Amy, Amy, Amy?

I was getting off work when I received a text about Amy Winehouse's death. I can't really say that I am surprised because of her long past with drugs. But in the back of my head I thought she would get through her struggles and make more music. It sounds kinda of cliche but she is gone way before her time. When Back to Black came out, it didn't feel like a woman singing tribute to a forgotten generation of singers, it felt like she was truly being herself. Often singing about her struggles with relationships and drugs, Winehouse was not only credible but relatable. We all know at least one person in one of those situations. Her music founded a new sub-genre and is credited with starting a wave of British soul singers ( Duffy, Adele, etc..)

A lot of people wonder what would Amy Winehouse's music would sound like if she was sober. The truth is we all ready have the answer in her first album "Frank". Since she is dead I am sure a lot more of you will be checking for this-as with most deceased artists. Just as the title implies, Winehouse gets right to the point on this album. No metaphors or similes. The true genius behind this album is not the aforementioned or how young she was, but the fact that every one of these songs stood alone. Goes down as a classic to me. Despite her short life, she managed to achieve something that artists spend their whole careers doing; being true to herself and being accepted-and praised- for it. So remember her music. Please listen to/buy "Frank" if you haven't. Rest in peace to a true artist.

Writer's Block # 3

In Security

Thank God I'm in security 

Securing me 

Keeping in all my hesitation and fear

My safe haven

From all my future successes 

Holding back my progression from touching me

Surrounded by so many faces

Marked with distrustful eyes

And I can't tell the difference

Amazing soothsayers of words

Baiting their traps

To capture the naive

Using their backs for target practice

So my thoughts are spinning counter-clockwise

For all you wise-guys

Conspiracy theorin' the reasons

Why we stand on the same plane

But we ain't even

So imma stay in this fortress

And take no sides just 

Stay silent and never care 

Why I'm the only one standing there

So thank God I'm in security

Securing me

Keeping in all my hesitation and fear

Music to my ears

My safe haven

From all my future successes

Holding back my progression from touching me

I just want you to put trust in me

Take my advice

Realize I'm not being jealous

But I don't know how to reach you

This ain't plastic I'm wrapping to ya

But see through the silence

My dreams to be on the same team

And shoot down the stars together

But every time the ink dries, 

You write another letter

So imma watch you from over here

In my fortress

Because it's easier to lead you from afar

On the same path

Why are we throwing stone faces?

And we can't laugh

About the old times

So I hesitate

Running back to an illusion

Finding comfort in the confusion

But thank God I'm in security

Securing me

Keeping in all my hesitation and fear

Music to my ears

My safe haven

From all my future successes

Holding back my progression from touching me

Falling for the things right in front of me 

You always had my back

Led me to a heart attack

Shiftin' in my system

You saw the greatness in me

Said my words had power

To bring children from building edges

And inspire millions

Being my biggest fan

I still hesitate

To write down my own feelings

That's why I hate being in security

Keeping me from all of God's graces

Protecting me from my own destiny

Never reaching for success

Settling for a stagnant existence

I just wanna move past the masses

To the front to see

What's been holding me backwards

Back to the grind

I don't need insecurity

To put in its perspective

See, I got the recipe

So the next time I walk past

Your assistance I won't ask

So don't even mention me

Keep holding back.