Songful Style: “Here to Forever”

“Here to Forever”

Happy Boxing Day! Don’t know what that is? I wrote a post about it (here). I know many of you are probably still in the midst of holiday celebrations! We had an amazing Christmas weekend. My youngest son went to Christmas Eve services with me. On Christmas Day, everyone was over in the evening! I think everyone was happy with their gifts, even Nigel (but you can never tell with him)! But, back to Songful Style! You may be wondering what that is. Suzy and Shelbee decided to riff (see what I did there) on Style Imitating Art only with music! So, on the last Monday of the month, we share our looks based on a song selected by one of us. Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of The Grey Brunette, Michelle of Funky Fashion Style, and I make up the bloggers in this group. You will undoubtedly recognize Michelle (formerly My Bijou Life Online). She took a bit of a blogging break but came back strong with not one, but two new blogs! You can find all of us on our blogs and Instagram.  Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. This month’s selection comes from me! It is “Here to Forever” by Death Cab for Cutie. Last Month, Shelbee chose “The Witch Doctor. You can see my look here. Oh, and there’s a link party, too!

The artists…

Death Cab for Cutie is a band out of the Pacific Northwest which formed in 1997. The band’s composition has changed over the years, but the lead vocalist has always been Ben Gibbard. Nick Harmer, Dave Depper, Zac Rae, and Jason McGerr are the current members. Gibbard began the group as a solo project. I think the band succeeded in ways he hadn’t anticipated so they continued into a permanent project! In fact, the name comes from a song by the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, written and recorded in 1967. That band even performed the song on the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour film. Gibbard pretty much said, if he’d known the band would still be around, he probably would have chosen a different name! The band has been described as indie, indie rock, emo, and alternative. They have been nominated for various Grammy awards

The song…

In every movie I watch from the '50s
There's only one thought that swirls
Around my head now
And that's that everyone there on the screen
Yeah, everyone there on the screen
Well, they're all dead now
They're all dead now

And it ain't easy living above
And I can't help but keep falling in love
With bones and ashes
With bones and ashes
And when the color is too bold and bright
I'm daydreaming in black and white
Until it passes
Until it passes

I wanna know the measure
From here to forever
And I wanna feel the pressure
Of God or whatever

Oh, these days it's so hard to relax
You gotta hold a gun to my back
To make me smile
To make me smile
And the only way I seem to cope
Is by trying to hold onto hope
If just for a while
If just for a while

I wanna know the measure
From here to forever
And I wanna feel the pressure
Of God or whatever
Now it seems more than ever
There's no hands on the levers
And I wanna feel the pressure
Of God or whatever

Only rollers keep rolling
While the searchers keep scrolling

I wanna know the measure
From here to forever
And I wanna feel the pressure
Of God or whatever
Now it seems more than ever
There's no hands on the levers
And I wanna feel the pressure
Of God or whatever

Or whatever

What does it mean…

I’ll be honest! When I chose this song, it was because of the phrase, “bones and ashes!” I hadn’t even read the lyrics! But, those three words would echo through my head over and over. In fact, I really thought that was the name of the song! When I googled it, I discovered that phrase isn’t even a big part of the song! So, what does this song mean? At first listen, the song seems to be quite a melancholy ode to the past, doesn’t it? But, if you read through it a couple of times, you’ll pick up on an underlying thread of hopefulness. There is a desire that life means something now and forever. “It’s a song both about our impermanence and the anxiety of these times,” says Gibbard of the single. “It’s also about wanting to believe in something bigger even when it feels like nothing is out there (source).” 

Interesting covers…

I didn’t find many covers of this song because it just came out in July of this year! This artist has such a soothing voice. I really like it. This isn’t, technically, a cover! But, it’s the acoustic version. I have to admit I’m kinda distracted by Gibbard’s bare feet!

My interpretation…

When I first watched this video, I thought I could have lots of fun with it. I mean, come on!! Look at the clothes those two girls are wearing! I could also just go super casual and wear a denim shirt with dark denim, right? But, I kept thinking of the opening and the idea of movies from the 50s. So, I decided to go for a Hollywood glam look…well, a Marsha’s version of Hollywood glam! Then, I just used the edit feature on my phone and made all the photos black and white! So, my look is Hollywood glam in black and white! My dress is an oldie but a goodie from April Cornell. What gives it its wonderful shape is being cut on the bias. This is one of those dresses that survives purge after purge by the skin of its teeth!

The Lewk!

Going with the old Hollywood glam theme, I pulled out the ropes of pearls…three of them, in fact. I also added a pearl choker. My bracelet is actually a shorter version of the long pearl necklace doubled around my wrist along with a clear topaz bangle. I added various rings. The opal ring is an early Christmas (as in early in our marriage) gift from Nigel. I wore, but didn’t photograph, my diamond studs. They’re screw backs so they’re a pain to remove! My boots are the Siren boots from L’Artiste. It looks like they’re running a sale for those of you who yearn for your own L’Artiste boots!

Wrap it up, Marsha!

You know…I rather like my black and white photos! They sure do seem to be more forgiving than color! I wasn’t really sure how to go with this song, but I really do like the way this came out! By the way, my son recorded a portion of our handbell choir. You can find it on my Instagram page (here). I snitched it from his! So, can we talk? How would you have styled this song? Do you find it melancholy or hopeful? How was your holiday (if you celebrate it)? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to respond as soon as I can!

Affiliate links and such:

Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.

Thank you!

Thank you so much for your support this year! It has meant the world to me. I am thrilled to read comments, answer emails, and see new subscribers! I truly do thank you all from the bottom of my heart! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here. Instagram appears to be the place to be so I would appreciate your support there, too!

Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, Being a Wordsmith, and I do deClaire and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also host Final Friday Print Mixing on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!

And, now it’s your turn!

Please link up your favorite posts…cooking, baking, DIY, fashion, gardening…it really doesn’t matter as long as it’s family friendly! If you don’t have a blog, please poke around. You just may discover a new blog! Next month, Michelle has chosen “Tell Me Baby” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers!

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