Soundtrack of my Life

Throughout my life I have heard many songs and many of them have remained with me in my memories. I think the main artists I remember from my childhood are Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Michael Jackson. “Born in the USA” from Bruce Springsteen is the main one because this was the only song that my dad and I could agree on. His favorite song was Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” which at that time I highly disliked; I have learned to like it with time now. And then for Michael Jackson, he had many songs that I remember, but I think “Bad” sticks out the most to me. Everytime I think of these songs I just think of being a child, and how I had no worries then, it seemed like such a peaceful world. As I got older I realized there is a lot kids don’t realize. At the time I really wasn’t listening to the same music as the so-called popular kids, I more listened to what my parents listened to, which I think may have influenced me to not want to be like the other kids and listen to certain music or do certain things just to “fit in” with them. As for my adolescence, I listened to many different genres of music. I never really was one that just listened to one type of music. I was always open to new things, except country and classical music. I wanted nothing to do with those in my adolescence. Some of the main artists I can think of are: Alice in Chains, Metallica, Nirvana, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, oldies and I also liked most dance/bass cds. When I was 16 and had a system in my car, like most teens did at that time, I liked most music that sounded good with the bass. I don’t think I used this music to fit in or rebel, I just listened to what I liked. I didn’t hang out with any certain “type” of people. Most of my friends also listened to many different types of music like I did. I didn’t judge people on the type of music they listened to. Some of my friends even liked country, which I would deal with if they listened to it around me, but if it was in my car, it wasn’t allowed. I still smile a lot when I hear songs now from when I was an adolescent because they bring back many memories. I also think its funny how kids now are listening to that music and call it “old school music” because it’s not old school to me. Since I had a tape player in my car we also would sometimes listen to oldies, like 50s-60s music. It was pretty funny to hear how it sounded in a car with bass. As I got older, I actually started listening to country music more and started taking an interest in that music genre also. As far as comfort music goes, I can’t really say I have certain songs I like to listen to to comfort me. A lot of times, fast paced music makes me more motivated to do things. So, I guess it depends on what is going on. I know Kelly Clarkson has some songs that I really liked and make a person feel empowered when down. My mother passed away last year and to this day I still think of her everytime I hear certain songs. Some of these songs we chose to have played at her funeral. For example, Martina McBride’s “In My Daughter’s Eyes” was a song that always reminded me of my mom and I thought it was very fitting to have it played at her funeral and it is also on her DVD that we made in her memory with the pictures of he on it. I do not get depressed when I hear this song, it actually makes me appreciate all she did for us more and more everytime I hear it. As far as stress goes, I usually just like to hear upbeat songs, no slow songs. Country songs sometimes make me more depressed after listening to them, so I try to stay away from that channel. I really can’t say that I associate any certain songs with happiness. Kind of like I said above, I like fast paced upbeat songs, they keep me in a good mood. I don’t mind slow songs, a lot of them are very good songs, but can make me cry. Especially now that I am pregnant, some sad songs or slow songs are just automatic tear jerkers and hey really shouldn’t be. I like songs that have good messages behind them. A lot of newer music hese days have good beats, but have very poor messages behind them. I think this is one thing I always liked about Eminem; he always seemed to rap about things that have a good message, instead of talking about getting wasted at the club or sleeping around. I don’t think this is the type of stuff our kids these days should be hearing about. I guess all they have to do is turn on the TV and they’ll see this too, but I think it is something we should be discouraging, not encouraging. But I guess that is where the parents need to step in and explain right from wrong to their kids.