Sunday, January 29, 2012

Life is but a song

Monday, Listicle day! 


Thankfully Stasha at the Northwest Mommy keeps it coming week to week and this week is no exception. 
Bruna of Bees with Honey has selected this week's topic, and I have to say, it's a treat!

“If they were to make a movie of your life what would the soundtrack be like? Share 10 songs that best tell the story of your life. Be sure to include the period or event that each song represents”. I was honestly tempted to make two lists. One completely dedicated to Pearl Jam, and then this list, but I thought that was a little too much. Of course, Pearl Jam is on the list (and the Foo too!). 

My Life in Song

1. Steal Away by: Robbie Dupree
"Why don't we steal away. Why don't we steal away into the night?" I sing.
I'm in my favorite bathing suit, singing along to the radio in our backyard, as I attempt to make a whirlpool. I can't be more then four years old, and the plastic walled pool is the place we spend most of those summer days. As I swim the radio blares it's array of '80's ballads. This was my favorite. 

2. The Right Stuff, New Kids On the Block
The word "tween" has yet to become part of the lexicon, but that's what I was when I discovered pop music. Tiffany & Debbie Gibson were my girls. I had Electric Youth perfume and my mom got me a crimping iron. My adoration for the two changed that summer I first hear NKOTB. I fell head over heels, and as loving parents, they got me my first concert tickets to a NKOTB/Tiffany show. 
For the record: I was a Jonathan fan, mainly because I thought of the five I had the best chance with him. 


3. Only the Good Die Young,  Billy Joel
I am the good girl.
It's like this song was written about me, down to the bright white dress on my Confirmation. 
It took my time in college to break out of that mold and loose a bit of conservative nature.


4. Send me on My Way, Rusted Root
Red cup in hand,
Music blaring, 
Bodies dancing,
Party, party, party.  
Ahh, 
College. 


5. Going the Distance, Cake
Finishing a swim, getting my degree, getting a job, getting married, getting a Master's.
The balancing act of my life before children was all about each day, going that distance, getting it done. 



6. All I Want is You, U2
The song that should have been our wedding song. 
I guess that's what happens when meet the first semester of freshmen year of college, every good love song is about us. 
And this one: 
Bono belting it out, fabulous lyrics,
 and that violin solo....
Absolute Perfection.


7. Just Breathe, Pearl Jam
"Daddy, pick me up and dance with me." she says. 
He gathers her up in his arms and sways around the living room. Her giggle infectious as they spin.
Maeve, just a newborn, naps peacefully in my arms. Sitting on the bottom stair, I watch, mesmerized. 
"How did we get so lucky?" he asks, pressing Moira's cheek to his own.
"I have no clue" I say. "No clue."


8. My Family, Laurie Berkner Band
What does it say about me to have a kid's singer on my list?
It shows how much things have changed. No longer is my car a car. I rock the minivan. (Jealous?) No longer is the radio mine, Laurie Berkner spins on constant rotation. I'm guessing it's better then Kids Bop.
This song still brings a tear to my eye, especially as my own kids sing along. 
"I'm so glad, You're my family!'
Damn straight, Laurie. 


9. Times Like These, Foo Fighters
I am a child of rock. 
I am trying to raise two little girls who love rock too.
Each day as a parent - an adventure!
time to learn, live, and love.




10. I Will Remember You  Sarah McLachlan
When my life is over, and my loved ones come together to say good bye, this song I hear in the background.
As Sarah's voice echoes my own pleas:
Don't let your life pass you by,
Weep not for the memories.
Amen.

Guess, what? 
Next week, I have the honor of picking the listicle topic. 

This past Friday, my good friend Marilyn passed away after a very brief illness. 
The travel bug had bit Mar a number of years ago.  Most recently at the end of 2011, she spent some time in Costa Rica. She had honest passion for life: having made it to all seven continents, capturing her travels along the way through her breathtaking photography. 

So this week, in Marilyn's honor- I ask dear listicle readers, to disclose where your heart lies. 

What are your passions? 

For her it was travel, family, photography, the Mets, scubadiving, friends, and a good hard cider. 
As you write,  I do encourage you to have a beer (or some other libation as she would put it) in her honor.

Thank you Stasha for giving me this pleasure, as it came at the most appropriate time. 

25 comments:

  1. Wow, love your songs. Must admit I never heard of RustedRoot but this is a very catchy song! Billy truly does capture NY, NJ life in his song, doesn't he?
    Thank you for choosing a wonderful topic, I am so excited to write it. We will make Mar proud, I know it! I have never known of anyone setting foot on all continents, what an inspiration!

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  2. Love the songs! AND great topic for next week:) Much easier to do than mine, come to think of it. Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Like Stasha said, we will make MAR proud!

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  3. Ah, NKOTB! How could I have left them off my list? I love all of your songs! What a great topic for next week!

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  4. Great soundtrack choices, Jackie! And I really like the topic you chose for next week. I'm not often tempted to follow the topic, but this one has me thinking. ;)

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  5. Aw Jackie, I love the tribute at the end...I will definitely have a beer while I'm writing my listicle in her honor.
    And, Billy Joel...LOVE that Piano Man!

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  6. I haven't even heard of some of those songs! Excellent! That just opens my mind. Beautiful tribute and I will take it to heart for next week.

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  7. One of my favorite Pearl Jam songs! I was debating putting it on my list. Great choices!

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  8. Thank you thank you thank you!! you have solved one of the great musical mysteries of this house!! "send me on my way": we didn't know the title, but first heard in the movie Ice Age....but NOT on the soundtrack. also heard on PBS kids show about travelling...NOT on website. Eureka - RustedRoot!! My kids will bow down to you.
    I will be dancing to some of your other tunes :)

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  9. You have such a great list! That could totally be mine, except I didn't get to my first NKOTB concert until 2009!

    Love, love, love being reminded of my life through your soundtrack.

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  10. Such a great and diverse list and the story about you life was very nice!....And about your friend's loss,very sad.

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  11. Jackie this is a great list. I have not heard "Steal Away" in years. I considered including a song by Cake. You have great taste.

    My heart goes out to you and Marilyn's family. I look forward to reading the lists next week and toasting to the life of your friend.

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  12. You have some awesome song choices on this list--All I Want Is U and Just Breathe are two of my favorites!

    Also, your choice for next week's list will my first time participating. I'm glad I found you guys!

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  13. Great choice of songs. Love the topic for next week and the inspiration behind it.

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  14. OHMYGOODNESS, I love Send me on my way. I play it all the time to lift my spirits. Great list, and great topic for next week :)

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  15. The Hubbys parents started over with raising kids by adopting to beautiful little girls from two different countries and they love "My Family" so I can relate. Nice choice for next week!

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  16. I Love your songs and I absolutely love your topic for next week. All seven continents! - Your friend is an inspiration.

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  17. So sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend. I love that next week's posts will be written in her honour!

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  18. Oh yeah, and love me some Rusted Root, PJ, and Sarah M. Great tunes!

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  19. I love "All I want is you" as well. The Sarah M song is great too. Good list!

    So sorry to hear about your friend.

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  20. I'm so sorry about your friend. What a wonderful tribute this list topic will be to her.
    I'm so jealous you go to go to the NKOTB/Tiffani concert. I would have died.
    And I love your #10. It's always been one of my favorites.

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  21. Times like These especially the acoustic is a song I love. It really inspires me.

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  22. Love your songs and descriptions. So sorry about the loss of your dear friend.

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  23. Love your songs and had not heard of Rusted Root. PS: Sorry for your loss. No words can help here, but I'm sorry.

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  24. I knew we had something karmic. I was a Jonathan girl too!! Of course, as was my luck often in life-he turned out to be the gay one. Ah well...

    I love your list topic for next week. In honor of your friend, I can't wait to have a libation and discuss my passions:)

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  25. Jackie, I had no idea how similar our tastes in music were. I think there's one or two on this list that I had not heard - the others are all favourites of mine too. Looking forward to next week's (tomorrow's - ack!!!) topic.

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Let me know what you think.