(A Blog Every Day in May 2013 Challenge Entry)
I
am very proud of my picture story yesterday. This host can’t bring me
down yet! Now we arrive at one of the prompts I’ve been most excited
for. I wasn’t aware it was today, though. For some reason I thought it
was the final post.
Today’s prompt:
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
I’m
not sure what Grooveshark is, so I plan on sticking to the ever
prominent Youtube. Plus, it’s built into Blogger... so yeah...
This
isn’t going to be easy. Trying to single out five songs that speak to
me, is like placing down all my favorite cookies in front of me and
telling me I can only pick and eat five of them. We know from my
previous post how that would end. I would eat ALL the things. Much like I
want to share the abundance of songs that connect with me.
I’ve
decided, since I wasn’t able to do so during the A to Z, I will share a
handful of my favorite songs and artists throughout the next few weeks. Most
music I listen to recently has become associated with my writing, so I thought I could share
them and explain the scenarios and/or representation of each.
For this post I will attempt a nostalgic theme.
Stories Through Music
The Offspring - Come Out and Play
The Offspring
I feel is one of those bands that my entire group of friends loved when
growing up. When I hear them I always remember back to the days when we
would party and just act stupid on a weekend (or daily) basis. To be
honest, the entire SMASH album was played over and over and over again. When it came down to picking one song, it was between Bad Habit & Come Out and Play. I felt Come Out and Play best represented our teenage angst and shenanigans.
Local H - Fritz’s Corner
Local H
is another of my all-time favorite bands. For a 2 member band they kick ass. In fact, they are
still around around and kicking some ass last I checked. I loved seeing
these guys live. This was one of my favorite songs they would play,
along with High-Fiving MF.
Both times seeing them they were performing at outdoor festival
concerts, so it would be nice to see them at a smaller, enclosed venue. I
was obsessed with this song (still am), and I’d like to believe when my
friends hear it they still think of me (just as they did back in the
day).
Our Lady Peace - Superman’s Dead
Another
song, and band, I was (am) obsessed with. I’ll admit that over the
years I’ve fallen out of touch with Our Lady Peace, but there was a time
I would be jamming out to all their newest CD releases; singing,
dancing, acting out music videos. The lead singer’s voice is so unique I
can’t help but love it.
After going mainstream I kind of drifted from
their music some. Not that it was less meaningful, but maybe it just
didn’t quite resonate the same with me. It may sound bad, but this was
around a time when the music became seemingly more “God” or religion
influenced (This is akin to losing interest in Billy Corgan with Zwan).
I’ll have to maybe give it another go someday.
Random Jak Fact 622:
I may have recorded a Youtube video of me singing this song a good four to five years ago or so. This was done after not having heard the song
in some time, and attempting to sing from memory. It
was met with... mixed critique... which is to be expected as I’m not a
singer. I don’t think it's up (publicly) anymore, sorry folks. At
least... I really hope it isn’t.
3 Colours Red - Beautiful Day
This
is a song from an album I randomly bought while living in AZ. It always evoked emotions in me. It’s a good thing, because it was about the
only good song on the album. Anyhow, this song could (and potentially
still could) turn me into a blubbering, crying baby for almost no
apparent reason. Back in AZ I'd just play it over and over. Later in
life I directly associated it with a break up I had with someone I had
dated for only 3-5 weeks. I can’t even remember the length of time.
This
relationship was an intense one, but it sputtered just as fast as it
flared. It was important, however. While the feelings at the time could
be classified as infatuation, I’m still uncertain. It allowed a brief
pulse of what I’d later define as being Love. Remember, I never much
believed in Love and all that mushy bullshit. This relationship was the
turning point for me being more open to the idea — the possibility —
that it actually may exist on some level more than just the fanciful
romanticism of fictionalized realities.
So, this song represents that awakening in my soul. From there... it was all down-fucken-hill.
Trouble I say. Trouble.
Align - At the Basement Door
Align
is a band that I’d imagine no one — short of possibly fellow locals —
has ever heard of. They were my favorite local band, long since defunct,
and I saw a handful of their shows while they were active. I cheered
when the lead singer used the phone-mic, bought their CDs, still own and
wear one of their shirts (it’s one of my favs), and I just happened to
know people who knew them.
One
of my best friend’s sister lived with the lead singer’s — then —
girlfriend (or fiancée). So not only would I get to listen to their
music, but also party with them now and again. I think during the party
period the lead singer was in a band called Marble. I, and others, thought they sounded a bit like Green Day. Yeah, no... he passionately hated that comparison.
Align
was a band I thought had a lot of potential and this song felt like one
that would get them noticed. Unfortunately, they disbanded years ago;
each finding a home in new bands. I get upset whenever I’ve learned they
had a reunion show I missed. That makes me a Sad Panda indeed.
Anyhow,
this song reminds me of the days after graduating where I’d party
(advancing to college parties without having to attend!) and go to
various music shows with friends. A lot of good times were had, even if
one night a member of Marble wanted to punch me in the face! Who doesn't?!
Are
you familiar with or do you like any of the songs listed above? What
songs/music trigger memories or speaks to you? Do you go to (or
have you ever gone to) live shows? Any favorites?
![A to Z 2017 [FLASH FICTION]: REFLECTIONS](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/551a2e0ee4b0bf065e1b3b3f/1494776923372-FIAN9DV6OKANFI5Q72ZD/atoz2017banner.png)
![A to Z 2017 [MAGIC MIXER]: REFLECTIONS](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/551a2e0ee4b0bf065e1b3b3f/1494782030429-FMJQLUEJJK850772LG6Q/atoz2017banner.png)
It’s been a long while. I briefly discuss some of this year’s shortcomings, and in doing so, find it’s just more of the same.
Then I attempt to give a more positive spin…
Extra Life Game Day 2021 has arrived! It’s Year 8 for myself and I am looking forward to once again raise money for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Team Cryton Crusaders is ready (kind of) for the annual fundraising event involving a 24-Hour Gaming Marathon! I kept last year’s fun, but likely impossible Milestone to reach!
Learn more about the challenge where my team and I play games and heal kids!