In this post I wanted to take a moment to reflect on an artist that truly paved the way to my personal introduction to music. Last week I awoke to the news of Chris Cornell's passing.
That morning was just like any other, until I sat down with my coffee and phone to view my twitter feed. When I saw the post, along with the headline my heart sank. Right then, I had a flash back to when I was an 11year old, watching VH1. I was remembering the video to Black Hole Sun. That particular song/video was my first time hearing Sound Garden. I remembered the opening riff and how it sparked my interest and glued my eyes and ears to the big screen. Chris's voice was something beyond this earth. As I sat there listening I couldn't help but wonder if he was an alien. The video itself captivated me. I'm not going to lie, at first I thought I would walk out of my house with a distorted face as well, lol. Throughout those 5mins and 18 seconds I was spellbound, left wanting more.
As I grew older I obtained a collection of their albums, along with learning about other artist such as Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and Temple of the Dog (Which Chris was in). My senior year in high school, I read about Audioslave and their debut album. I couldn't wait till that November to run out and grab the album. November came and I literally hauled ass to the store and bought the album. By the time I got home, I already had the cd unwrapped and ready to go. Once again I was like that 11year old girl, glued to the stereo and patiently waiting for the first song to start playing. It seemed like an eternity, but in reality was only a matter of seconds. The first song up was Cochise. I jumped up with enthusiasm and cranked my stereo up as loud as it would possibly go and bounced off the walls in my room. (Waiting to see my mom walk in and ask what the hell I'm doing 🤣) As I went through each track, completely zoned into the melodies and lyrics, I landed on track 5 and became very emotional. The lyrics hit my heart like a ton of bricks. It's making you wonder what song was on Track 5, isn't it. It's making you wonder what was going on in my life. It's making you ask "why?"
When I was younger, I experienced a devastating loss. I lost my father. This gentleman was my pillar, my rock. He had been there for me like no one else had ever been. I always felt alone after his passing. So when I heard the chorus
"In your house I long to be
Room by room patiently
I'll wait for you there
Like a stone
I'll wait for you there
Alone"
I couldn't help but breakdown. Very few artists posses the ability to write into words exactly what you're feeling. It's a difficult concept to grasp, and even harder ability to master. He put his own emotions into the lyrics, the band played just the right chords, and the haunting melody resounded in me, as well as many other people in this world. He was able to touch in me, the way I felt about the loss of my father, and probably a million different interpretations for a million different other people. He may not have been writing specifically about loosing a father, or anyone else as special as my dad was to me. But he sure as hell possessed the talent to tap into that with me. I continued to listen to the album in its entirety. Completely mesmerized by their talents.
For me, I may have not have known Chris Cornell personally. But through his voice, his song writing and his fellow, talented, band members, I knew him. I knew what I felt when I listened to them. They were always my therapy sessions. The impact he made on the music scene was astounding.
To his family and friends, I send love and prayers. To the many, many fans, like myself, I hope sharing this personal post makes you remember your experiences with songs, music and the talented artists behind them. R.I.P. Chris. You will be missed, but your Music legacy will live on forever.
💔-Lacey
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