The songs to define a lifetime

I have heard that scent is the strongest sense tied to memory...now, I think I heard that on a Febreze commercial so take it for what you will. I don't know that my memories are kicked into gear by scent. I recognize scents obviously that trigger memories everyday. When the smell of cigarette smoke worn into a jacket after many years hits me in the face while giving a hug I always remember and miss my Uncle Frank, if some one wears Polo Sport (yikes...why?!?) I am reminded of my first kiss, and the smell of rose oil always reminds me of a soap my Granny had in the bathroom at her house. Songs though, for me at least, trigger deeper emotion behind the memories. A song can well up tears from so long ago that I never thought I would cry them again or create a belly laugh where silence once was. I call these songs the songs that define my lifetime.

When I hear the first notes of these songs its as if I stepped back in time. I am literally there in my mind. I can remember everything about that moment down to the last detail. Some of these moments I want to relive on repeat so I never forget them. Times spent with Lauren driving around in her little green car (the green bean) or in Barney prior to that(a purple Saturn). Sitting in the garage watching my Dad and Uncle Frank work on their Corvettes wishing one day that I could be as cool as they were (I honestly never have been that cool...nor do I think I ever will be) and the first time I heard the Counting Crows sitting by the pool with James, as we did everyday in the summer, 14 years ago. These are times I never want to lose.

Songs that make me thing of other times that have defined my life are a little different. I don't relish to hear them, but when I do I rest in them. I would never change anything in my past. Without the moments of less tact, grace, or unintelligible thought I wouldn't be here; but to relive some of those things is not always as pleasant as the moment initially was.

"So what are these songs Jenn?" you might be asking yourself...or maybe not but it's my blog so I'm going to tell you anyway, or at least one or two. If I told you every song that garnered a memory we'd be here all day.

Sitting by the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding: Sitting watching my Dad and Uncle Frank. It's my Dad's favorite song. I can hear him whistling it now as I am typing this.

Genie in a Bottle - Christina Aguilara (vomit...): Riding in the car with Lauren in Indiana. Feet through the sun roof and the twins driving next to us on our way to their house.

Date Rape - Sublime: Yep...7th grade under a Willow tree...most people who know me know what I used to inhale under that Willow Tree. This song was playing the first time...I just got really thirsty and want some chicken nuggets.

If You Get There Before I Do - Colin Raye: This is the song my mom played at my Paw Paw's memorial service. It makes me cry every time.

I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe: Played at my Uncle Frank's memorial service. Makes me a little more hopeful than sad...apparently it made my Dad question his own mortality and the life he has lead...that's another blog.

Stop, Hey What's That Sound? - Buffalo Springfield: This was the first song the Edge played when they came back on air after 9/11. I was driving to work when they came back on air. I remember how weird it was to go from news, news, news all the time 24 hours a day and then to finally hear music again was almost surreal. Like I'd never heard it before. I appreciated it more after that day.

There are plenty more. Make a list of songs that bring memories back to you. Burn them on a CD. An audible journal of sorts you don't have to take the time to write. Defining moments might not always have a smell but they should always come with a soundtrack :)

What I'm listening to right now - Giving Up by Ingrid Michaelson.