What this assumes is that I can, in fact, dance. Whoever created this question has obviously never met me and witnessed my lack of rhythm. I put Elaine's little kicks to shame. This is why the only song I can sort of dance to is ...
"The Cha Cha Slide"
In the same genre as the Hokey Pokey, this song caters to my need for directions. I'm awesome with directions.
Now I'm off to enjoy this blizzard. Perfect way to stay warm? The Cha Cha slide.
Picture yourself, a sixth grader at the skating rink. The strobe light is flashing, the disco ball twirling and then, Savage Garden's "I Want You" comes on over the speakers. You shout the 1996 equivalent of "That's my jam!" You then proceed to flaunt your lyrical prowess. To know all of the words to this song was the same as being able to rap at the time, and it was something you tried to show off whenever the opportunity presented itself. You didn't want to be that kid who just mumbled along until the "chic a cherry cola" part.
I pride myself on the fact that I still know all the words.
I'm already slipping at this, and it hasn't even been a week. Conclude what you will about how that parallels to my New Year's resolutions.
What better way to catch up than in my jammies on a sick day? Other than rest and fluids, I'm pretty sure it's exactly what the doctor ordered.
#5: A song that reminds you of someone
Dad will be very embarrassed that I'm sharing this with the entire Internet, but there was a time when he really liked Shania Twain. One afternoon, Courtney and I were bumming around watching TV on the couch when Dad walked through the room. I don't know what prompted it, but while walking up the stairs he started singing "Man, I Feel Like a Woman," and the hilarity of our father singing a song about feeling like a woman struck us so hard that we couldn't stop laughing. So, every now and then, Courtney and I still razz Dad about "feeling like a woman."
#6: A song that reminds you of someplace
Scott and I went to Jamaica for our honeymoon — a wonderful relaxing escape from the stresses of winter weather, wedding planning and studying for finals. From the minute we got off the plane to the time we stepped back on, we heard Bob Marley nonstop. You'd think the Jamaican people would want to fight the Marley stereotype, but he is their native son, and they embrace him and his music wholeheartedly. On the shuttle from the airport to our resort, we were sandwiched between our own luggage and other newlywed couples of various ages. One particularly nerdy looking fellow seemed to have a deep love for Jamaican culture and sang loudly (poorly) along when "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley came over the radio. His new bride seemed peeved.
For the rest of our stay, at any given time of the day, either Scott or I could be caught humming, whistling or singing that song. It brings to mind lots of good memories.
#7: A song that reminds you of a certain event
I went to a private Christian high school, and while my husband who attended public school and his class picked "Here's to the Night" by Eve 6 as their class song, my class was to pick a hymn. We all voted that "Father God" would be the song we sang at graduation. When I sing that song now, I remember sitting in white polyester in a too-small graduation cap on a metal fold-out chair in the Allen Arena and what those words meant as I took this first step into "adulthood" or whatever phase of your life came with college. "May my steps be worship, may my thoughts be praise, may my words bring honor to your name" was our prayer as we looked out into what the future held.
I was laying in bed, eyes watering. The only way I could keep from crying was if I was listening to something, just to keep my mind occupied for a little bit. My grandfather had died that morning after a fighting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for as long as he could.
At the time, Weezer's blue album was on constant rotation, and that's what I'd chosen to listen to while I tried to fall asleep. I was pretty good at maintaining my composure throughout the whole album, except for when "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here" played. That was the one song I'd let myself cry through. And I would, every time. Because, although it's about breaking up, I still felt that empty space that he was singing about.
When I sat down to write this, I found myself getting stuck on the cliched "happy" songs, like "Come On Get Happy" by the Partridge Family or "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by that one guy... And while I know that a salute to David Cassidy and his feathered locks would make my mom happy, it's not really my ideal happy song.
I know I stewed over this one for too long, though. I mean, it's just asking for a song that makes me happy, not the song that makes me happy, so it can be anything, right? It's not for a grade or anything.
So, I submit to you...
"Winter Winds" by Mumford and Sons
One word: Banjo.
Need more than that? Get to 1:20 in the video and look at the sheer joy on their faces when they sing that note. That is why this song makes me happy.
I'm embarrassed to say that it's much easier to name the song I hate than it was yesterday to decide on my favorite song. It is...
"Honky Tonk Badonk a Donk" by Trace Adkins
As the title so cleverly clues you in on, the number of songs about women's rear ends just increased by one. It includes the phrase "got it going on like Donkey Kong." Plus it takes already overused slang and beats it beyond the point of recognition. You know it's no longer considered "cool" when someone in country music adopts it.
And Scott, who loves me so, downloaded just so he could share torture me with it.
This is probably the most difficult one of the whole list. Why must we start with the one that leaves the one answering so open and vulnerable? It's boiling your entire being into three and a half minutes that may or may not be loved by all.
So, my favorite song of all time?
"Something" by the Beatles
I mean, it had to be a Beatles song, didn't it? It helps that my favorite Beatle, George, just so happened to write this one, too. It's a beautiful love song. Simple as that. In my angsty teen years, I would write in my journal about I couldn't wait for someone to love me like George describes here. And lucky me, I did. So, enjoy.
(If you feel too happy and loved after reading that, then here's your downer. The pretty blonde girl in the video, George's wife Pattie? For whom this song and others are written? Yeah, she left him for Eric Clapton. So, there you have it. She's also Clapton's inspiration for "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight." If Helen of Troy was the face that launched a thousand ships, then Pattie Boyd is the face that inspired a thousand songs. But that's neither here nor there.)
