What is the Reflex?

Songs are a form of poetry, but sometimes poets don’t want to disclose the themes and meanings behind the words. As a result, the audience must decipher themes and take the songs as they are.

Fans of Duran Duran (aka Duranies) likely know that the band is not fond of explaining meanings or giving background on songs. The band’s poetics are evident, especially proven in the track “A View to a Kill,” which is the theme to the 1984 James Bond film of the same name.

However, one Duran Duran song has always left me intrigued by the meaning. What the heck is THE reflex?!

Google searches filled with public forums left me with no clear conclusion. In fact, there was a small consensus among those who argued that the reflex is of sexual nature. Do we have to make everything dirty-minded?

Instead, I argue that the reflex is vice-related. Why can’t the reflex be the habit of lying?

“The Reflex” by Duran Duran

The repetitive vocalization at the beginning of the track is great at portraying the title of the song. By dictionary definition, a reflex is

“Movement caused by a reflex response…
any automatic, unthinking, often habitual behavior or response.”
http://www.dictionary.com

The repetition of certain lyrics acts as word painting: the sound represents a reflex.

In light of the theory that the reflex is the repetitive, addictive tendency to lie, consider the opening lines, “You’ve gone too far this time / But I’m dancing on the valentine.” A pathological liar continues lying, even if he does go too far and creates an endlessly tangled web of falsehoods. As for “dancing on the Valentine,” liars must tiptoe, or dance, around others in order for the lies to become consistent around the right people. Didn’t tell Person B the same lie as Person A? Then tread carefully…

Don’t liars like attention (or some, at least)? They want to be on their soapbox and in control of their audience, hence allowing them “another day to make [a] stand” for whatever tale they’re bent on telling.

The repetitive pre-chorus reminds not to “bruise it” or “lose it.” The game liars play is centered on telling lies when in a jam or when the self is threatened. Lies are used to make a person look better or worse. Liars, then, use fabrications to their advantage. Once you tell a lie or two, a habit forms. Lying grows easier. As long as you’re not compromised, use it and don’t bruise it.

Liars, as suggested in the chorus of the song, are like lonely children. Once you create a false world around yourself, you can’t present your true self to those around you. Therefore, loneliness ensues. And because lying exaggerates the truth and makes things grander than they really are, liars are in a sense “finding treasure in the dark.” They can make something out of nothing, as if each lie marks another spot on the treasure map.

Naturally, the lying reflex leaves behind question marks because we can’t know for sure what is true and what isn’t. We can only wonder…

Does a liar ever have regrets? The second verse hints at such. He wants the ride to slow down, but it won’t. Keeping up with countless lies requires a lot of concentration and caution. Here our narrator, voiced of course by Simon LeBon, is feeling a bit anxious. He even sold the Renoir painting and TV. Apparently the lies didn’t lead to fortune and fame. He also doesn’t want to “be around” when he’s exposed as a liar.

In some ways the reflex could also be personified as luck or a gambling addiction. However, the lyrics that suggest this idea can still refer to lying. For instance, the reflex watches over “lucky clover.” Why? Perhaps this is because a liar needs all the luck he can get to not blow his cover, and so he charm others with sly and smooth stories.

Likewise, at the very end of the song, we hear that the reflex is playing a game where he holds all the cards. Each card can symbolize a different lie to be told. Frequent lying can be gamified because the liar plays with the odds of spreading believable lies and keeping those lies straight.

Lying can become habitual, thus making it like a reflex. The more someone lies, the more of a knee-jerk effect it has. Pretty heavy stuff for a New Wave band…

In the end, we’ll never truly know what Duran Duran’s “The Reflex” is all about. Yet, it can be quite interesting to experiment with different ideas.

So what is “the reflex?”

Life is Green

We know that “the grass is always greener on the other side,” but why is this the case? Any simple Google search will describe the color green in words such as rebirth, envy, motivation, and, of course, nature.

The power and significance of the color green is not only psychological, but spiritual. Naturally, these multiple meanings are also represented in various art forms.

So why is life GREEN?

Spiritual Origins

It’s a generally perceived notion that, for years, women have been oppressed and overlooked. The joke is on the men, for women have made significant strides in the advancement of society, whether that be in the form of inventions or theories. Influential women were present, even if secretly active, during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. For women like St. Hildegard of Bingen, the sky was the limit–literally. Not only is she regarded as a Christian “Doctor of the Church,” but her writings contributed to both religious and artistic realms.

Throughout her multiple writings, Hildegard focused on the Earth and the color green, in relation to God and creation. Because life comes from God, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is like the sun. God set life in motion, while the Son (or Sun) maintains that radiance, goodness, and hope that keeps humanity going. Hildegard’s theory centers on the idea of “Jesus is the light of the world.”

Regardless of the specific religion, this idea that the natural green of the earth is a sign of creation and renewal is pretty universal. It’s simple and basic. Green grows and blossoms around us in various forms, no matter the type of plant or animal life.

The Emerald

Minerals come straight from the earth, so it’s not very surprising that Hildegard continues her discourse by claiming that emeralds come from the Divine–God–and spring forth from the earth. Just as nature itself is green, so are emeralds. Green, then, not only represents life and renewal, but the divinity and the sublime.

Green Art

Emerald City, Anyone?

Of course there’s “no place like home,” but why is the Emerald City so special in the Wizard of Oz? There’s a sort of divinity in the city since it’s the last and only hope for Dorothy to get home. Before learning that the Wizard is indeed a fake, when it comes to magic that is, Dorothy and the crew are striving to enter that sacred city. They’re constantly pushed off the [yellow brick] road by the witch, representing satanic forces (plus, she IS green). Even at the gate of Oz’s residence, they’re not permitted to enter straightaway. Oz is the divine wisdom needed to resolve the problems in this tornado-induced fever dream!

Taste of Life is Green

Color and imagery can be found in nearly every song to hit the radio waves. In the 1960s, songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin composed numerous hits, and several of their songs were performed by the Monkees, including “Take A Giant Step.”

Sung by Micky Dolenz, the song is full of hope and inspiration as Dolenz persuades the girl that love is still possible. Sometimes, we need to escape the doubt and insecurities we create in our minds. The line “taste of life is green” demonstrates that life is still possible. Green represents what it has for years: refreshment and renewal. Besides, life can truly be green when love is present. Outside of the overworked brain, life continues and can be simple. Thus, this also explains why nature is so beneficial for many. Nature is simple, green, and calming.

“Don’t stay in your lonely room
Just staring back in silent gloom.

That’s not where you belong.

Come with me / I’ll take you where the taste of life is green.

And everyday holds wonders to be seen.

Come with me, leave yesterday behind

And take a giant step outside your mind.”
-Songwriters: Carole King / Gerry Goffin

Green-Eyed Lady

Then there’s Sugarloaf with a love song about a green-eyed lady. At first, the green references don’t seem anything out of the ordinary. However, her green eyes go hand in hand with her being a child of nature. She feels like the life never seen, meaning that she is that beautiful and refreshing. She doesn’t just have green eyes. She has GREEN eyes! She is able to set lovers free and reveal the sublime wonder of God’s creation.

“Green eyed lady ocean lady
Child of nature, friend of man

Green eyed lady passion’s lady
Dressed in love / she lives for life to be

Green eyed lady feels life I never see
Setting suns and lonely lovers free”
-Songwriters: David Riordan / J.C. Phillips / Jerry Corbetta

The Son of Man

Ah yes, the French Surrealist art movement. This time in history cannot be properly explored without the mention of one René Magritte. “The Son of Man” is one of his famous paintings, and, according to basic online research, the legendary depiction of a man with a green apple over his face, is meant to be a self-portrait. In fact Magritte once quoted:

"It's something that happens constantly. Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see. There is an interest in that which is hidden and which the visible does not show us"

What if the green apple represents a life that we cannot see beyond? We can see the apple, sure, but beyond that we can’t see anything, even if we desperately want to. Sometimes we get too ahead of ourselves and wrapped up in plans and worries that haven’t even happened yet. The present life we have, hence the green apple, is all we can focus on until we are allowed to view the life beyond.

Green Characters

Fictional characters often possess colors that reveal their true character. These colors could be skin, clothing, or material objects. In literature and film, colors are never typically just colors. Here are a few examples of green characters who connect to life and renewal.

So, are you feeling green?

Special thanks and credit to Dr. Bogner, from whom I learned about the spiritual meanings behind the color green via the Dame and Distaff course at SVC.

Do You Know Your ’80s Music Duos?

We’re not talking famous duets with the likes of McCartney and MJ, Nicks and Petty, or Queen and Bowie. We’re talking famous, and not so famous, dynamic duos who took the synthpop world by storm in the 1980s. Do you know your Wham! from your Pet Shop Boys? Your Eurythmics from your Roxette? Take the quiz below to find out!

Who is your favorite ’80s band front man (or woman)?

Tell us your favorite ’80s lead singer to enter to win a free, autographed copy of The Music Makes the Man! ENTER BELOW!

An Old Soul’s Box of Chocolates

Happy Valentine’s Day! If old souls were to have a customized heart-shaped box of chocolates, what decadent delights would be hidden inside?

Dark Chocolate Truffle

Finding an old soul is rare, but loving them is nearly irresistible–just like classic truffles in a box of chocolates. They’re rich, semisweet, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Like truffles, old souls are classy, deeper than what’s seen on the surface, and cherished, especially when it comes to special occasions!

Vanilla Cream

It doesn’t matter whether or not vanilla creams are your favorite because they will always be in the box of candy. Vanilla is a traditional flavor, and you can count on them, even if you’d rather have that truffle that your sibling just ate! Old souls are like vanilla creams because they are typically good listeners. Need advice? A listening ear? To the vanilla!

Coconut Cluster

To assert that all old souls come from tropical locations, or that they are a bit fruity, would be ludicrous! Instead, a milk chocolate treat with crunchy coconut pieces compares to the eclectic tastes of an old soul. Old souls are often known for reading…..a LOT. They love looking back at history and appreciating the arts, both classic and modern. Like coconut clusters, old souls can bring a little flavor, flaur, and crunch to your day!

Salted Caramel

Unless this is an all-nut assortment, you will undoubtedly find some form of chocolate and caramel! Because many old souls are trustworthy and empathetic, you can count on a sweet caramel in the box…somewhere!

Chocolate-Covered Peanuts

Okay, yes, old souls can be a bit nutty, just as chocolate-covered nuts are simple but nutty. When old souls are passionate about something, they give their 110%, which makes them seem crazy and, well, nutty!

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cream

Old souls may look ordinary, but on the inside, they’re full of compassion, unique wisdom, and surprises. They aren’t necessarily fancy, but there are only one or two in the box!

Chocolate Buttercream

If it’s not broken, eat it! Wait, that’s not right. Like vanilla creams, chocolate buttercreams are standard in a box of chocolates. Old souls love classics. They’ll write you letters, cook homemade meals, and follow other old-fashioned methods that suit them most. Quality over quantity is a priority, even though chocolate buttercreams are usually both tasty and well-represented in the box.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Gaze of Love

The sense of sight is so precious, not just because our unique eye colors are beautiful, but because sight opens up the world in front of us and brings it to life–reality.

In the world of literary analysis and criticism, perspective matters. Critics deconstruct texts, look for symbols, ascribe meanings, focus on arrangement of language, consider psychoanalysis, and highlight gender, cultural, and racial points of view.

In the world of song lyrics, which is consumed by poetry, literary theories can still be applied. For two 1960s records, Laura Mulvey’s literary theory of “The Gaze” works in various ways.

“The Gaze” lends itself to both psychoanalysis and feminism movements with its concentration on how women are mentally perceived by men. By its simplest definition, “The Gaze” is when men objectify women, taking into account physical attractiveness and pleasures rather than mental or emotional attributes. Women, then, become objects of desire.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we can’t help but turn up both love songs and heartbreak songs. The Grass Roots’ “Temptation Eyes” and Guess Who’s “These Eyes” play on the theme of “The Gaze” and also work to reverse it. Here at COACS, we link everything together, even if the connection sounds a little crazy.

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“Temptation Eyes” by Grass Roots

The Grass Roots, with legendary guitarist Randy Bachman and vocalist Rob Grill, had famous hits in the ’60s, including “Midnight Confessions” and “Live For Today.” Always passionate and smooth with lyrics, The Grass Roots continued that style with “Temptation Eyes.” The idea of The Gaze can be explored in several ways throughout this song.

The opening instrumentals are bold and intense, which will soon match the intensity of the lyrics as they move. Immediately, we learn that the desired girl lets Grill down with her freedom. She isn’t paying much attention to him, or at least taking the time to love him. Her eyes are tempting, which makes her even more seducing. Although Grill desperately wants the girl to spend the night with him, he talks about his soul and how her eyes look into his soul. From The Gaze point of view, he would want just the body, not the soul. A soul connection is more emotional and intellectual, meaning that the temptation to love the girl is much more than a simple physical attraction.

On the contrary, several lyrics do hint at The Gaze, drawing a fine line for the song’s narrator. He wants her “all for myself [himself]” and needs her “love tonight.” A sense of immediacy takes hold as he still craves body, not just soul. He’s human, I guess, so we can’t blame him too much, can we?

Nonetheless, The Gaze is present, even though he’s also falling for the girl’s soul by looking into her eyes. The eyes are a gateway, a rite of passage. Either a man will see the body, or he’ll see the soul.

“These Eyes” by Guess Who

By all means, this track by Canadian rock band Guess Who isn’t a rare find. However, it is a popular ballad featuring the outstanding vocals of Burton Cummings.

The keyboard introduction is a stark contrast from “Temptation Eyes,” as it presents a more somber and serious mood. It’s very reflective.

Cummings laments of losing a love and is convinced that his eyes will never see another love like he had with this current ex. Not only did she break her promises, but she’s shattered his gaze. The lyric “see” is interesting because Cummings talks of “seeing” love, not “feeling” it. No doubt, this lyric is likely meant to connect back to the idea of eyes and crying, but “seeing” does propose the question of whether or not he sees the body or soul.

Later on, Cummings sings of seeing “lots of loves.” On one hand, this line could be interpreted to mean that he’s had lots of lovers for whom is affection was mostly physical, and the current girl was the best of them all. There is no substantial evidence to truly prove this claim, but it does raise questions.

Because he mentions that his world has fallen apart, this relationship could have been soul-binding for him. The Gaze could go either way.

Just…Eyes

Both “Temptation Eyes” and “These Eyes” explore the idea of either objectifying women for sexual needs or loving women through the soul. The repetitive nature of each song goes to show that each man is obsessed with a woman. How that obsession unfolds could be dangerous. In the end, heart and soul should always trump pure lust. A man’s gaze will determine where his heart truly lies.

Before You Go…

Be sure to check out all past Monthly Mixtape reviews. You can also listen to past songs on the Guilty Pleasures of a Classic Soul playlist on either YouTube or Spotify!

Signed, By Your Pen

Clacking computer or cell phone keys might be quick and efficient these days, in order to accomplish daily communication, but handwriting is still appreciated, especially by old souls!

Handwriting and language go hand in hand (no pun intended). Without the need for recording and sending information, handwriting wouldn’t be necessary. The various alphabets used around the world and throughout the centuries accomplished the same basic forms of human communication. Handwriting in any language still bears benefits for those willing to take up the pen.

Technology Fatigue

Imagine…just you, a piece of blank paper, a smooth-writing pen, and natural lighting, either from the sunlight outside or from a soft lamp.

Harsh bluelight from our technological devices can strain our eyes and leave us exhausted. Old fashioned paper and pen allow a break from the fast-paced nature of our advanced society. More paper, less screen time!

Additionally, handwriting is less strenuous than typing on a keyboard. Sure, anybody can develop carpal tunnel from too much typing or writing, but consider how taxing typing is. Our fingers have to constantly be in motion and jump back and forth. Typing isn’t simply in the wrists. Of course, we still use our fingers in handwriting, but writing is done with a gliding motion.

Content

In a world of immediate communications, we often send off texts and emails without fully thinking through our words. Even texting abbreviations like “rn” (right now) and “btw” (by the way) show how rushed our modern-day communication can be. We live in a “get-your-reply-out-and-get-going” society. Progress is, then, an important value, not necessarily the quality of the progress.

In writing a note or letter, the writer must slow down to choose the correct words, unless scribbling in a hurry. Instead of pressing memorized buttons, the brain sends signals to the hand in order to create the movements needed to form each letter and word.

In some cases, handwriting allows the writer to truly think and send communications that are longer in length and more beautifully written. Sometimes a manual process leads to a more cherished product.

Old Soul Connections

For old souls, handwritten letters are rare gems. Quite simply, this is because the time and thought involved in the writing process make the letter or note seem more genuine. It’s a work that can be crafted straight from the heart. Typed texts can still be as genuine, but handwriting is more personal. Everyone has his or her own unique style of writing, which helps to make the words stand out and feel closer to home. Standard computer fonts can make a letter seem too mechanical, while handwritten words carry a certain warmth. Whether the handwriting is composed in print or cursive, the effects are still the same.

Because some old souls are introverts, it’s only natural that old-fashioned handwriting appeals to people who enjoy solitary hobbies that involve deep thinking and creativity. These types of writers enjoy selecting the perfect words and arranging them so their meaning is beautifully and accurately reflected on the page. Empathy and affection are sure to appear on the paper as a result.

So is handwriting going out of style? Likely not, but when it comes to handwritten notes and letters, there is always room for more writers to join the paper trail. In a world of instant, mechanical communication, sometimes it’s therapeutic to sit down and compose a lovely and personal note to someone special as a token of appreciation. Will you pick up the pen?

In the Year 2023

“In the year 2525…will man still be alive?”

Okay, how about in 2023? Life hasn’t seemed “normal” since Covid, but technology has advanced, war rages, natural disasters keep brewing, and politics is insane. Are we still alive?

In 1969, duo Zager and Evans were on the airwaves with their one-hit wonder, “In The Year 2525 (Exordium and Terminius).” Although it’s not the year 2525, and you and I will likely never see that century, the popular track can apply to modern life as we enter (a hopefully better) 2023.

“In The Year 2525” by Zager & Evans

Despite the eventual upbeat tempo, the opening lyrics set up the mournful tone of the song. The story, unfortunately, will not improve and become positive. In fact, this dismal foretelling of the future feels extremely dystopian.

As a result, I can’t help but make comparisons to literature, most notably The Giver and several Ray Bradbury stories. The song mentions that humans’ truths will be in the pill they take in the morning. This “pill” suppresses the intellect, the one characteristic that sets humans apart from animals. Humans wouldn’t be able to hold any personal opinions, similar to how, in The Giver, the characters take pills to suppress sexual and romantic desires. What kind of life is that?

As the years progress in the song, the human body itself becomes obsolete. In the age of technology, the song proposes that machines will have more purpose and power than humans, especially when those machines are literally allowing human bodies to function. No doubt a haunting consideration, the idea of machines overcoming man is becoming more popular as time springs forward. Oddly enough, this song was written and performed in 1969. Technology then was nowhere near as advanced as it is today. At our current speed, could we meet these doomful predictions much sooner than 3535?

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Test-tube babies are already a phenomenon in today’s world, but the vision here in the song is cold and calculating. There is seemingly no human interaction or connection whatsoever. Humans require physical touch, especially during infancy. The interesting questions remain: “are humans killing themselves? Is technology killing humanity? Is it a bit of both?”

Even more disturbing is God’s role. We know that Judgment Day will arrive regardless, but how long might God take before He ends the misery we’ve created for ourselves? How many more centuries will we be allowed to “live” if God’s life within us is mostly replaced by machine? God, all-loving and all-powerful, could end that suffering much sooner. Or maybe not. How much of ourselves must we lose?

Will these future centuries be truly full of life? After all, if humanity surrenders itself to machines and technology, then fleeting pleasures will be no more. What can man enjoy with his suppressed emotion, intellect, and limbs? God’s image and likeness begins to fade when man becomes lazier and uses technology to make life too easy and self-centered.

Finally we come to the words Exordium and Terminius. Thanks to a simple Google search, exordium is the beginning of a discourse, while terminius refers to a final point in space time. Therefore, the song’s alternate title literally describes it as a discourse on, or leading to, the end of times.

Doesn’t sound to cheery for New Year’s, but this one-hit wonder from duo Zager and Evans reminds us, as we enter this new year, to not overlook the simplicities of life and what it truly means to be human.

Before You Go…

Be sure to check out all past Monthly Mixtape reviews. You can also listen to past songs on the Guilty Pleasures of a Classic Soul playlist on either YouTube or Spotify!

The Holiday Quarter Wreath

Hope. Peace. Joy. Love.

These are the pillars of Christmas. For Christians Advent is a season comprised of the four weeks prior to Christmas. In the customary Advent wreath, each candle represents the pillars listed above. As a time of preparation for the coming of Christ, the true meaning of Advent often gets overlooked as the secular Advent of commercialism weighs on our minds.

This year, however, Advent felt a little different for me. Instead of overlooking the “reason for the season,” I feel as though I was immersed in it, though not realizing it until after the fact. Following a car accident right before Thanksgiving, God has surprised me in ways I hadn’t thought possible. Hope, peace, joy, and love have been present for me this Advent, and I don’t believe I’ve ever felt Advent in these ways before.

As a result, instead of writing a fictional story for my annual “Heartwarming Christmas” series, I’ve decided to share a narrative of my Advent adventure.

Part I: Collide

“He’s not going to stop,” I told myself as I kept my foot on the brake of my one-year old Subaru. The traffic whizzed by on the bypass while I stopped on the exit ramp behind the car in front of me.

The white glitter sprinkled down on us, but the asphalt was dry. Through the rear view, I noticed him moving behind me, but I knew he wasn’t going to stop. As metal scraped metal, I cut the wheel to avoid a front-end collision. How did I know to do that?

No airbags, no concussion. No hellish hospital trip. No bodily damage or breakage. But the seats were…broken. She sustained more than fixable butt damage.

My flood was inevitable. You must mourn an inanimate object when it was the perfect companion, and the less fortunate need a new model, not you. I had a new model. I didn’t need another. I didn’t want another.

“You’re lucky you’re getting a new car!”

“I don’t need a new car. I have one.”

“You had one.”

“I don’t want another one.”

Part II: Too Good

“There’s no such thing as luck,” Obi-Wan Kenobi quips in Star Wars: A New Hope. And he’s partly right. As a devout Christian, I’m to believe that God knows the best plans for my life. He will guide me and lead me to where I need to be. Over the years I’ve experienced tiny coincidences, like God plopping people and occurrences into my life at the right time. Mostly, though, God knows how to play the necessary songs on the radio or inspire through a “perfectly-timed, Sunday Gospel reading.”

But does God deal His cards in “too good to be true?” Can I trust something or someone that came out of nowhere and radiates good vibes and pure intentions?

Stupid apps. Apps don’t lead to real personal connection (hello, A.I. 👋). But when I sat in the cozy truck cab that November day, just after the accident, I felt optimistic and terrified. The app was meant to be a marketing tool for myself, but then I stumbled, analyzed, and hit a small button. 24-hours later I was no longer unrequited.

And then, gradually, the conversations began and my mental checkboxes had been marked. I hadn’t expected the conversation and interests to be so mutual. Coincidence. Here was someone I hadn’t even met yet, and we were already clicking.

God can deal in too good to be true.

Part III: Scarily Accurate

Cue harsh reminders of 2016, a year when hot-shot celebrities dropped dead and my sense of normalcy crumbled under the weight of a family medical drama.

It seems as though my new acquaintance is suffering similar fates this year, and my heart is already broken. I don’t wish a “2016” on anyone, especially a polite someone who genuinely keeps the conversation going and respects me–right out the gate.

In these painful moments as a bystander, who feels like she should do more than pray, I have trouble quenching the deep burning passion to throw a bound copy of my college capstone. If I toss my memoir like a Frisbee, will it land 50 miles away and reach the lap of a fellow reader who will understand the misery on the bound pages?

I worry. I comfort. I wait. I worry. I wait. I hear an Eagles’ song. I worry. I comfort. I wait. I drive my brand new, miraculous red car, exactly like the last one. I worry. I drive. I wait.

Part IV: Advent Fulfilled

Tonight is the Eve of the day we’ve been anticipating. To me, today is more exciting than tomorrow. Today’s hope ejects me into the celebration of tomorrow.

And as I reflect on the past four weeks, I realize that God has helped me find PEACE in who I am and how much He wants me to rely on Him. I find HOPE in knowing that God provides in due time (even if His timing is immediate and unplanned). Hope that someone else out there shares my old soul mentality. JOY regarding the PEACE and HOPE just experienced. Joy of being me. Joy that Christ thirsts for me.

And, finally, LOVE. I LOVE even what I do not understand. When I care about something or someone, I care deeply. Full force. 110%. This heart, not completely unlike the gentle heart of Jesus, makes me human. It makes me alive. The bleeding heart might drive me mad, but it’s better to “have loved and lost.” And so I’ll continue holding on and pouring out my beautiful heart, not just on Christmas, but every day of the year.

Sugar Cookie Hacks

If your cut-out sugar cookies look like the ones above, then you may close out this tab and go on your merry way, skipping to your oven!

Outside the world of baking championships on the Food Network, we common folk just want a decent-looking and tasting cut-out cookie, whether that cookie be homemade or out of a pouch. The point is, if you don’t care about your cookies looking gourmet, and you struggle with the stickiness of the dough, then see my tips below!

I Can’t Believe It’s Not…

BUTTER. You’re going to need butter. Sticks of margarine are easy and convenient for baking, but ONLY if they’re used at the right temperature. For sugar cookies, either from a package or from scratch, a stick of margarine is supposed to be at room temperature. In other words, it shouldn’t be too hard or too soft. You can try softening it in the microwave for small increments of time, but, if you’re like me, you end up melting at least a little piece of it because it’s difficult to be smarter than the microwave.

If the butter’s temperature isn’t just right, than the dough will be incredibly soft and sticky, or just clumpy. The trick is to take out a stick of butter and leave it on the counter for an hour or two prior to baking.

The Chill Factor

Unless you’re a rich baker, you likely don’t have a fancy chill blaster that will help your dough thicken and become easily “rollable.” Often times sugar cookie dough is still a bit soft and sticky despite the butter temperature. As a result, either setting your dough in the refrigerator or even the freezer for an hour or so can make the dough more manageable.

Le Fleur

Flour is a binding agent which makes it super helpful for rolling and working with sticky cookie dough. The ultimate fear is that you’ll use too much and make the dough taste dry and bitter. In this case you may need to add just a little more sugar. Or, you can use extra icing!

Like butter, flour can be scary because it can be difficult to find the perfect proportion. Don’t fret! Start with small amounts, whether your adding it to the dough or spreading a little on your rolling surface. If you’re worried about having too much flour on your hands, which you need to keep the dough from sticking to you until next Christmas, you can substitute with rubber gloves.

Keep Them Cookies Rolling!

One of the biggest tips to remember is that you don’t have to roll out large sections of dough, nor do you need to use the longest rolling pin in the world. Try using small hunks of dough and a smaller rolling pin. Don’t overwhelm yourself!

To make rolling easier, you can put your dough on a cutting board or between pieces of parchment paper.

Can that Royal Icing!

It doesn’t matter which baking show you watch, because they all mention and use royal icing. Royal icing is typically a combination of powered sugar (aka confectioner’s sugar) and milk or lemon juice or any other recipe you can find out there on the worldwide web.

However, mixing up the right consistency of royal icing can be hard and time consuming. After wasting time, energy, and ingredients, you still may have a runny glaze that will not help you decorate beautiful sugar cookies.

Icing in a can is made and sold for a reason! It’s is thicker than royal icing, but it will get the job done and save you time. Plus, it’s just as delicious!

If, however, you’re struggling because the canned icing is too thick, you can pop it in the microwave for about 10-seconds to thin it down and make it more manageable to work with.

Piping bags can also be a pain, from cutting the tips to stuffing all of your icing inside. Plus, you’re then left to dispose of these plastic bags. Looking for an easier and greener option?

Look for either plastic or metal piping containers that are washable. All you need to do is fill the squeezable container with icing, screw on the piping tip, and get to decorating. The only downside to these marvelous tools is that sometimes you need to refill them with icing multiple times, depending on the container’s size.

Icing is Now Paint 🎨

The piping containers mentioned above are great for flooding, a technique commonly used with royal icing. Sometimes, though, you just want to spread green icing on a wreath-shaped Christmas cookie, and a butter knife is just too thick.

I’ve recently discovered pastry brushes, and they’re so neat! You can spread your icing in thin layers, and it doesn’t clump, like with a butter knife. Softening your icing prior to use is very beneficial for painting the icing. You can even employ similar wet-on-wet techniques with the brushes. The variety in tip sizes make them even more effecient!

So the next time you think you have to be a master pastry chef to bake great cut-out sugar cookies, remember these quick hacks!!

Two Times Over

When listening to individual artists, music lovers can typically notice how specific themes and sound styles are echoed across several songs from a particular artist. However, it is not often that artists have two songs with nearly identical titles. For example, in 2021, OneRepublic released their fifth studio album, Human. Nowhere in the media did the band, or composer Ryan Tedder, mention the track “Human” from their 2016 album, Oh My My. Therefore the two subjects and sounds are very similar to each other, but these connections are not directly stately.

Similarly, ’70s singer Leo Sayer had two tracks which, by the titles, sound as though they would be the same. In 1973, he performed the song “Don’t Say It’s Over” while, in 1977, performed “It’s Over.” With nearly identical themes, music analysts like myself can’t help but wonder if these two songs can connect to each other, even if Sayer had no intention of doing so!

Leo Sayer generally appears to be forgotten compared to mainstream bands of the ’70s. Most people, however, have heard one of his most famous tracks, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.”

“Don’t Say It’s Over” by Leo Sayer

In comparing these two songs, it only makes sense to take a look at them in chronological order. “Don’t Say It’s Over” is much more of a ballad than “It’s Over.” The soft and mournful piano introduction sets the tone and mood of this song. I like that, before we dive into the entire story of this broken relationship, we get a glimpse of how the relationship has been judged. The collective “they” Sayer refers to makes judgments about whether or not this romantic relationship is to be or not to be. This outward glimpse of gossip and grain-of-salt advice then turns inward as Sayer begins speaking directly to the lover in the song.

It’s interesting how Sayer’s emotions are at play here in the beginning. At first he says that “you’ll make me fall apart,” and then two lines later, “well, I might fall apart.” His wavering here shows the deep impact that the broken relationship will have on him going forward.

As Sayer progresses into the second verse, I personally feel like I could cry. Does anybody else feel the tears welling up? Vocally, Sayer, throughout his career, has been able to hit insane falsetto notes and convey intense emotion. In this ballad, we see the effects of the latter. The story of the girl taking him in when he was poor sounds a little cliche at first (or at least it reminds me of a few other songs I’ve heard), but when he laments that they have experienced and overcome tough situations together, the song cuts deep and feels intimately human. If they could survive other obstacles, then why should they say goodbye now? Sayer has a right, then, to beg her to say that the relationship isn’t over.

Although sad and emotional, “Don’t Say It’s Over” is a beautiful ballad that pulls listeners in, so much so that we feel like we’re part of the relationship.

“It’s Over” by Leo Sayer

By 1977, however, the emotions take a huge 180-degree turn! Is “It’s Over” talking about the same relationship as in “Don’t Say It’s Over?” Most likely not, but it certainly provides a huge contrast in both songwriting, vocals, and style.

Now the piano introduction is jazzier and upbeat. It’s not aggressive, but it has ATTITUDE! This song represents an acceptance, or realization. Here Sayer is not trying to fight or deny the fact that the relationship is over. In fact, he doesn’t see the point in the “bitterness” and “emptiness.” There’s a bit of sadness in the chorus/repetition of “it’s over,” but it sounds more confident that in the last song. In other words, Sayer’s accepted that it’s time to move on because she already has and has been on the lookout for someone new. The confidence, or attitude, also seems aimed at the girl’s wrongdoing. It’s a “hey, you’re partly to blame for why we’re over.”

In the second verse, he mentions the loneliness he’ll have to experience and how he’ll try to pretend that everything is still normal. These lyrics mirror what we heard in “Don’t Say It’s Over,” but Sayer doesn’t sound totally crushed like before.

The bridge of the song truly hits home the point that this breakup isn’t entirely on him. Sayer sings:

“I remember what you said to me / Take care when you share your love / Before you give it all so easily / Be sure that you can give enough / Look what happened here”
-Leo Sayer ; Tom Snow

He gave his love, but it blew up in his face and now he’s on the losing end of the situation. When he sings “it’s over,” there is frustration, and maybe even a little relief, that the relationship ended as it did.

Lots of Endings…

“Over” is the word of the day when it comes to these two songs by Leo Sayer. While they are not directly connected, Sayer’s extraordinary writing and vocal capabilities prove his diversity and flexibility in the music world. Emotions are always at play, and they lend themselves to fantastic storytelling.

So is this blog post “over” now?

“Don’t say it’s over!”

Before You Go…

Don’t forget to listen and subscribe to the Guilty Pleasures of a Classic Soul playlist, which compiles all songs featured on Monthly Mixtape! You can now listen on either YouTube or Spotify!