Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Top Five: Songs That Got Stuck In My Head

I am a words woman. It's a given then that I love to read. Give me directions, and I prefer them written out as opposed to being handed a map. And yet, even as I describe myself as a words person, I confess that words alone do not always convey emotion, desire and thought quite as well as music can. It is a powerful medium, quite expressive, and can say so much in a single note or a simple lyric. I am not always good at saying what I want when I need to say it--but somehow, music rarely fails me.

What of those songs that get stuck in my head? Sometimes it's a song's catchy tune or lyric. Occasionally I hear a song so often that it just sticks with me no matter how hard I may try to shake it off. There are also those songs I keep replaying on my iPod or in my mind that become sort of temporary anthems.

My darling husband came up with a list of five memorable songs that have gotten stuck in his head. I decided to give it a try as well. Songs speak to me at differing times--depending on the time of day or year, my mood and what is going on in my life. Do I need inspiration, a little push, am I feeling melancholy or romantic? And the songs that I am drawn to change constantly over time.

Here is a list of five songs that I've got stuck in my head most recently:



Particularly when I am going through a rough patch, Rodney Atkins song, If You're Going Through Hell, pops into my head. It's an uplifting song both in music and lyrics, making me feel like I can get through just about anything. Given events in my life lately, this song has been playing in my head a lot.



Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol became a fast favorite of mine when I first heard it several years ago. To this day, when it's on the radio, I turn up the volume and sing along. The melody is simple and beautiful. It's a love song to be sure, one that evokes a feeling of wishing time could stop so that I can revel in the moment. I often catch myself singing or humming Chasing Cars without even realizing it at first.



Several months ago a popular song caught my attention, Bruno Mars' Just the Way You Are. The song is yet another love song (I'm partial to love songs, what can I say?). There isn't anything particularly profound about the lyrics or music, but it is a song that I imagine speaks to many of us. Who doesn't want to be loved for who they are? While this song is about a man's love for a woman, it has, in part, come to mean something else entirely different to me. I can't help but think of my daughter when I hear (and sing) the song. So, not all the lyrics are fitting for a love song from a mother to her daughter and some probably take offense to the focus on outward appearance, but when I hear the song, all I see is my daughter and I feel an overwhelming sense of love for her. I can't take my eyes off her. She is perfect to me--inside and out. And I do love that smile--as far as I'm concerned, it's impossible not to stop and stare for awhile.



The movie Beaches starring Bette Midler is one of those movies that never fails to bring tears to my eyes. I enjoyed the movie, but I fell in love with the soundtrack more. While Wind Beneath My Wings is an awesome song, I confess to fancying a couple of others from the album much more. I adore Bette Midler's version of I Think It's Going to Rain Today. But perhaps my favorite is Otto Titsling about the invention of the brassiere. How can you not laugh when you hear that song? It's silly and not at all true, but oh so fun. Not to mention it's a story in a song--and I do love a story!

The most recent song to enter the ear worm stratosphere is not one that has especially deep meaning or influence over my life, but there it is. I hear the song every day, Monday through Thursday, at least twice in the span of an hour. Teeter Totter is a children's song by Tanya Goodman. It's got a sweet, gentle melody with very simple lyrics. It's part of the lullaby album my daycare provider plays for the children during their afternoon nap time while I am there to nurse Mouse. I find the entire album relaxing--a break from my hectic work day and a chance to settle in and enjoy my lunch hour with my daughter. Teeter Totter is the one song though I have playing in my head when I return to the office each afternoon.

So there you have it. Hop on over to Bullet Points to see what songs ended up on my husband's list.


© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

14 comments:

  1. I am a lover of music as well, and tend to get caught up with one artist or album and listen to it until I am sick of it. I guess I just go through musical phases. It drives my family nuts, and usually happens once a year. Last year's find was The Silversun Pickups, but this year, I am loving Maroon 5. Very different styles!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love words too but I'm not much of a writer, but I'm a he fan of music and especially music that touches me on an emotional level. Great picks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I definitely get that Beaches song stuck in my head off and on, and sadly can only remember just one part of the chorus. :) I guess I need to watch the movie again sometime (although every time I do I question why I'm putting myself through it).

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love Beaches! The song from that movie that gets stuck in my head is Oh Industry...the one she sings with that horrible mask on. LOL.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't listen! I like most of these songs myself, but they'll get stuck in my head, too. lol

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm out of it. People were talking about Bruno Mars on Twitter the other day, and I had no idea who he was.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I was just drafting a music post for maybe Thursday--we must be on the same wave length. ;)

    For some reason I was singing Otto Titsling to myself the other day. Totally randomly as I haven't seen the movie in years or listened to the soundtrack recently. Wish I could remember what made me think of it!

    Love Snow Patrol. They've got some great songs!

    And how sweet about Teeter Totter. These days the songs that are in my head most often are those that I sing to Elle.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Otto Titsling - I haven't thought of that song in years! LOL

    I usually get my daughter's annoying Justin Bieber songs stuck in my head. :P

    ReplyDelete
  9. This was so much fun! Yeah, that Snow Patrol song. Whew. I first heard it on Grey's when dear Denny was dead.
    There's an old Oasis song called Wonderwall I just love. Just Breathe by Pearl Jam. And a bunch of old Beatles and standards.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love that Bruno Mars song!! It is such an uplifting song and it nice to read such a positive song about a woman. Thanks for sharing this post with us!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good songs thought I dont know the first one. The Bette Middler song is always great to listen to.

    Dunno what I would have on my list. Gonna have to think about it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Heather - I sometimes do that too. Often it's with a particular radio station though. I go through phases of what kind of music I like to listen to.

    Maroon 5 is great! I like them too.

    Staci - I am not much of a writer either even though I do love to write. LOL That doesn't mean we can't appreciate songs and books, right? :-)

    Alyce - Haha! That happens to me sometimes too. The same verse over and over and over playing through my head.

    Kelly - It's a great song, isn't it?

    Ti - Me too! It's a good movie and I love all the music from it. Oh Industry gets stuck in my head sometimes too!

    Andi - LOL I understand.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kathy - I didn't know who he was either until I asked someone who sang that song I kept hearing on the radio. And then I couldn't remember his name for the longest time. Terrible!

    Trish - How funny! It was actually my husband who put me in the mind. I'm glad he did. :-) Sometimes songs pop randomly into my head too, songs I haven't heard in years.

    I wish I could find a version online of Teeter Totter. It's a nice song. The entire album is too, although a couple of the songs make me teary-eyed.

    Carrie - Oh no! Not Justin Beiber! Poor you! LOL I wonder who will be the star my daughter goes crazy over . . .

    Nan - I think Grey's is actually where I first heard the song too, Nan. I was so sad that Denny had to die.

    The Beatles are always getting in my head. And Just Breathe is a great song. I am not sure I know Wonderwall. I probably do but will have to refresh my memory.

    Samantha - I really do like that song. Mouse doesn't appreciate it yet (not repetitive enough for her), but someday she might. :-)

    Mandy - I love the Bette Midler song. It's so funny. :-)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to visit Musings of a Bookish Kitty. Don't be shy! I would love to hear from you. Due to a recent increase in spam, I will be moderating all comments for the foreseeable future. Please be patient with me as it may take a few hours before I am able to approve your comment.