I’ve watched enough John Hughes movies over the years that at some point I convinced myself that everyone has a soundtrack to their life.
You know John Hughes: The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Weird Science… yeah, you know who I’m talking about.
His movies are so iconic with each pivotal scene perfectly framed with just the right song. I became convinced that like Samantha, every girl would one day meet a Jake who would undoubtedly retrieve their underpants from the geeks then deliver the perfect kiss while sitting on top of a dining room table leaning over an enflamed birthday cake – the Thompson Twins playing in the background of course.
My music taste growing up was eclectic and all over the map. My likes ranged from pop to folk to heavy metal then new age followed by indie and sometimes classical. I never settled on one style. As a result, I know a lot of words to a lot of random songs. These days I find myself listening to Kids Bop – A LOT.
So I thought it would be prudent to list what I think would be SOME of the songs on the soundtrack to my ‘movie':
Depeche Mode – People are People.
Scene: WDRE, 92.7FM in New York blares on the radio in my bedroom. Scuffed cream colored ballet pointe shoes hang on the wall next to me as I sneak a cigarette out the window. I know every word to every song. I’m fourteen.
Tubthumping – Chumbawumba.
Scene: Careening down the West Side Highway, in my mom’s car. The song is on repeat and we have 2 minutes until we have to exit for Columbia Presbyterian Hospital where she will get her next chemo treatment. Windows are down as belt out “I get knocked down – But I get up again!” at the top of our lungs.
Up on Cripple Creek – The Band
Scene: Sitting in an aluminum canoe, paddling across a wide open lake, bikini top, cutoffs,wool socks, Keds. Tan, very tan. Day 14 of our 34 day camping trip.
Arms of the Angels- Sarah McLachlan
Scene: Sitting in a pew, the music starts in over the church speakers above. I bite down on my lip to stop myself from going into the ‘ugly’ cry in front of the 200 or more people that have come to pay their respects for my mother. I stare down at my hands, hoping the song will be over quick. It’s the most painful 2 and half minutes of my life.
By Your Side – Sade
Scene: White dress, blue sash, hair in a low bun. Dancing with MY own Jake Ryan (aka He Who Shall Not Be Named On This Blog) as he sings in my ear. Our wedding song.
Stomping The Camp – Phil Collins
Scene: A baby nursery, complete with crib and gingham drawer pulls at bedtime. A father holds his baby girl in his arms as we dances with her to primal beat of this up-tempo song. She giggles and squeals. No bigger smiles can be found elsewhere.
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Scene: No scene just a great heavy metalsong.
Pumped Up Kicks – Foster The People
Scene: Suburban kitchen, the dinner that took 40 minutes to prepare is devoured in less than 10. A 30-something stay at home mom decides she needs a pick me up so she turns the radio on LOUD. A dance party ensues with her 6-year old and 5-year old. It’s her secret weapon to turning a crap day into a good day.
and many many more…
What’s on your life soundtrack?