I repeatedly have observed that most people have a few favorite songs that bring back warm memories. I sure have a few. For example, when my daughters were little they loved it when I would sit at the piano or grab my guitar and play and sing “Daddy’s Little Girl.” And now when I hear it or play it, gentle warm feelings engulf me, to say the least.
In each of my contemporary romance novels, relatively early in their relationship the couple acquires an “our song” – one that when ever either of them hear it they quickly jog back to that special time or special moment associated with “their song.” For example, in My Sweetpea: Seven Years and Seven Days, Troy’s old fraternity song always reminded him and Sheila of the night they first met. In Fear of Feeling Loved, Marcia gives Jack a CD for Christmas with a note asking him to play a certain song – Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” – it hastily became one of “their songs.” And in If Ever Again… It’ll be for Love, long after Diane and Michael returned from Jamaica where they met, they never forgot the song that the band as playing for their first dance.
A favorite song that brings back warm memories can be…
the song from when you were in high school and you would just drive around
an old fraternity or sorority song
a song you sang at Karaoke Night when you first met him or her
a song your dad used to sing to your mom (or you)
Question: What song brings back warm memories for you (and why)?
Bill
6 comments:
I remember in college my fraternity used to play "Family Tradition" by Hank Williams, Jr at every party. We would all get in a big circle, put our arms around each others' necks, and kick our legs while singing at the top of our lungs. There were other songs we played all the time as well - Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf was another big one. A bunch of us still get together once a year. Each time we do, we always get out some of the old tapes and CD's and laugh at how much fun it was. We're not able to stay up drinking as late as we could back then but we still have fun nonetheless!
Hello Maconole,
Thanks for sharing your heart-felt experiences with a few of “your songs.” When ever I hear the old fraternity song, The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi,” some of Peter Paul and Mary’s songs, and a few of Bob Dylan’s old tunes (not to mention the Sky Liners, Bobby Darrin and the Diamonds from the 50’s), my heart sings as well. I suspect that the songs may be different (based on generational considerations), but the experience is by-and-large very similar.
And in another similarity, I now have as many beers all night as I use to have within the first hour.
Wow… thanks again!
Bill
Hi Dr. Bill...
I loved this post because I always tell my kids that when I first became their foster mother the song "I Knew I Loved You" by Savage Garden had just been released. And even though it isn't necessarily about the relationship between a parent and child, it made me cry every time. It just says how I feel about them. I still get chill bumps and tear up when I hear it.
Another one for me is Lifehouse, "Hanging by a Moment". My husband bought me that CD on our 1st date and that became one of "our" songs. It reminds me of such a sweet tender time in our relationship.
Thanks for making me feel good remembering these, especially since it's 4 in the a.m. and I can't sleep!
Hi Andie,
Thanks for visiting and sharing your experiences with memorable songs -- two in particular. Yet I would suggest that the warmth of your memories triggered by the songs is not about the songs -- it's about your daughter and your husband and your relationship with them. Powerful stuff... wonderful stuff... and in the words of your blog, "Sweet Stuff."
Thanks again, Andie, hope to see you again down the road,
Bill
Okay, this is kind of crazy...but, "Rhinestone Cowboy", "I never promised you a rose garden" and "Delta Dawn" are my warm and fuzzy songs. Rhinestone Cowboy was the first record I ever owned and would happily sing along with. "Delta Dawn" and "I never promised you a rose garden" were songs my father used to sing along with (childhood memories)... DH
Hello DH – long time no see; thanks for stopping by.
I think our oldies but goodies truly are windows to warm and wonderful memories, as you pointed out. Terrific – enjoy the songs (and the memories).
Bill
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