Thursday, February 21, 2008

The Soundtrack of My Life

I have decided there’s something that would make my life easier. And it doesn’t involve the lottery or prescription medication. I need a soundtrack.

Let me explain.

Would a romantic comedy “work” if it didn’t include a musical montage showing the couple falling in love? Can you imagine Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum without his own personal serenade? And admit it, you’ve always wanted to burst into song and dance complete with your own chorus line reminiscent of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, right?

A soundtrack would rock my world. Literally.

One of my most embarrassing moments involved me singing the Pointer Sisters’ “Jump” into a purple hairbrush. I was fourteen and dancing to the radio, full-blast, in front of our hallway mirror. I didn’t know my father had walked in until I saw his reflection. He was a self-disciplined man. And very kind. He didn’t laugh at me.

As a teenager I knew that music seemed to make everything easier. I’ve become an old fogey who can’t even find a good radio station. That’s why I need a magic soundtrack.

I can just imagine all the tasks in my life that would become more enjoyable if they came with audio. Like these:
I could have chiseled more ice from my roof if Vanilla himself had been performing in my backyard.

Grocery shopping with my three children would go better if accompanied by the Mission Impossible theme.

Trips to my lawyer’s office would have been less intimidating if Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” had been played in the lobby.

I would better endure the sibling rivalry in my home if it triggered Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle.”

And chasing my naked three-year old down the street would be much easier to the theme song from Hawaii Five-O.

I’m feeling a sudden kinship with the iPod generation. I’m also thinking I need to get one for myself (along with a new purple hairbrush).

What's on your soundtrack?

27 comments:

Mrs. Smith said...

I am really embarrassed to admit that my husband went crazy and bought me an iPod for our anniversary. It has way more memory than I will ever use, but I love it. The power of owning any song I can think of for only 99 cents is heady stuff, and a little addictive. I love my new sound track. Every decade and every genre is represented. Latest purchase? The Popeye soundtrack from the 80's movie staring Robin Williams. I might need a 12 step program.

Suburban Correspondent said...

It's true - whenever I'm having a blah day, I imagine that I'm in a movie and how interesting that blah would look and sound, because of that darn soundtrack. Everything looks more purposeful that way, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

The soundtrack of my life is Flight of the Bumblebee right now. I'm hoping it gets better.

Loved your post.

Mary

Tola said...

and since Apple just dropped the price of their smallest iPod to just $49, with free engraving and shipping if you buy online, you could definitely get one and create your soundtrack. and when you really need to laugh, may i recommend the Lime n Violet knitting podcast.

Janice {Run Far} said...

My soundtrack, today has nothing but all of my recorded Shows I missed while getting the Flu in New Orleans, Oh ya baby, can't wait to watch Lost, Survivor and all of the others that are waiting to saranade(?) me to comfort.

Have a good weekend

lindsey said...

You need an ipod. Seriously, go get one tomorrow!

I can't imagine life without music. I'm going to have to put my thinking cap on about my soundtrack.

April said...

The soundtrack in my head wouldn't make sense to a whole lot of people (considering it's mostly made up of B'way musicals). But here's one for you. There are these 2 people at work who drive me crazy with their very loud talking about absolutely nothing. And there's this song from "Spring Awakening" that has "blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah" as its chorus. I always get that in my head come 3 pm or so..

GustoBones said...

Yes, I love music and don't listen as much as I should. My iPod mini(yes, way obsolete I know) that my hubby bought on Craigslist for me died and I have missed it sooooo much. After dinner, when I have had enough of the yelling(the kids of course) and since noone is coming home to help me and all I want to do is plop on the couch and call it a day, but there are dishes that need to be done, I used to plug in my iPod and just jam while I made the kitchen sparkle. Then I would go plop on the couch!! I think you should get one. It helps tune out the other noise you need a break from sometimes.

shauna said...

Tola, I'm going to have to look into that.

Mary, That's the perfect song for your life right now. Now if only we could slow it down a bit, give you some elevator music for awhile (so you could take a nice, long nap!).

April, I can think of a few times when that song would work on my soundtrack (I'm going to have to do a search for it).

Gustogirl, thank you! You gave me the perfect justification for getting one--it will help me keep the house clean. Candygirlflies mops her floor with her girls to "Dude Looks Like a Lady." I need to find me a good moppin' song!

Melodrama Mama said...

I think that I will listen to 'take this job and shove it' when ever I am cleaning, folding laundry, doing bathrooms, etc. Not to be taken literally, but the message will be empowering. I might sing out loud!

Anonymous said...

Shauna
I loved this post so much!! I have so many soundtracks of my life it is frightening! That is why I have Sattelite radio in the car. I have an I-pod, but I don't listen to it much. I should, my whole family does. At work, I often hear that old Helen Redy song, when I'm walking down the halls, Ruby Red Dress, the refrain, "leave me alone, won't you leave me alone, please leave me alone.......," I also love when Mary Chapin Carpenter sings "I Feel Lucky Today," or "Sometimes your the Windshield, Somtimes Your the Bug." I really like to get mellow with, "What a Wonderful World."
I once had an old boy friend send me a tape (no CD's at that time) for Christmas, he made called Life is a Soundtrack and it was all the songs during the time we dated. I LOVED it. I think I still have it. My husband wasn't thrilled with the gift, but music is really powerful and can have such a powerful impact on our emotions.
Ok, I'm done.
love ya!

Crazed Nitwit said...

This is so funny Shauna! I can totally see you running down the street. BBB, now 17, used to escape between 2 and half to three. We had to put an extra lock on the front door really high where he and his bro could not reach it. :)

I have an iPod and my soundtrack ranges from Foreigner to Robert Palmer to Trace Adkins to Mozart to lots of songs from 1986 they year I met, fell in love, moved in with and married Geo.

Hugs for you my friend!

Carrie Wilson Link said...

Today it's "Shady Gate" by Ferron, or the Beatles, "Here Comes the Sun." It's a good day.

pinkmorning said...

i have often thought about the "soundtrack of my life" ...music has always been such a fundamental part of my life. i have to second Lindsey, "go get and ipod tomorrow!" ipods are awesome because you can have as many playlists as you want and you can have as many songs per playlist as you want. it is nice to have a playlist for every mood and situation...one for cleaning, one for working out, one for the office, etc. i think if our house was on fire dave and i would grab our wedding album and our ipods, hahaha

Rhonda Barnes said...

Shauna I too love your post...I have had music in my every phase of life. As early as Elvis Presley to the Beatles "I want to hold your hand or She loves you" in the high school halls. Then in the summer time the Beach Boys or Jan and Dean Surfing songs. Living with the 3 Dog Night working in Yellowstone National Park.(This truly ages me ...)

I would play Dancing on the ceiling, and Andrew and I would would rock the house while you kids were in school.

When we worked on the ceiling everyone help who were home...we played Walt Disney Jungle Book over and over again to motive us to work and work and work.

I have music on all the time...and many memories flood back: events, boyfriends, places, children, youth, dances, family, my husband...on and on. Right now I love country songs. Why? not sure, they just have a great up beat music...but my favorite all time is Neil Diamond America or September Morn, Hello
Again my favorite............love ya Shauna your blogs are great!

jen said...

Mom, it wasn't jungle book that we played over and over again it was Tarzan...anyways, I love my ipod, if you want one shauna I will get you one and load it with whatever songs you want, just say the word. I got like 2,000 songs on my cpu and I will download more if I don't have what you want. Anyways, my soundtrack right now is a variety of country songs and it usually comes back to keith urban but lately it has been a lot of Jack Johnson as I prepare for our trip to Hawaii. love ya! can't wait to scrapbook soon!!

Life As I Know It said...

Music makes everything better. When my kids are getting cranky at the end of the day, I put on some tunes and usually they sing along and the bad mood is averted.
My husband got me an ipod last year and I love it. I downloaded all my old favorites...they're like old friends. I can go back in time when I listen to certain songs.

Karen said...

What about Guns 'n Roses "Sweet Child of Mine?"
Sung through clenched teeth, of course! :)

Head's up......awards for you on my blog. :)

shauna said...

Mom, I remember listening to music at home. I think that's what got me hooked. For some reason I had fallen away from that the last few years and am just rediscovering my love for music.

Jen, When Denise told me how many songs she had gotten from you I was floored. 2000 songs? I bow down to how you rock--literally! (Can wait to scrapbook either!!!! Yah!)

Eileen and Janice, love your lists!

Carrie, "Here Comes the Sun" has been running through my mind lately too. That and "I Can See Clearly Now." It just makes you feel better about life.

Pinkmorning, I think it's a hoot that you'd save the photos and your ipods!

Life, I need to remember to turn the music on when I get grouchy--it really can change your mood!

Karen "Sweet Child of Mine" works! :) And thanks so much for the awards!

Tari said...

I too feel that there is a song for every moment in my life, I just wish I knew the words to them. Have a great day.

Rachel said...

I want an iPod, too.
...As for my soundtrack...I know the theme song would definitely be the hollies song "he ain't heavy, he's my brother" with the words appropriately changed of course "she ain't heavy, she's my mother"

jason said...

Its funny that the day I read this post was the same day I was rocking out in my car on my way to work to the famouse butt rock song "Turn up the Radio!" Some guy gave me a wierd look at a stop light while I was bustin my RAD MOVES like I was the one with the problem. At least I had my soundtrack for today! I don't know what he had.

jason said...

Shauna, Mom and Jenn - Oh I remember the youthfull days of us kids rocking out to house work with mom and her "Beach Boys" with a little "Chicago" Ohhh Yeaaa!!

Reverend Shawn said...

Shauna ... haven't even attempted to do a soundtrack to my life ... now that things are looking up it would be less dirgy ... so we'll see ...

but for the moment, I've tossed you a meme challenge ... it's a simple one - one comment, passed on to one person ...

pop over to my blog and check it out ... and join in ... thanks in advance ...

peace,

Rachel said...

I am totally with my sister, Gustogirl. Cleaning can only be done to music. Imagine "it's a Hard knock life" from Annie or "9-5" by Dolly Parton. There is an awesome radio station here called "movin 107." It has all good songs that make you want to move. NOt just a clever name I guess. HAHA.

You NEED to get an IPOD.

Chris said...

All of my littles and my DH have some type of MP3. I feel left out and want one. Music is a huge part of my life. I always clean to music and love to have it in the car, even when I post my blogs I try to think of a song that will go along. www.rikerhome.blogspot.com The sound track to my thoughts.
Great post!

Babytreegirl said...

NOOOOOO!!!

Do not succumb to the evil that is the ipod!!!

Seriously, don't all the people I know that have ever had one have had problems with it. Get a creative Zen, or a Zune. Especially if you aren't using a mac.

Sydney