Though maybe this should be the easiest post for me to write, in some ways it’s actually the hardest. This collection of songs had impacted and inspired me in so many ways, whether it was a song that someone very meaningful introduced me to, a song that helped me through a tough time, a song that reminds me of better days or even worse days, or simply a song that stirs up emotion. Emotions are difficult to face head on, and with that I present you a list of songs that are difficult for me to face head on and especially vulnerable for me to share.
That being said, these songs may not resonate with you! You may skim this list and be like “haha Coldplay, what a loser,” but doesn’t everyone have their own version of Coldplay? The band they listened to on the first generation iPod in the back seat of their parents minivan on the way to a sport practice that they didn’t actually want to go to?
That’s what this post is about. If you’re reading this I encourage you to reflect on that too. Who was that band? What were those songs? Do they still stir up some emotions?
The experiences that this particular list of songs transports me to are breakups, my first time feeling real love, my beautiful life long friendships with some incredible people, my relationship with my family, the love of music that my dad and brother instilled in me, the darkest moments of my life and also the brightest. Have a listen (fair warning: this is a long playlist) and get to know me.
Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Do You Realize?? - The Flaming Lips
So Sorry - Feist
Fade Into You - Mazzy Star (this is my favorite song of all time, no contest)
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac (isn’t this on everyone’s list of songs that shaped them?)
Losing Keys - Jack Johnson
Sea of Love - Cat Power (this one is cute, I love this song because it reminds me of sweet high school love. my own, and the love of those around me.)
Green Eyes - Coldplay (I sent this song to a boy when I was 17 and said it reminded me of him, and he wrote back and said he actually had hazel eyes.)
Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix (@Rohit - thank you for this)
No Ones Gonna Love You - Band of Horses
I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab For Cutie
Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
Something - The Beatles (the Beatles greatest hits was the first CD my dad bought for me. we still sing along to Beatles songs together in the car today)
Float On - Modest Mouse
Chocolate - Snow Patrol
Just Abuse Me - Air Traffic
Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin
Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl - Wet (first real heartbreak, anyone?)
Garands - Young The Giant (Young the Giant is one of my favorite bands and seeing them live in Oakland with one of my favorite people in 2017 is still one of my best memories in my life)
Ride - Lana Del Rey (LDR got me through college, showed me so much about who I am and inspired one of my favorite tattoos)
Colorado - Lotus
I Miss You - Incubus (the first time I ever burned one down, this song was playing in some random guys car lol, and i had a huge crush on Brandon Boyd so...)
China Cat Sunflower - Grateful Dead (yes I’m a deadhead and will always be. some of my fondest memories of the days where I really started to feel comfortable in my own personality were accompanied by Grateful Dead songs in my headphones)
Young - Vallis Alps
Dirty Paws - Of Monsters and Men
After The Storm - Mumford and Sons (this song is so special to me. in some of my darkest times, my best friend shared this song with me and it showed me that there is always a day after the storm.)
Another Kind of Green - John Mayer Trio (my first concert! the beginning of my love for music and connection to live music! John Mayer is a total babe! need I say more?)
Souvenir - boygenius
What's your opinion?