10 Songs that Make Life Better

There are few things like music and scent that bring back past memories. Today, when I hear certain pieces of music, I remember crying, being swept completely into the song, and exactly where I was the first time I heard it. Here are 10 songs that make life better.

1. While watching the 1976 Olympics, I wanted to be a gymnast, in spite of never doing gymnastics.

Nadia Comaneci was on the television, and she could fly. She flew to Beethoven’s Fur Elise.

That song will always bring me back to watching her from a plaid couch while wearing plaid pants, and being amazed by a gymnast defying gravity.

2. Another early memory of music deeply affecting me was in third or fourth grade. Our music teacher played a recording of “Greensleeves,” and its beauty brought me to tears.

Since crying in music class at that age is definitely uncool, I pretended a boy named Darryl stepped on my finger.

Take a listen. Doesn’t it make you cry a little bit too?

3. Some years later, my roommate dated a boy who loved Metallica. He made unfortunate choices in glasses, grooming, and posture, and I was convinced he was a geek with weirdo music preferences.

He wore jeans straight from the store so they were stiff and not properly faded.

I teased her about him, and drew pictures.

Anyway, there was one night when we were in his car, going to pick my roommate up from work, and he had Metallic playing.

Instead of making fun of him, I really listened, and was hooked. Forever and always. My favorite song of theirs is One.

My eight-year-old can drum the beat on the kitchen table, and name this song in less than three notes.

Ta-ta-ta-tat.

Ta-ta-ta-tat.

If you only watch or listen to one video in this post, watch Tucker. His little prep thing with his hands? OMG PRICELESS. Seriously. It’s this one (oh and the kitchen table isn’t dirty, it’s like weathered, or whatever? I know. Gross, but cool. Ish.)

I’ve seen them in concert a bunch of times, and they are amazing. Amahhhzing. They’re also great to see in a laser light show, as is Pink Floyd. I’ve written about that before.

4. Pink Floyd. Wish You Were Here and Shine On You Crazy Diamond, specifically.

Oh friends!

There are so many more than 10 songs that make life better!

5. There’s the story about Billy Idol, and how much I loved him. He was the first concert I saw, at Red Rocks. My mom took me and my best friend. Later, he wanted to Rebel Yell with me.

6. Sinnerman by Nina Simone. I could listen to this over and over forever but will share a lesser-known song of hers called Go Limp, because I love how she laughs during it. There are a bunch of recordings of her singing this live, and each is a little different.

I wish I’d seen her live to join the audience in singing “Tu-ra-la-tu-ra-la-tu-ra-la-aye!”

7 and 8 (ish). David Bowie, Elton John, Queen, Louie Armstrong, Jimi Hendrix, Damien Rice, and the songs from 1979 and the angst I had (with little nub boobs). Puff the Magic Dragon may have changed my life, and and and also, all the songs from the 80’s and 90’s and 2000’s. My House by Flo Rida? Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri? Heathens by Twenty One Pilots, anyone? Yes, please!

There truly are so many more than 10 songs that make life better!

9. U2. I’ve seen them in concert maybe even more than I’ve seen Metallica in concert.

Each one that I’ve been to (and this has maybe changed over the years), they end with “40,” and everybody walking out sings along. “How long…”

Oh friends, just thinking about that fills my bucket.

“I will sing. I will sing a new song.”

Back then, that meant that I’ll sing and sing something the world’s never heard before. But you know, not in song. In something. Ideas, maybe. Actions? Something Bono-worthy.

If you ever have a chance to see a concert at Red Rocks, DO IT. It’s the best place in the world for a concert. Promise.

10. We’re at 10 songs that make life better, and I have 1,001 more that live in my heart. But.

I can’t end this post without Simon & Garfunkel. I listened to their greatest hits on repeat my entire freshman year of college. Later, I saw them in concert. They were so old but they sounded exactly the same.

I used Bridge Over Troubled Water to write about how sometimes, a friend’s plans lead to the best idea of your life.

I sang “Sounds of Silence” at camp before I knew what duos were. Or duets, or whatever.

It’s hard to choose a favorite. I think I’ll leave you with this song. It’s both calming and energizing.

Hopeful and sad. Like all of the music that changes our lives should be.

So now I’m feeling sad I left out so many amazing artists and songs. Maybe we should do this again. Take two of 10 songs that make life better?

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This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post, in its new format where each week is  a little different, old-school blogging style. This week is the listicle “10 songs/pieces of music that changed me.”

Hosts:
Yours truly of Finding Ninee
Kenya G. Johnson of Sporadically Yours
and this week’s special guest host Jen Kehl of JenKehl.com, former goddess of Twisted Mix Tape Tuesdays (find her at the Stereo Sisters on Facebook).