Music has a way of making connections for us that trigger memories. These can be good, bad or even sad memories. These days, everyone seems to be listening to podcasts or audible books. Myself, I prefer music. Many of you know that I even speak in lyrics at times. Phrases will grab my attention and I can sing the song or name the song title and artist immediately.
Music takes me back to places, times and people I have not thought about in ages.
Hearing the theme song from Jurassic Park makes me think of my band director, Mr. Price. We performed that song in marching band and when I heard it at Universal Studios, I immediately thought of him.
American Pie by Don McLean will alway make me think of my 8th grade English teacher, Mr. Draper. He had us analyze the song to determine what the lyrics meant and who or what they referred to.
Music from the 60's reminds me of my dad. All of those long hours in a car for road trips, only listening to music he liked. I became an expert at name that tune...even identifying the artist and year it was released. Del Shannon's song Run Away is still one of my all time favorites.
There is a song from the 90's that remind me of my mom. Surprisingly, I can't remember the name of the song, but every time we listened to it, she thought we were barking. I remember laughing so hard with herwhen we told her we weren't barking like dogs and what the real lyrics were.
Ruby Soho by Rancid was my turning point song. After hearing it for the first time on 89X out of Detroit was when I realized not all music was pop music, and that punk rock alternative was my music.
When Guns 'n Roses came out with November Rain, I found my love of mixing the sounds of the orchestra with other genres.
When I was pregnant with Cora, I would listen to Macklemore's Thrift Shop and she would start moving like crazy. Quinn on the other hand loved the Ramones. That music forever reminds me of them.
The theme song from Bluey will always hold a special place in my heart. It was Sloane's absolute favorite. As soon as she would hear the music, she would stop everything and start dancing. She would look at me, huge smile on her face, clap and dance. She wanted to share her joy with me each and every time that song came on.
When Sloane was in the hospital, she loved just listening to the theme song. It made her happy.
Now, the music sounds so different to me.
The first song I kept hearing after her death was Wrecked by Imagine Dragons. It literally brought me to my knees each time I heard it. I had to stop listening to it.
"Days pass by and my eyes stay dry, and I think that I'm okay 'Til I find myself in conversation, fading away The way you smile, the way you walk The time you took to teach me all that you had taught Tell me, how am I supposed to move on?
These days I'm becoming everything that I hate Wishing you were around but now it's too late My mind is a place that I can't escape your ghost
Sometimes I wish that I could wish it all away One more rainy day without you Sometimes I wish that I could see you one more day One more rainy day
Oh, I'm a wreck without you here Yeah, I'm a wreck since you've been gone I've tried to put this all behind me I think I was wrecked all along Yeah, I'm a wreck
They say that the time will heal it, the pain will go away But everything, it reminds me of you and it comes in waves Way you laugh when your shoulders shook The time you took to teach me all that you had taught Tell me, how am I supposed to move on?"
Then, a few weeks after Sloane died, Justin Bieber came out with Ghost. I would weep uncontrollably when I heard it. I am not sure what happened that inspired these lyrics, but they perfectly capture my feelings about losing Sloane, they capture the feelings of losing a child.
"Youngblood thinks there's always tomorrow I miss your touch on nights when I'm hollow I know you crossed a bridge that I can't follow
Since the love that you left is all that I get I want you to know that if I can't be close to you I settle for the ghost of you I miss you more than life (more than life)
And if you can't be next to me Your memory is ecstasy I miss you more than life I miss you more than life
Youngblood thinks there's always tomorrow (woo) I need more time but time can't be borrowed I'd leave it all behind if I could follow
Since the love that you left is all that I get I want you to know that if I can't be close to you I'll settle for the ghost of you I miss you more than life, yeah
And if you can't be next to me Your memory is ecstasy (oh) I miss you more than life I miss you more than life"
Music can take your mind to places that are incredibly painful, but music can also remind you of some beautiful memories, turning points in your life or those you love. I have always kept a list of songs for my "Life Playlist". Those songs that signify important moments in my life, strong memories. I absolutely hate that I have two songs on that playlist now that represent a shattered heart.
What are you listening to?
What songs are on your "Life Playlist"?