Theme Song of the Day, Jan. 13, 2011

Kanye West ft Adam Levine --- Heard 'Em Say

This song is just so real, and there is so much everyday life in it, that it's hard to listen to it, and not find myself nodding in agreement with the lyrics.

"nothing's ever promised tomorrow, today...(but we'll find a way)...nothing last forever, but be honest, babe...it hurts but it may be the only way...."

I can feel the underlying message in this song:  We aren't going to get future confirmation right now.  We'll have to wait for that to come.  If we keep searching for a way to get there, we'll make it.  Hardships don't last always, but have to be acknowledged, because they exist for a reason.  They might cause us pain, but maybe going through the pain is the only way to get to the pleasure that we seek.

Well, pain or not, I'm willing to continue on my journey, because I have places to go and a great man to be.  Keep pushing, all!

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Jan. 12, 2011

Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood

This song is a favorite....I always find myself singing along...

"I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad. I got sunshine, in a bag. I'm useless, but not for long. The future is coming on...."

Pretty soon, full potential unleashed, I will be very happy...and still feeling glad.  I'm sure of it.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Jan. 10-11, 2011

Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michealson --- Winter Song


This matches the mood I've been in lately. Just some past regret finally working it's way out. I've thought long and hard about it, and realize that the past is the past for a reason. Dwelling on it will get you nowhere but stuck. Out of all the things I've ever been, I try to remain true to myself.

Onward, in the journey of me.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Jan. 9, 2011

(Note:  Thought I posted this earlier this morning, before the story, but it was sitting in my drafts, waiting to be submitted.  Shameful.)



Ellie Goulding --- Your Song


Thought about you a lot today....in a perfect world, where I was a better man, this really would be your song.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Jan. 8, 2011

Carlos St. John --- Good Morning, Forever


In 1990, most people outside of Brooklyn didn't know who Christopher Wallace was.  Three years later, millions all over the nation were loving Big Poppa.

While I am in no way saying that this is the second coming of perhaps the greatest rapper to ever do it, I am saying that greatness comes from obscurity.  And the sooner you get up on Carlos St. John, the better.

With that said, this song just describes where I am so much.  I'm hungry.  I got to go get it.  And I believe I will.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Jan 6-7, 2011

This song kind of matches the mood that I'm bringing over into today with me.  Been thinking about the things I do lately.  I'm a very spiritual person, but religion is starting to get on my nerves.  It seems too corrupted by what people want to turn it into.  There are far too many people who are claiming that the ignorance they do is done in the name of God.  An earlier conversation with a friend and some connected thoughts later, and this is where my mind has headed.




Nina Simone --- Nobody's Fault but Mine

If only everybody understood this, maybe the world would have more accountability.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Jan. 5, 2011

Yes, we often make mistakes at times, but the problem is usually the fact that we refuse to let them go. We blame ourselves for them years later. We let the fear of making the same mistake stifle us and keep us captive. We attempt to make up for them, when there's really know way to go back.

Enter this song.



The Avett Brothers - All My Mistakes


I know that I've made plenty of mistakes in my lifetime. I'm probably going to make many more. But this is the moment where I decide to not become prisoner to the mistakes I've made. I don't have to dwell on them forever. I don't have to let them ruin me. Here's to moving forward. Because all of the mistakes I've made add up to the man that I am. Even though I want him to be better, I like him, all the same.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Jan. 4, 2011

Smashing Pumpkins --- Tonight, Tonight

....Time is never time at all, you can never ever leave, without leaving a piece of youth...


Fits the mood that I am feeling to a tee....and ironically enough, I would have included the artistically creative video for this song, but time constraints will make me just post the link:  Tonight, Tonight video

This song helps remind me that even when it seems like time is running out, there are those moments that we should just bask in.  Stand up our tallest, be our strongest, and shine as the radiant stars we were born to be.  Eventually we'll get this right.  I believe it.  Hopefully, you do too.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Jan. 3, 2011

It's a bad quality, but one I am aware that I possess: I spend an awful amount of time complaining.  About the lack of great things going on in my life at the moment. About lost loves, lack of love, the frustration of love, etc.  About all the past mistakes that I'm still trying to move past.  About financial woes and the difficulty of finding stability.  About the battle between being a better man and slipping back into all of those habits that created the need for improvement in the first place.  I even find myself complaining about the general chaos going on in the world today.

This song just reminds me that, "maybe it's not so bad!!!"  There might be some things I dislike or want to change, but my world is also full of plenty of good.  I have a loving family, some awesome friends, and have done tons of things I can be proud of.  It's time I let my hair down (at least figuratively...lol) and enjoy the life I'm living.  Eventually, the rest will work itself out.

I'm definitely trying to learn to stay in a positive frame of mind, in spite of whatever is going on around me.  It's hard, but I really believe it's helping.




OK Go --- White Knuckles

This is such an awesome video.  It was filmed in a disused plastics factory in Corvallis, Oregon.  One dozen dogs and the goat were provided and trained by Talented Animals.  All of the dogs were from animal rescue shelters.


Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Jan. 2, 2011

Lately, I feel like so many people want to "be" different things, but have no idea why they want to be them.  I don't want to fall in this category, so I've started questioning myself.  Just making sure my mind is right, before I begin to truly pursue my destination.  I remember hearing something that made a lot of sense.  You can't arrive before you're ready to leave.  I want to make sure I'm leaving the right way.

I guess I'm trying to make sure I want to "be" for the right reasons...

Had to include both the intro and full song to this one:



Common --- Be (Intro)

The lyrics in this intro are so thought provoking.  Such a perfect lead in to this song.



Common --- Be

I love that "let me be known" part in the hook....the question is, what is it that you want to be known for?

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Jan. 1, 2011

The first theme of 2011!!!  Woo hoo!!!

Still going through a self reflection phase, wondering about all the little intricate details that make up me.




Train - I Am

Even if I'm not the man I want to be, yet, I have faith that I will eventually get there.

Growth continues

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Dec 31, 2010

Sam Cooke --- A Change is Gonna Come


As I stand on the edge of a new year, and likewise these new beginnings, I am confident that a change is gonna come. Let it be a positive one, that makes me better, through and through.

Much love to everyone out there. May your change come as well.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Dec. 30, 2010

Jimmy Eat World --- Pain

Today has been one of those days, laced in the forgiving embrace of pain killers.  Earlier my head felt like I imagine it would to have those bats go against it one or two times.  Luckily, that part is over.  Here's to taking the pain away.


Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Dec. 29, 2010

I'm beginning to realize that I was blessed with a huge amount of compassion.  There are so many things that I wish I could do for people, simply because they need it/desire it/want it.   I started writing a poem earlier, and this is what I've got so far:

I am advocate for the broken, because I am one of the broken

Wish that I could take these bent in spines, and straighten them with hope 

Those two lines have fueled a mood within me.  Today, I want to fix something in the world of another.  Maybe it can help fix something in my world, too.  And thus, my theme song, for today.

Coldplay --- Fix You

".....lights will guide you home.  And ignite your bones.  And I will try...to fix you...."

Together, we can fix the whole world.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Dec. 28, 2010

Since I'm still up (and probably will be for a while), I'll share this now.

Was browsing the web, discovering some more interesting new things, and somehow that turned into moments of reflection.  I can't help but think about my place in the grand scheme of things.  From that, I arrived here.




Kanye West --- Street Lights


I will always celebrate 808s and Heartbreak for being Kanye's most creative album, or at least until he gives me reason not too.  My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy comes very close, but alas, I am still waiting. This song was one of the most appreciated on it's album, for me, because of it's easy-to-relate theme.  We've all reached that moment of realizing that, while we know where it is we want to go, we still feel like there's some work to do to get there.

And the visual I get from hearing this song is one of those scenes of hundreds of lights on the highway...kind of like this:

....just moving through life, passing the various moments.  That's where I'm at.

Eventually, I'll arrive.  Until then.....

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Dec. 27, 2010

Kanye West --- Dark Fantasy (instrumental)

I chose this particular version of the song as my theme song of the day, because as we approach the end of the year, I find myself thinking "What's the next level for me to move to?"

So today, I've been asking myself, can I get much higher?

Since I believe the answer is a definite yes, I look for ways to make that positive climb.

Here's to growth.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Dec. 26, 2010

OK Go --- This To Shall Pass

I really love the vibe this song gives.  We've all been through things, that may have us feeling down.  But as the lyrics say:

When the morning comes.

(You can't keep lettin' it get you down, you can't keep lettin' it get you down)

Seems like a very simple statement, but a powerful one, nonetheless.  This song is all about moving forward in spite of, because that is truly the only way that progress can be made.  Even though it might feel like an immovable burden is on you, I am living proof that nothing last forever.  For years, I was afflicted with debilitating seizures that keep me from doing many things I wanted to do, and created this spirit of fear in me.  I am thankful that it's been nearly three years since my last seizure, that I no longer take multiple medications, and that the fear in me has been lifted.  No matter what you're going through, believe in yourself, and know that circumstance is temporary.  This too, shall pass.

By the way, this video is so very awesome.  The "machine", as they call it, was created in an Echo Park warehouse, in Los Angeles, CA.  The band and a company called Syyn Labs is responsible for it's creation.  I really could use one of these, just as a source of stress release...lol.

Smile big and bright today!

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Dec. 25, 2010

Kings of Leon --- On Call

This song actually makes me think about the man I wish I had been with a certain someone.  She'll always know who she is.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Dec. 24, 2010

I find myself still awake during the earliest hours of my birthday...surprise, surprise...lol.

But that just means that I can rock my theme song a little bit longer.



Kanye West --- I Wonder

and I wonder, if you know, what it means....to find your dreams come true....

So far many of my dreams have come true. I'm alive, well, still in my right mind, and blessed with family and friends. And eventually all the other stuff will come too. Right now, just thankful for the many things I have.

God bless and Merry Christmas to all.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Dec. 23, 2010

Michael Jackson --- Keep Your Head Up


Recently got the King of Pop's posthumously released album, and I must say that MJ will ALWAYS remain in the top 3 entertainers of all time. This song reminded me that as we all start to focus on the holidays, there may be some (perhaps even all) of us, who might need a boost in spirit. Find the meaning of this season, and help someone else keep there head up.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet