Editor's Note: Please note that people DO change as they grow. My actions as a teenager aren't necessarily reflective of my adult activities =)
My Musical Influences
Okay, so I was tagged to do this at least a month ago. I have spent the entire time thinking of my answers. You may not think that this would be very consequential, but music has deeply shaped my life. My responses are somewhat in chronological order of my musical awakening. Now, a little window into me....
Think of 15 albums, CDs, LPs (if you're over 40) that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life. Dig into your soul. Music that brought you to life when you heard it. Royally affected you, kicked you in the wazzoo, literally socked you in the gut, is what I mean. Then when you finish, tag 15 others (or more!), including me. Make sure you copy and paste this part so they know the drill.
1) Beastie Boys - License to Ill
Yeah, I'm sure this will get a chuckle or two... I was 8. We were living in New York. This was during my mother's snake handling days so music was the devil. I was, however, blessed with a sister who was 8 years older than me & very rebellious. I can remember the first time she put the tape in. We were dancing around the house, doing our chores, to this album. I don't have too many vivid memories of my childhood, but the ones that are vivid (& good) involve music. I mainly remember the elation I felt with every beat.
2) U2- Joshua Tree
Christmas of 1987. I had just turned 9. This was my Tiffany/Debbie Gibson stage. I suppose Lisa @ 16 knew that I needed some real musical influence. She gave me this tape for Christmas (or was it my birthday?). I listened to that tape until I wore it out and it came apart. I *still* love this album. It evolves with me.
3) The Doors - Soft Parade/Morrison Hotel
Okay - it is really just one song off of Soft Parade. Again, I was in the 7-9 age range. I was not allowed to have anything to do with MTV (see #1 above). I would sneak it in the afternoon when I was home alone (or with my sis). I remember seeing the video for Touch Me. This is now one of my least favorite songs by The Doors, but at the time I was mesmerized by Jim Morrison. A few years later, when I was 12-13, my friend, Diz, rekindled my fascination with Jim Morrison when she played Morrison Hotel for me. I have been in love ever since. The man was a genius.....
4) The Beatles - White Album
Moving on in the time continuum, I was in the 7th grade (12-13) when I discovered this tape in my sister's collection. I ganked it from her & never gave it back. I listened to this tape every night before I went to bed. It fit my angst beautifully at the time.
5) Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
This was my first CD. It came my way when I was 13.5. This coincided with me watching The Wall with Diz. Again, the CD & the movie fit my angst & obsession with hallucinogens....
6) Jane's Addiction - can't narrow it down to one: Triple X, Nothing Shocking, Ritual de lo Habitual were all continuously playing & influential. Perry Farrell has a beautiful mind. This band helped me realize that I didn't have to fit into any mold but my own. Read "To The Mosquitoes" if you haven't already : http://janesaddiction.org/discographies/disc_details.phtml?discID=34
7) Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes
Another introduction by Diz. I seriously owe so much of my musical awakening to that woman! Anyway, my clearest memory is of us wandering the streets of Diamond Springs, screaming Violent Femmes lyrics at the top of our lungs, namely "Blister in the Sun"
8) Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
I was at a raging house party when I heard "Silent All These Years" for the first time. It was on MTV (still can't remember why the friggin' TV was on at a party) and I made the people in the room shut up so I could hear the lyrics. So much of this song was reflective of my childhood, it moved me to tears. She is still one of my favorite female artists to this day.
9) Nirvana - Never Mind
Okay... I was 13 when this album came out. It rocked me. It introduced me to the world of punk, grunge, & teen angst. Need I say more?
10) Pearl Jam - Ten
I just loved Eddie Vedder's lyrics. It wasn't really the music that moved me. It was his voice and words that spoke to me. His music speaks to me today as well as his lyrics & voice. The man finally has it right.....
11) Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill/Black Sunday
I know what you're thinking - say what? :) I was 12 when I heard their self titled album. It was just a different style of rap & it stuck out to me. I LOVED their beats. I was 13 to 14 years old when Black Sunday came out. Diz's parents were in the Navy. They both had a six month cruise over summer vacation & they left her home alone. We woke up every afternoon & put this album on as we made our breakfast....
12) Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever
I'm random, I know... Back to summer of '92...and back to Diz... There was one night in particular that this tape was played over and over. I still love this album. It is just a great sing along album, even if I can't sing....
13) L7 - Bricks are Heavy
This is when I discovered that women can kick ass & take names too. This opened me up to all kind of feminazi rockers. i ♥ Donita Sparks.
14) Grateful Dead - American Beauty
I was all kinds of late in my discovery of Jerry Garcia. I had *just* started to listen to them when Jerry died. This album, again played on repeat with psychedelic influences, opened up the doors to blue grass, phish & festivals. I am forever grateful....
15) Bob Dylan & Joan Baez
Okay, I'm kind of cheating on this one by combining two artists. I am also stepping out of my chronological order as well. Prior to age 4. my mother listened to these two artists the most. Folk music was a HUGE influence in my life prior to Mom finding Jesus. I didn't realize the influence until I was 14 to 15 years old and started listening to each artist again on my own. It was this weird experience where I would be able to sing along with the lyrics although it was my "first" time hearing the song. I remember the day I discovered Bob Dylan's song "Sara". I called my mom all excited to ask if that was where she got my name from. Not so much... Anyway, I digress. I love both of these artists. They introduced me to the world of grass roots movements.....
Okay, this does it. Obviously this list does not encompass every single artist I love. There are SO many more: Dead Kennedy's, Soul Coughing, Bjork, etc. These, however, document my awakening to the world around me. Hope you have enjoyed this little window into my world...
Think of 15 albums, CDs, LPs (if you're over 40) that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life. Dig into your soul. Music that brought you to life when you heard it. Royally affected you, kicked you in the wazzoo, literally socked you in the gut, is what I mean. Then when you finish, tag 15 others (or more!), including me. Make sure you copy and paste this part so they know the drill.
1) Beastie Boys - License to Ill
Yeah, I'm sure this will get a chuckle or two... I was 8. We were living in New York. This was during my mother's snake handling days so music was the devil. I was, however, blessed with a sister who was 8 years older than me & very rebellious. I can remember the first time she put the tape in. We were dancing around the house, doing our chores, to this album. I don't have too many vivid memories of my childhood, but the ones that are vivid (& good) involve music. I mainly remember the elation I felt with every beat.
2) U2- Joshua Tree
Christmas of 1987. I had just turned 9. This was my Tiffany/Debbie Gibson stage. I suppose Lisa @ 16 knew that I needed some real musical influence. She gave me this tape for Christmas (or was it my birthday?). I listened to that tape until I wore it out and it came apart. I *still* love this album. It evolves with me.
3) The Doors - Soft Parade/Morrison Hotel
Okay - it is really just one song off of Soft Parade. Again, I was in the 7-9 age range. I was not allowed to have anything to do with MTV (see #1 above). I would sneak it in the afternoon when I was home alone (or with my sis). I remember seeing the video for Touch Me. This is now one of my least favorite songs by The Doors, but at the time I was mesmerized by Jim Morrison. A few years later, when I was 12-13, my friend, Diz, rekindled my fascination with Jim Morrison when she played Morrison Hotel for me. I have been in love ever since. The man was a genius.....
4) The Beatles - White Album
Moving on in the time continuum, I was in the 7th grade (12-13) when I discovered this tape in my sister's collection. I ganked it from her & never gave it back. I listened to this tape every night before I went to bed. It fit my angst beautifully at the time.
5) Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
This was my first CD. It came my way when I was 13.5. This coincided with me watching The Wall with Diz. Again, the CD & the movie fit my angst & obsession with hallucinogens....
6) Jane's Addiction - can't narrow it down to one: Triple X, Nothing Shocking, Ritual de lo Habitual were all continuously playing & influential. Perry Farrell has a beautiful mind. This band helped me realize that I didn't have to fit into any mold but my own. Read "To The Mosquitoes" if you haven't already : http://janesaddiction.org/
7) Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes
Another introduction by Diz. I seriously owe so much of my musical awakening to that woman! Anyway, my clearest memory is of us wandering the streets of Diamond Springs, screaming Violent Femmes lyrics at the top of our lungs, namely "Blister in the Sun"
8) Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
I was at a raging house party when I heard "Silent All These Years" for the first time. It was on MTV (still can't remember why the friggin' TV was on at a party) and I made the people in the room shut up so I could hear the lyrics. So much of this song was reflective of my childhood, it moved me to tears. She is still one of my favorite female artists to this day.
9) Nirvana - Never Mind
Okay... I was 13 when this album came out. It rocked me. It introduced me to the world of punk, grunge, & teen angst. Need I say more?
10) Pearl Jam - Ten
I just loved Eddie Vedder's lyrics. It wasn't really the music that moved me. It was his voice and words that spoke to me. His music speaks to me today as well as his lyrics & voice. The man finally has it right.....
11) Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill/Black Sunday
I know what you're thinking - say what? :) I was 12 when I heard their self titled album. It was just a different style of rap & it stuck out to me. I LOVED their beats. I was 13 to 14 years old when Black Sunday came out. Diz's parents were in the Navy. They both had a six month cruise over summer vacation & they left her home alone. We woke up every afternoon & put this album on as we made our breakfast....
12) Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever
I'm random, I know... Back to summer of '92...and back to Diz... There was one night in particular that this tape was played over and over. I still love this album. It is just a great sing along album, even if I can't sing....
13) L7 - Bricks are Heavy
This is when I discovered that women can kick ass & take names too. This opened me up to all kind of feminazi rockers. i ♥ Donita Sparks.
14) Grateful Dead - American Beauty
I was all kinds of late in my discovery of Jerry Garcia. I had *just* started to listen to them when Jerry died. This album, again played on repeat with psychedelic influences, opened up the doors to blue grass, phish & festivals. I am forever grateful....
15) Bob Dylan & Joan Baez
Okay, I'm kind of cheating on this one by combining two artists. I am also stepping out of my chronological order as well. Prior to age 4. my mother listened to these two artists the most. Folk music was a HUGE influence in my life prior to Mom finding Jesus. I didn't realize the influence until I was 14 to 15 years old and started listening to each artist again on my own. It was this weird experience where I would be able to sing along with the lyrics although it was my "first" time hearing the song. I remember the day I discovered Bob Dylan's song "Sara". I called my mom all excited to ask if that was where she got my name from. Not so much... Anyway, I digress. I love both of these artists. They introduced me to the world of grass roots movements.....
Okay, this does it. Obviously this list does not encompass every single artist I love. There are SO many more: Dead Kennedy's, Soul Coughing, Bjork, etc. These, however, document my awakening to the world around me. Hope you have enjoyed this little window into my world...
3 comments:
Thank you! I can't promise to post with any kind of frequency. My writing usually occurs in spurts: 5 posts in two days, nothing for two weeks. I don't know if you utilize a blog reader, but you might find one helpful for keeping up with this (& other) blogs.
This is a pretty outstanding list of music. Many of mine are included. Duh! of course.
Yeah, what a surprise that we have similar tastes =)
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