These songs are so firmly intertwined with specific points in my life that when I hear any of them, I’m immediately immersed in the past.
Christopher Cross—any song from his first album but especially Sailing. I was married, pregnant and living in another country and my husband had moved out. I pretty much can’t listen to this album any more because when I hear it, I'm 20 and alone and scared to death.
Michael Jackson—Billy Jean. I was 23, pregnant with my second child and seriously wondered if I was too old to be liking this song and album the way I did. Yeah, at 23.
Supertramp—Breakfast in America. I played this album on auto-repeat all summer that year. I was stationed in New Jersey near the shore, and went there every chance I got. I still know all the words to all the songs.
Andy Hunter—Exodus, especially this song, Go. I got into Andy’s music through Pandora the summer of 2009. Fortunately, his music isn’t tied to us being flooded; instead I found his songs comforting and uplifting without being at all preachy. That’s a hard line to walk.
Fleetwood Mac—Rumors, specifically You Make Loving Fun. My sisters loved the opening bars of this song and that’s what I think of every time I hear it.
Achy Breaky Heart. I know, I know. But I learned to line dance in 1993 to this song, and I had a blast line dancing. I still don’t care for country music though.
Debby Boone—You Light Up My Life. This is a two-fer. I played this song as part of my prepared audition piece when I auditioned for the Army band. Yeah well I was 17, so that explains that. The other reason this one sticks in my head is that I had to sing it at a dear friend’s wedding in the mid-1980s. I’m not sure why my friend wanted that song so much, but she did and so I sang it.
And one final look back. This one is from Atlanta Rhythm Section and I adored this song in high school. Also it's a good palate cleanser after Debby.
Christopher Cross—any song from his first album but especially Sailing. I was married, pregnant and living in another country and my husband had moved out. I pretty much can’t listen to this album any more because when I hear it, I'm 20 and alone and scared to death.
Michael Jackson—Billy Jean. I was 23, pregnant with my second child and seriously wondered if I was too old to be liking this song and album the way I did. Yeah, at 23.
Supertramp—Breakfast in America. I played this album on auto-repeat all summer that year. I was stationed in New Jersey near the shore, and went there every chance I got. I still know all the words to all the songs.
Andy Hunter—Exodus, especially this song, Go. I got into Andy’s music through Pandora the summer of 2009. Fortunately, his music isn’t tied to us being flooded; instead I found his songs comforting and uplifting without being at all preachy. That’s a hard line to walk.
Fleetwood Mac—Rumors, specifically You Make Loving Fun. My sisters loved the opening bars of this song and that’s what I think of every time I hear it.
Achy Breaky Heart. I know, I know. But I learned to line dance in 1993 to this song, and I had a blast line dancing. I still don’t care for country music though.
Debby Boone—You Light Up My Life. This is a two-fer. I played this song as part of my prepared audition piece when I auditioned for the Army band. Yeah well I was 17, so that explains that. The other reason this one sticks in my head is that I had to sing it at a dear friend’s wedding in the mid-1980s. I’m not sure why my friend wanted that song so much, but she did and so I sang it.
And one final look back. This one is from Atlanta Rhythm Section and I adored this song in high school. Also it's a good palate cleanser after Debby.
