Have you ever sat and wondered… just what would I do without music?
It’s a scary thought; a life don’t necessarily wish to imagine. Music is such a big part of who I am, and I can’t stand to think of a world without it.
Throughout my adult years especially, music has not only deepened my desire for independence, it has encouraged me to nurture it with resilience. Heart has inspired me to be none other than myself, and I reflect on that now as a great gift.
Through their music, Heart bared all. Ann and Nancy Wilson have never shielded from who they truly are — independent and resilient women. Their music has stuck by my side for a very long time. At 15 years old, I became obsessed with the songs off Little Queen in particular. My first “ring-back tone” was that oh so famous riff from Barracuda. The song I loved to sing but none of my friends knew was Love Alive. Heart allowed me to bond with myself, and learning how to do that at such a young age is something I feel very grateful for.
The most impressive thing about Little Queen is its emotion. Each song is very open and affectionate. Even at their young ages, the Wilson sisters seemed to have a very mature outlook on life. Nancy was only 23 when this album was released in 1977, and Ann was just 27 — one year younger than me. If I had to pick one song that I relate to the most at this moment of my life, it would be Treat Me Well. Before I heard it, I had no idea I could feel music.
Though I prefer to listen to music alone, it’s never made me feel that way. It has resulted in the exact opposite, actually. Music has never given up on me, nor has it made me feel guilty about being vulnerable. Heart’s music is all about that, especially the songs off Little Queen. The entire album is incredibly beautiful. It’s one of my favorites to listen to in full. It instantly puts me in a serene state of mind, and keeps me there long after the last song fades out.
I love the universe Little Queen creates. The two minute transitional Sylvan Song, for example, plummets into a song that I can only describe as a mystical fantasy land: Dream of the Archer. It’s a groovy, thoughtful melody, with a stern tone of freedom. Anyone could benefit from taking a moment to listen to it.
I am a strong believer that music comes into our lives for a reason. I’m sure I could say that about anything I enjoy, but music has proven that to be true time and time again. I don’t always like the messages music forces upon me, but I will always take them to heart. The Wilson sisters really know how to dig deep into my soul, and that’s why I feel so connected to their music.
The seventies are alive and well throughout this album, and I absolutely love that. Heart’s lyrics loosen me up and make me act out like a love sick flower child. Kick it Out is probably my favorite song to rock out to. It’s fast and fun, and Nancy’s guitar work takes you on a wild ride. The song that shares the album title, Little Queen, is just as spunky. It’s fitting that they are placed right next together. The lineup of this album seems to be perfectly organized by the mood of each of its songs.
Little Queen makes me feel lovely. It makes me proud of my feelings. Sometimes I don’t feel comfortable expressing myself directly to others, and I often turn to music to help me unleash that kind of confidence. Cry to Me is a perfect example of that. I like myself better when my heart is open, and I hope the people in my life appreciate that, too.
Every time I listen to a Heart song, I’m reminded of a time and place where I was forced to figure things out. I’m still on that road, and occasionally I take a wrong turn, but my heart remains true. My spirit continues to evolve, and I’m okay with taking my time. The things I want out of life, no one knows. I believe that’s what protects my inner strength and keeps me ambitiously moving forward, and I have music to thank for that.
