It's really interesting how music can provide a timeline of your life. I don't just mean what songs were popular when you were a kid, or in college, or buying your first house...or even what song was playing when you had your first kiss. My eclectic music taste can trace its roots back to certain periods of time, yes, but more importantly, to specific people in my life. I'm kind of like a sponge, and everyone in my life contributes a little bit to my mind opening up and experiencing new things, and music is no exception.
When I was young my mom controlled the radio stations. We had an old red nova, the paint faded to a warm pink tone, that had only an AM radio. So this meant lots of oldies and country music were playing every time we drove. I remember specifically standing in my grandmother's back bedroom and deciding that my favorite song was "All the Gold in California" by the Gatlin Brothers was my favorite song. Picture a chubby cheeked, big brown eyed 5 year old wearing high heels and a sun dress pulled on over clothes like an apron belting out "...is in a bank in the middle of Beverly hills...in somebody else's name..."
I remember dancing in socks and sparkly dress up clothes on the linoleum kitchen floor to "Disco Duck" with my best friend and lip syncing to the Carpenter's at Christmas.
In Jr. High I had a terrific crush on a boy who moved to our area from California. He was scrawny and freckled and wanted nothing at all to do with me...which I think only made me decide I wanted him more. His older sister befriended me, and I thought her the most beautiful, smart, friendly girl in the world. One day I remember being on the phone with her and she got him to come into the room and sing "Toy Soldiers" by Marteka. I still guffaw whenever I hear that song, but at at the time I was swooning like he was Elvis Presley.
High School took me in all sorts of directions depending on who I was in contact with...country, top 40 pop, late night Dr. Demento, and of course being introduced to The Cure and Kate Bush and a host of other bands that I never would have admitted to my mom that I listened to at my friend's houses.
Now that I am in my thirties, you'll probably find I have one of the most eclectic music collections out there...from Neil Diamond, who makes me feel sappy...to Aerosmith, who make me wanna play air guitar....to Metallica who make me wanna head bang...to Carrie Underwood who makes me wanna belt it out as loud as I can in my car...to U2...to The Doors...to Bing Crosby...
Thank you to all the people in my life who have given me such a great soundtrack.
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