Songs always take me back or remind me of where I was when I listened to the song for the first time, or the time period during which I listened to the song frequently.  Right now, it’s John Mayer’s “Your Body is a Wonderland”.  I listened to this song during that long cold winter when I was single and simply dating.  It was the first time in my life that I truly felt free.  So, it’s a fun song to me.

Earlier, it was “Right Now” by Van Halen.  That song always reminds me of college, Tostitos and salsa, early mornings that felt like they went into the afternoon, and the video, which reminds me of how screwed up government can be sometimes.  Watch it, and you’ll understand, unless of course you are a child of the 80s and already know what I mean.  Bureaucracy is so rampant, and the closer the elections get, the worse it gets.

I just love music.  It’s as simple as that.  It helps me block out whatever is going on, drowning out the Fox News debate going on in the background, people at work, or the phone constantly ringing.  It is, and always has been, my savior.  When I was a kid, my parents had  reel-to-reel tape player.  My dad, a Vietnam vet, had taken time when he was overseas to record reel tapes and bring them back home.  Decorating for Christmas was always accompanied by the sounds of Christmas music on that old reel-to-reel tape player, with thoughts of my Dad recording them when he was in Vietnam.

I can’t imagine how scared my mother must have been when he was away for that year.  He was there during some of the larger battles – October 1968-September 1969.  They had been married less than 3 months when he went overseas for a year.  I cannot imagine letting my new husband go to a country to fight in a war, with such turbulent times going on back home.  Wow, how interesting the 1960s must have been.  I grew up in the 80s, and they were cool, but we were so spoiled.  No real wars, and no social upheaval like the 60s. 

Anyway, enjoy your music.  Let it take you away from the troubles of your day.