What are your musical memories?

As I’m driving my little Cobalt to work this morning, the song “Love is a Battlefield” came on the radio. My mind was suddenly flooded by memories of long ago.  I felt elated, exhilarated, and even a little nostalgic.  I remembered care-free days gone by when bills didn’t have to be paid on time, and it was acceptable (even encouraged) to wear flannels with military boots and brown eyeliner as lipstick. 

I started to reflect on how music shapes our world and fuels significant points in our lives.  Who doesn’t remember couples-skating at the rink to “Purple Rain” or at the end of a breakup playing “Nothing Compares to U” 200 times?  Memories somehow become attached to the music we listened to at that chapter in our lives.

I remember that one summer working as a counselor at Camp Wi-Ta-Wentin; we listened to “I Would Walk 500 Miles”, “Red Red Wine” and “Creep” the WHOLE summer.  I associate college with Nine Inch Nails, Cranberries, Depeche Mode, Concrete Blonde, Counting Crows and Tracy Chapman.  

Now, I listen to a medley of tunes.  The song is usually influenced by my mood at that particular time or how I want to feel in that moment.  Sit back and think of your favorite songs and how they influenced your life.  I bet in just a few moments, you get a big smile and sing a few bars of “Take on Me”. Enjoy the musical moment!