The Esther Day 2024 Mix Tape Side B can be found on Spotify. Listen in-blog below for a more rich experience, or on Spotify for uninterrupted music. Please note below each song is a link to song lyrics for accessibility. Check out more details on how to best enjoy mix tapes.
Good day and welcome to the Esther Day 2024 Side B Mix Tape on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado! If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out Side A of the Esther Day 2024 Mix Tape!
I’m DJ Ponyboy. Esther Day, celebrated every year on the third of August, honors the life and legacy of Esther Earl, a young woman who died of thyroid cancer in 2010. Esther was an active member of Hank and John Green’s online fan community, the Nerdfighters, and every year we celebrate Esther’s birthday as Esther Day, dedicated to celebrations of platonic and familial love.
Here at Mix Tape Journey, we feel celebrating non-romantic love is so important we decided to dedicate both of this month’s theme mix tapes to Esther and her mission. In addition, check out this fantastic blog post from Social Seahorse Connections celebrating the connections Esther has us making.
We are who we are today because of those who loved us into our current existence, and most of those people we are not romantically connected to. Theis love comes from our immediate family, extended family, chosen families, close friends, distant relatives, and more.
As you enjoy our first tune, think about who you could sing it to and mean every word.
Canadian powerhouse Céline Dion with a song that was everywhere when it came out in 1996, “Because You Loved Me”.
“Because You Loved Me”, with a top-notch performance by the incredible Céline Dion. That song written by the incomparable Dianne Warren, who also penned such hits as “Rhythm of the Night” (DeBarge), “If I Could Turn Back Time” (Cher), and “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” (Aerosmith).
Did you think of a person (or several) you could sing that song about? Why not write them a short note telling them how you feel and including a reference to the song. It is important to show people you care while they are still in your life.
Some of the most important people in my life to this day are my brothers. Growing up we were very tight; though we don’t talk to each other or see each other as often anymore, I am super grateful for their continued love, support, and comradery. Anti-Trinity, this next song is dedicated to you! I love you both!
When you truly love someone, you want them to be happy and fulfilled, even if pursuing their happiness takes them away from you. While enjoying this song, think about the people you love the most, and how you can release them to their happiness.
Tom Petty and “Wildflowers” on KMTJ-DB – Denver, Colorado.
“You belong somewhere you feel free”.
Is there a loved one you have been keeping from pursuing their best life? How can you express you don’t wish to stand in the way of their happiness?
I’m DJ Ponyboy and I love you. Yes, you. Thank you for being here, for being awesome, and for being you. You contribute far more to this world than you will ever realize.
Our next song is a tribute to those ride-or-die friends who you know with certainty will always have your back. “When times get rough, and friends just can’t be found, like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down”.
Simon & Garfunkel.
There is nothing on this earth more valuable than time. No other commodity is as precious or in as short a supply.
One of my favourite songwriters pens a tribute to those who have loved us enough to freely gift us their single most valuable asset.
Paul Overstreet next on KMTJ-DB, Denver with “You Gave Me Time”.
While we have all had the perspective of a child, not all of us have experienced the perspective of a parent. The amazing Carole King explores the other side of the familial love equation next in 1970’s “Child of Mine”.
As stated in Side A, I’m disappointed I had such a hard time finding non-romantic love songs. You may notice each side of this mix tape is one song shorter than usual; in addition, many of the songs didn’t say, “I love you”, opting instead to sing of all the things they would do for the one they care about.
What do you think? Does someone need to write more platonic love songs or did I just miss the ones that are out there? Can you think of songs I should have included? Stop by my Mix Tape Journeyers group on Facebook and let me know!
Next, two artists I have followed for most of my life. Miley Cyrus and her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, team up on “I Learned From You”, kicking off a musical family double-shot on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
Amy Grant and “Baby, Baby”. Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus before that with “I Learned From You”.
I’m DJ Ponyboy and I am grateful for you. Thank you for joining me today to celebrate the life and legacy of Esther Earl by championing the power of non-romantic love.
One family member who has been instrumental in my life’s success is my mom. Thank you Mom! 2Pac raps about his relationship with his beloved matriarch in “Dear Mama”.
I’m DJ Ponyboy, having more fun than a human being should be allowed to have. Thank you again for joining me today to celebrate love.
You have been listening to KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
I’m DJ Ponyboy.
Stay gold.