A Little Ditty about…Music (and Jack and Diane)

I love to sing…in the car with the radio blasting so my passengers can’t hear how off key I am. The only musical talent I posses is the ability to read music-thanks to 6 years of band. But truth be told, I don’t know a single person that doesn’t love music. Everyone has their favorite band or genre. Every song has the ability to remind a person of a memory or elicit emotions of pain, joy or love.  Music is the universal language that connects all people together. When I got my first iPod in the 8th grade, (Shout-out to my mom and dad) I loaded up all 4GB with The Beatles, John Mayer, Van Morrison,  Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens and the High School Musical soundtrack. Eclectic, right? Much to the dismay of Disney, my taste in music has matured since I was 13, but I still listen to a variety of music. I like experimenting with different genres and sounds and artists. But something I have only realized just recently is that I like music that leaves me feeling inspired. I like listening to songs that leaves me feeling like I can take on the world. Okay, that’s dramtic, far fetched, whatever you want to say. But if a song can have that effect on a person, than I think the singer/band has accomplished way more than just a $1.29 sell on iTunes. Here’s a mix of what I’ve been really into lately–

• Jack and Diane-John Mellencamp-Favorite line: “Hold on to sixteen as long as you can/Changes come around real soon/Make us women and men”
• Wonderwall-in the style of Straight No Chaser–  I’m really drawn to this song and I haven’t been able to quite figure out why. Maybe I need to be saved?  (“And maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me”). But I love the simple A Capella style of SNC.
• Drive-Incubus-The song opens with talking about fear and uncertainty and how it’s going to take over but then there are these powerful vocals that are like “Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there With open arms and open eyes yeah Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there, I’ll be there…” #Powerful
• Wouldn’t It Be Nice-The Beach Boys– I credit my love of the Beach Boys to my mother as she often had them playing when I was growing up as a kid. But there is just something about this song. The opening instrumental hook has made it one of the Beach Boys most famous songs. It is by a no means a love song, but a ballad about wanting to move on to the next step in your life-a phase I’m currently find myself in.
• Strawberry Bubblegum-Justin Timberlake— Okay, first thing-this song oozes sensuality. But it’s Justin Timberlake, what did you expect? But what I think I like about this song is JT’s approach. He obviously pines after the woman in question but he doesn’t feel the need to use crude language or degrade the woman when describing their encounter or relationship. And that can be hard to do in today’s music industry. Also, his voice just sounds silky and smooth like a nice espresso-I dig it.

I attribute my music taste to my parents. No, Steve isn’t into JT but my parents brought me up around good, wholesome music  and that has allowed me to develop my own tastes over the years. Though the older I get, the more similar our musics tastes get. Funny how that works. For daily song inspiration, check out my “Song of the Day” on my Instagram! Cheers, Mary