Defined- Music and Memories

United States
December 5, 2006 10:12pm CST
I have a question to ask. I shall ask it of you. Do you have music inside you? Do you have a running soundtrack of your life? Are your memories triggered by a line spoken or snippet heard? The music inside me, defines me. My mother is a musician; her music has always been with me, even as I floated, curled in her womb. My father is a music lover, and loves to dance and laugh at himself; he is an awful dancer. Music such as gospel, classical, big band, rock, jazz, swing; my exposure was complete, before ever drawing my first breath. My parent’s music is the background of my life. From my mother; I listened to her finger exercises while cooking, various gospel renditions during chores, Amy Grant while reading a book, Bing Crosby during homework, hymns while falling asleep. Always hymns. To this day; when she plays hymns I fall asleep, no matter where I am. From my father; Wild cherry’s during history homework; which often lasted hours as we both have a passion for things long gone, Mama’s and the Papas as he taught my children how to fire a handgun, The Beatles while leaning to drive, The Rolling Stones driving cross - country, Mama Cass was our company in front of the fire. Laughter usually outshined the music. There was Always laughter. The holiday season was flooded with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Barbara Streisand, Mel Torme and Johnny Mathis. The list is endless. Their voices are the background of the wonderful memories of baking cookies and decorating the Christmas tree. I hope I have done my best as a mother to pass this feeling of contentment and a life of music on to my own children. A life without music is incomprehensible to me; are there families out there that did not have the sounds of seasons and personal audio tastes in their life? I feel sad to think such a thing is possible. Fill your lives with music, dance in the rain with your children and watch your dad do the funky chicken in roller skates to Alvin and the Chipmunks singing “we wish you a merry Christmas”. Life is full of wonderful moments; don’t miss them, don’t forget them. My favorite Holiday songs- The little Drummer boy Do you hear what I hear? Carol of the Bells Hark! The Herald Angels sing Pat-A-Pan (an obscure song by Bing Crosby) O Holy Night (I had to sing this each night to put my son to sleep for the first two years of his life) What Child is this?Do you have a favorite holiday song, or memories associated with music? Tell me about it please, I would love to listen and enjoy the soundtrack of your life.
2 people like this
4 responses
• South Africa
3 Mar 07
Never thought I would find someone with the same musical interest as myself. Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis.. when I mention these names to people they stare at me as if I am mad. All the artists you mentioned bring back lots of lovely memories and my collection of Beatles, Cliff Richard, etc go with me wherever I do. I have been searching for CD's but cannot find any so I have decided to buy a gadget which I can use on my computer to put them onto CD myself. There is nothing like standing in the kitchen baking with Diana Ross or k going full blast on the speak which I installed there.
• United States
19 Mar 07
Life without any of the artists' you mentioned...just wouldn't be as bright. I love the music they have brought into my life. I'm glad someone else out there appreciates them as well! Welcome to mylot photogirl!
• Janesville, Wisconsin
7 Dec 06
Yes, I have music inside, me and a running sound track of my life. Every living moment there is a song a dance... Sometimes barely moving other times waveing a head other times all around moving everything.... I love music, thanks for sharing... Take care, - DNatureofDTrain Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne has fit the last decade of my life :).
• United States
5 Feb 07
I'm glad I'm not the only one with a running soundtrack to my life! Thank you for sharing and keep the music alive!
• Singapore
7 May 07
I do love music. Especially those sad sad sad ones. I have different tunes going through me at different times. I have a whole host of favorites so I don't even want to begin listing them all.
• United States
10 May 07
I like sad music too sometimes. Mainly when everyone is in bed and the lights are low, I'll light some candles, put some music on and read a book. Ahh... but for some peace... I need a candle night soon, or a trip to the freak'in day spa. I hear that Spa's are magical places of rest and happiness. I wonder if it's true? With my luck, I'd go and the Spa will be run by cannibals, and they'll give me a massage (tenderizing the meat), throw me in a jacuzzi and tell me that all the onions, celery and carrots they're tossing in have soothing effects on the skin. I'd believe them of course, and by the time I got a clue and tried to escape...DUN DUN DUN...to late, I'm ate. ha, I just actually typed "to late, I'm ate." Geesh... I need some sleep.
@swanrock (26)
• United States
1 Apr 07
Yes I agree with you, in fact I wrote a poem about Music, I like to write poetry, which really was the way I healed after my husband passed. Below is the Music poem. Music Music is such a lovely sound always near and always around You hear it every single day a part of our lives in every way In the evening crickets rubbing their feet in the morning birds singing so sweet As the wind blows through the trees, at home or office from computer keys From the tiny lips of babies who coo or two lovers whispering, "I love you" So many sounds, such different beats, adding to life's extra special treats, Heard at the opera and the ballet, a symphony concert or a Broadway Play Movies, TV, radio and who could forget school and backyard plays with our own set When at a dance or a special affair, how happy we are that music is there Dancing, clapping and singing lines, giving to people such happy times It cheers a heart, clears a mind of any problems had at that time Loved by young and old as well don't you agree music is swell? And what a gloomy world this would be without music giving pleasure to you and me. I am lucky because I can listen to music at work, and play all the old timers, Cole, Martin, Como etc. I was not into the Rolling Stones but one of the singers has a lot of mellow hit songs out today, his name escapes me and the album is in work, I was an Elvis fan, not the Beatles or the Mommas and Pappas, probably because I was raising my six children then and watched Romper room and Happy Days, instead of listening to music all day. i wish they would bring back more Televison shows like the Dean Martin Show, Como, etc. shows. They were uplifting programs to watch instead of all the murder and reality shows. I don't write music but am trying to get some of my poetry put to music and recorded. I like to share my poetry, but am truly not good at marketing myself. As stated earlier music and poetry helped me to heal after losing my one and only love. And yes, Music played a large part of the soundtrack in my life. Sometimes I can almost hear my husband talking to me from above throught Music. God Bless You.
• United States
10 May 07
Swan, Thank you so much for your response, and please forgive my lag in answering. I had no idea I had a response here. Your poem is lovely! Thank you for sharing it with us here at mylot and please accept my condolances for the loss of your husband. I also wish there was better programming on television these days. Everytime I turn on the T.V. it seems to be the same thing on every channel, just different people playing the parts. When my kids were younger I would order their movies from Feature Films for Families. They have a great selection of Christian and family based movies. If you have young children or grandchildren I highly recommend their films,their website is http://www.familytv.com The company is run by a great group of people and their customer service is top notch. Have you tried Helium or Gather for your poetry? You even get paid or earn gift cards for your contributions to the communities. It won't make you rich, but it is a great way to get your stuff read and get feedback. Nice to see you here:) Kerry