Songs of Our Lives

Revised 1/28/17

Music.

 

It’s one of the many beautiful things in life that helps shape us into the people we are today.

 

Music is used to express emotions, define events in history, shape a culture and spread happiness and joy. A single song can transport you to times long gone and bring a flood of emotions back.

Songs are used to celebrate and remember occasions. Why do you think a couple’s wedding song is so magical and special? We sing the “Birthday Song” to celebrate one another’s birthday.

Music also helps us to express and deal with heartache and heartbreak. I know when I am in a depressed state of mind and I want to wallow, I want nothing more than to brood. For these special occasions, I have a “Sad Bastard” music mix tape playlist to go to.

 

Mixtape playlists are one of the best things in the world to me.

 

Nothing feels better than to pop in my ear plugs and turn up my iPod to a specially picked selection of music to fit whatever mood I am in. I can’t even begin to tell you the amount of music I had on my iPod before I had to reset it.

I was devastated.

I lost all my awesome playlists! My MacBook still has all the music that was on my iPod, but those playlists are forever lost. The moods and memories of those songs and the order in which I placed them are all but a memory to me.

The good thing is I can start a new set of playlists after I finish mourning the passing of my beloved playlists from 2008-2012.

RIP, you will be missed.

 

While contemplating making a new playlist, I was roused by the thought of a theme song playlist of my life.

 

Being the curious woman I am, I polled my Facebook friends and asked them if they had to pick a song as their own personal theme song, what would it be and why. I enjoyed reading their replies, some didn’t surprise me in the least bit. The one thing I did notice is that theme songs can change depending on the day or mood.

For me, there has always been one song lurking in the background of my life since the late 1980’s and has gotten a lot louder in my life as of the past few years. I’m talking about U2’s smash hit I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, from their Joshua Tree album.

However, here is the big question I had for many years: how can I find what I’m looking for when what I want is constantly changing and evolving?

 

Today, I think that I’ve finally found that answer – I want nothing more than to feel whole and complete, grounded and centered, fulfilled and content.

 

I also believe that what I am truly looking for is in Rome, Italy.

I never felt more at home somewhere than when I was in Rome almost four years ago. As I walked the streets of my beloved Rome, I didn’t use a map and never got lost on its ancient cobblestone walkways. I had no fear, no apprehensions. I never had that feeling before, and haven’t experienced it ever since.

But I digress…

Last weekend while snowed in, I created a new playlist – Songs of My Life.

Each song has precious and personal meaning for me. Most of the songs are punk, new wave, and darkwave artists. However, my life has been full of diversity, and thus my playlist reflects this.

I’ve linked my playlist at the end of this post and although I’m not going to describe each track as I normally do with a mix tape playlist posting. Those who know me, should not be surprised in the least at the songs I’ve included in this nor how my playlist ends.

Same as it ever was…

I’m sure I will add on to this playlist as time marches on.

Now, I challenge you to create your very own playlist of the songs of your life.

What would be your #1 track? How would you end your playlist?

 

  1. Once in a Lifetime – Talking Heads
  2. Rise – Public Image Limited
  3. Cuts You Up – Peter Murphy
  4. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2
  5. Comedown – Bush
  6. Heroes – David Bowie
  7. Blaze of Glory – The Alarm
  8. Lust for Life – Iggy Pop
  9. Fight – The Cure
  10. Don’t Change – INXS
  11. The Seventh Stranger – Duran Duran
  12. Walking in My Shoes – Depeche Mode
  13. Lucretia, My Reflection – Sisters of Mercy
  14. All Fired Up – Pat Benatar
  15. Holding out for a Hero – Bonnie Tyler
  16. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
  17. Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
  18. Only Happy When it Rains – Garbage
  19. Everybody Knows – Concrete Blonde
  20. (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding – Elvis Costello
  21. Things Can Only Get Better – Howard Jones
  22. Ball and Chain – Social Distortion
  23. An Innocent Man – Billy Joel
  24. Freedom (90) – George Michael
  25. Bad Reputation – Joan Jett
  26. Wonderwall – Oasis
  27. Best of You – Foo Fighters
  28. I’m Free – Soup Dragons
  29. Liar – Rollins Band
  30. Real Wild Child (Wild One) – Iggy Pop
  31. Sweet Jane (live version) – Lou Reed 
  32. Laura – Ella Fitzgerald
  33. That’s Amore – Dean Martin
  34. I’ve Got the World on a String – Frank Sinatra
  35. My Way – Sid Vicious