Memories in Music (PART 1)

Songs, like smells, are powerful emotion and memory triggers for me. Allow me to illustrate:  It's a beautiful Sunday morning.  All is well in Jenny-land as I bop around my room rocking out to jams a-la-Itunes-shuffle, cleaning up and taking care of biz-nass.  Then BAM! Out of nowhere Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" begins to play, and I'm an insta-mess.  I'm talking curled into fetal position on my bed, pondering all of the sufferings of humanity and the sadnesses of life.  With any luck, Sinead O'connor's "Nothing Compares to You" will not be next on the random shuffle to throw me further into my music-induced sulk mode.

Fortunately, most songs have the opposite effect and remind me of happy moments during my past 4 years in New York.  The songs below are essentially a timeline of my memories in music.  This post will be in 2 parts (maybe 3) so that this doesn't become the LONGEST POST OF YOUR LIFE (as was this one)! And now, for the main event.... (drum roll).... my MEMORIES IN MUSIC (please, for the love of God and for me, say in your best announcer's voice:).......

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Mary J. Blige "Just Fine"  - I listened to this first song EVERY morning while getting ready for work when I first moved to NYC.  I'm not even sure where I first heard this tune since I've never been much of a MJB fan, but I definitely got addicted to the clappy beats and inspiring lyrics (i.e., "I like what I see when I'm looking at me and I'm walking past the mirror.").  This jam gave me the boost I needed to conquer Manhattan during my first few months here.

The scene of many a Just Fine rock-outs (i.e., making coffee in the mini kitchen in the morns).

Pussycat Dolls "Jai Ho" - This song will forever remind me of my two fab work girlfriends, Erica and Lucyanna.  The first time I heard "Jai Ho" was during my second busy season.  I was sitting in my cubicle (most likely at some ungodly hour of the night) when I heard this song across the hall, with a couple of girly voices singing along with it while cracking up. Could it be? People being joyous during tax season?! Yes! Yes, it could! I found Erica and Lucyanna rocking out heartily at their desks while working on tax returns.  From that moment on, these two ladies kept me chipper through the tough hours of busy season and at many other times during the years since. Thanks to them, I will always think of listening to this song on repeat while dancing around the office late at night (yes, I may have even done a cartwheel once).  Ahh the mems.  :)

The Jai Ho crew. Posing with a plant at work. Corporate America at its finest. 

Akon "Beautiful"-  This next jam also brings me back to my young staff days.  Every time I hear "Beautiful" I think of my former coworker (and dear friend) who was a bit enamored by me. He sent me this song with the intention of hinting at his affections for me (I swear I'm not making this up -- he later confessed it).  It now remains not only a memory of that gesture, but also has stayed in tact as a staple on my workout play list (how could hearing "you're beautiful" on repeat not inspire you to burn more calories on the elipto?!).  Also, every time I listen to the lyrics, I chuckle, wondering how the lyrics could have possibly made this fellow think of me: "I see you in the club, you showin' thugs love, I wanna get with you."  Alright, alright you got me. I'm a sucker for showin' the thugs love. 

Britney Spears "Mmm Papi" This is a song that I don't think ever made it to the radio but it should have (listen and you'll understand). Anyway, I was so obsessed with it at one point a couple years ago that I thought of a partial music video concept for it. Here it is, as documented in my journal on February 28, 2009, 11:22PM: "I thought of a video concept. Britney and other look-alikes dressed as dolls with pink circles of blush on cheeks with blonde pigtails (low) and bangs swooped across.  A green and red/orange dress that's a-line up to the mid thigh. Fishnets and Jessica Rabit heels. They have colorful lollipops and there's an overall candy-shop theme. Very colorful. A few buff male dancers with no shirts, plaid pants, suspenders and hats. Maybe canes. Maybe handle-bar mustaches.  Awesome dance routine."  Hmmm, okay looking back this sounds more like a raunchy Vegas cabaret show, but still I was being crafty! Now listen to the song and see if you can visualize my theme :) 

My would-be music video props.

Kings of Leon "Use Somebody" - Now let's take it down a notch. This next song touched me so much that I even wrote about in this journal entry on July 28, 2009: "I'm laying in bed listening to "Use Somebody" by kings of leon. I'm not sure where I first heard this song but I love it. Very powerful. Reminds me of freedom, growing up, making decisions, finding love, things falling into place, things changing."  It's kind of cool that exactly one month later I did find love and things did fall into place. <3

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What songs trigger memories for you? 

Alright, that's enough nostalgia for one post.  It's a beautiful rainy Sunday evening, so lets get to livin'! I for one have grocery shopping to do!  Enjoy the last few hours of your weekend :)