My dishwasher's possessed

one mom's attempt to find humor in the chaos

My Life in 5 Songs

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My Life in 5 SongsIn my over four years of writing this blog, I am frequently complimented on how open and honest I am in my writing. Though I appreciate this feedback, I must confess that it’s not true.

I have been very reluctant to share one aspect of my life with you, this would be my taste in music.

According to my husband, three kids, two sisters, various friends, relatives and the poor guy who was using the bike next to me at the gym the day I thought my earbuds were connected, but were not, I have no taste.

Because of this, I never, ever, let anyone see what is on my iPhone. Well, this and the fact that my first born claims if this knowledge was to ever see the light of day, it may cause irreparable damage to his psyche.

But today I’m feeling ready to come clean and unburden my soul, my son’s psyche be dammed. I have decided to share the first five songs that came up on my favorites lists. If after learning these choices you feel the need to deny you ever knew me, I totally understand (I have made this same deal with my son.)

“All Good Gifts” from Godspell (The New Broadway Cast) – OK, I  was really hoping that this one was not going to come up since I can’t think of any song that lets the world know just how uncool I am. But this song particularly demonstrates my love of Broadway showtunes in general, and Godspell, in particular.

I first heard this song in church when I was about 11, and it always reminds me of sitting in the pews with my family each Sunday.

Godspell was also the show I saw on my first official date when I was 14 years old. (The fact that my date later came out as gay is just further evidence that I was not the hippest nor most with-it chick on the planet.)

“American Pie”, Don Mclean – I have vivid memories of sitting on the school bus in the fourth grade,singing this song with my girlfriends. I wasn’t sure why a Chevy was being driven to a levee, nor even what a levee actually was. But I knew it meant something deeper and at 9 that was cool.

Years later when I was a new mom nursing my son, I loved whenever this song would come on the radio since I knew if we got through the whole song he most likely got enough to eat on that side. I also have fond memories of singing along to it with my kids while we are eating dinner and talking about all the cultural references it contains

“And So It Goes”, Billy Joel – I would lay on my light blue convertible sofa, looking at the thick  white plaster walls of the living room in the Upper East Side apartment I shared with my roommate Michele. I would listen to Billy Joel on the stereo my parents gave me a few years earlier and wonder if I would ever find someone to share my life with.

I was in my early twenties and unsure of what direction my life was going in. I was in a go-nowhere relationship but felt stuck. A year later I met the man who  became my husband, and I couldn’t believe my good luck in falling in love with my best friend.

“My Maria”, B.W. Stevenson – I always had an oldies station playing in my kids’ rooms. Many a long day of dealing with a fussy baby, toddler having a tantrum, or bored preschooler were made a bit brighter by dancing around the house to this 1970s hit.

“I Won’t Last a Day Without You”, The Carpenters – When I was 8 my parents spent a week in Germany. While they were there, my sisters and I stayed with my grandparents. I wore out my record needle playing this song over and over again as I waited for what seemed like years for my mom and dad to come home. It just takes a few chords of the music to take me back to the paneled guest room with the yellow bedspread and the smells of my grandmother’s cooking filling the house.

Being a fan of Karen Carpenter was just one of many reasons my sisters felt they were cheated out of having a cool big sister.

Confession is good for the soul.

 

Comments

  1. Janine Huldie says

    I love your list and until this day, American Pie is one of my favorites, too as it was playing when I first realized I was in love for the first time with one of my exes. Granted he is an ex for a good reason, but still was a fond memory for me. So I love that we have this song in common.
    Janine Huldie recently posted…Letter to My Future 2028 GraduateMy Profile

  3. Kir says

    I liked you before this piece, but now I REALLY like you.
    Godspell, The Carpenters, Billy Joel (and all the songs you picked…YES!)

    I think I need a little Godspell fix today. 🙂
    Kir recently posted…Pour Your Heart Out: 10My Profile

  8. Myke Todd says

    I thoroughly enjoyed this. I feel I know you a little better. Big time Billy Joel fan here, so his song made a great impression. I sort of used to share that song with a friend, a long time ago.

    Curious, did you ever find out what “American Pie” was about? I recall, when I was a youngster, I really did understand most of it, but not well enough to make a presentation. So, if asked then, what “American Pie” was about, I would respond with, “About seven minutes.”
    Myke Todd recently posted…PeoniesMy Profile

  9. Sandy Ramsey says

    I love ‘American Pie’. I know some people have pretty strong negative feelings about it but I’ve always loved it. I’m a closet Carpenters fan, but I think ‘Superstar’ is my all time favorite and I used to sing ‘Close To You’ to my daughter when she was little.
    Great post!
    Sandy Ramsey recently posted…Public Shaming – Parenting Win or Abuse?My Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      God Save the People from cleaning!! Lol!!! So nice to know another Godspell lover and such a nice one at that! It was great to meet you in person! xo

Much thanks to Joseph Radigan, who besides being a great husband and father, also uses his talents to gently and ever so tactfully edit my blog. Joe is a business editor at Thomson Reuters in NY.
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