Erin Wooddell
Whenever someone wants to know my favorite genre of music, I always struggle to come up with an appropriate response. Somehow, ‘everything’ seems a little noncommittal and untrue. Yet when put on the spot, it’s exactly what I want to say.
How can you explain that growing up, music choices were left in the hands of adults so I spent my formative years listening to Motown, classic rock like Iron Butterfly, crooners from the 50s and early 80s jams? At five years old, I'd ride in the front seat of the car and belt out 'Passionate Kisses' alongside my mom, as if I knew. At seven, I’d sit on the floor, bopping along to Phil Collins’ "No Jacket Required" album and listening to Carol King sing "So Far Away" on vinyl, thinking that her voice embodied such unspeakable feeling and heartbreak.
Whenever someone wants to know my favorite genre of music, I always struggle to come up with an appropriate response. Somehow, ‘everything’ seems a little noncommittal and untrue. Yet when put on the spot, it’s exactly what I want to say.
How can you explain that growing up, music choices were left in the hands of adults so I spent my formative years listening to Motown, classic rock like Iron Butterfly, crooners from the 50s and early 80s jams? At five years old, I'd ride in the front seat of the car and belt out 'Passionate Kisses' alongside my mom, as if I knew. At seven, I’d sit on the floor, bopping along to Phil Collins’ "No Jacket Required" album and listening to Carol King sing "So Far Away" on vinyl, thinking that her voice embodied such unspeakable feeling and heartbreak.
On family trips to West Virginia, my granddaddy would serenade us with Glenn Miller and Bing Crosby, then dance around the house with my NeeNaw to classics like “Rumors are Flying.” His voice perfectly matched Bing’s in smoothness and pitch. That style of music has become so beloved that when I play the 40s station on Pandora, I’m hard-pressed to find a song I don't already own.
When I was old enough to get my own boombox and save my allowance for CDs, I loved Gloria Estefan (still a favorite), Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and hits like “I Swear.” It was empowering to choose what I listened to for a change. When I turned nine, my mom found an old table for me to use as a desk and I spent a whole Saturday in my room, listening to Deana Carter’s "Did I Shave My Legs for This" CD on repeat as I organized my desk (and then pretended to have important things to do at the desk). To this day, when I hear any song from that album, I instantly feel calm, organized and a strong urge to write.
With an older brother, I often had to listen to his music choices. Over the years, his taste ranged from Blues Travelers and The Offspring to a continuous loop of "Stairway to Heaven." Eventually I got into punk rock and country. As a member of the high school band and jazz band, I spent a lot of time appreciating classical compositions and the way the melodies and harmonies of various instruments paired together to make masterpieces.
When I was old enough to get my own boombox and save my allowance for CDs, I loved Gloria Estefan (still a favorite), Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and hits like “I Swear.” It was empowering to choose what I listened to for a change. When I turned nine, my mom found an old table for me to use as a desk and I spent a whole Saturday in my room, listening to Deana Carter’s "Did I Shave My Legs for This" CD on repeat as I organized my desk (and then pretended to have important things to do at the desk). To this day, when I hear any song from that album, I instantly feel calm, organized and a strong urge to write.
With an older brother, I often had to listen to his music choices. Over the years, his taste ranged from Blues Travelers and The Offspring to a continuous loop of "Stairway to Heaven." Eventually I got into punk rock and country. As a member of the high school band and jazz band, I spent a lot of time appreciating classical compositions and the way the melodies and harmonies of various instruments paired together to make masterpieces.
College brought on a renewed interest in pop, a newfound appreciation for catchy rap and hip hop and a deep-seeded love for indie music. Whether it was rock, electronic or folk, this genre had reached a part of my heart left untouched by other music.
And when I found my forever group of friends in college, we delved into our roots of being 80s babies, perfecting our Breakfast Club dance moves at 80s cover band concerts and house parties. |
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I like to believe that true music lovers appreciate all kinds of music for what they have to offer, and don’t discriminate. True music lovers choose favorites according to the day and mood. Driving down a back road in the sunshine with your windows down is a time for upbeat country music. A cold, gloomy day calls for the minor chords of City and Colour or Frightened Rabbit. In anticipation of a day full of excitement and happiness, playing tunes that make you dance provide such a great outlet for your positive energy. Your mood determines it all, and the wonderful part is: there’s music for every mood you come across in life.
Since we've been blessed with hot, sunny days lately, I've been wanting new, upbeat songs to fit that mood and my most recent playlist does the trick. It’ll be the perfect companion for my Memorial Day road trip, and hopefully you’ll enjoy it, too:
Since we've been blessed with hot, sunny days lately, I've been wanting new, upbeat songs to fit that mood and my most recent playlist does the trick. It’ll be the perfect companion for my Memorial Day road trip, and hopefully you’ll enjoy it, too: