What’s going on?

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Blogging, Music, Musings

I’m sharing a song with you…

Lyrics: What’s Up (What’s Going On?)

Twenty-five years and my life is still
Tryin’ to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination
I realized quickly when I knew I should
That the world was made up of a brotherhood of man
For whatever that means

And so I cry sometimes when I’m lying in bed
Just to get it all out, what’s in my head
And I, I’m feeling a little peculiar
And when I wake up in the morning and I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream at the top of my lungs
“What’s goin’ on?”

And I said, “Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey”
I said, “Hey, what’s goin’ on?”
And I said, “Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey”
I said, “Hey, what’s goin’ on?”

Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh, ooh

And I try
Oh my God, do I try
I try all the time
In this institution

Oh, I pray (I pray)
Oh my God, do I pray
I pray every single day
For a revolution

And well I cry sometimes when I’m lying in bed
Just to get it all out, what’s in my head
And I, I’m feeling a little peculiar
And when I wake up in the morning and I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream at the top of my lungs
“What’s goin’ on?”

And I said, “Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey”
I said, “Hey, what’s goin’ on?”
And I said, “hey-ey-ey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey”
I said, “Hey (I said, “Hey”), what’s goin’ on?”
And I said, “Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey
Hey-ey, hey, what’s goin’ on?”
And I said, “Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey”
I said, “Hey (I said, “Hey”), what’s goin’ on?”
And I said, “Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey”
I said, “Hey, what’s goin’ on?”

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Linda Perry
Whatโ€™s Up (Whatโ€™s Going On) lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

When I listened to this song for the first time, it resonated beyond words.
Then I became inspired, and so I opened my journal and wrote..

Apropos

Now and then,
a song plays,
bringing chills –

the music reaches
to my inner core –
the words,
apropos.

If only Laney Wilson
knew how fitting
โ€œWhat’s Up (What’s Going On)” is.

I hear her powerful voice
belt out the notes
with a country twang,
and my emotions stir –

one verse,
and the tears
remember
what I tried to forget.

ยฉ Lauren Scott

And then kindness came my way. Eugi at Poesy Perspectives began a “Dedicated to” series and included me in one of her posts. I’m unable to reblog, but below is the link:

Dedicated to Awesome Blogger, Lauren Scott

Eugi is a beautiful writer of various forms of poetry. She shares her musings, slices of life, photos, and so much more on her blog. She has also authored Clutter Begone, Lifeโ€™s Spilled Coffee, Fanciful Delights, Mama, me, and Mother Nature. Her work is published on Spillwords and PoetrySoup, and has been included in several anthologies. Thanks again, Eugi, for thinking of me.
I’m touched and honored, and you made my day. โค๏ธ

Please pay Eugi a visit if you haven’t already met her. You’ll love her blog! And there could be many reasons for Lainey Wilson’s song to resonate. Whatever the reason though, if this song strikes a chord, I hope life eases for you, and I wish you an Amazing August!
Be well, and thanks always, for your visits. ๐Ÿ’•

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ยฉ Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com

Lauren Scott is a Pushcart Prize nominee who enjoys small-town living in Californiaโ€™s Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Although their daughter and son live out of state, frequent visits and modern technology keep their family of four close. Lauren is the author of four poetry collections, a memoir, and a childrenโ€™s picture book. She has been a guest on several podcasts and her work has appeared in seven anthologies. Her poetry and prose has also been featured by Spillwords Press and Literary Revelations where she has received several honors. Lauren is a member of the Redwood Writers chapter and Marin chapter of the California Writers Club, and she is currently working on a new poetry collection and an early chapter book for children.

37 thoughts on “What’s going on?”

  1. Songs have a way of reaching deep into our brains to connect memories and ideas and emotions and our own convictions. The music combined with words that hold meaning for us gels in our brains and is incredibly powerful. It has staying power.

    Reply
  5. Willie Torres Jr.'s avatar Willie Torres Jr.

    A beautiful post, Lauren. Music has a way of reaching places words alone cannot. I’m grateful that even in the songs that stir old tears, God reminds us we’re never alone, and He often sends kindness through friends just when we need it most.

    Reply

  6. Wow, what a powerful voice, Lauren. And Iโ€™m with you. How appropriate for the times. I wake up each morning, read the newspaper and ask myself โ€˜Hey, whatโ€™s going on?โ€™

    Reply

  7. You have me singing and ready to belt out in that twang song! I love your poem inspired but the words Lauren! Such a gift, my friend! Amen she would be singing in her grave.

    Love Eugi and such a lovely spotlight from Eugi!
    โฃ๏ธโค๏ธ๐Ÿ’•

    Reply
  8. Paula Light's avatar Paula Light

    Love the song, all versions are great imo! Glad to reconnect, Lauren. I donโ€™t blog as much as I used to on WP, but I am around. Congratulations on your continued writing success!

    Reply

    1. I’m glad, Paula, and it’s great to see you! Since January, I’ve stepped back from blogging too. Only a couple of posts a month, and that’s when I read other blogs. In order to move forward with other projects, blogging has to take the back seat. Sigh. Anyway, I get it and thank you!

      Reply

  9. This is exactly why music matters, Lauren. That moment when a song reaches into your chest and reminds you of what you tried to push down, that’s where real art lives. Your poem ‘Apropos’ captures it perfectly: ‘one verse, and the tears remember what I tried to forget.’ Lainey’s voice carries such power, and you matched it with equally powerful vulnerability. And what a gift that Eugi saw fit to honor you publicly. You deserve all of it. ๐Ÿ’•

    Reply

  10. So much to love here! So sweet, Eugi’s generosity!
    And…Lauren! I had no clue about Lainey Wilson’s version of this song. Thank you for the peppy soundtrack for my afternoon. I put my headphones on to blast it…I’m on my third listen. I only knew of the 4 Non Blondes version….Wilson’s is awesome! But I’ve gotta admit, it’s hard to type while I’m bouncing in my chair. Good thing no one can see me!
    Love you, talented lady! ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ’

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Vicki, and you are so funny! The original version is great, but Iโ€™m a new Lainey fan! ๐Ÿ™‚ Iโ€™m glad you love it too! I appreciate your kindness and support, my friend! Huge hugs again! Enjoy your weekend! ๐Ÿ’•๐ŸŒป๐ŸŽต๐Ÿฆ‹๐Ÿ’

      Reply

  11. What a beautiful reflection. It’s amazing how certain songs find us exactly when we need them most, giving voice to emotions we’ve carried quietly for years. Your poem captures that experience with such honesty and grace, showing how music can awaken memories, bring healing, and remind us that we’re never alone in what we feel. Thank you for sharing something so personal and beautifully written it touched my heart. ๐ŸŽถโค๏ธโœจ

    Reply

    1. Mihran, thank you so much for your wonderful words! Your analysis of the effect of music and my post is beautiful and well said. Iโ€™m so glad you liked my poem too and that this post touched your heart. ๐ŸŽผ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Reply

  12. It’s a fab song and a great voice. I can see why this song rings true to you, Lauren. I hear the bells, too.

    Now… your poem rings even truer. You are a dear heart. I take a comfort in your words, knowing I am not alone. Thank you!

    xoxo๊งโฆ๐ŸŒนโฆ๊ง‚xoxo

    Reply

  13. i haven’t heard that song in ages, and she is new to me, but her twangy, trill-y voice. isn’t amazing how powerful music is? it can instantly send us back to happy and challenging times and memories. it’s rather like having another sense -. that surprise from eugi was wonderful i’m sure and also interesting that there are things that arrive right on time, just when we need them. be well –

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Beth. I’m happy to introduce you to Lainey. My daughter loves her, so Steph is how I found out about her. You’re so right about the power of music! And Eugi’s surprise was timely, for sure. Thanks so much, and have a great week ahead!

      Reply

  14. Lauren, thanks so much for the shout out, and I can relate to every line in the song! I feel we live in a crazy world and “What’s going on?” is a challenge we face every day. Take care, dear friend. ๐Ÿฅฐ๐ŸŒป

    Reply

    1. You’re welcome, Eugi, and thank you again! ๐Ÿ™‚ Even with the upbeat tune, the words are serious, powerful, and emotional. I’m glad you feel them too. Have a good week ahead. Hugs ๐Ÿ’•๐ŸŒป

      Reply

  15. My wife is more of the country music fan in the family, but I know who Lainey Wilson is. Interestingly, this song was released in 1993 by a group called 4 Non Blondes. Oddly, it had a different title then called What’s Up.

    Reply

    1. I know of the original version, Pete, and I like it, but Lainey’s touches me more deeply – maybe because we have been country music fans. We don’t listen to it as much as when the kids were little, so we don’t know many of the newer singers. We’re kind of stuck in the 90s with our favorites. But I found out about Lainey through my daughter, and I’m glad I did. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

Kind comments are welcomed...