When Music is a Memory

Music does things to people. There’s a reason we all wish our lives had a soundtrack. (No? Just me? I feel mine should have a mostly piano backing.)

It can take you back to places from the past. The peppy up-tempo numbers can enhance a good mood or calm you down when you need to relax. Some songs make me think of certain people or situations.

I’m not entirely unconvinced my This is Prematurity piece got recognized simply because it’s got a song to illustrate the story. “Little Talks” reminds me of my grandmother. Barenaked Ladies make me happy (because who doesn’t love barenaked ladies). Don McLean’s American Pie brings me back to high school and Shania Twain’s That Don’t Impress Me Much reminds me of a few people I’ve known (and made me fall in love with country music).

Different moods call for different music.

Two weeks after the muppets were born The Band Perry released their now hit, If I Die Young.

The opening notes felt like a punch to the gut. If I die young. I couldn’t hit the radio stations fast enough. “The sharp knife a short life” stabbing me on a repetitive count of eight. My overly hormonal state had me convinced the universe was trying to prepare me – warning me that “Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no/Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby.”

I’m not a fan of that song. I can tolerate it now. But it’s not really a time I want to journey back to.

One day, I left the afternoon visit. I revved up the MomMobile. A low beat rumbled through the bass speakers that now worked since I had a new car that actually had speakers.

Turn the quiet up, turn the noise down

The muppets were a month old. It was a Saturday. Jon was at work. I put my head down on the steering wheel, tears still in my eyes.

Drink a little drink, smoke a little smoke
Kick back, gives the blues a spin
Break out the wine, forget again

It was catchy.

And suddenly I felt ok. Like things would be ok. It was the first time I can remember really smiling in about two months for no good reason. So. I like Eric Church.

These days me and the little men are rocking out to Carrie Underwood, Mumford and Sons, The Black Keys and Joe Bonamassa.

Because sometimes where words fail, the music speaks.

Where has music taken you? Help me out here – let’s make a playlist of life. We’ll grab a bottle of red – lie around and listen. Back to the future.

 

10 Comments

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10 Responses to When Music is a Memory

  1. Gramma J

    when Sinatra sing MY WAY i feel he sing to me, the song is soo me that i think they should make the national antem , ciao tutti lo gpa Stavo

  2. It’s certainly the anthem of your world 🙂

  3. Jon

    Diamond Rio – Beautiful Mess

  4. My personal theme song is “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees. I just picture myself strutting down the street to that music, John Travolta style.

    Also, have you ever read “Love is a Mix Tape”? You should. GREAT BOOK.

  5. Joanne Hamann

    Anything by Neil Diamond makes me think of GG, but especially “Cracklin Rosie” – she really liked that one. “Someone to Watch Over Me” makes me think of my son, the truly talented saxophonist, who played it solo with the Willamette Valley Concert Band this summer 🙂

  6. Nana

    Everything and anything by The Beatles!!!

  7. Nana

    And I must say that the fact that our little men are rockin’ out to Bonamassa makes my heart sing….

  8. Natalie

    The song that always brings me back to the endless drives to and from the NICU is Tim McGraw’s When the Stars Go Blue. It now has a bittersweet feel when I hear it. I am overwhelmed with a mix of feeling grateful, blessed, sad and relieved.

  9. There is pretty much a U2 song for every mood I am in, but Stuck in a Moment will always jerk me back into a can-do attitude.
    Isn’t It Ironic by Alanis Morrisett is college.
    And I never want to hear The Lion King or Sesame Street Forever ever again.

  10. Pingback: Behind the Music: Search and Destroy – Stream of the Conscious

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