It's a quiet Wednesday night in January and I sit poised and ready at my laptop glass of wine within grasp, cake within sight, Winamp alternating songs on my carefully crafted "Songs of the Day" Playlist, notifications of g-chat conversations with friends blinking in a Mozilla Firefox Inactive Tab. Charles says... John Says... Cheyenne says... I'm sure you were wondering how my Top 5 could all possibly be related to music....Now you know.
But seriously, this is a big step for me; a giant leap rather. Up until a few months ago, music reviews were strictly personal and private. After finding myself in a long term relationship dead end writing became a refuge of sorts. The entire process was so elaborate and demanding that it simply took my mind off of my life and the lack of a certain individual's presence. Speakers to ears to pen to paper became the rhythm of my life.
Fast forward to fall 2009 and a little push (ok, no...thrust) from several fronts. Great friends with whom I finally entrusted with writing samples encouraged me to consider submitting reviews to local music magazines. None of these opportunities came to fruition, but c'est la vie. For this very reason, I am here today; wearing my ear (and heart) on my sleeve ready to share with you.
It goes without saying that music has had such a profound effect on my life. It has defined days, months, years and decades. It has molded friendships, relationships and conversations. It's seen me through many pitfalls and its been there for all my triumphs. Music defines the law of physics. It is a time machine whisking us away to our past allowing us to recall (bitter) sweet memories . I'm constantly amazed at the contradictory nature of songs. While one may have the ability to mend a broken heart another has the power to reopen old wounds.
Curious as to my ultimate amazement with music? It's gravitational pull. It has simultaneously caused frustrations with certain individuals yet it has brought me so very close to others. And this is where my first introductory blog entry has taken me. The following is not a list of my ultimate favorite songs, by no means. I give you, in no particular order, the songs that have come to mean something between certain individuals and myself. Can you spot the shout out?
Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)
Tantric - Breakdown
Hootie and the Blowfish - Let Her Cry
*N SYNC - Tearin' Up My Heart
Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise
Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah! - The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth
Ke$ha - Tik Tok
Clarence Carter - Strokin'
Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That
Wyclef Jean - Stayin Alive
Kid Cudi - Day 'n' Nite (Crooker's Remix)
Luscious Jackson - "Naked Eye"
Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
R. Kelly - Ignition
Coldplay - The Scientist
Juanes - La camisa negra
The Fugees - Killing Me Softly
Veruca Salt -"Seether"
No Doubt - "Spiderwebs"
Jamie Foxx - Blame It
The Smiths - How Soon Is Now
Alana Davis - 32 Flavors
Tony Orlando and Dawn - Knock 3 Times
Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks
Celine Dion - My Heart Will Go On
Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence
Madonna - Hung Up
Death Cab for Cutie - The Sound of Settling
White Town - "Your Woman"
David Bowie - Starman
The Apples in Stereo - Energy
Of Montreal -Climb the Ladder
MGMT - Kids
INOJ - Love You Down
Lil John (Feat. Usher and Ludacris) - Lover's and Friends
Hey Champ - Cold Dust Girl
You know I'm all about that old school INOJ. Takes me back, and that song never leaves your head. I had never heard the phrase "Let me love you down" until this song. And yet, it's right on.
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