Looking Back with the Help of Music

When I saw the topic for this week’s blog, I got really excited because I absolutely LOVE music. It was tough to narrow the playlist of my life down to 10 songs though because I have a lot of favorites, that all mean a lot to me for different reasons. Eventually, I came up with a list. Here it goes...

1. “Things Like You” by Sanctus Real –This song talks about how we need to let go and find an alternate way to live our lives, instead of clinging to things we don’t need. My favorite part of the song is when it says, “everyone wants everyone else’s everything. Sometimes the more we have, the less we really gain.” People today are so caught up with what they don’t have. They need to take a look at what they have and be grateful for it.

2. “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls – The lyrics in this song don’t really have any meaning to me, but it was my favorite Spice Girls song when I was little. My friends from elementary school and I would always crank up their songs, dance along and have singing parties.

3. “Jerk It Out” by the Caesars – I like to crank up this song when I’m driving. It’s one of those songs that has the ability to make you feel good because if you’re in a situation or a funk, you can just, “jerk it out”. It’s also mine and my best friend’s theme song, so I always smile when I hear it.

4. “Invincible” by Ok Go – Every time I hear this song I feel powerful, like nobody can stand in my way. It’s an upbeat song that has a catchy beat and I fell in love with it the first time I heard it.

5. “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey – This song means a lot to me because it is the theme song for the Quest retreats and mission trips I go on. It reminds me of memories I have had with friends from my church and the awesome car rides across the country with all of them.

6. “4Ever” by the Veronicas – This one is another upbeat, feel good song that reminds you that life is right here, right now and you need to make the most of it. I like listening to this song because it reminds me how you need to live your life and have fun doing it.

7. “Pachelbel: Canon in D” composed by Johann Pachelbel – This is a piece that almost everybody has heard before. It means a lot to me because it is one of my favorite pieces to play and it is one that I have performed, on the violin, at two weddings with my family.

8. “Fall Away” by the Fray – This is a song I listen to when I’m in a down and gray mood. It reminds me that I can’t erase the past and I need to fight a way to make everything right. Usually by the end of the song, I find a solution and there is a large burden lifted off my shoulder.

9. “The Remedy” by Jason Mraz – This is an older one but I like it because it talks about how you are more than you think and there’s no need to worry about what other people think of you. My favorite part of the song is, “you can turn off the sun but I’m still gonna shine.” You are what you make of yourself and it doesn’t matter what the people around you think.

10. “Graduation (Friends Forever)” by Vitamin C – I had to finish my list off with the widely famous song played in grad videos because I’m a senior and I’m going to be graduating soon, myself. It makes me think about what life is going to be like after I graduate. Who am I going to keep in contact with and who am I going to forget about?

Wow… this blog was really tough and it probably took a little longer than it should have but I enjoyed it because I was able to reflect on my favorite songs and the memories I have of each and every one of them. I hope you like it!