I recently posted a link on FB for the video of "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and New Bohemians. I posted about how when I heard the song on the radio, it was like time travel and I was transported back to my days at University of Maryland and to nights spent drinking pitchers at the Vous. Come to think of it, the Vous has it's own soundtrack, which is a playlist worth putting together.
I love music - I have been singing since I can remember. I don't always sing well, but I always sing. Songs are such incredible markers for high and low lights on life path.
The first song I knew all of the words to was "Leavin' on a Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul, and Mary. I remember standing in the back seat of my grandparent's car (remember when you could stand and straddle the hump while holding on to the headrests???) and belting out the lyrics - as much as a 4-year old could manage to belt.
I sang in chorus and in Acapella Choir from the third grade throughout high school. My high school choral teacher was one of kind and fostered a love of music and of singing and an understanding of the emotional and transformative power of music for a generation of kids. RIP - JBK.
My mother could sing and she had an amazing collection of Motown and R&B vinyl and she would put stacks of records on the record player and we'd listen to the Supremes, The Temptations, The Four Tops. Motown makes me think of elementary school.
"There's No One Like You" by the Scorpions is the first song a guy ever bought for me. I still have the album. When I hear it, I am young, awkward and completely clueless about this whole love thing.
When I hear "Like a Virgin", I am transported back to my living room where we were watching Madonna writhe around on the stage during her performance - and the audience wasn't quite sure how to respond. The definition of live performance was re-written in that moment.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood transports me back to 1985. I'm leaving for college. I'm excited. But Frankie keeps reminding me to "Relax."
Echo and the Bunnymen's "Lips Like Sugar" and any Led Zeppelin song makes me think of hanging out at #5 in Danny G.'s room and drinking Bartles and James. Still love Led Zep and Danny G. but the thought of a B&J makes me wanna throw up.
Lisa Stansfield's "Been Around the World" reminds me of a love lost and "Unchained Melody" of a love found.
And Adele's album 21 - Sheesh. If that album had come out 25 years ago, I would have never left my apartment.
When it comes to music, I am happy to travel to wherever it wants to take me.
And, please. Make it go to 11.
Peace.
Tee
