Monday, April 20, 2009

Musical trip down memory lane

Music has played a big part in my life and it triggers a lot of memories for me.

Fleetwood Mac reminds me of my college graduation, the Beatles always reminds me of summer and Soulja Boy song reminds me of my brother's wedding. Yeah, the last one is a little random. My dad even remembers the song he heard after learning his mom died. And now, 20 plus years later, he still turns off the radio when it comes on.

But the music I have the most memories with (and don't laugh) is Sarah McLachlan.

When I was in high school, Sarah McLachlan was like my personal goddess. Oh Sarah, you spoke to me. Her album, "Surfacing" was on a permanent loop in my house. I listened to it night and day.

At this time, Lilith Fair was in full swing and "moody girl rock" was peaking in popularity. 

Her songs, Building a Mystery and Adia, were always accompanied by my passionate, yet tone-deaf voice voice.

I bring this up because the wedding I recently went to had a heavy Sarah McLachlan playlist during dinner and my female tablemates and I spoke about our Sarah memories, swooning over teenage angst and how her soulful lyrics got us through a tough adolescence. 

I think I even sang along to one of her songs on a date. And yes, he did ask me out again after hearing that. 

There's something about the power of music and the emotions it brings up. You feel like the songs sing directly to you and know exactly how you feel. Um, yeah I think I once said that about a 98 Degrees song too. Fail.

Even now, I have playlists for certain moods, including: 
  • Gym 
  • Post work relaxation
  • College/Frat party
  • Germany memories (lots of techno and Tom Jones music)
  • Let's go take on the world!
  • Drunk (lots of Journey and Britney Spears)
So my question tonight is: what music or artist brings up the most memories for you, even from those difficult teenage years? Or what is your go-to song or artist when you need a pick-me-up?

26 comments:

EP said...

There are SO many songs and bands that remind me of certain points in my life.

Funny that techno reminds you of Germany because that same music reminds me of Italy. (Oh, clubbing was the best.) Death Cab reminds me of a certain happy/sad time in college. Bob Dylan reminds me of that same time, but for a different reason.

If I need a pick-me-up, I'll listen to Brooke Waggoner, Journey or anything danceable. Dancing makes everything better.

Pretty Unfamous said...

Only one song has ever made me cry when listening to it--Pink's Family Portrait. I can't listen to that one when I'm moody. I turn into a puddle.

Mandy said...

I definitely have different music for different situations. Some day's its Simon and Garfunkel, other days its Sugarland and Taylor Swift. Bon Jovi is a good go to artist. Just depends on my mood.

golublog said...

I loved her back in the building a mystery days. Now she just does those annoying pet shelter ads though.

Andhari said...

Ohhh I have playlists for everything too. It's cool, sometimes I use it to make something more dramatized lol

Maki said...

Wow, I am so with you on this!!!

Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" brings me back to those days when I was littl. But now, because my husband loves this song, it reminds me of our relationship when it first started.

I tend to love the music from 80's which reminds me of great times with my dad. My dad has influenced me tremedously on music. I used to wake up to Bonnie Raitt's "Too Soon To Tell" or "Have a Heart" every morning.

All the songs from Sarah McLachlan remind me of my years with my ex - I do have all her albums and used to cry to her music because her voice's amazingly beautiful.

I have too many things to say when it comes to music - I love this post!!!

Maki said...

P.S. Aw I forgot to say, have you seen/heard Lilith Fair's "The Water is Wide" by Sarah, Indigo Girls, Jewel? I love that song!!!

Living Dees Life said...

seems like everything brings a memory up if i've heard it before. so in essence my answer is: too many to mention!!

Maggie said...

I can sooo relate.

Brand New-Deja Entendu basically reminds me of my first year of college.

I usually associate certain songs to either people or times in my life. it's weird.

oh, and next time Jamie comes over to bake you're totally invited! :)

Amber said...

Spice Girls brings back SO many memories for me. Me and my friends LOVED them. Even today I still know the words to most of their songs off by heart!

LBluca77 said...

Oh there are so many songs that bring up certain memories. But no matter what my mood is The Beatles always make me happy. will

Pam said...

I love when you hear a song and it brings you back to an exact moment in your life. I feel like I get that a lot. Any NSYNC song still brings me back to my teenage years, "Comfortable" from John Mayer reminds me of my breakup with my first boyfriend, and I always listen to Justin Timberlake before I go out because it reminds me fun times in college.
But the songs from when I studied abroad in Ireland stick out the most in my mind. "Beautiful" by James Blunt (don't laugh), "Love Generation" by Bob Sinclair, "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues...the list goes on and on. I can remember exact times and places I heard those songs while I was there and when I hear them now it's like I'm right back there...it's really nice actually.

Daisy said...

Nothing brings everything flooding back more than a song. There are so many- for summer, Don Henley and Dire Straits, for walking to work, Tom Petty, and for crying my eyes out over my teenage loves, Radiohead. Good times.

Anonymous said...

My entire teenage years are summed up with bowling for soup. My boyfriend introduced them to me when I was 16 and I don't think I turned them off until I turned 20. I still listen to them whenever I want to reminisce. And don't tell anyone, but this weekend I uploaded all my Britney and Spice Girls CDs onto my Ipod....

The Modern Gal said...

Isn't it funny how music has this kind of effect? So many memories of mine have songs connected to them. Here's an embarrassing one: Livin' la Vida Loca will always make me think of my junior prom and prom date. He was such a goofball.

I love Sarah, but she seems like a strange choice for a wedding?

thatShortchick said...

the boy bands and spice girls all bring me back to my middle school days.

TLC was my absolute FAVORITE girl group 'back in the day' and I had all of their posters in my room.

Pink's "I'm Not Dead" and Kelly Clarkson's "My December" CDs both helped me get through a darker period in my life about 2 or 3 years ago.

Maris said...

Oh god. I will never hear Nickleback "How You Remind Me" without thinking of a HS ex. My first kiss was in a car playing U2 (Beautiful Day). My first slow dance was Fugees, "Killing Me Softly' (weird, right) and there are ENDLESS songs that make me think of junior high, high school and different periods through college. "She Will Be Loved" by Jason Mraz was junior year of college when I moved into my first apartment.

I could go on....

Unknown said...

Oooh! This topic is right on for me. It's like every song has a memory attached to it. I also have a very eclectic taste in music, so I am definitely all over the place. I don't have a particular go-to song, though, I too, was a Sarah fan. I sang Angel to my high school sweetheart while we danced to it at Homecoming...lol

lara said...

Too funny! My post yesterday was about music too!

My most memorable song would have to be Jump by Van Halen.
when i was probably 5 i remember being in my basement and my dad playing his album. i had on my little playschool roller skates (the ones that went on over your shoes) and actually jumping up and down when VH said JUMP!

if you get a chance check out my blog. i'm new to the blogging scene...

http://butnoteveryday.blogspot.com/

rock on!

jenn said...

ooo i totally wont laugh at you. i love sarah! "possession" and "good enough" are 2 of the most beautiful songs ever.

L.C.T. said...

Ah that's just one of the reasons I love music. Then I studied it for a degree so I'm quite analytical now! Sting and Delta Goodrem (weirdly) remind me of college!

Sarah Alway said...

Thanks to my dad, when I was growing up I knew the words to Tom Petty songs better than the theme song to Sesame Street. Even today there is nothing that playing Free Fallin' full blast in the car and singing along won't cure...

Joy @ Big Time Fancy said...

OH MAN. Sarah's song "Stupid" came out right after I'd been dumped in college and I listened to is SO MANY TIMES because oh my god it was SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO ME.

Meg Kathleen said...

For me it's Devotchka. A friend had just given me the cd when my best friend died and I listened to it non stop. Now I still listen to How It Ends every time I feel a panic attack coming on.

Karen said...

Mel C's I turn to you reminds me of Germany...

I can't listen to Tori Amos anymore-reminds me of my depressed phase.

When I want to laugh I turn on the Sound of Music and let the kids try to sing about raindrops on roses, which is hilarious.

Wheels said...

I TOTALLY listened to Mirrorball all through junior high and high school. I'm completely addicted to Taylor Swift and the Hannah Montana soundtrack right now.

There are so many songs that conjure up memories, it's not even funny.

Also, how come I can remember all the words to lyrics from songs I haven't heard since I was eight but can't remember where my keys are?