Y: That's what's gonna rock my world? damn.. how well you know me!
The truth is, tunes from the 70s may not rock my world, but music really does. And yes, the above conversation is a lame attempt at humor (which was completely ignored by my friend), but this post is about some of the songs I associate with incredible memories. It's common to listen to a song and feel a sense of nostalgia come over you. Hence the following tribute (in no particular order).
1. She Will be loved, Maroon 5 (2004)
This is my all-time favorite song. I turn into an 18-year old, the moment Adam Levine starts serenading me.
Coincidentally, it's the song that came into my life shortly before I turned 18. I was listening to this song (and going over O-chem reactions for a lab practical) when I got into my first car accident on Kennedy Expressway. I remember pulling over and exchanging insurance information with the middle-aged driver of the barely scratched SUV. This was my initiation into the adult world.
A few months later, Mary and I embarked on the Sophomore leadership retreat at Lake Geneva. While that trip is reminiscent of many epiphanies under the starlit campfire, this song was a testament to my self-confidence. Mary volunteered me for a solo while playing a game of personality bingo (i.e: Who is wearing a red shirt, Who has ever sung a solo, etc) After initial hesitation, I sang the chorus of this beautiful song to an audience of several hundred people. And I don't wish to brag, but I was awesome! (Thanks for the voice lessons, mom!)
2. Oops I did it again, Brittney Spears (2000)
Eighth grade dance. First kiss. 'nuff said!
3. Leaving on a Jet Plane, John Denver (1969)
Just days after making the trans-Atlantic move from Dubai to Toronto, my family decided it was only sensible to spend the upcoming festivals in Chicago. So we drove across the Niagara Falls and trekked halfway through 'merica. Who knew this great city would become our new home? Of course, as my cousin's favorite song, this played endlessly during the wee hours of the night. Thus, it has left a solid imprint on my brain.
4. Swing Life away, Rise Against (2005)
I credit this song to Maulin. Thank you for aim-ing every worthy (and unworthy) song my way. Of course, in the plethora of music sent over, there were a few gems. This is one of those. It reminds me of the summer of 2005. It insinuates the memory of endless hours spent hunched over books, taking afternoon naps at your apt (and consequently pigging out on your food) and getting Lemon-ice with Alice on Taylor St before making the 4-mile hike to IIT. This was also the first song on my ipod-shuffle.
This song is also the epitome of my present life.
5. I want it that way, Backstreet Boys (1999)
My sister and I have always been close. However, a three year age gap means different things at different stages of life. When we moved to Chicago, I was an 11-year old child and my sister was a 14-year old teenager. In those dire times, BSB kept us connected. Of course, this bonding could have been animus if I too had been cray-cray for Nick. Shout out to my first love, AJ. Mclean.
6. Wish you were here, Pink Floyd (1975)
Sure, this is a classic. However, I did not obsess over this song until I read Five Point Someone in Dec. 2007. Pink Floyd is about recognizing vulnerabilities. I spent many nights in the next semester with glasses of Gewurztraminer and indulging in deep conversations. Yes, this song is about missing someone and every time I listen to it, I do.
7. Tipsy, J-Kwon (2003)
"E'er body but Yag gettin' tipsy!" This became a tag line for my presence at extended family functions for several months after I sang along to J-Kwon during a car ride to a-place-i-can't-remember. This song reminds me of how awesome, yet crazy my family is. After that, I quickly digress into thoughts of cinnamon sticks and coke at Pizza Hut.
8. City of Blinding lights, U2 (2005)
My first real visit to NYC was in March 2007. It was Spring Break during my senior year at IIT. I was so in love with the city, that I vowed to myself that I would move to NY within the next 6 months. Luckily, I got to partition my time between Ithaca and NYC when I moved to Cornell later that year. The Brooklyn bridge is by far the most glorious platform I've walked on. In one of the U2 concerts, the intro to this song is a description of Manhattan as seen from the bridge. That is the only version I listen to. I am reminded of everything NYC has to offer and of promises that I make to myself and keep.
(Trivia: this is also Obama's intro song)
9. Banana Pancakes, Jack Johnson (2005)
Lazy Sunday afternoons.
Especially because I had a rule about only waking up in single digits (i.e before 10am). This rule is no longer being enforced in my life.
10. Santa Baby, Kylie Minogue (2007)
I vividly remember working on my Neural Interfaces paper while lying in my bed at the apt. on Danby. Puifai sent this song to me as a much needed distraction. This is a Christmas favorite! I love the holiday season and this song for reminding me that naughty can also be nice!
11. Her Morning Elegance, Oren Lavie (2009)
This is my blog's namesake. The stop-motion video is a parallel to what my life had become when I was introduced to this song. I was blinded to the mundane and routine struggles I was facing to achieve something I did not care for. This was a turning point as I abandoned a false dream I had fostered for years only to pursue the road less traveled. Thanks Frost. It has made all the difference.
12. Wait for sleep, Dream Theatre (1992)
What's the story morning glory? This song is implicative of everything that was freshmen year at IIT: daily commutes on the el, getting my driver's license, getting lost in the city and calling friends for directions (because smartphones and GPS were yet to come), piggin' out on mango tofu with Shira, asking out long-time crushes, making friends, losing friends, and basically having the time of my life!
13. From Paris to Berlin, Infernal (2005)
Europe 2008. A two-week trip with my sister that turned into an incredible adventure. It involved Madame Tussaud's, tea with the queen (or her minions), picnic by the Eiffel, crepes and hot Frenchmen, half-bridges and emergencies in Avignon, getting lost in Barcelona, joining strangers for a tapas/flamenco party at Las Ramblas, trying our luck in Monaco, fancy cars, gelato, sun-bathing in Nice, hikes and chocolate tours in Switzerland, missed flights in Venice and a group of amazing friends!
14. Anyone else but you, Moldy Peaches (2001)
I remember watching Juno at the Westbourne in Ithaca. I was only semi-impressed with Ellen Page. However, this song and the entire soundtrack (All I want is you, Barry Louis Polisar) was more memorable. I have since sang this song at many karaoke nights in Ithaca, DC, Chicago, etc. It's just a simple song that reminds me of who I really am- a part-time lover and a full time friend!
15. I'm gonna make this place your home, Phillip Phillips (2012)
In the last five years, I have lived in 5 different cities (not counting Chicago). This spontaneous, vagabond lifestyle leaves me wondering whether I felt at home at any of these residences. Of course, nothing may ever compare to the awesomeness of Chicago, but I have to admit, these past two years in Milwaukee have been kind of fabulous. As a commuter (yes, I engaged in a 90-mile one-way commute for a whole semester), I fell in love with the scenic amtrak ride and gelato at the Public market. Once I moved here, I discovered Leon's, Cafe Hollander, Jazz in the Park and the Art Museum. This song is usually playing during my daily ride on 94 which only adds to the Milwaukee experience. The gorgeous view of Miller Park at the break of dawn is breath-taking. The roof reminds me of a bridge and although it may not be the Brooklyn magnificence, it's damn close.
But, I'll never be a Packers fan!
Honorable mentions:
Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond (1969)
Lean on me, Bill Withers (1972)
Wonderwall, Oasis (1995)
Crash into me, Dave Matthews Band (1996)
Iris, Goo goo dolls (1998)
Kiss me, Sixpence none the richer (1998)
Jumpin Jumpin, Destiny's child (1999)
It wasn't me, Shaggy (2000)
Goodbye Earl, Dixie Chicks (2000)
Love you madly, Cake (2001)
Thousand Miles, Vanessa Carlton (2002)
Numb, Linkin Park (2003)
Boulevard of broken dreams, Greenday (2004)
Fix You, Coldplay (2005)
Rain is a good thing, Luke Bryan (2010)
ps: The hindi version is coming up soon! :)
