Life's Little Soundtrack

I would like to start off this Sunday by saying Thank You.
This blog has been viewed over 2,000 times since it began, and I'm very honored (and a bit overwhelmed, honestly) at all the lovely comments and support that my writing has received. I appreciate it so much.

Ok. Now on to the nonsense. I'm writing whilst watching the Olympics, so there might be intermittent bursts of "GO GO! NOOOO! WHAT?!?! USA! USA! OOH, THAT GUY IS CUUUUTE." And other such nonsense. But would you expect any less from me at this point?

When I was growing up, I thought that I would be really good at picking music to accompany movie trailers. This is, of course, only after I realized that I was too big to be a ballerina, and too scared of being murdered to be Batman. But for a third choice career option, it seemed like the perfect job, mixing two things I love, music and film, (and accepting my limited attention span) into a perfect storm of a job. This is that kind of useless skill - manipulating emotions through well placed snippets of pop music - that I dream of using to make money.

The first CDs I ever owned were all soundtracks. I loved them. Coneheads, The Mask, Dirty Dancing, Back to the Future....this was my music library. And I loved it. You might go "Ick" at such a selection, but the music on the discs is actually really fun and spectacular. There's variety and fun! It's pretty much like they made you a mix tape.
And I loooooove a good mix tape.

I call them mix tapes even though I haven't dealt with tapes in any form since I was about 13. Whatever the medium, I think a mix tape is really special. It's a whole bunch of feelings expressed together in one place.

If I have made you a mix tape at any point, it means I think you are really great, and want to connect with you even further through music. Maybe one of the songs reminds me of something we did together. Or I think you'll like it as much as I do.

A few years ago, back in the HeyDay of MySpace, there were all sorts of silly time-killer quizzes, but there was one I quite liked, about treating your life as a movie to be scored! I love that shit. And I think being a bit older, and wiser, I could give more informed answers that would reflect accurately on my life to this point. So imagine that you've asked me to make you a mix tape, but one that comes purely from my heart. You never know. You might even find some jams that you really like. It's really just an excuse to pour through my iTunes, and fall in love with some tracks all over again.

(Ok, there are nearly 4,000 songs. This is a very very small sampling. I'll go with 10 tracks)

Track 1: "Fakin' It" - Simon & Garfunkel
My father's taste in music is eclectic to say the least. But some of my favorite memories involve driving to school with him, and singing the entire "Bookends" album.

Track 2: "Rio" - Duran Duran / "And We Danced" - The Hooters
I've always had an enormous soft spot for 80s music. While it's nearly impossible to whittle down to favorite tracks, these two always get cranked up! I love how they just make my face break into a giant smile. I can't help but dance when I hear them.

Track 3: "You Oughta Know" - Alanis Morisette
But I had a "rebellious" streak as well. I remember buying this disc at Sam Goody in the mall (win!) and trying to hide the "explicit lyrics" sticker from my mom. But I was in junior high. I had angst. Alanis had angst. We were made for each other!

Track 4: "Invisible Touch" - Genesis
This could have been placed with "80s favorites" but the reason I really love this song is that my brother did an AMAZING lip-sync to it when he was 10 for school show and he wore a DOPE jacket that made him look like the missing member of Miami Vice. I'm sure he'd agree (probably not) that it was the height of cool. But from then on (remember, when someone is your hero, you love everything they do) it was one of my favorite songs.

Track 5: "Mr. Rock N' Roll" - Amy MacDonald / "Green Eyes" - Coldplay
These were my "walking around London" songs. Happy memories.

Track 6: "Since U Been Gone" - Kelly Clarkson
This song was the anthem of tour. It just happened that it was all over the radio that year, and by the time we'd driven across the country multiple times, we all knew it by heart, and sang along.

Track 7: "Laid" - James / "Oo-oh Child" - The Five Stairsteps / "Annie Waits" - Ben Folds
These were songs that I knew I liked, but I never knew what they were called or who sang them until much later down the road. Thank God for Google and Shazam, so I could own them for myself!

Track 8: "Geraldine" - Glasvegas
When you break up with someone (or in my case, when you are unceremoniously dumped by IM) you keep and lose certain things. D had introduced me to Glasvegas and we loved listening to it together. I'd even scouted tickets for an upcoming gig for us. When we were over, I decided I was keeping the band in the breakup, and that hearing the music would make me feel empowered, not sad. So I did.

Track 9: "Our Day Will Come" - Jamie Cullum
I really like this cover. I know Jamie Cullum gets a bad rap, but I enjoy this music. If I get married, I'd like to dance to this at my wedding. It doesn't have to be a first dance, but the song is just so hopeful and chilled out, I can't help but adore it.


Track 10: "I Can't Stay" - The Killers
A favorite song by my favorite band. I find myself playing this on repeat during times of transition, or saying goodbye. It's the song that has gotten me through starting over, time and time again.

I've got 40 more tracks earmarked as ones I wish I could talk about. There is so much great, fun, interesting music in the world!! But that's probably a separate blog in and of itself. The point is, I love music. So many emotions and experiences are forever laced into music for me. Sharing music means sharing my life.