What’s Your List?
Back in March 2005, Esquire Magazine ran a column written by John Mayer discussing the top songs he remembers from growing up. It started a string of emails, first from my oldest brother and then throughout the family, discussing what songs were important to us. Growing up in a music hip household, you get exposed to various genres and types of music. There are songs that maybe your favorite, but then there are those that just hold a special place for one reason or another.
As you grow up, your taste in music expands and refines. Some believe that to listen to mainstream “pop” music is to dance with the devil. To some, finding out the next “it” band first is more important than actually enjoying the music. To me, music is all about emotion. It is there to help you at all times, with joy and pain and everything in between. So what’s your memorable songs? Remember, these may not your favorite ten of all time, but those songs, that when you hear them on the radio, illicit the most emotional reaction!
My List -
Violent Femmes – Blister in the Sun This song of teenage angst was just that for me. The infectious guitar riff always gets me to bounce around like an eight year old loaded up on caffeine and sugar.
Kenny Loggins – House on Pooh Corner A song from my childhood. In fact, my entire family was raised on this simple ballad by Mr. Loggins. Though Danger Zone and Footloose can get me out of my seat, this song is all about family, love, and commitment to me. (*Link is to lyrics for Return to Pooh Corner, not the original)
Etta James – At Last My wedding song. Sorry to get all sappy on the hip readers of Suds, but this song is a classic. The smooth waltz beat lets you just sway back and forth like you are sitting on a wraparound porch on a warm summers evening.
Nine Inch Nails – Perfect Drug The song that was playing on the radio when this guy had his first kiss! Haha… man that seems forever ago. The song just reminds me of being young and knowing absolutely nothing about the world. Obviously the lyrics aren’t all about innocence, but it certainly helps me recall a much simpler time.
The Pettitt Project (now Love You To Death) – 99 Lives This is a song by a band from Canada who I got to listen to because of the Online Rock Festival. The song reminds me of a few different things. It reminds of playing video games growing up. That is an obvious one. But it also reminds me of the time spent trying to make ORF happen with some great friends. Though ORF never took off the way we all wanted, it set in motion some other great things and kept us all in touch to this day.
I could go on for days with my list, but those are five that probably mean the most at this present moment. What’s your list?
Hmmm….good question. It’s tough to narrow down, but these are the first that come to mind:
Frankie Valli, “December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)” – Frankie Valli was the first music that I really latched onto. I was really young but listening to the greatest hits CDs that my parents had of Frankie and the four seasons was music bliss. They made perfect 3 minute pop songs that still sound great today.
Ace of Base, “The Sign” – This song was ubiquitous during my childhood. It’s instantly recognizable, and reminds me of being a kid.
Michael Jackson, “Black or White” – The first music I ever actually bought was the cassette version of Jackson’s Dangerous album. I was in love with this song.
Smashing Pumpkins, “Tonight, Tonight” – When I was little, my babysitter was a major Pumpkins fan and had like a whole basement room decorated with their posters and such. This is the first song I remember hearing by them and of course the music video with those creepy alien guys and the umbrellas, it just stuck with me.
Linkin Park, “From the Inside” – I’m a huge Linkin Park fan and they served as pretty much my entryway into hard rock and metal music as a young teenager. Without Linkin Park I may have never discovered the joys of metal. I love almost everything they’ve done so far, but this may be my favorite song. It just builds to this amazing catharsis and Chester’s screaming is incredible.
System of a Down, “Chop Suey!” – I first heard this song while playing a game of RISK and watching music videos with my friends late at night. It kinda scared me and intrigued me at the same time. It was definitely the most extreme music I would be interested in at the time. It was another gateway into heavier and heavier music.
Mastodon, the Crack the Skye album – the first time in a long time that I have been floored by an album, start to finish.
Nightwish (Tarja Era) – Ghost Love Score – Still dealing with feelings for my ex g/f
Kamelot – The Human Stain – just how I see us(mankind) and what we do to this planet
Lady Gaga – So Happy I could Die – its totally about my bff and how I’m so happy for her
Sarah Brightman – Beautiful – inner concepts on…ones self…