My Gen X Playlist: I Don’t Know Why I Love You – House of Love

I took a blog break.

I didn’t intend to at first, but I was tired. Not of blogging. Just plain tired. I thought a week off would be a nice respite to reduce the load a bit. What’s the harm in a week? But one week led to two, and two weeks soon became a month. I didn’t know snowballs could exist in Southern California’s summer heat.

I picked up the pen a few times. Nothing came out. I scribbled on scratch paper just to check. Yep, it still worked. It wasn’t out of ink. My guess, it was the hand that was holding it. So really, the break was timely.

I’ve got to give props to people who consistently blog for years. It’s no easy feat. Rebuilding Rob has blogged over 1,000 days in a row. I can’t think of anything I’ve consistently done for even thirty. Seriously, that’s iron man caliber.

Even though my break lingered, I do enjoy blogging. Life seems to have a way of slipping in under the radar, crowding it out of my immediate space, though. Being away for a month made me appreciate what I like most about it. First and foremost, the community. What a pleasant surprise. Reading other’s writings, connecting and learning about their lives is a wonderful experience. I really appreciate that aspect the most.

I also find writing therapeutic. In the past, I’ve toyed with the idea of seeing a therapist to unload the pent up mess inside. Somehow, unbridling it on a blog post seemed to be a good coping mechanism. And the best part, it was capped off with a song. What more could I ask for?

Searching for a song proves to be challenging at times. I continue following the golden rule that I must already know and like the song if I’m to add it to the playlist. I suppose it would be easier to first start with the song and then work my way backwards. I don’t think that would provide the same effective therapeutic release.

The music part is fun. Reconnecting with songs I grew up with reminds me of different seasons of my life. Music has a way of doing that. For good or bad, reliving and reflecting on the past can be a healthy process. Your past stays with you no matter where you go. You might as well celebrate it or at least learn to coexist with it. It ain’t going nowhere and trudging waist deep in denial can only get you so far. If it sounds like I’ve got it all figured out, the short answer is no way in hell and I probably never will. It’s just nice to take a step forward sometimes and celebrate even the small victories.

Wow. I missed this. This felt pretty good to return for a little self therapy. Thanks for bending an ear. I really appreciate it. I think I owe you all a copay for this session. Please send me the bill.

I looked up bands that took a pause from making music. There’s actually quite a few. After looking through a list of college rock bands, I settled on House of Love. They took a ten year break between 2003 to 2013. Honestly, I don’t think they were big enough for people to even notice. I do have one of their CDs in my collection, though. I found it digging through a used CD bin and picked it up for a buck 99 a long time ago. I bought it specifically for a few songs, one being I Don’t Know Why I Love You. There’s not much back story online, but I’m not too surprised. Enjoy.

I don't know why I love you
Your face is a hammer in my head
I remember every word you said
I just don't know why I love you

I don't know why I care
I never even liked your hair
I feel like a seven heir
But I don't know why I love you

Television turns me on
When the summer's hot and the spirit's thrown
How can I get close to you
When you got no mercy, no, you got mercy
No you got no

I don't know why I love you
Your face is a foreign food
I really don't know if I should
I just don't know why I love you

I don't know why I care
I duck and I weave and I fight
I work just to treat you right
God, I don't know why I love you

I don't know why I love you
I don't know why I love you
It might be your soul and your heart
Maybe it's the way that you speak
I don't why I love you

Television turns me on
When the summer's hot and the spirit's thrown
So, how can I get close to you
When you got no mercy no, you got mercy
No you got no

I don't know why I love you
I don't know why I care
I don't know why I love you
I don't know why I love you

I don't know why I love you
I don't know why I love you
And I don't know why I care