Since I was probably about 9 years old, or younger, I had a secret childhood ritual. I would love to know if my mom ever knew or saw me doing this. When I thought I was alone in my room or I thought I had the house to myself, I would crank up the radio or put on a record (yes, a record) and pretend I was performing on a stage. Our house always had a good space for it. I would sing at the top of my lungs and make up dance routines. I was in heaven. I even sang a special duet with Phil Collins to "Separate Lives" with my 45 record turned up as loud as I could get it. It was quite a performance!
Music has always held a special part of my life. I grew up on a lot of bluegrass, folk and country music with my parents, which has definitely had a strong influence on my preferences as an adult. My dad was always insistent that we listen to his music growing up, like Arlo Guthrie, Johnny Cash, and Jim Croce to name a few. I fought him at the time, but I am so grateful now. My mom loved country music and whenever I hear bands like the Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, or even Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, I am taken straight back to sitting in the back seat of a station wagon. My mom and I LOVED to blast the music as we sang and danced it out in the car. As I grew up, she was so tolerant to listen to my favorite band of the week. My parents took me to my first concert when I was in 6th grade, which was Stevie Wonder and Huey Lewis and the News the following year. Live music was introduced to me early on and I continue to have a great appreciation for it today.
I love all kinds of music and enjoy learning about new artists. One of my greatest loves has always been musicals. I saw my first Broadway shows - Annie and Peter Pan - on our family trip to New York City when I was five years old. My parents took me to see Annie again when I was a little older at a dinner theatre in Winter Park, FL. I cried through a lot of it because I wanted to be on stage. My dad and I have always had a special tradition of taking father-daughter trips to NYC together, starting when I was in 7th grade. I went on a business trip with him the first time, but most of the trips we just went on our own. My dad instilled in me a love of theatre. We would see three or four shows each time we would go. Sometimes when I see the time turning to the eight o'clock hour, I think about all the curtains going up together.
In the picture above, I was traveling on business in NYC and decided to go buy a single ticket to see Wicked. I was able to get a 3rd row center seat! I was so moved by the show and the music. It hit a special place in my heart with some of the things I was going through at the time. This is what music does to me. It takes me to such an emotional place and can raise me up and motivate me in so many ways. It gives me a connection to people, places, and times that I find so comforting.
When I hear Elvira by the Oak Ridge Boys, I laugh and smile and immediately think of my childhood.
When I hear Ice, Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice, I am taken to the night my best friend Alison and I rode around in my new car shouting out the window, "It's a new car!"
When I hear Farthest Shore by David Wilcox, one of my favorite songs, I feel inspired and motivated and think of times that song pushed me to stay positive in moments that were so, so hard.
When I hear When We Dance by Sting, I think of slow dancing with Bob in college.
When I hear For the First Time by Kenny Loggins, I think of our first dance at our wedding.
When I hear Gailileo by the Indigo Girls, I think of my college roommate and how we almost broke our stereo playing this song on repeat.
When I hear Lessons Learned by Carrie Underwood, I think of the little pink iPod that Bob and my mom bought me while I was in the hospital for a 5-week stay and that nothing comforted me more as I pulled the covers over my head and pretended I was somewhere else.
When I hear Once in a Lifetime by Keith Urban, I think of a time when Bob and I realized we were going to be ok.
When I hear Jump Right In by the Zac Brown Band, I think of vacation.
When I hear Sing Me To Heaven, I think of my Bob and his Furman Singers and how much he has taught me about sacred music.
When I hear You'll be in my Heart by Phil Collins, I think of my mom as this was always our song.
When I hear Five Days Old by the Laurie Berkner Band, I will always think of my sweet Megan and her daddy and the amazing days we share together as a family.
And when I hear Music Box Dancer by Frank Mills, I think of my 45 record and my life as an inspiring five-year-old ballerina.
I feel like I could do this forever and I have not even touched on my favorite music. The fun started with making mix tapes - remember how frustrating it was when you reached the end of side A and it cut off the song? I still love making mixes and it is so effortless now. Bob and I have a playlist we have created for every race we have run. We have used a lot of the same old favorites and have had fun finding new inspiration along the way. Music is such a driving force for me when I run and can motivate me so quickly when just the right song comes along at just the right moment. Here are a list of some of my favorites (in no particular order) that will be playing me down the road in the Hot Chocolate 15K on Sunday. Hopefully I won't need more than 1 hour and 35-40 minutes worth!
We Weren't Born to Follow - Bon Jovi
The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson
Stronger - Kanye West
Numb - Linkin Park
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Crazy In Love - Beyonce & Jay-Z
Let's Get It Started - Black Eyed Peas
Let It Rock - Kevin Rudolf & Lil Wayne
Let It Go - Zac Brown Band
Home - Dierks Bentley
Defying Gravity - Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel from Wicked
Hey, Soul Sister - Train
Hearts On Fire - John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band (Anything from Rocky IV Soundtrack)
Rudy Soundtrack
Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz
Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears
Everybody Talks - Neon Trees
Low - Flo Rida (you read it right!)
Even If It Breaks Your Heart - Eli Young Band
The Edge of Glory - Lady GaGa
Drive By - Train
All Your Life - The Band Perry
Roar - Katy Perry
Gone, Gone, Gone - Philip Phillips
Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Wake Me Up - Aloe Blacc
Let It Go - Idina Menzel from Frozen
The Rising - Bruce Springsteen
I am in desperate need for new music, so any suggestions out there are welcomed! I will continue to build my list as the year continues and the marathon draws closer. I will return to the theme of music and the impact of certain songs on my life as the blog continues. It is hard to emphasize enough how important music is to my life. I have been surrounded by extremely talented singers and musicians for my whole adult life, starting at Furman University with almost all of my friends (including my Bob who has a beautiful voice) and continuing with friends I have met along the way. I even worked for a few years for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra! What I lack in talent, I make up for in appreciation. A good song, whether new or an old favorite can bring a smile or tear to my face faster than almost anything. It's almost like a good friend, and on many days, music has been just that to me.
In the picture above, I was traveling on business in NYC and decided to go buy a single ticket to see Wicked. I was able to get a 3rd row center seat! I was so moved by the show and the music. It hit a special place in my heart with some of the things I was going through at the time. This is what music does to me. It takes me to such an emotional place and can raise me up and motivate me in so many ways. It gives me a connection to people, places, and times that I find so comforting.
When I hear Elvira by the Oak Ridge Boys, I laugh and smile and immediately think of my childhood.
When I hear Ice, Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice, I am taken to the night my best friend Alison and I rode around in my new car shouting out the window, "It's a new car!"
When I hear Farthest Shore by David Wilcox, one of my favorite songs, I feel inspired and motivated and think of times that song pushed me to stay positive in moments that were so, so hard.
When I hear When We Dance by Sting, I think of slow dancing with Bob in college.
When I hear For the First Time by Kenny Loggins, I think of our first dance at our wedding.
When I hear Gailileo by the Indigo Girls, I think of my college roommate and how we almost broke our stereo playing this song on repeat.
When I hear Lessons Learned by Carrie Underwood, I think of the little pink iPod that Bob and my mom bought me while I was in the hospital for a 5-week stay and that nothing comforted me more as I pulled the covers over my head and pretended I was somewhere else.
When I hear Once in a Lifetime by Keith Urban, I think of a time when Bob and I realized we were going to be ok.
When I hear Jump Right In by the Zac Brown Band, I think of vacation.
When I hear Sing Me To Heaven, I think of my Bob and his Furman Singers and how much he has taught me about sacred music.
When I hear You'll be in my Heart by Phil Collins, I think of my mom as this was always our song.
When I hear Five Days Old by the Laurie Berkner Band, I will always think of my sweet Megan and her daddy and the amazing days we share together as a family.
And when I hear Music Box Dancer by Frank Mills, I think of my 45 record and my life as an inspiring five-year-old ballerina.
I feel like I could do this forever and I have not even touched on my favorite music. The fun started with making mix tapes - remember how frustrating it was when you reached the end of side A and it cut off the song? I still love making mixes and it is so effortless now. Bob and I have a playlist we have created for every race we have run. We have used a lot of the same old favorites and have had fun finding new inspiration along the way. Music is such a driving force for me when I run and can motivate me so quickly when just the right song comes along at just the right moment. Here are a list of some of my favorites (in no particular order) that will be playing me down the road in the Hot Chocolate 15K on Sunday. Hopefully I won't need more than 1 hour and 35-40 minutes worth!
We Weren't Born to Follow - Bon Jovi
The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson
Stronger - Kanye West
Numb - Linkin Park
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Crazy In Love - Beyonce & Jay-Z
Let's Get It Started - Black Eyed Peas
Let It Rock - Kevin Rudolf & Lil Wayne
Let It Go - Zac Brown Band
Home - Dierks Bentley
Defying Gravity - Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel from Wicked
Hey, Soul Sister - Train
Hearts On Fire - John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band (Anything from Rocky IV Soundtrack)
Rudy Soundtrack
Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz
Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears
Everybody Talks - Neon Trees
Low - Flo Rida (you read it right!)
Even If It Breaks Your Heart - Eli Young Band
The Edge of Glory - Lady GaGa
Drive By - Train
All Your Life - The Band Perry
Roar - Katy Perry
Gone, Gone, Gone - Philip Phillips
Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Wake Me Up - Aloe Blacc
Let It Go - Idina Menzel from Frozen
The Rising - Bruce Springsteen
I am in desperate need for new music, so any suggestions out there are welcomed! I will continue to build my list as the year continues and the marathon draws closer. I will return to the theme of music and the impact of certain songs on my life as the blog continues. It is hard to emphasize enough how important music is to my life. I have been surrounded by extremely talented singers and musicians for my whole adult life, starting at Furman University with almost all of my friends (including my Bob who has a beautiful voice) and continuing with friends I have met along the way. I even worked for a few years for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra! What I lack in talent, I make up for in appreciation. A good song, whether new or an old favorite can bring a smile or tear to my face faster than almost anything. It's almost like a good friend, and on many days, music has been just that to me.
Enjoyed this Susie. I appreciated some of the ones you mentioned that were Joan's favorites as they were mine as well. Our daughters would tell you that you need some of the songs from U2 - favorites of theirs. Sending a hug.
ReplyDeleteI like some of these tunes,too, Susie, especially "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" Tears For Fears. You might like my favorite band, Enter The Haggis, cross-over folk fusion. "(I Won't Let You Go) Down With The Ship" is especially moving to me. Chris
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