What's your life playlist?

Last night I spent way too long trying to make a playlist on Spotify, which is sort of like the 2011 version of a mixtape.

After an hour, I only had about five songs, four of which I had to Google because the only songs I could actually remember were cheesy dance songs and kids music.

May I never be judged soley on my music taste because even I admit that it's embarrassing.

Perhaps it's because I spent the better part of my life knee deep in music - playing it, analyzing it, even writing it.

In fact, as a music therapist, I often asked my patients to create their life playlist.

[Think about that one for a minute. Heavy shit].

You can tell a lot about someone by their music.

And so, after I had kids and found myself shedding that skin for a new one, I needed a break from all that. And so I chose what I liked based on whether I could dance to it. Or if it would shut my kids up.

Both of which are not the greatest indicators of "quality" music.

But the wonderful thing about music is that "quality" is indeed relative. Even if some fancypants music critic says something is crap, if it speaks to you - makes you laugh, cry, or shake your ass like there's no tomorrow - then it's worthwhile.

Yes, even Britney Spears. (My go-to Karaoke Artist, by the way).

I try to tell myself the same thing about my television choices. I'm not quite sure where Real Housewives would fall on the music scale.

Oh right. Milli Vanilli.

As I painfully tried to construct this playlist without putting one bad 90's dance song on it, I realized that I also left my music behind because of its deep emotional connection to my life. 

The pounding house beats and silly kids songs are light and easy. On my head. And on my heart. As good as gifts when you're dealing with the heavy challenges of 24-hour caregiving.

We all have our bastard iPod song. The one that we blast in our car when no one's in it.

But then there are the songs. Those songs. They speak volumes, the memories made with them still vivid in your mind.

Like a treasure box kept under a floor board.

Open at your own risk.

Comments

[cheap jerseys]

They're also more motivated with grades and behavior, as we have "varsity rules" at home. I made my son ride the bench for one soccer game because he just stopped doing homework for a few weeks. He practiced, dressed out, but did not play. He hasn't slipped since.

Both kids have also learned how to fit in socially with others from a wide variety of backgrounds, are more comfortable in their ever-changing bodies, have a non-academic activity to be proud of, understand discipline and time management because of the schedule/equipment wrangling, etc.

[new 2011 sunglasses]

In my opinion it is a truely good point of view. I meet individuals who rather say what they suppose others wish to hear. Good and well written! I will come back to your website without a doubt!

[nhl jerseys]

My life has it's own soundtrack. There is always a song running through my head. ALWAYS. That's one of the reasons I do Music Monday blog posts. Music is in every part of my soul.

[Meagan @ The Happiest Mom]

I love this. I have so so many guilty pleasure songs, and they tend to be the ones I CANNOT. HELP. singing along to in the grocery store. Among them: Rosanna by Toto, Africa by Toto, okay, pretty much anything by Toto. The other night I severely angered some Twitter friends by planting a juicy earworm: "Waiting for a Star to Fall." Hoo boy.

I've also got songs that I can't listen to anymore; really good songs that were once favorites, because they are so closely associated with embarrassing or painful memories. I mourn them but I just can't go there...except every now and then, alone, late at night.

[Loukia]

It is incredible how a certain song can take you back to that moment... whatever that moment was. Music is so powerful, and I absolutely LOVE driving alone in my car so I can blast my ipod on my car stereo. Currently in love with Bizarre Love Triange by New Order. My playlist is all over the place, though.

[Kathy]

The glory of my iPod? I LOVE every song!(Especially Pour Some Sugar on Me.)

[Rachel]

It is amazing how music can change your whole attitude.
I've really been enjoying some bad 80's music these days...great for "air-banding" with my hubby in the car :)

[amy turn sharp]

love. xo 10.

[Karen]

My life has it's own soundtrack. There is always a song running through my head. ALWAYS. That's one of the reasons I do Music Monday blog posts. Music is in every part of my soul.

I can place myself in a memory with the first few notes of a song from my past, dating all the way back to Elton John's flashy Crocodile Rock hey day.

I'm a classically trained soprano, but I listen to everything from opera to Kanye West. Hey - it's a long soundtrack. It needs some variety.

[Babs]

I feel strange when I hear songs from my past, but this post made me realize it's because I've grown past the song and I don't need it as an outlet anymore. But there are songs, always instumental, in which my mind makes the melody suit me. Perhaps that is why our wedding dance was a non-trendy Hans Zimmer piece.

[Liz]

I heard a song the other day that reminded me of a time in life so awful that I nearly threw up in the car. Weird how songs can trigger memories and emotions like that. But as with anything in life - there are the good and the bad.