you,
and I will still be here when the dust has cleared.
Will you?
Flyleaf | Fully Alive
Here she stands today in her brilliant shining way.
Fully alive, more than most, ready to smile, and love life.
acceptance.
Because they already have.
Laura Marling | Failure
A preacher pushes me aside and asks to wash my sins, I said no, la la.
If He made me in His image, then He's a failure too.
And I used to need a couple people keep my head down,
now I need a whole lot more to keep me on the ground but oh, la la,
I gave up something and I gave it up for nothing, and I am failure now.
Bright Eyes | Nothing Gets Crossed Out
Now I'm tryin' to be assertive, I'm making plans.
Wanna rise to the occasion, yeah, meet all of their demands.
But all I do is just lay in bed and hide under the covers.
[...]
But now I've got to crawl to get anywhere at all.
I'm not as strong as I thought.
So when I'm lost in a crowd, I hope that you'll pick me out.
Oh, how I long to be found.
Ani DiFranco | Bodily
I am trying to take an appreciative approach to life in your wake.
I focus on the quiet now, and occasionally I'll fall asleep somehow.
And emptiness has its solace in that there's nothing left to take.
Cat Power | Metal Heart
Losing the star without a sky. Losing the reasons why.
You're losing the calling that you've been faking, and I'm not kidding.
It's damned if you don't and it's damned if you do.
Be true 'cause they'll lock you up in a sad sad zoo.
Red | Already Over
I'd give it all to you, I offer up my soul.
It's already over, already over now.
Give it all to you, letting go of me, reaching as I fall,
I know it's already over now.
.zip
The zip file also includes "Empty", the song from which the prompt is from.
If you'd like an individual song uploaded, just ask.
Comments are love.