Back in 2007, I did this a lot, and I let it go for a time. But, I think I'd rather resume it. There are always songs that mean something for a story, or just a mood. And they're worth sharing.

"Ghost Love Score" by Nightwish
From 'Once'
Lyrics by Tuomas Holopainen
(c) 2004, Spinefarm Records.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYjIlHWBAVo

Toby's Notes: Original recording was with Tarja Turunen, this is the live Wacken 2013 performance with new singer Floor Jansen. She owns it, especially the end.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We used to swim the same moonlight waters..
Oceans away from the wakeful day..

My fall will be for you
My love will be in you
If you be the one to cut me
I'll bleed forever

My fall will be for you
My love will be in you
If you be the one to cut me
I'll bleed forever

Scent of the sea before the waking of the world
Brings me to thee
Into the blue memory

My fall will be for you
My love will be in you
If you be the one to cut me
I'll bleed forever

My fall will be for you
My love will be in you
If you be the one to cut me
I'll bleed forever

Into the blue memory...

The siren from the deep came to me
Sang my name my longing
Still I write my songs about that dream of mine
Worth everything I may ever be

The Child will be born again
That siren carried him to me
First of them true loves
Singing on the shoulders of an angel
Without care for love 'n loss

(Instrumental interlude)

Bring me home or leave me be
My love in the dark heart of the night
I have lost the path before me
The one behind will lead me

Bring me home or leave me be
My love in the dark heart of the night
I have lost the path before me
The one behind will lead me

Take me
Cure me
Kill me
Bring me home
Every way
Every day
Just another loop int the hangman's noose

Take me, cure me, kill me, bring me home
Every way, every day
I keep on watching us sleep

Relive the old sin of Adam and Eve
Of you and me
Forgive the adoring beast

Redeem me into childhood
Show me myself without the shell
Like the advent of May
I'll be there when you say
Time to never hold our love

My fall will be for you
My love will be in you
You were the one to cut me
So I'll bleed forever

"Marathon" by Rush
From 'Power Windows'
Music composed by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson; Lyrics by Neil Peart
(c) 1985, Anthem Entertainment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW3tGc6Wo1M

Toby's Notes: I don't know many songs that have as big an inspirational boost as this one does. Both lyrically and the music as well, especially the final chorus and the outro.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


It's not how fast you can go,
The force goes into the flow,
If you pick up the beat,
You can forget about the heat..

More than just survival,
More than just a flash,
More than just a dotted line,
More than just a dash...

It's a test of ultimate will
The heartbreak climb uphill
Got to pick up the pace
If you want to stay in the race
More than blind ambition
More than simple greed
More than a finish line
Must feed this burning need
In the long run...

(Chorus)
From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes
One moment's high, and glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky

Your meters may overload,
You can rest at the side of the road,
You can miss a stride,
But nobody gets a free ride..

More than high performance,
More than just a spark,
More than just the bottom line
Or a lucky shot in the dark..
In the long run...

(Chorus)
From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes
One moment's high, and glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky



You can do a lot in a lifetime,
If you don't burn out too fast..
You can make the most of the distance,
First you need endurance..
First you've got to last...

From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes
One moment's high, and glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky

From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes
One moment's high, and glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky

"Evening Wind" by Scorpions
From 'In Trance'
Written by Ulrich Roth
(c) 1975, RCA Records.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKMnsGNhn9A

Toby's Notes: Older Scorpions had a certain bent towards intricate wordplay and imagery. This is one of their best in that vein.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A summer day is gone, Listen to the evening wind,
Singing tunes of tamarind,
Into the setting sun...
You lie in twilight sleep, dreaming colors deep
Today all life is gone...

Look at the golden chalice, plight broken on the ground,
Green fire blazing round,
Where are your friends...
You see all hope, lying broken on the slope,
Today all life is gone..



Have you ever listened to the evening wind?
To the gentle breeze and its truth?
Have a listen and you will see, my friend..
Wind is telling you the truth

"All Right" by Christopher Cross
From 'Another Page'
Written by Christopher C. Cross
(c) 1983, Universal Music - Mgb Songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odLnLzuxDts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know, I know what's on your mind,
And I know it gets tough sometimes..
But you can give it one more try,
Find a reason why,
You should pick it up..
And try it again..


'Cause it's all right
I think we're gonna make it
I think it might just work out this time
It's all right
I think we're gonna make it
I think it might work out fine this time
It's all right
I think we're gonna make it
I think it might just work out
'Cause it's not too late for that
Too late for me

I know I've been hurt before
And I know I really shouldn't give any more
But this time,
This time things seem just a little different..
And when I look in your eyes,
You know I can see that it's true..
And I hear you say it's..


'Cause it's all right
I think we're gonna make it
I think it might just work out this time
It's all right
I think we're gonna make it
I think it might work out fine this time
It's all right
I think we're gonna make it
I think it might just work out
'Cause it's not too late for that,
Too late for love


Just when you feel helpless
Nothing left to say
Love will find us
The past's behind us
Then we're on our way...



Time and time again I see
People so unsure like me
We all know it gets hard sometimes
You can give it one more try
Find another reason why
You should pick it up
Why you should kick it up
And try it again


'Cause it's all right
I think we're gonna make it
I think it might just work out this time..

It's all right
I think we're gonna make it
I think it might work out fine this time..

It's all right
I think we're gonna make it
I think it might just work out this time..

It's all right
I think we're gonna make it
I think it might work out fine this time..

"Caravan" by Rush
From 'Clockwork Angels'
Music composed by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson; Lyrics by Neil Peart
(c) 2012, Anthem Entertainment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alDq8P8Um3A
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In a world lit only by fire,
A long train of flares under piercing stars..
I stand watching the steam-liners roll by..



The caravan thunders onward,
To the distant dream of the city..
The caravan carries me onward,
On my way at last, on my way at last..

I can't stop thinking big,
I can't stop thinking big..
I can't stop thinking big,
I can't stop thinking big..

On a road lit only by fire,
Going where I want, instead of where I should..
I peer out at the passing shadows..

Carried through the night into the city,
Where a young man has a chance of making good..
A chance to break from the past..



The caravan thunders onward
Stars winking through the canvas hood
The caravan thunders onward
On my way at last, on my way at last

I can't stop thinking big
I can't stop thinking big
I can't stop thinking big
I can't stop thinking big

I can't stop thinking big
I can't stop thinking big
In a world where I feel so small, I can't stop thinking big..





I can't stop thinking big,
I can't stop thinking big..
I can't stop thinking big,
I can't stop thinking big..

I can't stop thinking big,
I can't stop thinking big..
In a world where I feel so small, I can't stop thinking big..

"Letter to Dana" (Live) by Sonata Arctica
From 'Live in Finland'
Music composed by Sonata Arctica; Lyrics by Toni Kakko
(c) 2011, Nuclear Blast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60iVfUv6_7o
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dana, my darling, I'm writing to you,
'Cause your father passed away, it was a beautiful day..
And I don't want to bother You anymore,
I used to hope you'd come back,
But not anymore Dana..

My eyes might have betrayed me, but I have seen,
Your picture on the cover of a filthy magazine..
And I think my heart just cannot handle that,
Dana, my darling, would be so bad...

Dana my darling I'm writing to you,
'Cause your mother passed away, it was a really rainy day..
And I didn't mean to bother you anymore,
Your mother wished... Come visit your fathers grave, Dana..

Your father disowned you because you have sinned,
But he did forgive you in condition he was in..
And I hope you won't do those things anymore,
Dana, My darling, I'm waiting for..

Little Dana O'Hara oh, oh Dana my dear,
How I wish that my Dana was here..
Little Dana O'Hara decided one day,
to travel away, far away..

No, you can't surprise me anymore, oh oh..
I've seen it all before..
But it seems I cannot let you go,
Dana, Dana, Dana, Dana...

And I think that I told you, I'd wait for you forever..
Now I know someone else's holding you,
so, for the first time in my life - I must lie..
Lie's a sin, mess that I am in,
Love is not the thing I feel now,
I promise you... I won't write again 'til the sun sets behind your grave..

Dana, oh, Dana I'm writing to you,
I heard you passed away, it was a beautiful day...
I'm old and I feel time will come for me,
my diary's pages are full of thee...

Little Dana O'Hara oh, oh Dana my dear,
How I wish that my Dana was here..
Little Dana O'Hara decided one day,
to travel away, far away..

Little Dana O'Hara oh, oh Dana my dear,
How I wish that my Dana was here..
Little Dana O'Hara decided one day,
to travel away, far away..

"We Built This House" by Scorpions
From 'Return to Forever'
Lyrics by Klaus Meine and Martin Hansen
Music by Mikael Nord Andersson and Martin Hansen
(c) 2015, Sony Music Germany - New Door/UME (US)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UALNE6-sjoU

Toby's Notes: This is Toby and Tabitha's theme. And beyond that, this is a tribute to all those couples of Rhydin who have survived the storms of time and tragedy, and are still together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Love is the glue that holds us together..
Faith and believing is the key, this door of forever..
Baby, you and I..
We're every reason on earth,
Now and again it's always us against the world..
Against the world..

When the rain fell,
And the flood came,
And the wind blew hard like a hammer on these walls..
We didn't crack or break or fall..
We built this house on a rock!
This house on a rock..

And there is a time to face stormy weather..
But we are always standing strong, a lifetime together..
Baby, you and I,
We don't regret anything..
Now it's the two of us again against the wind..
Against the wind..

When the rain fell,
And the flood came,
And the wind blew hard like a hammer on these walls..
We didn't crack or break or fall..
We built this house on a rock!
This house on a rock..

Brick by brick, we have set it up
Oh man if these walls could talk,,
Bit by bit, based it on trust,
We gave it all we got..

When the rain fell,
And the flood came,
And the wind blew hard like a hammer on these walls..
We didn't crack or break or fall..
We built this house on a rock!
This house on a rock..
We built this house on a rock (ooh)
We built this house on a rock (ooh)
We built this house on a rock (ooh)

"The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA
From 'Super Trouper'
Music and Lyrics by: Bj?rn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson
Copyright: (c) 1980, Polar Music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyIOl-s7JTU

Toby's Notes: This one'll break your heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't wanna talk,
About things we've gone through..
Though it's hurting me..
Now it's history..
I've played all my cards,
And that's what you've done too..
Nothing more to say..
No more ace to play..

The winner takes it all...
The loser's standing small..
Beside the victory,
That's her destiny..

I was in your arms,
Thinking I belonged there..
I figured it made sense,
Building me a fence..
Building me a home,
Thinking I'd be strong there,
But I was a fool..
Playing by the rules..

The gods may throw the dice,
Their minds as cold as ice..
And someone way down here,
Loses someone dear..
The winner takes it all,
The loser has to fall..
It's simple and it's plain,
Why should I complain?

But tell me does she kiss,
Like I used to kiss you?
Does it feel the same,
When she calls your name?
Somewhere deep inside..
You must know I miss you..
But what can I say?
Rules must be obeyed..

The judges will decide,
The likes of me abide..
Spectators of the show,
Always staying low..
The game is on again..
A lover or a friend..
A big thing or a small..
The winner takes it all..

I don't wanna talk,
If it makes you feel sad..
And I understand,
You've come to shake my hand..
I apologize,
If it makes you feel bad..
Seeing me so tense,
No self-confidence..
But you see...
The winner takes it all..
The winner takes it all...

"Turn The Lights Out" by Delain
From 'Lunar Prelude'
All lyrics written by Charlotte Wessels. , Music composed by Martijn Westerholt, Charlotte Wessels, Guus Eikens, Hendrik Jan de Jong
Copyright: (c) 2016, Napalm Records.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OWMojXsMXc
Toby's Notes: This one just speaks for itself. Inspired by Neil Gaiman's "The Sandman".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was here,
When the first morning dawned upon you..
I'll be there,
I was here,
When you first ever drew a breath in..
I'll be there..
For the last living thing..

And I will turn the lights out...
Turn the lights out..
Turn the lights out..
And lock this wicked world behind me,
Lights out..
Turn the lights out..
Turn the lights out..
And lock the universe..

I was here..
Will you welcome and recognise me?
I'll be there,
I was here,
Will you dread me, will you despise me?
I'll be there..
for the last living thing..

And I will turn the lights out..
Turn the lights out..
Turn the lights out,
And lock this wicked world behind me..
Lights out,
Turn the lights out..
Turn the lights out..
And lock the universe..

Instrumental

And I will turn the lights out..
Turn the lights out..
Turn the lights out,
And lock this wicked world behind me..
Lights out,
Turn the lights out..
Turn the lights out..
And lock the universe..

"Always Somewhere" by Scorpions
From "Lovedrive"
Written by Rudolf Schenker and Klaus Meine
Copyright: (c) 1979, Mercury Records.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY6PoQTnGSo
Toby's Notes: Scorpions have a number of 'Life on the road' songs. This is one of the best. The intro riff reminds me of 'Simple Man' by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arrive at seven, the place feels good,
No time to call you today..
Encores till eleven, then Chinese food,
Back to the hotel again..

I call your number, the line ain't free,
I'd like to tell you, 'come to me..'
A night without you, seems like a lost dream,
Love, I can't tell you how I feel..

Always somewhere,
Miss you where I've been..
I'll be back to love you again..
Always somewhere,
Miss you where I've been,
I'll be back to love you again..



Another morning, another place,
The only day off is far away..
But every city has seen me in the end,
And brings me to you again..

Always somewhere,
Miss you where I've been..
I'll be back to love you again..
Always somewhere,
Miss you where I've been,
I'll be back to love you again..

"Witch Hunt" by Rush
From "Moving Pictures"
Music by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson. Lyrics by Neil Peart.
Copyright: (c) 1981, Anthem Entertainment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MWzDKE4zbY
Toby's Notes: One of the best slow build-ups I've ever heard, and some of the most intense atmosphere. Part of a trilogy of songs on the subject of fear, Witch Hunt speaks about 'Fear of others' and what it can lead to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The night is black, without a moon..
The air is thick and still..
The vigilantes gather on,
The lonely torch lit hill..

Features distorted in the flickering light,
The faces are twisted and grotesque,
Silent and stern in the sweltering night,
The mob moves like demons possessed..
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right,
Confident their ways are best..

The righteous rise, with burning eyes,
Of hatred and ill-will..
Madmen fed on fear and lies,
To beat and burn and kill..

They say there are strangers who threaten us,
Our immigrants and infidels..
They say there is strangeness too dangerous,
In our theaters and bookstore shelves..
That those who know what's best for us,
Must rise and save us from ourselves..

Quick to judge, quick to anger,
Slow to understand..
Ignorance and prejudice
And fear walk hand in hand...

"C'est La Vie" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
From "Works Volume 1"
Music & Lyrics by Greg Lake and Peter Sinfeld.
Copyright: (c) 1977, Atlantic Records.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SCmchJTPPo
Toby's Notes: Beautifully sad.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

C'est la vie..
Have your leaves all turned to brown?
Will you scatter them around you?
C'est la vie...

Do you love?
And then how am I to know?
If you don't let your love show for me,
C'est la vie..

Oh, oh, c'est la vie.
Oh, oh, c'est la vie.
Who knows, who cares for me...
C'est la vie..

In the night..
Do you light a lover's fire?
Do the ashes of desire for you remain?

Like the sea..
There's a love too deep to show,
Took a storm before my love flowed for you,
C'est la vie..

Oh, oh, c'est la vie.
Oh, oh, c'est la vie.
Who knows, who cares for me...
C'est la vie..



Like a song..
Out of tune and out of time,
All I needed was a rhyme for you,
C'est la vie...

Do you give?
Do you live from day to day?
Is there no song I can play for you,
C'est la vie...

Oh, oh, c'est la vie.
Oh, oh, c'est la vie.
Who knows, who cares for me...
C'est la vie..

"Suspension" - Theatrical theme from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Performed by Kipp Lennon
Written by Glen A. Larson and Stu Phillips
Copyright: Unknown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM0p9VHeoyA
Toby's Notes: Tops on the soundtrack to my youth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Far beyond the world I've known,
Far beyond my time..
What am I? Who am I? What will I be?
Where am I going and what will I see?

Searching my mind, for some truths to reveal,
What thoughts are fantasy, what memories real?

Long before this life of mine,
long before this time..
What was there? Who cared? To make it begin?
Is it forever, or will it all end?

Searching my past, for the things that I've seen,
Is it my life or something I dreamed?





Far beyond this world I've known,
Far beyond my time..
What kind of world am I going to find?
Will it be real, or just all in my mind?

What am I, who am I, what will I be?
Where am I going..
and what will I see...?

"Woman" - Scorpions
Lyrics Written by Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker
Music Written by Rudolf Schenker
Copyright: 1993, Mercury Records
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKqxB5w4ukg
Toby's Notes: That video. That VOICE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Woman! You can change my world..
Woman! You can change my world..

I'm chained to the fears, inside these walls..
The silence talks loud, about the things I recall..
Through the bricks in the window,
I scream at the world..
But when no one is listening,
It's hard to be heard..


Woman! you can change my world..
Woman.. there'll be no return..


I see shadows coming through the walls
I hear voices but no one's talking at all
I can feel the madness,
Crawling up my spine..
Reaching out,
To grab your mind..

Woman! Come and change my world..


(Do you remember all those fears)
They won't leave me alone..
(Do you remember all those tears)
I pretend to be strong...
(Do you remember all the pain)
I'm getting tired of the game..
I cannot live, I cannot die,
I want to know, who the hell am I??





You've never seen me, but I know you so well..
And before it kills me, I gotta break the spell..
The deeper we touch, the higher we'll go..
The time has come,
To heal my soul..

Woman! You can change my world..


(Do you remember all those fears)
They won't leave me alone..
(Do you remember all those tears)
I pretend to be strong...
(Do you remember all the pain)
I'm getting tired of the game..
I cannot live, I cannot die,
I want to know, who the hell am I??


Woman!
I'm gonna change your world..