Honestly, this is a really, really,
really difficult question to answer. It's impossible to choose just one. The first song I heard was Carnival of Rust, so of course it's very important to me - almost sentimental even. I think instead of choosing just one song, I'll list all my favorites and explain briefly how I relate to each one:
Carnival of Rust - Like I said, though unfortunately not my favorite (close, though), this song has sentimental value because it introduced me to this amazing band I had been completely in the dark about for six years.
Stay - During this past school year, I listened to this song constantly on repeat on my way to and from school. I don't know why, but it always put my mind at ease because my school is very stressful and I don't handle stress well. This song helped me get through long nights of coffee-drinking and essay-writing. It has a really calming melody and soft, yet strong vocals that are gentle enough for late nights. The lyrics are also really motivational to me, for some reason. But I guess that's the way it is with all of POTF's songs.
Roses - I'm not sure why this song is so nostalgic to me. Not to be completely blunt, but this song reminds me of a beautiful, zen-like rose garden. It's really special to me because when I was a child, my old house had a huge, overgrown flower garden with tons of rosehip bushes (trees?) which really attracted me (and the bees). I used to be very psychic - more than I am now I believe, though I think all children are naturally more psychic than adults...that's a whole other post entirely... Anywho, whoever's reading this will think it's absolutely absurd, but I actually used to find and play with balls of energy that I found in this garden. Call them "chakra balls", "spirit balls", "energy orbs", whatever...I used to be able to see and actually manipulate them. Strange, huh? Anyway, this song is hugely reminiscent of that strange experience that all children seem to have had at one point or another. Plus, I really just love this song. It's that simple.
Late Goodbye - I've never played, nor have I seen Max Payne, and to be completely honest, I have no idea what the film and video games are about. Some of you may have realized by now that I'm really interested in parapsychology and...well to be kind of blunt again...ghosts. I don't care if people think I'm a freak for believing in the paranormal. I know I'm not crazy because I've seen, heard, felt, and experienced the paranormal, specifically in my old upstate New York house. This song has a really dark, "minor-key", almost noir sound that is strangely reminiscent of well...the paranormal and all the history behind haunted locations. I live in a really haunted area of the United States and well, this song just...fits. (Plus, if you live in an area with tons of deer like I do, you know what it's like to drive in rural locations at night).
Illusion and Dream - Well first of all, let me start out by mentioning that I absolutely LOVE the acoustic guitar at the beginning and the strings as well - (thank you Olli and Captain). This song is a perfect description of my life, I'm not even kidding. Seriously - I feel like I had Marko's mind in a past life (or at least I wish). I also love the guitar solo at the end. As Guy Fieri would say, it's "dynamite".
Sleep - OK, I'm not going to joke around with this song, simply because it's too perfect and delicate to interpret. It's a lullaby...and since I'm a total insomniac with anxiety problems, this song has helped me fall asleep all year. Thank you, Marko.

Locking Up The Sun - This is kind of a random one, but aside from being a great rock song, it helps me to believe the POTF are just as eco-conscious as I am. Now don't yell at me for interpreting this "the wrong way". I'm not saying it's the only way of interpreting the song, I'm saying it's ONE way, and certainly not my only way either. I love the "it's a bad trip on a sinking ship where no one seems responsible...scapegoat to rock the boat yeah we need someone expendable...volunteers to face their fears, can't we be sensible and find a way to break the fall...find out the cure for all..." verse. It would be really ironic if POTF knew about the impending BP oil crisis when they were writing this a few years ago. Anyway, to me this song is about spreading awareness and taking action when it's truly needed, and right now, well...hopefully you get the idea.
Rewind - Because I wish I could do this past year over again. It's that simple. Plus I love this song with a passion. It's beautiful..."rewind I wanna play it again...and again...and again..."
Given and Denied - Because I feel like I wasted a lot of my adolescence being sick and depressed, and all I want to do is get it back. I want my innocence. I do wish to dream again (without dreaming about work). And personally, I think it would be pretty awesome to play in that orchestra that doesn't produce any sound. I wonder if Marko knows about John Cage's "4'33"...just a thought.
OK I think I went OVERBOARD a little bit (ugh love that song to pieces...haha no pun intended...). But honestly, at the end of the day, POTF are all I have. Thank you to the six most genius musicians in the world.
