I like to sing. I’m not that great at it, but it is a great stress reliever. I mostly like singing ballads and songs I really don’t have the vocal talent to sing. Celine. Christina. Kelly. All singers I have no business singing lol.
Like many people, I had mental health issues as a teenager. I was a musician and used music to cope with my emotions. I had issues verbally expressing how I felt, so my therapist suggested that I try reading song lyrics since I was a musician. I would find song lyrics that mirrored how I felt and we often began my session discussing the lyrics and how they related what I was feeling. Somehow, that led to short stint in vocal lessons. I don’t consider myself trained, or even knowledgeable about singing. I sing mostly in tune and my vibrato works about half the time I try to use it, but that is perfectly okay with me. I’ve never claimed to be good at it.
Into the Unknown is sung by vocal powerhouse, Idina Menzel. She is a known for her roles in the musicals, Rent and Wicked. Most recently, she is known as the voice of Princess Elsa in the Frozen franchise. She has this very unique voice. The first time I heard her in Rent, I fell in love. She is often criticized for poor vocal technique and breathing. Lately, her live performances haven’t been what fans would consider clean. I’ve watched vocal coaches on YouTube tear her apart by criticizing her vowel usage and tongue placement. I always laugh because I just imagine Idina wiping her tears with her fame and success. I think she is a fabulous singer. I wouldn’t consider myself a super fan, but I love her voice.
At the time Princess Elsa sings this song, everyone in the castle is sleeping and she can hear an ethereal voice calling to her. At first, she is defiant and refuses to acknowledge the voice. She reinforces her defiance by telling the voice that everything she has ever loved is within the castle walls. However, her defiance begins to falter. She begins to acknowledge feelings of doubt and that she feels like she isn’t where she needs to be. She proclaims that it is becoming harder to resist the siren’s call and by the end of the song, Elsa has found the courage to pursue the voice calling to her.
I think I am drawn to this song because most of my life, I have been a participant in this never-ending dance. I take stock of my life and I am satisfied with where I am, yet, I feel like this life is not where I was meant to be.
I think anyone that had to put their dreams on hold, or had to abandon them altogether, can relate to Elsa’s plight. It isn’t that there is a dissatisfaction with where she is in life. In fact, she acknowledges that she has all she needs, but there is still this nagging voice telling her that something else is out there for her. We all have to make the decision. Do we fully accept our comfortable life, or do we seek out that missing part of ourselves?
Do you have a song that speaks to you or helps you cope? Feel free to share in the comments!
https://www.smule.com/recording/frozen-2-disney-into-the-unknown/730187410_3800951467
Filthy Casual for Life 