Saturday, May 30, 2009

If My Life Had a Soundtrack...
I couldn't live without music. It's an essential thread that weaves it's way through my life adding texture, tying my past to the future.

The right song will transport you back in time, turn an average moment into something deeper, take you to the dreamscapes of your imagination. Kind of like hallucinogenic drugs without the health concerns.

I got to thinking about this the other day when a song came on the radio and I was sucked back through the vortex of time. So, I sat down and started to compose a list of songs that immediately called up other memories. Musical snapshots...

Rubber Ducky You're the One (Ernie): Maybe it was his nasally voice, maybe it was the duck itself...whatever the appeal, I can still sing every single word.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Cinderella): I listened to this one over and over and over again on my white plastic record player---the beginning of my indoctrination at the hands of Walt Disney. The song induced a crack like addiction to handsome princes and happily ever after. It took me decades to learn that these things are, actually, very hard to come by.

Dancing Queen (Abba): I collapsed into a blushing heap of humiliation when my dad walked in on me singing this one into my air mike, shaking my hips and wowing my imaginary audience.


The Reflex (Duran Duran): Staying up late for Friday Night Videos. Crushing hard on Simon Le Bon (a transfer of affection after Nick Rhodes went and married some woman who wore as much makeup as he did).

Take On Me (Ah-Ha): Riding in the back of Dean’s mustang with Jenny while Dean and Jared did 360’s in the icy parking lot of Carlton’s Shipping Company. Those guys were so cool…and totally hot!

Barbados (The Models): Jenny and I washing her little white Subaru (christened Fred) trying to erase the dent we got by being in exactly the wrong place at exactly the wrong time. It didn't work...

Just Like Heaven (The Cure): Tom. The rest -- you don’t need to know…

Possession (Sarah Mclachlan): That boy with the funny last name I was crazy about. Great kisser, but he was dating two other girls at the same time.

Thorn In My Side (Eurythmics): Ford standing outside the sliding glass door of my apartment yelling up to my neighbor…asking her out. Yes, we were dating. Genius.
Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots): I. Can. Run. One. More. Mile. Yes. I. Can.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Cinderella): Watching with my daughter on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Let the brainwashing begin…

From Van Morrison to The Cure. From Sugarland to Muse to Classical Guitar…what’s on your playlist?