Music resonates with all of us – it soothes the Savage Beast, or something. Also, if you’re lucky, it has a good beat and you can dance to it! (American Bandstand reference. Anyone? Anyone…? Crickets.)
But I digress, which I understand happens far more frequently as one ages. Also losing eyeglasses, from what I’ve heard, so I’ve personally amassed a collection of reading glasses that would make Fred G. Sanford proud. (Crickets again.)
Seems like another sure sign of aging is making references to things from decades ago which many of your readers will NOT understand…move along young people, nothing to see here.
Back to music. Some things we love because they’re the soundtracks of our youth, and some we love because they remind us of a person or event in our lives. And sometimes it’s just a kickass song. Well, I’m from the sticks (the country, the woods, Down South, or, as we from there not-so-lovingly refer to it: BFE), so there’s a whole lotta fiddle in the soundtrack of my youth, and a whole bunch of old country ballads about love, loss, whiskey, trucks, trains, and swimmin’ holes. Lots of folks say that they hate country music for just these reasons, but my redneck heritage leads me to feel differently. There’s good newer stuff too, to be fair. So let’s take a short listen to some great songs you’ll probably hate if you’re not from the south. Listen anyway – it’s my birthday.
Mamma’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys – Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings
A quintessential country song..
I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton
The original, the one-and-only, beautiful..
Jambalaya – Hank Williams
You cannot not love this song (unless, of course, you’re from anyplace else in the world, probably)…
Boondocks – Little Big Town
The country song which most reminds me of home..
But not all that music I grew up on was country, western, and cajun/creole; some of that music was rock and roll. My daddy was a bit of a wild child and grandma’s records weren’t the only ones playing on the home stereo. From that mixed bag of influence comes my favorite song of all time. From a girl born just a few miles from me, who also hated/loved her small-town upbringing. Boy, did she get a LONG way from southeast Texas!…
Me and Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
Is there really anything else to say here? This is music history. Just listen..
Fat Bottomed Girls – Queen
If you have to ask why I love this song, you have not been paying attention..
You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
Oh hellyeah..
Then there’s this – possibly one of the most lyrically perfect songs ever (in my humble and not-to-be-challenged opinion).
Carnival – Natalie Merchant
If there is such a thing as a ‘second favorite’ song, this is mine…
Thanks for sticking around with me for another year – you all ROCK (and roll).
– Dana
P.S. For those so inclined, the birthday wishlist is HERE.