Let's Dance.

OK. If you know me AT ALL, you know I am absolutely a music junkie. Yes, junkie. I am not going to sugar coat it. Music - it moves me. More than almost anything. I am not real sure when I realized it was something that had to have all the time. My parents were (and still are) very musically knowledgeable. Not just music of their time, but incredibly resourceful when trying to remember an artist or year a song came out or lyrics to a song. Music was always on - new, old, classic. Sunday mornings were for marathon music - usually played from a 45 or LP. Played full blast and the sound is unlike anything - even the HD stuff going around now. Fabulousness.

But I suppose it was Junior High, when I began to really embrace it. You know - listening to lyrics, knowing them word for word, crying over a boyfriend, hating your parents (I mean, I never HATED my parents really. You know what I mean...). What a way to express yourself. I was a "Band Geek" and played an instrument, but not completely dedicated to it. It kept me out of trouble and gave me an appreciation for classic stuff - Broadway mostly. And marches. Gotta love marches.

ANYWHO - I am pretty much across the board with what I like from the time I was a young person. But there are some staples. New Kids on the Block. Still love them. They go by NKOTB now - sooooooo mature, right? Ha. bobby Brown, Boys II Men, Bel Biv Devoe, and Color Me Badd (*groan*). En Vogue, TLC, SWV. R & B had some good stuff in the 90s. Almost all I listened to.


Gangster rap was good too - at the time, the videos and language were a turn off, I suppose I rather not hear all that. But I have great respect and appreciation for it now. For the innovation and creativity those men had to make that music. It is not uncommon to hear me blasting "Nothin'g but a G Thing" in my car with large amounts of bass. Fantastic. For rizzle.

You have your first look at grunge - the Seattle music scene. Full of angst and energy, Nirvana and Pearl Jam top the most notable list. I will be honest, I didn't care for a lot of it. Not my deal. But a lot of people did.


I guess something else I really dug was the soundtracks. Robin Hood, The Bodyguard, The Breakfast Club, Ghostbusters - crazy, but I really identify with movies and their association with particular songs. Stand by Me and The Lost Boys - good examples of how old, classic songs can be brought to the present day - to a new generation.

I want to point out that during this time - many very famous, successful musicians made some really great music in 80s and 90s. Madonna, Janet and Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Bryan Adams, Aerosmith, Metallica...I can go on forever.

The 80s and 90s were special because of the mere VARIETY of music. And I still really dig it all. I am really excited that my children have that bug too. Thomas likes to listen to Metallica and Aerosmith and April is forever taking my iPod to search through my collection of old New Kids on the Block or Wings music. It really warms my heart. Someday, the music I loved growing up will be classics my kids will love and enjoy and hum in the car....

...oh, wait.