2017 was a crazy year. Donald Trump became President and everyone seems angry, the wars in Syria continued, hurricanes destroyed Puerto Rico… and our home in 2017 had it’s joys and a lot of quiet suffering. In many ways it was a really hard year for us too. But our family, our core unit of Jesus, Pam, Jami, Zach and I got a lot closer. This year of music has so much hope in it and that hope was reflected in our year as a family. Music has a way of making us laugh and dance when we don’t really know if we want to. It makes us get up and smile. When it’s done right it points us in the direction we need to go. We hope you enjoy this years mix and conversations as much as I do.
Download the 2017 Miller Mix here!
Track List
- We are Rock and Roll (Zach)
- American Soul – Coolio Mix (U2)
In the first version of this mix it started with The Blackout. Zach loves that song because his name is in it, but he insisted on a new mix with his actual favorite song leading: American Soul. U2’s new album, Songs of Experience, are letters. This is a letter to America in the light of Donald Trump’s election. My favorite line about a call to love and take in refugees:
/ Let it be unity, let it be community /
/ For refugees like you and me /
/ A country to receive us /
/ Will you be our sanctuary /
/ Refu-Jesus /
I love that line… Refu-Jesus… but Zach is pretty sure I’m over thinking it and it’s a letter to Rock and Roll. - She’s the Kind of Trouble I Enjoy (Jami)
- You’re the Best Thing About Me (U2)
On U2’s new album this is a letter from Bono to his wife, Ali. It’s a love song. Our whole family loves it. The video is amazing. Watch it. Jami sings this song all the time and it’s awesome she sang it for this mix. With out a doubt, she’s the kind of trouble that I enjoy. - Stuck in 1981 (Pam)
- Move (Saint Motel)
There is this sound that was amazing this year, rock and brass… modern and retro at the same time. - Engine, Engine #9 (Zach)
- Feel It Still (Portugal. The Man.)
This is also that new sound… so much fun. - Tooth, Zippo and Booooooze (Ride home from Church)
- Shake It Off (Sing Soundtrack Style)
The kids watched the movie Sing all the time. We love the german piggy. - Butt Smash (Zach)
- My Type (Saint Motel)
This is the last of the three songs that fit into this new sound in 2017. - Mario is a Super Hero (Jami)
- Something Just Like This (The Chainsmokers & Coldplay)
Jami went nuts over this song in the first half of the year. She forgets that now, but it’s true. The Chainsmokers put out an album with the most infectious songs… You hate liking them all, but you really do. - Fart Training (Jami)
- Is this Love (Montmartre Remix)
This song isn’t new this year, but it is to Pam and I. It’s a remix that came out a couple of years ago. It forces you to chill. I love the lyric: “We’ll be together, with a roof right over our heads
We’ll share the shelter…. For Jah provide the bread” - Bus #33, v2017 (Zach)
- Honest (The Chainsmokers)
We listened to so much Chainsmokers in our house this year, that one of their songs had to fit. This was one of the cleanest. And they quoted Bono in the beginning. Love it. - Too Many U2 Shows (Dad)
- Red Hill Mining Town (Steve Lillywhite 2017 Mix)
U2 was on tour this year. They really wanted to speak into the Trump election. This song was re-released by the band this year. It’s about America. It’s about hope. For me, I rediscovered this song in the same way they did. This is my favorite tune from the whole year. - What is Beauty? (Jami)
- Scars to Your Beautiful (Alessia Cara)
Jami listened to this song a lot. The video is truth. Watch it and soak it in. We need more of this for our kids to listen to. - God’s Will (Jami)
- Farther Along (Josh Garrels)
This is an old song, but new to me this year. My good friend Mark introduced it to me. I’ve been going through a lot internally this year and this song speaks perfectly to the journey with God that I have been on. It’s been hard. But I am, farther along. - You Might Loose Something (Zach)
- Learning to Fly (Live)
Tom Petty was a key figure for me growing up. I loved music. I loved his music. Full Moon Fever. One of my favorite albums of all time. This song is what I church to be. - Strangle a Neck or Hug a Neck (Ashley)
- I Won’t Let You Go (Switchfoot featuring Lauren Daigle)
At Ash’s last treatment before Christmas, she asked me if I heard this song before. She had a version that was being sung in a church gym. It was beautiful. Here is the studio version of the same song that came out this year. What a beautiful word from God to all of us, and really to her. God. Won’t. Let. You. Go. - Zach’s Sermon: Creation, Fall and Redemption (Zach)
- One Tree hill (St Francis Hotel Remix)
This song was remixed for the Joshua Tree Tour. It’s about a friend of theirs who died on Tour right before the Joshua Tree album. This is a song about his death, and about the coming of Jesus again, “I’ll see you again / when the stars fall from the sky / and the moon turns red / over one tree hill”. This version is now a gospel tune.