Author: Sydney Braun

“Und ich warte zu lang in der Zelle” (“And I wait too long in the cell”)

I was trying to find a song in English to use for my blog this week after realizing that many of my recent posts have focused on German songs, but I struggled. I decided that I would simply pick another song in German, because the last thing I want to happen is for my Song Scribbles posts to become ingenuine, and ever since returning from Berlin I have been listening to overwhelmingly German music! This week’s song is “Augen-blick” by German gothic rock band Xmal Deutschland, and it is one of my favorite songs at the moment and has been for about a month.

“Es ist nur ein Moment, ein kurzer Moment….” (“It’s just a moment, a brief moment…”)

I’m writing this and looking out the window at a monochromatic gray sky. The rain has made Ann Arbor less cold than it has been recently, but it also looks ominous and gloomy… and eerily matches how I’ve been feeling today. I have an exam coming up later this week that I’m feeling anxious about, along with some technical difficulties I have been experiencing trying to access a practice exam. I feel like I have a lot looming over me, and with the added technical difficulties, I feel like much is out of my control.

“Und ich weiß tausend Hände, tausend Worte,” (“And I know a thousand hands, a thousand words,”)

The nice thing is that I know in a week this will all be behind me, so I need to hang in there and do the best I can for the time being. In the meantime, the only thing I can do is try to take a deep breath or two and trust that things will be okay. After all, what use is it to worry about something that I can’t control? It’s easier said than done, but worth a try, nonetheless. After all, in the words of Xmal Deutschland, “It’s just a moment, a brief moment.”

“Die nichts halten können.” (“That can’t hold anything.”)

While my schedule this week has remained surprisingly packed, I’ve also been able to sleep in and spend quality time with some friends. That being said, I’m looking forward to being done with my exam and having some more me-time next week… and hopefully some more sunshine!

“Die nichts halten wollen.” (“That don’t want to hold anything.”)

Listen to Augen-blick by Xmal Deutchland here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mx4XdWoPp4

“All the people gather, fly to carry each his burden,”

I’m back in Ann Arbor and having a very eventful start to the semester! I have had a shocking lack of free time after an incredibly relaxing and low-commitment winter break, but after submitting my grad school applications and settling into the new semester, I am looking forward to more relaxation time in the near future.

“We are young despite the years,”

Winter break was very rejuvenating for me. It was phenomenal to spend some quality time with my family after not being home very often for the past year. It also gave me the opportunity to once again listen to some albums from my parents’ CD collection. For years, my mom has raved to me about R.E.M.’s Lifes Rich Pageant, but it wasn’t until this winter break that I was able to fall in love with the album and recognize it as the masterpiece it is.

“We are concerned, we are hope despite the times,”

As a young person with hopes of changing the world and contributing to a more just and equitable society, I feel inspired by the songs on the album – songs about a desire to stay hopeful and be a part of positive change. Even though the album was released in 1986, the messages of many songs are still relevant today. “These Days” is just one of them. I encourage anyone who feels as if they are losing hope for a better future to listen to this album, because we must stay hopeful when working toward a better world.

“All of a sudden, these days, happy throngs, take this joy,”

The album makes me feel hopeful, of course, but it also makes me feel a special connection to my mom, since I know it is one of her favorites. For me, music often serves as a connector – connecting me to important people, places, and moments throughout my life. With its hopeful and passionate messages coupled with the association that I make between the album and my mom, I am thrilled to have discovered Lifes Rich Pageant this winter break and I look forward to turning to it throughout the semester whenever I need a pick-me-up.

“Wherever, wherever you go.”

Listen to These Days by R.E.M. here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vgEWp7Voyk

“Eines Tages werd’ ich mich rächen.” (“But one day I will take revenge.”)

It’s only fitting that my last post for the year of 2023 is a song in German by a band from Berlin and of my favorite songs of all time. My love for the song (Zu Spät) and band (Die Ärzte) were major factors that inspired me to look into Berlin as a study abroad destination in the first place, and my semester in Berlin was the highlight of my 2023 by far.

“Ich werd’ die Herzen aller Mädchen brechen.” (“I will break every girl’s heart.”)

For me, the new year is a time for reflection but it is also a time to look ahead. At this time of the year four years ago, I was stressed because I did not know where I would be going to college. This year, I am stressed because I have no idea where I will be a year from now – I graduate from Michigan in May 2024. However, if time has taught me anything, it’s that patience is a virtue. If my experiences have taught me anything, it’s that things will all work out in due time.

“Dann bin ich ein Star und Du läufst hinter mir her,” (“I will be a star then, and you will run after me.”)

A year ago, I would have been shocked to know what 2023 had in store for me. It has been a year of love and of healing and of making new friends and cherishing old ones. This year has been full – full in the busy sense and in the emotional sense. Between studying abroad in the winter and spring, working in Ann Arbor over the summer, and returning to my University of Michigan classes in the fall, this year has been eventful. I have said many hellos, many goodbyes, and most of all, “see you later,” “until next time,” or, when I was abroad, “wir sehen uns!” 

“Doch dann ist es zu spät, dann kenn’ ich Dich nicht mehr!” (“But it’ll be too late then, I won’t know you anymore then!”)

So here’s to 2023, here’s to 2024, and here’s to more art, blogs, and great music in the new year! Until next time… and see you next year! 

“Zu spät!” (“Too late!”)

Listen to Zu Spät by Die Ärzte here: https://youtu.be/ShPkW-JIlA4?si=wdvid0shhU92fz3e

“Berlin, ganz insgeheim” (“Berlin, in complete secrecy,”)

2023 Spotify Wrapped was released today, and my most listened to song of the year is the song for today’s Scribble: Schreien! by Paula Carolina. I learned about this song while I was studying abroad in Berlin this past winter semester and I listened to it many times while I was living in the city. Now, back in the United States, it never fails to make me happy when I hear it, as it reminds me of my amazing memories in Berlin. It’s one of those songs I haven’t gotten sick of no matter how often I listen to it.

“Gehen wir nachts auf ein Parkhaus und schreien, schreien, schreien, schreien, schreien!” (“Let’s go to a car park at night and scream, scream, scream, scream, scream!”)

My time in Berlin has had an undeniable impact on the music that I listen to: according to Spotify, my top five most listened to songs of 2023 are all in German, and three of my top five artists are German as well. While I was a fan of some German artists before my time abroad, four months in Berlin exposed me to so much more music that I previously had no idea existed.

“Berlin, ja ganz allein” (“Berlin, yeah, all alone,”)

During my experience abroad, I was able to go to concerts for German bands that I love, meet German music artists who I admire, and get to know many fans who have since become close friends of mine. Being into German music helped me practice my language skills abroad and continues to be a way for me to work on my German while I’m in Ann Arbor. 

“Berliner Luft ist rein” (“Berlin air is pure,”)

I knew studying abroad would change my life, but I didn’t know how significant of an effect it would have on my Spotify Wrapped. My time in Berlin has clearly added a new dimension to my music taste, and it was on full display as I scrolled through my Wrapped this morning. I am beyond grateful that whenever I put on my headphones and listen to some German music, I am able to have a piece of my study abroad experience with me wherever I go. 

“Komm wir schreien, schreien, schreien, schreien, schreien!” (“Come on, let’s scream, scream, scream, scream, scream!”)

Listen to Schreien! by Paula Carolina here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIFS6k6sMF8

“I’m asking you, Mary, please,”

Ever since I was 17 years old and a junior in high school, Exile in Guyville by Liz Phair has been my favorite album. At the time, it spoke to my feelings of being stuck and misunderstood. Today, the album holds a very special place in my memory, but it also remains relevant to my life and transition to adulthood. Exile in Guyville was released in 1993, so this year (2023) marks its 30th anniversary. Last Sunday, I had the privilege of attending Liz Phair’s concert in Detroit where she played the entire album from front to back. 

“Temper my hatred with peace.”

I went to the show with one of my best friends, and I met many other kind and thoughtful fans while waiting for the show to begin. Hearing the entire album live was a dream come true, and being so close to an artist who helped inspire me to get better at guitar and write and create my own music was surreal. I smiled, sang, cried, and danced, and it was a night and feeling I will never forget. I was even given one of Liz Phair’s guitar picks after the show! 

“Weave my disgust into fame,”

During the concert, in addition to the awe I was experiencing, I reflected on how far I’ve come since I first listened to Exile in Guyville at age 17. In the five years since then, I have become more confident and independent, but perhaps most importantly, I am a lot happier now. I couldn’t help but feel proud and happy for myself – combined with the music, it made me emotional in the best way possible. I am grateful for the self-improvement and growth that I have experienced, and I am thrilled that I was able to have such a special opportunity to prompt this reflection. Thank you Liz Phair for your music and for giving me a way to process and understand my emotions at a time when I felt confused and overwhelmed, and thank you for a wonderful show. Exile in Guyville will remain an important part of me for the rest of my life! 

“And watch how fast they run to the flame.”

Listen to Help Me Mary  by Liz Phair here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHRvYsXvS8M