Musical Memories

Usually I leave the music talk to my dear friend over at Musical Snack, but today I have decided to compile a list of songs and albums that evoke such memories that I cannot help but be taken back in time to the place that each song came into my life. Whether its that special memory of driving my first car with the windows down on a cool Austin night, sleeping splitsy in the bedroom of my choice, or shaking my groove thing on a NY dance floor, I can guarantee that each song has been paired with a special, and very specific, memory.

However, I will caveat this by saying that I am in no way advocating my musical tastes. In fact, I think that many will agree that I'm a walking cliche when it comes to music and that for the most part I should leave the music banter to the professionals. But for nostalgia's sake, we'll go with it and I will share with you the tunes of my past and present.

Suga Suga, Frankie J - Summer before college/RUSH week my Freshman year. Yep, embarrassing.

Yeah, Usher - Freshman year date parties...what what.

Get Low, Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz - Freshman year date parties...what what. (pt. 2)

X&Y, Coldplay - This reminds me of the Summer spent in Austin before my junior year of college. I distinctly remember driving in the Hill Country with the windows down to this album. It should also be noted that the cliche in me can't stop loving "Fix You."

Hey Ya, OutKast - Sophomore year of college, TX/OU weekend. (also Megan Kever's jam)

Shelter, Ray LaMontagne - Fall of my Junior year of College in the Welsh house. Listening to this while studying and drinking coffee on campus...so deep. :)

How To Save A Life, The Fray - Spring my Junior year of college. Thanks, Alyssa.

Bob Marley's Greatest Hits, Bob Marley - A Spring staple in my college life. Destin, anyone?

Continuum, John Mayer - I literally cannot hear this song without thinking of my senior year at Marsteller. Our little yellow house had so much love in it, and if only I could count the times we put #8 on repeat...

FutureSex/LoveSounds, Justin Timberlake - I am really trying to steer clear from entire albums, but sometimes you just have to let it be. This album was literally a Marsteller anthem, and I think that it should also be noted that "My Love" happens to still be my ring tone...three years later.

Love Story, Katharine McPhee - Oh, Lord. If you've ever seen 4 girls bopping to this song with their swimsuits on headed to a Florida beach, then we should apologize to you now. In the moment, it felt so good.

Glamorous, Fergie - Tyler Chapman's date party jam. He started the dance floor clap every time.

Stonger, Kanye West - No joke, my NYC co-workers loved this song.

Jai Ho, A.R. Rahmin - No joke, my NYC co-workers loved this song. (pt. 2)

19, Adele - I survived my first Winter (& Spring) in NYC with this cd. Love, love, love her.

Viva la Vida, Coldplay - I have decided that when all else fails, Coldplay always works and this cd will always remind me of walking the streets of NY in the Summer.

Dreaming Out Loud, OneRepublic - My first fall in NYC, I can practically feel the leaves change as I listen to it now. This was my to-and-from work staple for a long time...

Sun Giant, Fleet Foxes - I survived my second Winter in NYC with this cd.

Disturbia, Rhianna - I truly think (read: hope) that if someone had to commit this song to memory and think of anyone when they hear it, that they would think of me. I know it's absurd, but there is no other song that gets me smiling and dancing like this one. Many a night was spent on a dark NYC dance floor to this jam, and frankly, it just makes me happy.

Only By the Night, Kings of Leon - I know that this cd has been out for a long time, but I just got into it this Summer and I don't think that I will ever hear these tunes without the happy memories of my Dallas Summer.

Battlefield, Jordin Sparks - Poolside, Summer 2k9. "Betta go getcha arm-ah..."

Don't say that I didn't warn you. I think you should just feel lucky that I withheld any show tunes. Believe me, it was a struggle. So there's my list in all of its ridiculous glory and here's to my future and all of the catchy pop tunes that will likely fill it...