…but I see it shining in your eyes, and you know what I mean.

Ever go back and rediscover some of those old songs, cds, cassettes, even vinyls (and maybe some 8-tracks) that used to make you feel so good, back in the day? I’m talking “way back” as in the bubblegum that you sang in the car to 5 years ago as well as “way, way back,” like the records Mom & Dad would play. Wild what music can do. I mean, right now I’m trying to think of a single “Bread” song, but I’m at a loss. Still, I know that if I were to listen to whatever album it was that my parents still have under the turntable in the living room, I’d instantly be a little girl again. Magically, I’d know every word to “Baby I’m-a want you.” (I cheated, I looked on amazon, but really, I do know all the words…)

Likewise, there are those songs that may have been “lost in a previous learning experience” — what happens when you hear one? Does your stomach fill with butterflies? Do you feel nostalgic? Do you change the station, plug your ears, hum a different song?

Prior to dating my husband, I had been in a couple other relationships that were heavily laden with music. As a result, I regretfully grew to hate Billy Joel, respect Eminem, actually listen to Limp Bizkit (still hate ’em), and have a cd wallet full of wonderful lesser-known acoustic artists who may still be touring the college circuit. One of those relationships turned me onto Hooverphonic, Moby, Beth Orton, among others.

So when Beth Orton’s “It’s Not the Spotlight” (from the Stir of Echoes soundtrack) started to play on my random “play every song I’ve ever owned” playlist, I had mixed emotions. I
was again a college student, lonely, painting at 3am. Still, I love the song. But now there’s something new in it: since that friendship has since dissolved, there is another layer to it. I can’t bear to remove it from my playlist let alone my library because it is truly one of my all-time favorite songs (yes, even knocking some Mraz out of the ranks), but it makes me feel … dejected.

Anyhow, there are plenty of other songs that do that amazing timetravel: “Under the boardwalk,” “Brown-eyed Girl,” “Chim Chim Cheree,” “One Headlight,” “Walkin’ on Sunshine,” “We Belong,” and “At the Beginning” are just a handful of mine.

What are yours?