I have a tendency to listen to music more often than not. For instance, I work from home and am alone for hours on end working. During this time, I usually will have music on in the background for hours on end. So, somehow I am quite often listening to songs of music.
But this love of music happened many years ago…
I can still close my eyes and see my grandfather’s old turn style record player. I couldn’t have been more than two or three years old. He would play it quite often. This was how I learned how to dance. Granted it was more my feet step onto of his while swaying to the music. But still, he had the patience of a saint with me, especially dancing with me apparently. We danced to many a song. But my favorite was “You Are My Sunshine”. I still see his smiling face beaming while trying to teach me a thing or two about dancing.
My adoration for music was how I ended up with my first record player. OK, so it was a kid proof one. But still I had to have my own records for it. My favorite that I played over and over was from the original Broadway soundtrack, Annie. I was in my happy place listening to the likes of “It’s a Hard Knock Life”. Somehow I also inherited my mom’s old 45’s for Christmas and easter themed music from when she was a kid, too.
It was also my mom who clearly passed on her love for 1960s and 1970s classic rock.
We would listen together to her own copies of Beatles, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and many, many more. I also turned her onto the likes of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, because “Girls Really Do Just Want to Have Fun”!
Yet it wasn’t long before, record players morphed into cassettes. I still vividly recall walking into our local Sam Goody to buy my first New Kids on the Block cassette. I was a Joey McIntyre girl all the way.
And still then finally was CD’s in my late teen years. I had a collection of over 200 CDs of all sorts of music. I owned both a cassette music player and then CD boom box. Many of my CDs were simply remastered versions of the classics I once again grown up with thanks to dear, old mom again. Plus, a few newer ones sprinkled in for good measure.
I would be remiss and lying if I said I didn’t miss the feel of an actual physical item to play music.
But finally caved and stream music on iMusic. Seems like another lifetime ago that I sat on the floor of my bedroom with listening to my records. My own kids only know how to download and stream whatever music they’d like to listen to instantaneously. They will sadly never know the joy of going to an actual store having saved up their own money to buy the latest and greatest music.
But whichever way you slice and dice it music is truly a source of comfort for me. Plus, the memories that are invoked when I do hear so many songs from my past are vast and numerous.
So, I couldn’t resist sharing just a sampling of some of my favorite pieces of music over the years. Don’t get me wrong there are so many songs that mean something to me. As I began to list them, I was honestly struggling to keep it to a minimum of 10. These songs aren’t listed in any particular order or even chronologically by when they first made an impression. But they nonetheless had an impact. Therefore, they needed to be included.
[clickToTweet tweet=”What music changed your life? Find out the 10 that indeed changed my own life here. #FTSF” quote=”What music changed your life? Find out the 10 that indeed changed my own life here. #FTSF” theme=”style1″]
Which songs made the cut?
Find out below…
1. Guns and Roses – November Rain
Clearly this one was from my own high school days. A bad break up, which just so happened to coincide with a rainy November in which I replayed Axl Rose’s love ballad for a few rainy weeks on end. Let’s just say Slash and Axl helped me get through my teen misery.
2. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant – Billy Joel
Most know that I am a Billy Joel fan. I have had the good fortune to see him in concert a handful of times now. My all-time favorite though is from Sir Paul McCartney’s concert last fall. He made a guest appearance. Having two greats on one stage made my life! But Billy’s Scenes from an Italian Restaurant shaped my early 20s. It was during this time that I fell in love for the first time in my adult years. I still have fond memories or this time. This song somehow goes along like a package deal.
3. Somebody Saved My Life – Elton John
It happened once upon a midnight clear. Similar with Sir Elton’s song, because this one first played on a cold, but clear winter night in the late 1990s. Someone even imitated butterfly wings during the chorus, because ‘butterflies are free to fly away’! It was a night I will never forget. And whenever I see butterflies I somehow think of that long ago moment.
4. Under My Thumb – The Rolling Stones
What can I say? But as much as I will always stop in my tracks to listen to Mick and Keith for Sympathy for the Devil or Brown Sugar, I always have time for Under My Thumb. Why? Simply, because it took me years to realize that I didn’t have to be under any one’s thumb. Youth and young love have a way of muddying the waters I suppose. But some way, somehow I grew up.
5. Dreams – The Cranberries
A simple slip of paper asking for a vote. Senior year of high school and prom was all we could think about. So, when the senior class was asked to vote on a song that embodied the theme of the night, it was really a simple choice. First time, my vote seemed to matter and make a difference. I mean Dreams were where it was at for we seemingly had our whole lives ahead of us to do just that. Plus, if only it were that easy where voting is concerned.
6. Cryin’ – Aerosmith
Seemed as good of an anthem for my teen years. I mean, I did just that as I divulged with song #1. But getting revenge as Alicia Silverstone did to Stephen Dorff was empowering to my then 17 year old self!
7. In My Life – The Beatles
Let’s not mince words here. I will always pick The Beatles on any music song list. Word for the wise, they show up twice on this list. Just keep on reading to find out. But still, it was a simple phone call that rendered me speechless. And the funeral that followed afterwards for a dear childhood friend will never be forgotten. This friend was also a Beatles fan through and through. So, made sense that they played many songs during his funeral. And this was the one that truly left on mark on me and our friendship.
8. You Got the Right Stuff – New Kids on the Block
Onto a bit lighter times. Another friend and another lifetime. For I was only in 7th grade. But clearly, will never forget my then friend sharing NKOTB with me for the very first time. I may not recall her name anymore. I mean that was almost 30 years ago! But doing the New Kids dance never gets old—even now!
9. Bell Bottom Blues –Derek & the Dominos
I remember the first time I realized that Derek and the Dominos was actually Eric Clapton and his then group. I thought I had stumbled onto gold with Bell Bottom Blues. The tune, the words—just everything about this song spoke to me. Then, I told my mom and she just laughed out loud. This was before LOL was an actual thing. I didn’t know what was so funny until let me in on the secret. Never mind when I found out that Eric Clapton and George Harrison actually shared a wife! Mind blown LOL!
10. Hey Bulldog – The Beatles
As promised, I couldn’t just leave this list with one song from The Fab Four! But why Hey Bulldog? It isn’t one of their more well known songs for sure. But quite simply always loved the notion that if I were ever lonely or needed to talk to someone that I could somehow talk to John Lennon! I mean ‘Imagine’ wouldn’t that be one hell of an interesting conversation. Plus, bonus for anyone who actually knows me in real life. Why? Because this has been my ringtone on my phone for as long as I can recall now.
And while I am pretty sure there are as I said a few more on my list. These are the ones that immediately came rolling out of me.
*Linking up with Kristi, Kenya and Jen for this week’s Finish the Sentence Friday. Then sentence to complete is“10 songs/pieces of music that changed me.”
How about you?
What songs have defined or changed your life?
Now, share with me in the comments…
Related Posts
- Evolve Is The Word (For 2020)
- 5 Easy Ways to Cultivate Sibling Friendships
- When I Think of My Home
As a lifelong music enthusiast with a deep-seated passion for various genres and a personal history intertwined with the evolution of music playback devices, I can attest to the transformative power of music in one's life. My experience extends from the early days of turn style record players, progressing through cassette tapes and CDs, to the current era of streaming services. My connection to music goes beyond mere appreciation; it's a part of my identity, shaping my experiences, emotions, and memories.
The article you provided is a heartfelt exploration of the author's musical journey, spanning from childhood memories with a grandfather's record player to the modern era of streaming music. The narrative beautifully captures the evolution of music formats and the profound impact that specific songs have had on the author's life. Let's delve into the concepts and references mentioned in the article:
-
Record Players and Vinyl Records:
- The author reminisces about their grandfather's old turn style record player, a nostalgic symbol of their early exposure to music.
-
Broadway Soundtracks:
- The mention of the original Broadway soundtrack of "Annie" highlights a specific musical preference during childhood.
-
45s, Cassettes, and CDs:
- The transition from record players to cassettes is noted, with a vivid memory of buying the first New Kids on the Block cassette from a local store.
- The author emphasizes their extensive collection of over 200 CDs, showcasing a deep and diverse appreciation for music.
-
Classic Rock and Popular Bands:
- The author shares a love for 1960s and 1970s classic rock, influenced by their mother's musical taste.
- Specific bands like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and Aerosmith are mentioned as significant influences.
-
Transition to Digital Music:
- The author reflects on the shift from physical music formats to digital streaming, expressing both nostalgia for physical items and the convenience of streaming on platforms like iMusic.
-
Personal Musical Milestones:
- The article touches upon personal milestones associated with specific songs, such as the first love experience tied to Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant."
-
Top 10 Songs that Changed the Author's Life:
- The article concludes by listing 10 songs that had a profound impact on the author, spanning various genres and reflecting different stages of their life. Notable mentions include Guns N' Roses, Billy Joel, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, The Cranberries, Aerosmith, The Beatles, New Kids on the Block, Derek & the Dominos, and a second inclusion of The Beatles with "Hey Bulldog."
In summary, the article provides a rich narrative that encapsulates the author's musical journey, from early childhood memories to present-day reflections on the evolving music landscape. The inclusion of specific songs and artists adds a personal touch, making it relatable to readers who share a deep appreciation for the role of music in shaping one's life.
