I...will learn to live before I die...

I fell in love with music at a young age. I have a wide array of music in my collection. There are showtunes (I'm a gay man, go figure), opera, pop, jazz, classical...you name it and I probably have at least a little in my collection.

I fell in love with Boyzone one of the first times that I heard the band. I fell in love with them even more when in 1999, one of the members, Stephen Gately, came out of the closet. Risky back then. He had an amazing voice, and an amazing smile.

I have followed them through the years, what was supposed to be their comeback, their CD's, the news, solo CDS...you name it. There's just something about them. I know, you'll probably argue that it's all just sugary pop. And, it is. I just like their sound, the way their voices blend, the harmony, the music they create.

I was saddened when Stephen passed away last year. It hit me kind of hard. He came out not long after I did. If he could do it, I could. In fact, I think he was one of the first celebrities that came out back then that was around my age. Maybe that's why I followed him closely. I don't know.

Anyway, cut to today. Boyzone have released the first single from their upcoming CD (due to drop in March) and it's the last track that Stephen recorded. The first words sung are in Stephen's voice. They are haunting: "I...will learn to live before I die. Will learn to love and learn to try, not to give it all away."

It's an amazingly beautiful track. I haven't been able to stop listening to it. I can't wait to be in the UK later this spring to pick up their new CD...just for this track, although I'm sure I will like the rest as well.

I can't embed the video, that's been disabled. But here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n8fxrejX78

No Matter What...

No Matter What. (video is linked) So many meanings.

It's National Coming Out Day and this song always spoke to me for it's lyrics "I can't be what I'm not" and it's message of love...no matter what.

There's a National March for Equality going on for marriage equality in the states...no matter what.

Stephen Gately, one of the leads from Boyzone has died. His coming out 10 years ago rocked the pop music world. He did what few others have been able to do...and this seemed like the best song to pay tribute...no matter what.

No matter what they call us
However they attack
No matter where they take us
We'll find our own way back...

...I can't deny what I believe
I can't be what I'm not
I know, I know
I know this love's forever
That's all that matters now
No matter what.

No matter what life throws at us, we are all in this together. We are all collectively on this journey, and we have to remember how to work together for all of us to be free and equal. No Matter What...