I decided today that I should start listening to my ENTIRE itunes library. Not just, the six songs that I listen to on repeat. As I started listening, I realized two things 1) a song can really take you back to a memory you had forgotten and 2) I have too much Will Smith in my music collection. Really, it’s embarrassing. (Almost as embarrassing as the album name “Big Willie Style”. Seriously. Who thought that was a good idea?) Anyway, as I puttered throughout the day, songs came on that took me back to a memory relating to those who have a Y chromosome….
1. “Your Body is A Wonderland”- John Mayer
This song is just so.. 2000. Which, was a great year for me. Dating and having fun at UVA. I discovered John Mayer at the 9:30 club in DC. I think every girl loved this song. “I’ll never let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it” Who wouldn’t want that?! Every girl thinks her body is a wonderland too! You can’t help but feel sexy and beautiful when listening to this song.
2. “Pony” – Ginuwine
This is my song. I don’t have to be wasted to listen to this. When I’m out and I hear it—it’s on!
3. “Stand by Me”- Ben E King
This song was in my favorite movie as a chld, Stand By Me. It was during that movie that I discovered that I loved River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton. But it was grade seven, I’m decked out in my favorite Guess? jeans and swathed in tribe perfume. The best part of my outfit is a shirt that my mom has finally let me have. It was hers growing up- a cream cashmere sweater with delicate beading on the front. It’s heavy, but in the crystals keep catching the light of the disco ball, which makes me glitter. I’ve never felt prettier. I danced with Brennon to this song. Clearly a request by a chaperone, since it’s sandwiched in between TLC’s greatest hits. And when I say we ‘dance’? Yeah, we pretty much moved from side to side, hands firmly clenched at the waist, avoiding eye contact. I’ve had pap smears that were more comfortable than that dance, but it goes down in history as one of the most memorable.
4. “Before He Cheats”- Carrie Underwood
Four girls in a cab. One is dating, two heartbroken and one single. It’s 5 am. These four girls have just left an impromptu trampoline party and still have ridiculous amounts of Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker Black running through their veins. This song comes on and we beg the cab driver to turn it up on Ocean Drive in Miami during Spring Break. Suddenly, we are no longer four girls, but collectively, we ARE Carrie Underwood. And I know people talk of singing their hearts out, but in this case, we really did. We sang in the ‘our eyes are closed, our fists are pumping the air, and no one is laughing because this is far too serious’ fashion. There was so much scorned estrogen in that car I almost choked on it. We tipped our driver well, but not enough. I should have given him a kidney. He earned it.
5. “Untouchable Face”- by Ani DiFranco
The line “I could make you happy, if you weren’t already” was the roundhouse kick to my already destroyed heart during one particularly bad break up. Wait, was that too much angst? When we are talking Ani, can you HAVE too much angst? Let’s just be thankful I didn’t tap into Joni Mitchell. There would have been epic angst (epic!) being shown here.
6. “Time After Time”- Cyndi LauperThis has always been my wedding song. Hopefully I’ll still get it!!!
You should share with me the songs that take you back to memories of failed romances or broken hearts. Or at the very least, tell me that you have a lot of Will Smith in your music library. And don’t worry, we won’t focus solely on depressing heartbreak music. Perhaps next week I’ll write a post about songs I had sex to. That sounds like fun for everyone one.
