A few of my favorite songs

A few of my favorite songs

What is it about music that weaves itself into our memories?

We are caught unaware when we hear the strains of the songs that transport us to another place or time. Back to our first junior high dance, or the song we danced to at our wedding.

Our first break-up songs or the headbanger ballads that we played as loud as our speakers would crank in our rustbucket youth mobiles.

The show tunes of old musicals that make our feet tap or the holiday songs that remind us making cookies with our moms.

Music is powerful. Definitely a few of my favorite things.

What are YOUR songs? Flashback with some favorites of mine…

Maybe like me you had a sorrow soundtrack, that captured heartache and breakups (going WAY old school): When will i see you smile by Bell Biv Devoe, I can’t make you love me by Bonnie Raitt, Tell it like it is by Aaron Neville.

Nothing beats flashing back to your high school faves. Can you tell I am an 80’s girl?

All of my heart by ABC, White Lines by Grand Master Flash , Boys dont cry by The Cure (my first concert), You spin me right round by Dead or Alive (my first dance club, go Cloud 9), Million miles away by The Plimsouls, I confess by the English Beat.  And of course, dance music ruled.  When I hear music by Debbie Deb…whoot whoot!

Our wedding music: My parents picked me up with a soundtrack made by my best friend in the tape deck with Going to the chapel by The Dixie Cups.

Walking down the aisle on my father’s arm to Canon in D  Major by Pachelbel. Our first dance as husband and wife, Have I told you lately that I love you by Van Morrison.

For doing tedious work consider: Fever by Eva Cassidy, New York, New York by Frank Sinatra and There’s no life by OC Supertones, or Oh Happy Day by The Edwin Hawkins singers, and maybe Man or a Muppet? and Kirk Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald.

Sometimes when I need to let out frustration I choose things that have power: Surrender or Thicker by Chasing Furies or Paradigm by All Together Separate.  When I’m Down by Chris Cornell and Your love is a song by Switchfoot.

My childhood was marked by the soundtrack of my mother’s life too

Our radio was set to So far away by Carole King, Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt, Hotel California by The Eagles, Benny and the Jets by Elton John (my very first fave song), White Bird by It’s A Beautiful Day and Go your own way by Fleetwood Mac and Don’t fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult.

Chilling matches up with standards or relaxing music: Arms of a woman by Amos Lee, I love you by Sarah McLachlan, or Santana’s Corazon espinado.

When I see kids or hear their music it takes me back. Wayyyyy back. For me its A dream is a wish your heart makes from Cinderella (my friends know I still listen to Princess music. It makes me happy), I think of my brother when I hear Raffi’s Down by the bay.

My niece likes Yo Gabba Gabba so she’ll know Don’t bite your friends. My own precious girls loved Barney and we did a lot of the Clean Up song.

My heart softens when I remember my girls singing this when they couldn’t pronounce R’s and L’s... A big book about ice cream.

And when I need to be reminded of what matters most to me? Songs of faith and promises of hope: His eye is on the sparrow by Selah, Beauty for ashes by Crystal Lewis, Take me away by Sarah Kelly , Yearn by Shane and Shane, Jesus Freak by DC Talk, or Oceans by Hillsong.

So share in the comments, is music important to you? Tell some of the songs that move your heart…