All Ultimate Warrior fans know his theme music of “Unstable.” It’s one of those WWE melodies you’d never forget and I never have either. Never will. Once I heard it, it was in my head just like all those other songs we hear over and over which become favorites.
When I was that teenage girl, one day our piano was calling my name. This piano belonged to my great uncle and now we had it in our home. My mom would play, my sister took lessons briefly, and my Grandpa played when he and Grandma visited. They also had a piano in their home for years.
Well, guess my brain wanted to learn the notes for “Unstable.” Not that whole song you see above but just the three basic ones. It’s so simple! The music itself looks complicated but really it isn’t. I got it after a few short tries. Nobody recognized this but me, probably not even my brother. Many times I’d be psyched about seeing the Ultimate Warrior on T.V. or an upcoming match, I’d pass by the piano in our dining room. I’d play those three repetitive notes of “Unstable.” Also, when I’d be having a bad day and needed a pick me up, those notes on that piano worked every single time.
Years went by and after my parents divorced, mom sold our house. My sister took the piano so it remained in the family. Flash forward a few more years to 2014. Don’t worry– no sadness. Christmas Eve we were at my sister’s and the kids always gravitated to the piano in their front room. I hadn’t thought of U.W’s theme in years but that year was different.
Immediately, I went towards the piano and told the kids I wanted to play. Those three notes came easy as I remembered like always. There was such mystery of saying how I learned this little song years ago and never forgot. Oh, the memories that pop in our heads! I left the room giggling as they continued tickling the ivories.
My son had a toy keyboard and yes, again “Unstable” was played. Maybe I had that same silly mentality with this song like I did with grief. “If I don’t cry, I’ll forget him. If I don’t play Unstable, I’ll forget it.” None of this is true and yet perhaps part of me believed that back then. A few Christmases ago, my daughter got a REAL big keyboard (the one in the photo.) Guess this really does belong in the family.
Of course, where did my mind go? You got it. I had to play and sometimes when the mood strikes, my fingers find their way into her room and onto the keyboard. About a month or so ago, this girl was desperately needing my attention with a song she taught herself on the keyboard. She does have a book but this song was a little bit special. NO– it was not “Unstable!” I mean, really??? She was convinced Mama would KNOW this song but I knew she had been playing cartoon themes. She played a little and wanted me to guess. I had no idea. It was played again and I tried so hard but nothing came to me. She hummed it and then I knew. It was “Heaven” by Bryan Adams. Just a few lines but I was impressed! How did she know this?
I asked her why this song? She didn’t really say except that I liked it. I asked her to play it later so Dad could hear but no, it was just for me. Yeah, it’s a romantic one but the title– hmmm… She didn’t find a YouTube video and we don’t have it on a CD. It does get played on the radio sometimes but she just learned it. Maybe she can learn by ear like her great aunt? Maybe she was also given a message?
A day or so later, my husband and I were in the car and the song “Heaven” by Bryan Adams played on the radio. I then told him the story of our girl and her keyboard. Music strikes again as synchronistic. 😉 She hasn’t played it since but just like with “Unstable,” now I won’t forget “Heaven.”
The number three connects as well with my childhood piano, (becoming my sister’s) my son’s toy keyboard, and then my daughter’s REAL one. All three notes. She could’ve had any song in her head but it was very specific and just for me. I am still amazed every time as at first this story was just about the other two. Quite possibly I needed that three count once again.
Those “Unstable” pianos will always be ultimate but now a little piece of “Heaven” connects them all. 🙏🏻🌄
P.S. When I first got the “Life Lived Forever” book, I asked my son to play “Unstable” on his trombone. He says:”Um, mom, this is for guitar!” Back then– brain freeze!!
P.P.S. We DO have “Waking Up The Neighbours” by Bryan Adams circa 1991. Another song about Heaven on that one! Bryan Adams is Canadian=WMVI=Canada 😁🇨🇦
mywarriorwritings.com 