Music: like a drug for my addiction

For those of you who know me, you know I'm crazy-obsessive about music. All music. Any music. (Except rap...but we won't get into that.)

So, that leads me to today's blog. I've decided to put together a list of songs that I absolutely COULD NOT live without, a "Soundtrack of My Life" sort of thing. I'm almost afraid to narrow it down. I know without a doubt I will ultimately forget one and then feel like a traitor to a song that has somehow defined my life. But all fears aside, here we go:

1. Let it Be by the Beatles: This song has an amazing calming effect on me. No matter how awful things are, I can listen to this song and somehow find a sliver of clarity. Plus, it's the friggin Beatles. Come on! They defined an era.
2. What it Takes by Aerosmith: I smile just thinking about this one. For some reason, this has become mine and Mama's song. We sing it at the TOP of our lungs every time it comes on. This includes calling each other and singing it on the phone. Do we sound horrible? Yes. Is it funny? Duh. Do I have ANY idea what Steve Tyler is actually saying at the end of the song? No, but why is that important?
3. Five to One by the Doors: Okay, for starters, it is REALLY hard for me to pick ONE Doors song. Sure, Jim Morrison was a druggie who may or may not have dabbled in witchcraft, but I LOVE HIM. Or I would have had I been born in another decade. Whatever the case, I love his music. This particular song definitely epitomizes his unique sound and raw vocals.
4. Your Winter by Sister Hazel: What can I say? I love me some Sister Hazel. Great song. No particular explanation.
5. 4 a.m. by Our Lady Peace: This band was definitely there for me in the time of my teenage angst. Remember, Mom? Those years of sitting in my room listening to alternative music that you HATED (but have now found a bizarre appreciation for? Example: Collective Soul)
6. Crazy Game of Poker by OAR: I can't hear this song without thinking about my first couple years in college. It's fun, it's upbeat and it makes me remember a time before the "real" world of bills and falling asleep on the couch at 9:30.
7. I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi: First of all, Jon Bon Jovi is a SEXY old man. So there. That being said, this song is SO much fun to sing to and it puts me in a good mood. If you haven't seen A Lot Like Love with Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet, you should. There's a great scene where he sings this to her. It makes me smile :)
8. Cross My Heart by George Strait: *sigh* George Strait is my hero. He has aged sooo well and his songs continue to be amazing. This one is from Pure County. Not the greatest piece of cinematography of all time, but definitely on my list of favorites. It's sappy and cheesy and when he sings this song to Harley, my heart melts.
9. Wordplay by Jason Mraz: I ADORE him. The way he plays with language is so creative and unique. As a word-nerd, I find his lyrics really entertaining. He definitely doesn't get the props he deserves as an artist.
10. Damn by Matchbox Twenty: I love Rob Thomas. Simple as that. This song is great on days when you literally think, "Well damn." Sometimes things don't go your way, or people hurt your feelings. That's life. Damn.
11. Indiana by Jon McLaughlin: If you've never heard this guy, look him up — for real. He's an AMAZING singer/songwriter. If I knew how to link stuff on here, I'd link all of these songs to somewhere you could actually hear them. Reading about them doesn't do them justice. His voice is soothing and wonderful and makes you want to curl up on the couch on a rainy day and read your favorite book.
12. Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson: This is my happy song. It's impossible to hear this song and not be in a better mood. Plus it makes me want banana pancakes. Like right now.
13. Say It Ain't So by Weezer: Really this could be any Weezer song. I can't have a soundtrack to my life without one; but this is my favorite so it wins. Weezer makes me miss the awesome radio stations in Birmingham and reminds me of high school. I love living in small-town America, but the station choices here SUCK. I keep meaning to activate the XM radio in my vehicle. (It's on my to-do list.)
14. Dance With You by Live: Severely optimistic, "I see a world where people live and die with grace." This song is so poetic. Live is one of those distinctively different bands that makes me think about things in a different light.
15. Sunburn by Fuel: I used to listen to this song over and over. If I only knew then how true the lyrics "Livin ain't free" actually are.

Okay, I could probably spend a lot more time on this, but I have other things I need to be doing. This is by NO way a definitive list of my favorite songs (that would take FOREVER.) This is just a small sampling of songs that have had some sort of influence on my life or at least my current state of mind. I hate that I'm not smart enough to figure out how to set it up so you can listen to some of these.