III ‣ sturdy up your heart.

2010 America was coming in strong to its word art phase, and so, it only seemed fitting to twenty-three year old Jenny to compile lyrics with oversaturated graphics and high contrast sepia tones. Sugary, syrupy, honeyed sentiment.

Eight years later, and these songs still pull at me. Some, out of timelessness. Others, out of recognition for who we were then and how much that has changed.

Listen to the playlist here, which also includes a few other "birthday songs" referenced in these first ten posts.

https://open.spotify.com/user/jenny.penland/playlist/2QpMOyuTAblSebqtwBwgI5?si=lMX_h7LnR4KZ9J1e1WBJkw

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"Just so easy when the whole world fits inside of your arms."

- Banana Pancakes, Jack Johnson

"I know plenty of people with eyes closed, they don't see you like I do. Darling, I do... The world had less color without you."

- Darling I Do, Landon Pigg and Lucy Schwartz

"Every waking moment I'm alive, I'm searching for you.. Whether I know it or whether I realize."

- Every Waking Moment, Citizen Cope

"If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied, illuminate the 'no' on their vacancy signs... If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks, I'll follow you into the dark."

- I Will Follow You Into The Dark, Death Cab for Cutie

"So sturdy up, sturdy up your heart. For the road is long ahead. I'll be with you even though we're apart, but your road is yours to tread."

- La Mar, The Beautiful Girls

"What is the purpose of my life, if it doesn't have to do with learning to let it go.... live vicariously through you. You could do the same, it's the least you can do, cause it's a lonely little chain, if you don't add to it."

- Go On, Jack Johnson

"You're every line, you're every word, you're everything."

- Everything, Michael Buble

"Looking in your eyes, seeing all I need. These are the moments I know heaven must exist. These are the moments I know all I need is this."

- I Could Not Ask for More, Edwin McCain/Sarah Evans

"I'm the sunlight in your hair, I'm the shadow on the ground. I'm the whisper in the wind. And I'll be there 'til the end..."

- I'm Already There, Lonestar

"I see the crystal raindrops fall and the beauty of it all is when the sun comes shining through. To make those rainbows in my mind, I just think of you and smile. I want to spend all my time with you."

- Just The Two Of Us, Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers

"It's hanging on when your heart has had enough, It's giving more when you feel like giving up."

- In My Daughter's Eyes, Martina McBride

"Girl, don't let your dreams be dreams- you know this living's not as hard as it seems."

-Dreams Be Dreams, Jack Johnson

"When the rain is pouring down, and your heart is hurting... I will always be around, this I know for certain. You and me together, through the days and nights. I don't worry 'cause, everything's gonna be alright."

- No One, Alicia Keys "Black and white and right and wrong, only live inside a song, I will sing to you. You don't ever have to be lonely, you will never lose any tears. You don't have to feel any sadness when you look back on the years. How can I look you in the eyes and tell you such big lies? The best I can do is try to show you how to love with no fear."

-My Little Girl, Jack Jackson

"So lately, I've been wondering, who will be there to take my place? When I'm gone, you'll need love, to light the shadows on your face. Could you make it on your own? I hope there's someone out there, who can bring me back to you."

- Wherever You Will Go, The Calling

"So when you feel like you're done, and the darkness has won, you are not lost. When you're world is crashing down, and you can't bear the thought - baby, you're not lost."

-Lost, Michael Buble

#michaelbuble #thecalling #jackjohnson #aliciakeys #martinamcbride #billwithers #lonestar #edwinmccain #thebeautifulgirls #deathcabforcutie #citizencope #landonpigg #lucyschwartz #taylorswift #hbdkennedysamaire #stayhungrystayfoolish #tuesmajoiedevivre