a decade of music

I find music and song lyrics to be a powerful and therapeutic form of expression. Each person can relate a song to their own life and interpret it to create an individualized meaning for themselves. A song can boost a good mood blaring from a car stereo with the windows rolled down or can comfort and soothe someone in a time of stress or disappointment. Lyrics can express an individual’s feelings and emotions he or she could never put into words before. Music sticks with people; it can inspire, instill emotions, change moods, and even move them, deeply.

I also associate songs with specific moments or friendships in my life. For each prolific time in my life, I can tell you a song that accompanies that memory. Every boyfriend and lover I have had has their own song dedicated to them. I remind friends of obscure memories that I simply remember because of the association to a song or lyric that I heard. A simple joy in my life is making mixed tapes (well, now cds or ipod play lists) that serve the purpose of reminding me of specific people, places, and periods of time. I have stacks of cds with titles like Soul Mates Mix, Roommates Road Trip, California Living, Tappa Kegga Therapy, and dozens more. It is like a scrap book of memories when I play each music mix helping me never forget the little moments that so often pass by quickly in life. These simple play lists are reminders of memories I never want to forget; those experiences have shaped me to become the woman I am today – and the lessons I have learned will help me become the woman I want to be.

So here I present my latest mix titled: Soundtrack to a Decade of Addy. These are some of the highlighted moments, friends, memories, and relationships from the past ten years that deserve their own track. However, it was hard to narrow it down to just one cd so this has become a two disk set. Soon, I imagine it will become a collection with a separate volume dedicated to every few years of my life... which of course would be fine by me because every time I pop that cd in my stereo, I won’t ever forget my past.

Soundtrack to a Decade of Addy

Disc One: Duvall to California
1. Dammit by Blink 182: this cd never left my stereo for a year. It helped me thru a very difficult time in my life and it began my obsession with music.
2. Washin’ + Wonderin’ by Stroke 9: my best friends in high school sang this song to me when I needed cheering up.
3. If You Could Only See by Tonic: for my first love.
4. We Like To Party by Vengaboys: my best friend and I had this song blasting from the stereo with the top down on her jeep in the rare Seattle sunshine during a road trip.
5. Super Trouper by ABBA: reminds me of a great friendship that ended abruptly and can never be repaired.
6. Every Monday by Marvelous 3: dedicated to all the high school parties in Snoqualmie at J’s house.
7. The Cars that Go Boom by LeTigre: for my best friend who I will always think of as a sister.
8. Motivation Proclamation by Good Charlotte – played in my car stereo on a ferry ride; it was the first time I truly felt independent
9. Big Spender from the Fosse Soundtrack: for my favorite Fourth of July celebration ever.
10. Furious by Ja Rule: for my Muck-town crew.
11. I’ll Make Love to You by Boyz to Men: the song my sophomore college roommate and I were blasting during finals week which prompted us to get written up for in the dorms.
12. Hot in Herre by Nelly: for that crazy hot tub party at the Austin house with my girls.
13. Get Back by Zebrahead: signifies a situation in my life that showed me who my true friends were… and those who weren’t.
14. Inaudible Melodies by Jack Johnson: dedicated to the summer I lived on the beach in Santa Barbara with my California crew.
15. Be Like That by 3 Doors Down: represents a time of huge personal growth; it was time to change my behavior or face the consequences.

Disc Two: Seattle to Alabama
1. Waiting on an Angel by Ben Harper: for a relationship that ran its course months before it was ended.
2. Staring at the Sun by The Offspring: dedicated to the perfect ‘best friends with benefits’ situation; we partied hard, loved deeply, and were never jealous.
3. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2: reminds me of a college friendship and fling that was disappointing and ended suddenly.
4. It’s My Life by No Doubt: reminds me of my 21st birthday and the craziness that ensued.
5. All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix: for the boyfriend that I wish I could say I knew better.
6. Number One Spot by Ludacris: dedicated to my boy’s on 47th and 21st that partied hard and treated me like a princess for four years. They are rock stars and I miss them greatly.
7. Culo by Pitbull: reminds me of dancing with my fellow interns in my little Honda during rush hour traffic.
8. Gossip Folks by Missy Elliot: for my fashionista friend who shares a mutual love for coffee.
9. Chocolate by Snow Patrol: reminds me of my best friend who has moved across the country; I think of her everyday.
10. Gold Digger by Kanye West: for a road trip to see my friend when I needed to escape reality for a weekend.
11. What U Do 2 Me by Boomkat: for ringing in the new year in New York with my best friend
12. The Way You Move by Big Boi: reminds me of driving around downtown with friends wasting time and getting into mischief.
13. Out In the Parkin’ Lot by Brad Paisley & Alan Jackson: dedicated to the HHA and the Little Red Hen both of which I miss.
14. Three Days by Pat Green: for the man in my life I realized I couldn’t live without and wanted to move for.
15. Summertime by Kenny Chesney: reminds me of the many road trips to florida with my best friend driving his pick up truck, my feet on the dashboard, the windows rolled down, and soaking up the sunshine.