An ever changing life requires an ever changing blog. You can look in my archives for funny kid stories from my time as an elementary music teacher but I'm moving up in the world...the academic world I mean and I'm moving on to college students. It's our little corner of the world and this blog is just a page or two out of our book.
Hate is such a strong word. I don't HATE this band, actually they have some decent songs. But I have never really liked Rob Thomas' singing voice. Anyone who sings gone as "go-hon" is not on my favorites list. Ha! His singing annoys me. So that's why I chose this song for today's challenge:
* I apologize if I've offended any Rob Thomas fans out there!
This challenge is difficult for me because music does NOT help me fall asleep, in fact the opposite is true. If it has words, I tend to listen to every word. If it's instrumental, I will lie there and analyze the form of the movement. Music invigorates me so this is an especially difficult task. So I leave you with this,,,
Explanation: In college, I spent two summers on a mission trip in East Germany. Every night, I'd lay down to sleep with a "Best of Dean Martin" CD and I would play "On An Evening in Roma" over and over (thank you repeat button on my discman...yes, discman) until I fell fast asleep. I'm not sure why this song was so comforting but when listening to it I was always taken into a day dream about some great adventure I was about to go on. I still think of my time in Europe every time I hear this song!
I loved this song so much that I sat and listened it to it, pausing and rewinding over and over so I could write all the lyrics down! Who misses the 90s...anyone, anyone? I'm pretty sure I can still sing this whole song by heart. LOVE IT! What ever happened to Savage Garden??
This was one of my favorite songs during my senior year of high school (yes, it's been almost 12 years since high school, yikes!). I went to prom with my very best friend, Tim. Tim and I go way back to 5th grade and he's still very dear to my heart. I waited all night for this song to come on because I couldn't wait to dance to it with my best friend (whom I'm sure I had developed quite the crush after being inseparable for so many years). The song finally came on and Tim turns to me and says, "We've been dancing together all night, let's dance with other people." WHAT? I was heartbroken! Of course I got over it by the end of the song, you know how dramatic life can be in high school. But every time I hear this song I'm transported to that ballroom twelve years ago, wearing a beautiful lavender dress, and wishing I was dancing with Tim. You'd think it would be a bad memory but it's not...it's quite a sweet one actually. Enjoy "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer.
In college I had the opportunity to spend two summers in East Germany. I had some of the most wonderful adventures on these trips. I saw much of Europe, met some of the most amazing people, and while hoping to change peoples' lives, mine was changed. On an outing with a church group, we went to Eisenach, birthplace to Bach and home to where Martin Luther translated the Bible into German. After walking up what seemed like thousands of stairs, we stood in the great hall. Above the doors was "Ein Feste Burg", meaning "A Mighty Fortress." We stepped into the hall and sang this beautiful hymn.
There was something so special about singing that hymn in such a historical place. Every time I hear this hymn, I'm taken back to that hall where Martin Luther once stood.
I could choose from hundreds of songs for today's challenge. I've decided to go with "Music Box Dancer" by Frank Mills. It reminds me of my grandma. I think it was probably on a tape we listened to in the car, though I don't have a specific memory. But every time I hear this song, I pause and think about her. I feel like I was always surrounded by music in her presence. Whether it was driving in the car or listening to music on her record player and dancing around the living room. As a child I always wanted to learn to play this song on the piano. I think Grandma Amerine was probably a pretty big influence in my decision to study music. I haven't learned to play "Music Box Dancer" yet...but I will.
A friend of mine is doing this and I thought it looked fun! Music is such a big part of my life. Next to God, family and friends, it's probably the most important part of my life. As music education slowly disappears from our schools I realize more and more the need to be an advocate. As I look at this list for each day, I realize most of these songs are from my childhood. Many of which I learned or connect with school, family, and/or friends. Many of these songs would not have meaning to me if had not been for the music class I was in. While this is not an act of advocacy, I do believe it is a reminder of just how meaningful music can be in one's life. I would LOVE for you to join in on the challenge and explore some of the most meaningful music in your life!
"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." - Johann Sebastian Bach
Disclaimer: This is a 30-day challenge and I plan to finish it but it may or may not take more than 30 days! Give me a break, I'm writing a Ph.D. dissertation! :o)
So if you don't like silly guilty pleasure songs, I give you permission to move on to the next blog. This song came on my iPod yesterday and every time it does I have the same reaction. Bliss! I love singing this song, I love listening to this song. It alleviates a moment of stress. So if your Monday needs a smile, I'll let Nancy Sinatra provide it!
Zooey Daschenel has also recorded this song. I like it too!
Something you may not know about me is that I'm OBSESSED with listening to music on records. To me there is nothing better than listening to a good hit on a record, the way it was originally recorded and played. I love it all! I have a pretty nice record collection having been given my mom's and my grandparents record collections to start me off on my own collection. Well about 2 years ago my record player died and I just got a new one for Christmas! It came in the mail today. Instead of working on that pesky dissertation proposal, I am spending my evening rediscovering my records. One of my favorites is Ray Charles' "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music." If you haven't heard these songs, you are definitely missing out! I highly recommend it! Take a listen!
I love Herman's Hermits! Have you heard of them? Perhaps not. This may be because they were overshadowed by another British band you may have heard of...the Beatles. They were the quieter aspect of the British Invasion. They only had one chart topper in the U.K. and three in the U.S. including "I'm Into Something Good," "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter," and "I'm Henry the Eighth, I am." I recently discovered this one.
I love it! I think Herman's Hermits deserved way more recognition than they received. Check them out! They'll put you in a good mood.
Here we are, the end of the third week of the school year! I will admit, I did not accomplish much....but I survived and that's what counts right? As many of you may know, I'm an avid follower of Michael Buble (I don't know how to put an accent on my blog). I literally own every song he's ever recorded. When I put my iPod on shuffle, a large percent of music is Michael. I found out yesterday that his new single came out this week. So I decided my celebration would be the $1.29 purchase of his new song. It's not my favorite song he's ever written, but I still love it! Enjoy!
