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Today, while reading the liner notes for The Avett Brothers new album, i came across a mission statement. Non-profits are supposed to have mission statements but i'd never seen one from a band. The words are meant to explain some other words, the album's brave title, "I and Love and You". i found it all brilliant and wanted to share it with you.
Peace to you.
jamie
"The words "I" and "Love" and "You" are the watermark of humanity. Strung together, they convey our deepest sense of humility, of power, of truth. It is our most common sentiment, even as the feeling of it is so infinitely uncommon: each to proclaim these three words with his or her very own heart and mindset of reason (or lack thereof); a proclamation completely and perfectly new each time it is offered. Uttered daily and nightly by millions, the words are said in an unending array of circumstances : whispered to a newborn in a mothers arms; shared between best friends on the playground; in the form of sympathy - said by a girl to a boy, as the respect continues but the relationship does not. It is said too loudly by parents to embarassed children in the company of their friends, and by grown children - to their fading parents in hospital beds. The words are thought in the company of the photograph and said in the company of the gravestone. It is how we end our phone calls and our letters... the words at the bottom of the page that trump all those above it, a way to gracefully finish a message, however important or trivial, with the most meaningful gifl of all : the communication of love. And yet the words themselves have been the victims of triviality, a ready replacement for lesser salutations among near strangers, burst forth casually as "love ya." Truly? To what degree? Why, how much, and for how long? These are questions befitting of the stature of love, though not the everyday banter of vague acquaintance. The words have also been twisted by the dark nature of deceit : To say "I love you" with a dramatic measure of synthetic emotion; a snare set by those who prey uponn fellow humanity, driven to whatever selfish end, to gain access to another's body, or their money, or their opportunity. In this realm, the proclamation is disgraced by one seeking to gain rather than to give. In any case, and by whatever inspiration, these words are woven deeply in to the fibers of our existence. Our longing to hear them from the right place is maddeningly and simultaneously our finest strength and our most gentle weakness.The album "I and Love and You" is inashamedly defined by such a dynamic of duality. As living people, we are bound by this unavoidable parallel. We are powerful yet weak, capable yet temporary. Inevitably, an attempt to place honesty within an artistic avenue will follow suit. This is a piece which shows us as we are : products of love surrounded by struggle. The music herein is, in many ways, readable as both a milestone and an arrival. A chapter in the story of young men, it bridges the space between the uncertainty of youth and the reality of it's release. The record is full with the quality of the question and response. As far as questions go, there are plenty-normally residing within the tone and delivery of the lyrics themselves, which, ironically, are sung with so much confidence. Among songs and thoughts so driven and purposeful, the most basic relatable doubt comes through with a resounding clarity. Outside of the eternal theme of romantic love, the album speaks thankfully upon a landscape of light-filled rooms, word-filled pages, time machines, forgiveness, singing birds, ocean waves, art, change, confessions of shortcomings, and reasons to continue on. Hope and a cause for smiling follow naturally. In the midst of all this, there are allusions to the less-than-ideal conditions of life : the loss of memory, the inability to control temper, insecurity, indecision, jaded indifference, and the general plague of former and current weakness. "I and Love and You" is an album of obvious human creation, chracterized by it's best and it's worst. Emotional imperfection is a reality for those who recorded the piece, just as it is for those who will hear it. The conclusion of the song from which the title is taken admits that the words "I love you" have become "hard to say". And perhaps that difficulty is as common as it's counterpart. Perhaps the inability to say these heaviest of words is as much a part of life as the lighthearted candor of those who say them without any difficulty at all. And so it ends with the phrase whispered to and by those of us most defeated and most elated... I and love and you."
PS: You can hear "I and Love and You" (the song) along with new songs from Paramore, Switchfoot, Paper Route, Athlete, Ryan Adams and Noah Gundersen on our MySpace playlist. We just added these today...
Posted in General, Music by jamie tworkowski
Comments (18)
<3 avetts! (nc natives!)
this was really powerful. i'm excited for this. i'm challenged by this.
tis good stuff.
1 | Left by Carra | Oct. 3, 2009 at 4:47pm
This....really moved me. I have one thing to say.
AMEN!
2 | Left by Xion | Oct. 3, 2009 at 9:29pm
Wow. Very powerful. I have never heard of this band, but now am going to purchase the whole album, just so I can try to understand more about the words "I love you." My best friend tells me I say these words too fast, but I don't think that's true. The fact of the matter is, that I only see love in people. When I look at a person, I only see good. Now, this can get me in trouble sometimes... But it makes me who I am. It helps me help others. I already see them as good, but most of them have their problems...problems that are too good to be dealing with. I see the good and want to make them great. Their hearts are great, I love them as people. I want them to be great through life and find their way. Sorry for the rambling, but this message really made me think about these things.
3 | Left by Maddy | Oct. 4, 2009 at 6:23am
this is so true. it really takes a lot to dig deep, and to come up with such a statement.
4 | Left by Nicole | Oct. 4, 2009 at 8:27am
Thankyou for that Jamie....it really gives you something to think about...
Just 3 words when put together like that are so extremley powerful...
5 | Left by Katie | Oct. 4, 2009 at 8:55am
i didn't know until about 2 minutes ago that there were people in this world that spoke with such confidence and stature. Reading this piece just brightened my day and i hope that many more will read this. (: i'm glad to know that there are still people out there that care.
6 | Left by izzie | Oct. 4, 2009 at 1:03pm
Thanks for sharing that, I have never seen or heard of a mission statement from a band either. It's quite compelling.
7 | Left by Nadine | Oct. 4, 2009 at 6:20pm
Thank you for sharing that, Jamie. This has made me think: sometimes I don't think I say those words enough, to enough people, but this has reminded me that those words "I and Love and You" really are special and should be used only when you can back those words up with your actions. It is true that, as dc Talk put it, "Love is a verb", but I see so many people (and I'm guilty of this as well) only using it to get what they want or to make themselves feel good. I am challenged by this to reevaluate the ways and times I say those words.
The other thing that stood out to me was that in order to be able to love, you must first know what love is...and that's the trick. You have to have BEEN loved before you can GIVE love. I know love because I am a Christian and have been saved by the love (and the blood) of Jesus, God's Son. I strive to share that love with others and this has challenged me to think more about how I interact with people and what I can do to show them the love that was so freely given to me. The thing is, God loves you no matter what, even if you are not saved, but the only way to know His love is to accept it and in so doing, accept Him. It only takes one thing to know true love from God, accept Him as Lord of your life and He will come in and truly show you love. God bless whoever reads this and I pray that you would find true love in the arms of Christ Jesus.
8 | Left by Alfred Menendez | Oct. 4, 2009 at 7:20pm
Absolutely amazing, I have never been outspoken except when it comes to love. I feel like im one of the only people left who thinks that love still exists in its truest form, In a world of "ILY" and "Luv ya" I still understand the power that comes with the words I LOVE YOU.
I dont believe in much, I dont believe in God, I dont believe in Fate. Or Karma. But i do believe in love. True love, the kind of love you see in the movies, and read about.
I believe in love.
9 | Left by Sam Nancarrow | Oct. 5, 2009 at 5:35am
This song truly moved me. I found it very meaningful and beautiful. Thankyou Twloha for inspiring me and showing me that the world can be a lovely place.
Unfortunately, I live in England, and have very little oppurtunity to interact with Twloha in person. My friends and I would adore it if perhaps you came to the UK, I'm sure it would be appreciated by so many people :)
10 | Left by Sarah Conder | Oct. 5, 2009 at 12:05pm
this was so inspirational. absolutely amazing. the song moved me, its nice to hear a meaningful song once in awhile. thank you for sharing that.
11 | Left by Kiley | Oct. 5, 2009 at 7:27pm
incredible. really fitting for this organization.
12 | Left by Jess | Oct. 6, 2009 at 3:06pm
A girl in my class at TAMIU is trying to start up a student chapter of TWLOHA and contacted me about joining today. I've just recently discovered the Avett Brothers' song as well. The timing of this post couldn't be better! Thanks! (Will definitely be retweeting this to share!)
13 | Left by Cham | Oct. 7, 2009 at 3:32pm
I'm really glad to have read this.
This organization, and this mission statement, say it all.
I and Love and You.
I will definitely be buying The Avett Brother's new CD.
14 | Left by Abbey | Oct. 8, 2009 at 5:02pm
I and love and you... those words are used so much how could u even understand wat it means? it could mean any thing u want but the word I love u is soo powerful that it could even drag u down, but love could also bring u up... thanks u guys for this website its nice to know some one cares.
15 | Left by Alex | Oct. 9, 2009 at 8:22am
music to me is love. it is life and it is happiness. it stands for all of the things that i hold dear to me. it means creativity and passion. it sustains life and creates hope.
(:
16 | Left by izzie | Oct. 26, 2009 at 4:20pm
i love this so much;it's true in every single way. and the song I And Love And You is great.
17 | Left by Elena | Jan. 5, 2010 at 6:12pm
(I promise, I'm not trying to promote. I honestly believe this.)
Hey I LOVE the band Skillet. You all should check out their song, "Whispers in the Dark." (Its a christain band by the way.) I really REALLY think its a good song for this organization.
Whispers in the Dark
Despite the lies that you're making
Your love is mine for the taking
My love is
Just waiting
To turn your tears to roses
I will be the one that's gonna hold you
I will be the one that you run to
My love is
A burning, consuming fire
[Chorus:]
No
You'll never be alone
When darkness comes I'll light the night with stars
Hear my whispers in the dark
No
You'll never be alone
When darkness comes you know I'm never far
Hear my whispers in the dark
You feel so lonely and ragged
You lay here broken and naked
My love is
Just waiting
To clothe you in crimson roses
I will be the one that's gonna find you
I will be the one that's gonna guide you
My love is
A burning, consuming fire
Or their other song:
The Last Night
You come to me with your scars on your wrist
You tell me this will be the last night feeling like this
I just came to say goodbye
I didn't want you to see me cry, I'm fine
But I know it's a lie
[Chorus:]
This is the last night you'll spend alone
Look me in the eyes so I know you know
I'm everywhere you want me to be
The last night you'll spend alone
I'll wrap you in my arms and I won't let go
I'm everything You need me to be
Your parents say everything is your fault
But they don't know you like I know you they don't know you at all
I'm so sick of when they say
It's just a phase, you'll be o.k. you're fine
But I know it's a lie
[Bridge:]
The night is so long when everything's wrong
If you give me your hand
I will help you hold on
Tonight
Tonight
[Altro:]
I won't let you say goodbye
And I'll be your reason why
The last night away from me
Away from me
Twloha rocks!!
18 | Left by Laura | Feb. 11, 2010 at 9:07am
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