It's Twin Tuesday!

In sticking with my music theme from the past week or so, I want to share some cuteness about the twins.  They are finally sharing in the fun of music!  Every day, on the way to daycare and back, they insist on listening to their favorite CD in the van.  They totally dig Brian and Terri Kinder, at Kindersongs.  We heard about them years ago from some friends, and first went to see them in a holiday concert at the Fayetteville library when Big Sis was just a toddler.  Since then, we've become quite the groupies.  They usually have 2-3 shows a year at the library, and I'm not sure we've missed any.  If you have little kids, I highly recommend taking them to see the Kinders. They play all over the state, so the chances are good that you can find them in your hometown.  

Now, the twins have learned to love music, too. I'm so proud! Whether it's Christmas music, the Muppets Soundtrack or just regular radio, it's the cutest thing EVER when I can hear them singing along from the backseat.  It's amazing how many words they can remember and sing!

Clever little stinkers, aren't they?

Play It Loud

I'm continuing my post from Monday, after I got to thinking about how often the music I listen to reflects my mood (and vice versa). 

There are some songs that just call out to me to play at a high volume and sing along with.  The singing usually only happens when I'm alone in the car--nobody wants to hear that, I promise.  A song I like doesn't have to have a special meaning to me, but occasionally it will.  Sometimes, I like it simply because it makes me happy.

Along with the two songs I mentioned on Monday, here are a few more that I thought of this week:

• Anything by Audioslave--seriously, this band rocks.  Credit my hubby for introducing me to them. Sadly, the band has disbanded, but not before I saw them perform live.

• Wanted Dead or Alive--Bon Jovi classic; how can you not love this song?? Possibly my most favorite song ever in the history of songs.

• Harder to Breathe--Maroon 5; Oh, I don't even know what to say. Fun song, good lyrics, music is awesome turned up loud. Just try it!

• Good Directions--Billy Currington; it's just a good, happy country song.

• Shameless--the Garth Brooks version; just try not to sing along. I dare you.

• Gives You Hell--All-American Rejects; listen to the lyrics. Really, who doesn't feel this way about an ex?

I asked my readers to leave comments with some of their favorite "play it loud" or "driving fast" songs.  Here's what they said--

• Sweet Child 'O Mine; GnR classic.  Solid contribution, Adrienne.
• Always Something There to Remind Me; Naked Eyes.  Totally reminds me of all the 80s movies I love.  Good one, Jody.

Anyone else want to add to the list? I can come back and make edits.  Maybe we can make a mix tape when we're finished... 

Mood Music is a Real Thing

Are you a music lover? I am, without a doubt.  I'm named after a popular song from the 60’s, you know (and also a former Miss Arkansas, I think).  I also know that I inherited my love of music from my dad, who obviously helped choose my name and introduced me to the Beach Boys.  Dad had an entire closet full of records when I was a kid, and often took us to Memphis just to visit the record store.  You know he was serious about his music, because the record store was not in a part of town you’d want to go if you were just passing through.

I have so many memories of singing along to the Oldies station with my parents.  As corny as it seemed at the time, I know that helped set the tone for my appreciation of all types of music.  I am not a music snob; I love it all.  You name it:  country, rap, disco, Broadway musicals, hair bands and pop….not much I won’t listen to. My iTunes library is very confusing.

As a lot of you know, I worked in the radio biz for seven years after college.  That makes me sound so hip, no?  What’s ironic about that is that I’m a radio station’s worst nightmare.  Stations are rated on how many listeners they have and the length of time people listen.  Well, I’m a button pusher.  I don’t have a loyalty to any one station or genre.  What I stop on depends on my mood and/or which of my old buddies is talking.

For me, music goes hand in hand with my mood.  Just a few weeks ago, I was driving to Fort Smith for a meeting.  I was having a Debbie Downer kind of day, just stuck in a rut or something.  Then, one of my “happy memory” songs came on the radio, and changed my whole mood.  It was 1994’s “Stay” by Lisa Loeb (thanks Jim!), which brings back so many memories of fun times in college cruising around in my BFF Lisa’s tiny red Toyota Celica. We’d put that song on repeat and sing forever.  It made me think of her, and how much I miss her, so I turned it up and sang right along.  Later, I sent her an email just to let her know I’d heard it and thought of her.

 

 

And just today, on yet another trip to the Fort, music impacted my day.  It was a dark, cloudy start to the Monday morning and I just couldn’t seem to wake up. I happened to stop the button pushing on my friend Jon’s radio show.  He talked a bit, and then launched into Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.”  People! This song rocks.  In fact, it would totally be my “walk up” song if I played baseball.  I cranked it up and rocked out, right there in my minivan.  By the end of the song, I felt like I’d chugged about a dozen cans of Mountain Dew.  Yes, a rockin’ good song can do that to a person.

 

So this got me thinking of some of the other songs I like to hear when I’m driving.  Do you have a list of favorite driving songs?  Leave me a comment and let’s discuss.  Since this post is getting long, I’ll share my list with you later in the week.  Come back again, and we can share together.