So, the Grammy nominations came out Wednesday night. And I think that I'm pretty pleased overall. Eminem got a stellar 10 nominations. Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars, and my boy Jay-Z got several as well. I could definitely pass on Lady Gaga, but I think it should be a good show!
In honor of the music, I thought I would do a blog that I never really thought I would do before. I've always heard people who talk about "albums that changed their lives". And I would always think, "Really? It changed your life?!" I mean I am a music lover to the core, but I never really got that statement. But now, I think I was being a little too broad, or a little to literal...or something. A life changing moment, or album for that matter, doesn't necessarily have to be something huge or noticeable to others. So keeping that in mind and keeping in the spirit of the facebook thing (that I somehow missed), this post is going to be about: Albums That Changed My Life!
Here's the criteria: any number of albums that either literally changed your life somehow (even in a small way) or the way you look at life (or looked at life at the time). They sucked you in and took you over. These are the albums that you use to identify time, people, places, memories, and emotions.
In an attempted order by date (of my appreciation, not necessarily it's release):
1) Ropin the Wind by Garth Brooks = This is the first album that I remember loving (I'm thinking around 5th and 6th grade). I can remember individual songs that I thought were awesome long before this, but we're talking albums here. I remember listening to this tape (yes, cassette tape) over and over. It was then that I made my life goal to see Garth Brooks live in concert. It's still a goal that I have, by the way...just in case you ever get an extra ticket. :)
2) the Forrest Gump Soundtrack = So we're flashing forward a few years to around 8th grade. I went to see this movie with my dad and my sister. I enjoyed the movie, but I didn't fall in love with it until high school (when it became one of my all-time favorites). But I was able to instantly fully appreciate the music. The music spanned the 50's, 60's, and 70's without being corny or cliche.
3) the 1996 Grammy Nominees compilation = I didn't actually get the CD until the summer before 10th grade, but the music was a showcase from my Freshman year. I can't even give this album a review that will do it justice, so check out this one on Amazon. That was a great year for music!
4) Big Ones by Aerosmith = So a lot of Aerosmith was before my time. I remember getting this CD for my cousin, Jeremy. Then a year or two after that I finally got my own, and I was in rock heaven. I would do some serious jamming out in my bedroom. But more importantly, this album got me interested in finding and listening to their earlier stuff. And it inspired me to make another life goal to see Aerosmith in concert. (So, ideally Garth Brooks and Aerosmith need to put on a show together...that sounds likely doesn't it?)
5) Crash by Dave Matthews Band = Ah, this is Junior year. I was 16, and I was sure that all the guys who had asked me out since middle school (who I had always turned down, because I wasn't old enough to date) would be ready to try again. I was sadly mistaken. They all had girlfriends, and so did the guys I actually liked...and so did just about everyone (or so it seemed). I spent many a night shut away in my room feeling sorry for myself and seeking solace in the unique music of DMB.
6) Conspiracy No. 5 by Third Day = This was still my Junior year. When I wasn't busy being depressed about my lack of dates, I was very involved in and loving my Life Teen youth group at church. It was the year that solidified my strong faith and the year of my confirmation. We went to a Third Day concert in Abilene, and it was the best thing I had ever been to. I bought the CD and never looked back. It is still one of my favorites: singing praise and rocking out at the same time...pretty awesome.
7) A Place in the Sun by Tim McGraw = Skip ahead a little to the summer after I graduated. This album was pretty much the soundtrack of my first year with Kevin. Virtually any time Kevin and I drove anywhere, this CD was playing. I vividly remember him singing the songs as he walked throughout the Pizza Hut while we were working. I would just rest my head on his shoulder and listen to him sing. Of course, I would also pretend to be Faith Hill and sing an awesome duet, but whatever. This one still makes me smile.
8) Monster Ballads by various awesome 80's rockers = So even though I grew up in the 80's, I was a little young to appreciate the sheer awesomeness of the rock from that decade. But it was at this point when my love and devotion to this music started. I remember playing Here We Go Again by Whitesnake over and over on the juke box at Pizza Hut. There's nothing like a good power ballad to help you really belt it out!
9) Country Grammar by Nelly = This was the summer after my Freshman year of college. I already had a general appreciation for rap and hip-hop from people like Snoop Dogg and Tupac. But this album, with it's sweet beats, smooth rhymes, and entertaining lyrics spoke to me. This was the beginning of my love affair with hip-hop. I don't do gangsta rap, but this album paved the way (for me) for: Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem (not slim shady), BOB, and others.
Now that I'm thinking about it, it seems rather strange that I don't have one for the last 10 years. Maybe I'll do some more thinking and save that for another day. But anyway, how about you? Do you have any albums that changed your life?
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The first remarkable album for me was Michael Jackson's "Thriller." This was the first record (yes, I did say record) that was all mine. Madonna's "Like a Virgin" was out shortly after and I remember listening and dancing to both of these quite a bit. I even had a Thriller glove ;D It marks for me the time my family lived in Germany.
ReplyDeleteThe next one that really stands out is the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. We were in Florida by then and I was in elementary school. I've mentioned before that I used to "perform" to this soundtrack in my bedroom, pretending that I was Baby. I'd jump off of my bed imagining that I was doing that last lift.
Next is Pearl Jam's "Ten." I was in 8th grade. This album has less pleasant memories associated with it, but it definitely marks a time and place for me.
Then Alannis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill." This reminds me of the summer before my senior year. There are a lot of little things, people, smells that that album reminds me of.
Finally is Sublime's "Sublime" which reminds me of the summer before my freshman yr of college. Again, it just brings back certain people, events, etc.
Like you, Tracy, I don't really have any that really stand out after that. I think youth has so much emotion tied to it that albums become intertwined. Possibly as we mature, they have fewer emotional ties.
Ooh, Megan...those are such good ones!! You have good taste, my friend! And I think you might be right about how our more mature, more stable selves have less emotional ties to music. Thanks for responding!
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