I was walking home last night- the air warm and finally comfortable, with my iPod buds snugly in my ears as a shuffle of whatever is on there played. All of the sudden on comes “Anna Begins” by The Counting Crowes, an old favorite of mine I never listen to anymore. As I listened to it I started getting choked up. Perhaps it’s because it’s been an emotional week, or perhaps it’s because so much life is lived in a song. You know what I mean? When a song that was crucial to a moment in your life is played in the present, all sorts of things come flooding back. For me, I can hear a song and am practically taken back to the experience I was having when I first fell in love with it- pain, happiness, humor, love, insanity, what have you. It’s a visceral experience really, and I think it’s a fascinating one because not many other things cause that kind of emotional tap in me. I am very much the kind of person who plays music as an antidote to a mood- or to create or embrace a mood. I dig music of the “head in the oven” variety in which it’s all longing, down tempo and moody for when I’m feeling pensive but am also one heck of a hip hop fanatic when I’m needing a lift, working up a sweat or getting ready to hit the town. The dichotomy of styles explains me, as a person, perfectly.
So I thought back through my entire life and put together a playlist of songs that remind me of very specific moments in time- from sitting in my Laura Ashley smothered room as an awkward middle schooler to my first love and first heartbreak. It’s an interesting and really fun experience- I suggest you try it.
I wont go through the meaning behind ALL 61 songs, but here are some:
Billie Jean- Michael Jackson: My mom said she remembers the exact moment this song came on for the first time on the radio. I was 2 and apparently I LOVED to “dance” to MJ’s earliest hits (and Prince).
Walk Like an Egyptian- The Bangles: This song reminds me of jelly bracelets, puffy paint, stirrup pants, bad perms, buck teeth and general awkwardness.
Hands to Heaven- Breathe: This one is a doozy for me- totally reminds of never once being asked to dance at any of my middle school dances but watching my friends get asked. :(
I’ve Had the Time of My Life: Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes: Hello Dirty Dancing. The first PG-13 movie I ever saw and I watched it like 100 times. I was obsessed with Patrick Swayze and learning the “lift”. See also: “She’s Like the Wind”. I’m pretty sure I sang that one into the mirror a lot.
Only In My Dreams- Debbie Gibson: I was her biggest fan, I think. I even wore that stupid black hat she did and bought her perfume “Electric Youth”. She was my first concert and I’ll never forget walking into my bedroom on my birthday and seeing concert tickets taped to my poster of her, complete with a speech bubble my dad drew next to her face saying “See you soon, Erin!” I nearly had a cerebral hemorrhage. Also during this time my friend Anya and I made up a killer dance routine to Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now”
Bust A Move- Young MC: I remember sitting in my room listening to my purple radio with my finger hovered over the “tape record” button waiting for this bad boy to come on. My introduction to hip hop- which I totally love.
Vogue-Madonna: I think there is a Madonna song for every stage of my life. This one was the BEST.
Take My Breath Away- Berlin:This song reminds me of my first love. And Tom Cruise playing volleyball.
O.P.P.- Naughty by Nature: When I took hip hop dance classes (not kidding) our routine was to this song. I am really, really glad no video exists of such despicable acts. But I still listen to this song all the time when working out (and can do a mean running man!)
Summertime- DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince: One of the best songs EVER. I immediately think of driving in my navy Jeep Wrangler my parent’s suprised me with for high school graduation. Happy as a clam.
Freshman- The Verve Pipe: For some reason I specifically associate a field trip to Boston while at boarding school with this song. I loved how melancholy it was. I was feeling misunderstood at the time I think.
Let Me Clear My Throat- DJ Kool: Senior prom. The first one Miss Porter’s ever had thanks to my best friend Nancy. This song reminds me of that night, my ridiculous date and hairdo and Nancy and I “misbehaving” (which by normal high school standards would not be considered misbehaving- all girl’s school is a different entity entirely).
Cryin’- Aerosmith and Ascension- Maxwell: Totally songs that I associate with my first long term relationship in college. This is what regret sounds like.
Crash Into Me- Dave Matthews: I’ve been to about 8 or 9 DMB shows in my life- summertime sitting on the lawn at Meadows in Hartford jammin’ to good ol’ Dave. This song will always be my favorite.
Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems- Notorious BIG and Puffy: Dancing with my best friends in college at “TNE’s”… and not realizing how young and lucky we were.
Freebird- Lynard Skynard: I went to a Lynard Skynard concert in college. Why? Because I was downright obsessed with Freebird a few decades late. Lighters up.
I’m A Slave 2 U- Britney Spears- Continuing my embarrassing concert attendances- my best friend and first post-college roommate and I decided last minute to go see Britney at the Fleet Center. We scalped tickets, bought t-shirts (put them on immediately) and double-fisted Miller Lites and sat in the very last row with a bunch of 14 years old and their moms.
Like I Love You- JT: Does this really need an explanation? I didn’t think so. It’s JT.
Copa Cabana- Barry Manilow: This came on in Andrew’s car on one of our first dates and I was HORRIFIED. He said he loved that song. I said I don’t think I can date you.
What a Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong: ….and then I married him anyways, despite his hideous music. And danced to this song with my Dad as I sobbed my eyes out in front of everyone (who were also sobbing, if you heard his speech you would have too- it involves the “Hands to Heaven” explanation above)
Fix You- Coldplay: The first time hearing a song live gave me goosebumps and made me cry (and I am NOT a crier, despite the many mentions of doing so on this list). I went to their Viva la Vida tour show three times last year.
Wrong Prayer- Jaydiohead: Hold the phone- Jay Z and Radiohead together??? Too good to be true for a girl like me.
Sia-Breathe Me: It’s between”Fix You” and this song as my all time favorite. I can’t get enough of it and it’s very much a song that will forever remind me of this moment in time right now and those people in it.
Very cool and touching post. I’m about the same age (will be 32 years old this August), so I can relate to certain songs at the same points of my life. I, of course, loving all things British would also have to add in Oasis’s 1994 Definitely Maybe as being a defining moment in my life.
Just reading through that list took me back! “Blower’s Daughter” is one of my all-time favorites, as is that whole “O” CD.
Music, is and always will be, an important thing in my life…can’t explain it, but it is. I also love teaching my kiddies about the importance of my ‘good music’ …Tom Petty, REM, DMB, etc…:)
I’m totally with you on Summertime! Love that song!
I completely forgot to add Oasis. And Marky Mark’s “Good Vibrations”. :)
So many of your choices could have have been my own! Especially Walk like an Egyptian! And Vogue, oh dear.
Thanks for sharing your song list! It’s funny because a lot of those songs I would put in my playlist! I have to fess up and say that I have gone to a few embarrassing concerts myself…hello, Britney Circus tour…it was her big comeback & I couldn’t miss that!
Ohhhh, I love this post. I may have to try this myself. I can think of several songs off the bat. Wow – thanks for sharing!!
Merci,
Shannan
Anna Begins…one of my faves. Madonna’s Cherish was the first song I remember playing on repeat and dancing to…and dirty dancing tapes on my walkman. And DMB will be the official band of my high school and college!
Thank you, thank you for a morning with Biggie. Love it!
So funny reading your list almost everyone one of those songs also remind me of times in my life (Obviously different then your memories) and I love them. Most of these songs are so songs that would be on my on my list also. Such a great list.
so nice playlist! now I know what to listen to all day :)
So true. You hear certain songs and it just takes you right back.
I love old school Madonna. “Cryin’” and “Summertime” bring back big memories and I LOVE “Fix You.” That song KILLS me and I don’t even love Coldplay!
We must be close to the same age. Oh, how this brings me back – hello middle and high school! Thanks for posting! (And introducing me to Playlist … how cool.)
What a great idea Erin – “Soundtrack to your Life”…an instatnt classic!
I agree. There is nothing like a song to illicit a memory or capture a moment. I too am a repeat offender of listening to something ad nauseum. Freshman- The Verve Pipe is a doozy for me too and I still can’t listen to Alicia Keys – No One. It reminds me too much of a really sad time in my life.
What a fantastic idea. I might have to borrow this for our blog ;) And I agree with you about Wrong Prayer. That is a mashup that should have been an album track.
My friends and I also have a list of songs for our “If I go to hell, this is what the soundtrack will be”. Mine always consists of Steely Dan, Cat Stevens, the Steve Miller Band and Jim Croce (minus Bad, Bad LeRoy Brown. I like that song).
Just in case you were needing to create more playlists. : )
Ah…. this helped me get through the remainder of my afternoon (I’m on Prague time!). Thanks for the great selection and for sharing your memories!
Erin, this post is amazing and so beautifully written. Like you, I also believe in the power of music and am in awe of how it can transport us to another time, place, or state of mind. We’re about the same age, so many of your favorites are personal favorites of mine as well. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Debbie Gibson. Love. “Lost in Your Eyes” — does it GET better?!? I completely owe it to my big sis for introducing me to her at the ripe age of 4… 5… gosh, how old was I?!
This is so great, and the funny thing is I relate to almost all of these songs…must be our age! I agree though in the power of a song…it can transcend you back in time and the memories they can carry are sometimes very powerful. If it were my list, I’d have to add “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, “Betty Davis Eyes,” “Thriller,” “Alive,” by Pearl Jam and “Sugar Magnolia” by the Grateful Dead. And now that I’m thinking about it, many, many more. I might have to make my own soundtrack this weekend!
I had Electric Youth perfume too. It was my favorite in high school, and the boys liked it too! I can still remember how it smelled.
I used to listen to 99 red balloons with my brother in our tree house when we were 9 or 10. I don’t know why I remember that…it was just an incredibly happy time…not a care in the world!
Aw, I so know this feeling. Push It by Salt N Peppa was my ringtone! And I too get pumped up my Naughty By Nature at the gym. Feel Me Flow gets me going. Handsome Boy Modeling School reminds me of driving around in Dec of ’05 with my Husband (who LOVES DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince’s Summertime) before we were married.
Erin,
I loved reading this post! I think you should have added “I Just Want to Fly” by ???? as your memory of thinking how STUPID your mother is!!! Many laughs! And ” Bermuda Bahama Come On Pretty Mama”–but maybe you were too young then–you loved it! Mom
Oh, I should have added “More Than Words” by Extreme- funniest thing ever was listening to Mike sing that in the backseat ferociously off key!!!!! And something by “Booty and Hoe-fish” :)
What a great post. “More than Words” is DEFINITELY a classic that me and my sister love and I just sang “Bust a Move” with a friend at a karoake bar in NYC on Saturday (obviously I had some liquid courage in me to get me motivated).
This post made me smile! – These are total classics! And although the only place Ive been singing them is the shower, I am proud to say I know the words to at least half of each of those songs!
this is the best morning work mix ever! co-workers are lovin the flashbacks right now. i love this idea and think about this kind of thing all the time. you picked some really good ones i have my own memories for!
And please ask Andrew to dance with you to Hands to Heaven! It’s time someone danced with you to that song!! :)
Not to sound like a creeper, but I think if we had ever met in life, we’d be great friends. When I first started reading your post and you mentioned “Anna begins” I was like ME TOO! I love that song, especially when it changes tone in the middle and he sings “… and this time, when kindess falls liek rain, it washes her away and Anna begins to change my mind …” I LOVE! Then I was thinking of my songs and thinking I’d have to have Good Vibrations, I listened to it every single day while getting ready for school in junior high, every day – and here in the comments you added it! PS – If you want to revisit Ms. Gibson’s “Electric You”, try Juicy Couture’s “LOVE G & P”, I just got it and literally 2 days ago, my sister goes sniff, sniff, “is that electric youth”???
wow, we are the same age so these songs remind me of so much too! especially walk like an egyptian! and i also love fix you and also went to a lynyrd skynyrd concert ha! and by your side was my first dance wedding song!
I really enjoyed reading your descriptions. I think we’re close in age, as a lot of your pics aroused feelings in me as well. Great post!
Sorry, I meant your “picks.”
ok i had to leave another comment.. these songs are cracking me up. love shack, freshman, smashing pumpkins, fugees, jump around, mo money mo problems, if i ruled the world…wow!! so many remind me of middle and high school! my best friend and i did a “dance” to it takes 2 and i think my very first CD’s I ever owned were arrested development and dj jazzy jeff. thanks for the memories! i think if i had to add to thist list off the top of my head, i would be adding the steve miller band and bone thugs n harmony. LOL.
Hey, Erin. You down with O.P.P?
Love your website. Michael Jackson is misspelled in your music player. Yikes!
Love purple rain too!
XOXO,
http://outfitidentifier.com/
This playlist is the best thing that happened to me this afternoon. Thanks!
This is a fun idea to do…so many songs are so memorable that when I hear them I am IMMEDIATELY taken back :)
M Jackson was my absolute favorite when I was young and now my two and three year old LOVE him. Their favorite movie is This is It. So just wanted to say that I now have the same memory as your Mom does but with my two year old!!
Oh my, those TNE’s!! Soph. year when I was governor of Plant we tried to plan a “Pimps n’ Hos” TNE and there was this big commotion about it so we had to change the name to “Too Hot for TNE” (a la Jerry Springer). The guy who won the costume contest was, of course, dressed like a ho. My friend Liz was an admissions tour guide at the time, and almost killed me for putting up a big banner in Cro that read “Plant’s Pimps & Prostitutes Party” with images of handcuffs and money. Ah, the memories! :-)
This list totally brings me back too! Also, not to be a creep, but we might be music soul mates. Debbie Gibson was my first concert too! My Mom took me to it and crimped my hair special for it and painted my nails. I remember getting to stay up late and eat as much candy as I wanted. It was basically the best day of my life. DMB in the summer and Sia — LOVE! This is a great list. I’m going to be rocking out to it for the rest of the afternoon here at work. Thanks for the distraction!
fantastic post, wow. reading your list was like having my life flash before me!! but I’m not sure if I enjoy the feeling as much as you do. All great memories but now I feel a little old!. Here’s a song from right now in my life that I will look back on someday;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTb9GNIxpMk
Thank you so much for giving me and my corworkers something to enjoy and laugh about during our last hour of work. We even broke out the cabbage patch, the roger rabbit and the running man!
OMG – this is so cool. …ahhh so many memories. Loooveee it :)
Thanks for the great list. As others have mentioned we must be close in age because that list hit a LOT of points in my life too! I really want you to know that every time I hear Breathe’s “Hands To Heaven” I get a little teared up too remembering that feeling of not getting asked to the dance while all of my friends did! If I had only known I wasn’t the only one back then!! (And how much better life could be after middle school too!) Music is a very powerful thing.
i’m convinced we had the same adolescence.
I love this post. I’m laughing so hard at some of your entries because they remind me of me! Especially you and your friend making up a dance routine. I can so relate!
wow, erin, i’m a few years older but so many of these songs bring the memories right back! michael jackson and madonna were HUGE when i was in grade school, then junior high, madonna was still huge, and i loved debbie gibson, and even went to a tiffany concert. in high school there was nothing better than the hair bands, at the top of the list was nelson, remember them? my friend and i had the hugest crush on those long blonde haired nelson twins! ahh, memories!
Erin! this post is just another reason to luv you girl. a fun one and i’m pumpin’ your playlist.