Silent Night

We all have those moments with music. The ones that stick with us forever. Something happened in that moment that stays with you for all of eternity. I've had many, but this post is for a specific one. 
It was February 4, 1987. I was just shy of my 17th birthday. It was my first concert & my first Bon Jovi concert. The Slippery When Wet tour with Cinderella opening.  I remember sitting in the arena for the first time with thousands of people and being in awe. Having no idea of the magic that was really about to happen. 
The songs played were the ones that catapulted Bon Jovi into fame. Then there were the songs that as a fan now never get played. One of those being Silent Night. 
It was about half way through the setlist. Jon rode the zip line above the audience to a scaffolding towards the end of the arena. After finishing the current song the stage lights went down. Only to slowly come up again as the opening chords of Silent Night began. Now being a Jonny's Girl of course I was more focused on him. However, it was almost immediate that something magical was happening. Watching Jon sing & play guitar touched my soul. Turning to see Richie playing guitar at center stage was breath taking. It wasn't just some ordinary performance. They both drew you in, in such a way you didn't know who to watch. It was like being at a tennis match. My head turning to look at Jon in the back & Richie in the front. You could feel the energy of the whole arena taking it all in. Then came the guitar solo. 
Jon in back playing. Richie up stage playing. Holding their guitars up as in a duel as they pulled everyone in that arena into the middle of them with only their guitars guiding your soul. I could feel the crowd around me, but at the same time I felt like I was the only person there watching. 
Then Jon started singing again. I remember tears streaming down my face. I didn't want that song & moment to end even though I knew it was coming. 
It was so magical yet tragic at the same time. That performance was completely transcendent. I have never been the same since. To this day I can not listen or watch any video of Silent Night without being transported back to that night. Twenty-four years later the feelings & memories of that performance has stayed with me so vividly. I can't even pass that old arena, that they don't use for concerts anymore, without thinking of it. That night with my friends & that not so popular song leaving a profound affect on me for the rest of time.  
I believe that that is the way you fall in love with a song. When it leaves it's mark on your soul. That's when you feel the most alive with music. 

After the smoke clears
When it's down to you and I
When the sun appears
And there's nothing left but goodbyes
We'll just turn and walk away
How could we let it end like this
Just turn and walk away
Should we seal it with a kiss
It's too late
Now you're out and on the run
It's too late
Held up in love without a gun
Silent night
We hold up our candle light
Silent night
The night our love died
No words to say
And we're both too tired to fight
Just hold me close and don't let go...
It was all so simple when
You were to be queen and I'd be your king.
I guess those dreams got lost
Cause baby you're still you and I'm still me.
Now letting go
It's always the hardest part to fight
When we both know
We're just two more victims of the night
It's too late
Too late to wonder why
Much too late
To save a love that's died.
Silent night
We hold up our candle light
Silent night
The night our love died
No words to say
Now we're both too tired to fight
Just hold me close and don't let go
Just hold me close and don't let me go
After the smoke cleared
It was down to you and I
When the sun appeared
There was nothing left but goodbyes...
Silent night