The idea of creating a list of the music that has defined my life has been rolling around my brain for several years now. I’m not a musical snob and have always enjoyed a wide range of styles & themes. I lean toward popular music and love listening to the radio.
My early childhood was filled with the music of my father – The Beatles, Iron Butterfly, Santana. As an adult I’ve realized that my love for these artists goes far beyond music. My love for the greats of the 60′s & 70′s is a reflection of the love that I hold for my dad. I hope to pass this love for music down to my children.
Interesting NPR story about when musical tastes are developed: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5652676
1990
- Vogue by Madonna – countless hours spent memorizing every word and mimicking Madonna’s dance from the video in my bedroom mirror.
1991
- Motownphilly by Boyz II Men – My first CD ever!
1992
- Jeremy by Pearl Jam – The Ten album is still in my top 10 list to this day.
1993
- All Apologies by Nirvana – I loved basically every song on the In Utero album and listed to the CD for countless hours.
- Daughter by Pearl Jam – The Vs. CD was also worn out by my CD player.
1994
- Black Hole Sunby Soundgarden – laying out by the pool in Brooke Beeson’s backyard the summer before high school.
1995
1996
- The Color Greenby Rich Mullins – Getting my driver’s licence and driving all over the place with Jennifer Gosnell.
- Don’t Speakby No Doubt – The unnecessarily painful end to first love
1997
1998
- Good Ridence by Green Day – The song that should have been our class song that was out voted by Celine Dion’s piece of garbage “My Heart will Go On” from the movie Titanic.
1999
- The Road Goes On Forever & the Party Never Endsby Robert Earl Keen – Freshman Year @ A&M, Aggie Bonfire Buddies & my introduction to Texas Country
- Little Bittyby Alan Jackson - Thursday Nights at The Hall with the boys from Hart Hall and my first roommate Jenni Faimon breaking the lock on our dorm window to enjoy the fresh Spring air
2000
2001
- Short Skirt & Long Jacket by Cake – Riding to & from College Station in Scott’s blue truck with the awesome sound system.
2002
- Rain King by Counting Crows – The first disc from “Live from NYC” CD was set up in my alarm clock and listened to the CD each morning as I got ready for work at NMSS.
2003
2004
- Me and My Girlfriend by Tupac Shakur - My husband’s failed attempt to introduce me to the magical era of gangster rap. I was totally wierded out by this song and it solidified that there was a reason why this suburbanite white girl liked grunge and not rap.
2005
- At Last by Etta James – My first dance as Mrs. Robyn Mendez. Three & half years later, remembering this moment makes me misty, I’ve become the annoying girl who just adores her husband.
2006
2007
2008
2009
- It Won’t Be Like This for Long by Darius Rucker – Excited anticipation of the pending arrival of Baby Mendez
- Chicken Fried by Zach Brown Band – This song brought summer to the winter and still makes me smile & sing along every time I hear it.
2010
- Elmo’s Song by Elmo, Big Big and Snuffy - Everytime we get in the car, I get requests (more like demands) from the back seat for Elmo. Special thanks to Uncle Paul who taught Julie that Elmo is available on demand via You Tube on everyone’s smart phone.
2011
