From the early days in my life, running around jumping and dancing in Stride-Rite white high-top shoes for toddlers, I fell in love with music. Somehow I understood the importance that music would play throughout my entire life, even today. I can still remember my mother humming or singing Nat King Cole tunes as she was preparing dinner. It always made me smile and try dancing even at a young age.
Often I meet people who confess they don't care about music and can't tell one genre from another. It often leaves me looking puzzled. Music is a part of my daily life and routine. Each day starts with a guided mindful meditation because I am usually unable to open my eyes wide enough to see anything, except to push the button to get the practice moving. With great care I can move around the bedroom without having to let much information interrupt my lovely state of drowsiness. Often I will simply continue laying in bed as the meditation begins. Once I exit the meditative state with lots of energy, ready to start the day, my mind is already thinking about artists and the type of music I want to hear. Like many friends that I know, I like all sorts of music and never know what will grab me. I love jazz and jazz fusion, classical, soul, big band, techno, dance/disco, salsa, techno, electronic, rhythm & blues, funk, house and even country. I am not even sure how I grew to appreciate all the different types of music, but they seem to make me move.
When I was young I would listen for the beat of a song and then the action would begin. Today, I listen to many of the songs of my past and hear different, clearer messages about what is being shared. There are songs that instantly lift my spirits, make me smile, or ones that I can't seem to stop wiggling and jiggling around the room, or when I am taking my walks around town to run errands. There are even songs that force me to feel some type of reaction deep down in my heart and soul. The ears to my soulfulness seems to be more intense and aware today.
This weekend while driving to Queenscliff for an amazing art exhibition, a variety of songs, old and new, were played that moved me emotionally. Here are a few of the songs and artists that always make me smile or desire to stop the car to dance a few steps:
Carmen McRae -- How Long Has This Been Going On? (MJ Cole Remix)
Elton John - Your Song, 1971
Lisa Shaw - All Night High (Miguel Migs Salted Vocal)
Ella Fitzgerald - Blue Skies (Maya Jane Coles Remix)
James Taylor/Rosemary Clooney - Secret of Life
Luther Vandross - Ain't No Stopping Us Now
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Peggy Lee - Fever
Dinah Washington - What a Difference a Day Makes
Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit
Bette Midler - Slow Boat to China w/Barry Manilow
Phyllis Hyman - The Answer is You
Sarah Vaughan - Speak Low
Maya Jane Coles - What They Say
Al Jarreau & George Benson - Giving it Up
The Carpenters - Rainy Days and Mondays
Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight
Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse - Body and Soul
Earth, Wind and Fire - After the Love Has Gone
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - The Lady is a Tramp
Stevie Wonder - Ribbon in the Sky
Sylvester - Disco Heat
Gorgon City - Ready for Your Love
Boogie Nights - Heatwave
Maya Jane Coles - Simple Things
The list could go on and on - these are just the ones that jumped to the front of my mind today. When I am feeling down and out, the right song just appears. When I am excited or happy, the right beat pops out of nowhere. I often wonder what I would do without good music all around us. From techno to blues, it all brings such delight. Do you like music? What's one of your favourite songs that lifts your mood?
Feel the rhythm deep inside your soul and enjoy every moment.
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