Music I Love
Music has always played a positive and emotional role in my life. It brings out the singer and dancer in me. It evokes joy and longing.
It’s a thread through memory.
My dad built my childhood home which we moved into when I was 7 years old. He installed an intercom unit in each room so that music could pulse through the house. On weekend mornings, he’d blast 50’s music. Rock Around the Clock, Chantilly Lace, In the Still of the Night, Jailhouse Rock, and That’s Amore to name a few. He’d sing all the words as he flipped us out of our beds because the day was wasting away. But what was annoying as a teenager (being thrown out of bed) was soothed by his voice and joy in the music.
He recorded us singing The Shirelles’ Soldier Boy, Mama Said, and Dedicated to the One I Love. On long road trips we sang to Barbra Streisand who my dad loved and Neil Diamond who was one of my mom’s favorites. Even today, I know every word to those songs.
High school brought southern and country rock into my life with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird. The big question at school dances was–when the slow ballad turned into full guitar mayhem did we still slow dance or jump in chaos? Depended on how much I liked the boy. Eagles, Blackfoot, Molly Hatchett, The Outlaws. Such energy!
Skipping ahead to motherhood: My boys and I sang the songs to the Disney movies. We went to local concerts of The Zucchini Brothers and Mother Goose Jazz Band. As my younger son grew into a man, he introduced me to rap, and we’d talk for hours about the stories behind the words and the artists. Tupac Shakur, J. Cole, Chance the Rapper, and Action Bronson are some of my favorites.
Music is a memory creator and a thread to family and love; a distraction and joy, as well as a healing balm for any journey.
When I was 9 years old, I splintered my shin bone trying to dive off the side of a pool in swimming lessons. Not able to walk, I spent hours with my small tape recorder playing the radio and recording every possible 1970’s love song. I’d belt out the words to How Deep is Your Love, Mandy, If You Leave Me Now, any song from the Carpenters, Commodores, Leo Sayer, Captain & Tennille and so many others. Those songs were my healing companions.
I love the full range of Freddie Mercury’s voice as the singer of Queen. Their album was the last music my son, Nick, and I sang before he passed away.
Their music carries my son to me in a grateful memory.
Bon Jovi’s Lost Highway roared in my ears as I exercised through the pain of that loss. I related to Everybody’s Broken, Seat Next to You, One Step Closer.
Alicia Keys’ rhythm, melody, and voice lifts me up.
Her words give me the strength to see the beauty in life.
She’s my all-time, without a doubt favorite singer and musician. She rocked in her outfit and performance at Superbowl LVIII! Superwoman, Doesn’t Mean Anything, No One, My Boo–every song is magical.
Alicia Keys performing at Superbowl LVIII (US Weekly photo)
I also loved everything about H.E.R. and plan to listen to all her music. Honestly, the only reason I watch the Superbowl is for the commercials and Halftime show! So glad I did!
H.E.R. performing at SuperBowl LVIII (Billboard photo)
These music milestones are access points to deeper stories that have brought me right here to this exact time in my life. Music memories can be a full memoir. This is just the tip of my music stories. I look forward to unraveling and going deeper into the impact music has had on my life, as well as the people who influenced and shared that love.
Here are some prompts if you’d like to spin the record of music memory.
Feel free to thicken the memory by including facts as you remember them, sensory details, and feelings.
What is your first recollection of music in your life?
Who influenced it?
What role has music played for you?
Can start from childhood to current.
How does music from your childhood still impact your current music choices?
When was a time that music transported, soothed, supported you?
What are some songs that you love from different times in your life?
What songs can you belt out the lyrics to?
What songs will you stop what you’re doing and dance?
Which ones bring up strong emotions?
Why? What are the stories behind them?
Who are your current favorites?
What music are you interested in listening to that you haven’t yet?
I loved to hear your music recommendations!