10/Tues: Songs That Bring Back Memories

So I am a week late on this. I totally stole this from Patois' site. I read it last week, but did not have the chance to post my own since I was on "vacation" at my parents' house.

I have altered this a bit. Instead of ten songs that "bring me back," this is ten songs that define me or had a significant impact.

1. The Warrior, Scandal. I love this song. It makes me feel like a badass. When I first heard it as a kid, it make me feel like I could kick the world's ass. I love that it still makes me feel that way.




2. Big County, Big Country. When I lived in Sweden, this song carried me through some really tough times. The lyric: I'm not expecting to grow flowers in the desert, but I can live and breathe and see the sun winter time made my heart ache. Stockholm is dark in the winter. I loved it like that at Christmas. But by February/March I was ready for Spring and a little more sunlight. Having grown up in the desert, this line really got to me.





3. Let It Be, J. Lennon. This song seems to come on every time I am in a panic about something. I now have it on my mp3 player so I have it on hand whenever I need it.


4. I Go To Extremes, Billy Joel. This song is me. Through and through. I realized it in college, and it has been one way of easily defining myself. I just can't understand how Mr. Joel got into my head.


5. Edelweiss. I now know that this song was not originally sung by the von Trapp family. But the emotion behind the song in the film as Captain von Trapp looks out at the audience still takes my breath away. To know that he took his family and climbed those mountains. Sure there was not a majestic orchestra playing in the background, but I am sure he turned around and knew he would not see his home for a long time. If ever. What strength that must have taken. To make the moral decision that was right for him and his family. As I have gotten older I have been in a position to leave based on my principles or stay. And I have walked. Every time.


6. Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes, Jimmy Buffett. Another song that got me through dark and difficult times when I lived overseas. I knew I needed a change, but it took a lot to get me to make it. This song, along with several on the same album helped me express what I was feeling.


7. Carmen SanDiego, Rockapella. I loved this computer game as a kid. I never watched the TV program for which this song is the theme, but it reminds me of the time I spent on my mom's old IBM playing Carmen SD. It really shaped my love of history and geography. And Carmen SD is a badass. I love her.


8. Kyrie, Mr. Mister. Seriously one of the best songs ever. If you sit down and actually analyze the lyrics they are pretty powerful. I do not have any tattoos, but if I did get one it would be based on this.


9. I'm Sensitive, Jewel. I heard this song and just felt like it fit me. I was always accused of being overly sensitive as a child. My response was always better to be overly sensitive than not sensitive enough. No wonder I grew up to be so defensive and use humor to deflect uncomfortable emotions. LOL I love the tone and message of this song. I feel it is important to raise both my daughter and son this way.


10. The One and Only, Chesney Hawkes. Another one that I feel totally defines me. We all struggle to make our mark and be unique. This song has always resonated with me. I have often felt that there were not any other people just like me. It has always been hard to find my niche. I like that this song celebrates being different.