Okay, I've got to say this first blog is a bit daunting... I've been stealth reading what other people have to say here for a few weeks and I've been musing on the fact that I relate all important people, places and events in my life to music. From my first day of pre-school (Elenor Rigby, the Beatles) to the first time I had really mind blowing sex (thank you, Blue Bell Knoll by the Cocteau Twins) to getting picked up hitch-hiking by a creepy doctor in a sports car with my friend Beth in Italy (Digging Your Scene, the Blow Monkeys) to camping with my daughter's jr high class in Baja (The Sweater Song, Weezer). I can't remember the dvd I rented last, but I know I was listening to Fat Boy Slim "That Old Pair of Jeans" on the way home from the video store. Maybe it's a combination of genetic traits or just a certain random aural sensibility that leads me to make these connections, but I know it makes my memories more intense. Following the genetic possibilities, I gotta say my Dad was a music FIEND. Our tastes were worlds apart, but he definitely impressed upon me how music makes your life richer. So as a tribute to him, 15 years since he's been gone, here's the sound track of the men in my life. Here's to you, Daddy:
Jack (my dad): "Clair de Lune" by Debussy. He would play it on summer afternoons. When I hear it I can see his hands playing the piano. It sorta makes me cry a little, in a good way.
Kevin P: my best friend in 1st grade. We both loved "I'm Gonna Make you Love Me" by Diana Ross.
Declan, my big brother: I always think of him when I hear "Killing Me Softly" by Roberta Flack. Whenever it came on, Declan would sing at the top of his voice in a cockney accent. He ruined that song for me. Thanks, bro.
Sam: my friend Genie's hot older brother who got in trouble for smoking pot. He drove a white LUV truck. "White Room" by Cream.
Julio my bus driver in 6th Grade: It's a toss up between "Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard" by Simon & Garfunkle and "Another Saturday Night". He looked like Cat Stevens and I loved him deeply with my tiny 11 year old heart.
Chuck: my first kiss. "The Best of Bread" was playing in the back ground. It was on repeat. A dark room full of groping 13 year olds. Very compelling.
Boone: "Can't Get Enough of Your Love". We went to see Bad Company in concert and he threw up on my shoes. I laughed all the way home. God, I was a teenage bitch!
Ben: crushed on him for years. He was the sexiest guy with a cleft pallet EVER. We were friends with benefits before it had a name. He had a little of the druggie cowboy thing happening. "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain", Willie Nelson. All of "Viva Terlingua", Jerry Jeff Walker. And "Cocaine" by Eric Clapton.
Kevin F: gorgeous, troubled. Later I found out he was having an affair with his step mother while we were dating. He liked Pat Matheny, so did she.
Dan: My mother didn't like him because she caught us in bed together. He broke my heart after graduation. We used to smoke hash from under a glass in his room and listen to Neil Young "Harvest" and Patti Smith "Horses".
Barry: He was British and liked OMD. But the song that really makes me think of him is "The Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats. Sorry, Barry.
Hal: Hyper. Lovable. He played the drums and turned me on to The Jam. "Beat Surrender". I wish we were still friends.
Terrence: I can't pick a song for him, but I'll give you the short story anyway: He went on tour playing bass for the "Butthole Surfers" and married someone else. In the ensuing years I learned he was already engaged when we were seeing each other. Since then he's joined the army and has a thing for young Asian women.
Marco: Don't know where my love of Marco leaves off and my love of Italy starts up. I always thought we'd find each other again when we turned 40 and run away together. He was from Rome and there's this Roman singer, Antonello Venditti, and he sings a song about a girl born under the sign of Pisces. That would be me... "Nata Sotto il Segno di Pesci". RIP, Amore.
Peter: My Ex, the father of my children, my favorite tour guide to Southern California. Many songs, many years together. But my favorite would have to be "Here Comes Your Man", the Pixies.
Thom: My sister's ex who I've always had a soft spot for. "Sick of Myself" Matthew Sweet, "Never Said" Liz Pfair, "Yellow" Cold Play.
Tony: That song by the Soup Dragons that he likes to tease me about... plus a lot more. He makes the best playlists. I'm going to have to insist that he become a mogster.
Jeff: 14 years my junior, he picked me up at Austin City Limits and gave me my mojo back. He liked Widespread Panic, but Bob Dylan "Like a Rolling Stone" makes me think of him.
Henry: My son. I could write a book just on him, but suffice it to say he's my bright sun shiny day. His current favorite songs are: "Senses Working Overtime" XTC "In the Street" Big Star "Bohemian Like You" The Dandy Warhols "Hollywood Swinging" The Big Boys
So let's hear it for love & music.
My Trusted MOGs
What a great post, thanks for sharing the musical tastes of so many eclectic people. They all have amazing picks and say much about their individual perso's.
My Trusted MOGs
Like your post, what a full life
My Trusted MOGs
All's I gotta say is "A-men" to Blue Bell Knoll. :)
My Trusted MOGs
You are off to a most auspicious start. Wonderful post.