I’m not remotely musical – I played the piano from 1st-4th grade, and I played the flute in 5th grade, and I sang in the choir in middle school. I have no idea how I successfully completed all of those tasks because I have no rhythm, I hated practicing, and I can’t sing on key if my life depended on it.
But music has the power to captivate my attention and bring me back to the time when I first heard the song, and all the smells and sounds and emotions that came with it.
John Mayer is far and away my favorite artist. Yes, he wrote that stupid Your Body is a Wonderland song, and then that other stupid Daughters song. But I can honestly say there hasn’t been a single song of his that I can’t relate to, or a moment in my life when a certain melody or lyric of his hasn’t snapped me out of a fog. It’s just one of those things that clicks, that makes sense in my soul.
I remember the very first time I heard his first single, No Such Thing. It was the summer before my freshman year of high school, and I had just moved away. I was back visiting my best friend Laura and we were in her kitchen making cookies and listening to the radio. That song came on and we both looked at each other like, “Hmm… I like this song! Who sings this?”
A month later, I was adjusting to life in a new town, and I had made my first friend. We were in her room and I saw the No Room for Squares CD. We put it on and danced around her room and bonded and were instantly best friends. It’s funny how something as rote as a pop song can leave such an impression on your memory.
That album will forever remind me of good weather and good times and loud singing. (In fact, No Such Thing is my ringtone at the moment.)
Songs like Not Myself , Something’s Missing , Split-Screen Sadness , Slow Dancing in a Burning Room , Dreaming With a Broken Heart , and In Repair have all brought tears to my eye, reminded me of heartbreak, and helped to heal my heart. But no song in the entire world, John Mayer or not, has moved me as much as Covered in Rain.
According to my iTunes, I’ve played this song over 200 times. Plus I used to listen to it on my iPod every night as I fell asleep, so I’m sure that number is higher. And you know what? I still don’t know the words. The melody and harmony and instrumentals and guitar solo just make me drift into this strange state of oblivion where nothing else matters.
Do you have an artist or song that is particularly meaningful? Do you remember the first time you heard it?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I really like his performance during MJ memorial and I watched him during his concert here, I never really listened to his music before. Big mistake.:)
Andhari´s last blog ..This is…My Favorite Piece of Clothing
Songs have always reminded me of people or exact moments in time. If a certain song comes on the radio, I have to call whoever it reminds me of and we gab about it. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one.
bFlat´s last blog ..Physics Class
You forgot that to add “Say what you need to say” to his list of stupid songs. I’m sorry, but he repeats that phrase like 400 times. Bad John Mayer.
Personally, I’m not a big John Mayer fan (I know, I know, I should be shot), but I can totally relate to what you are talking about here. Music can be so powerful, and sometimes you find an artist that you really connect with.
erin´s last blog ..Roosday-Tuesday — Wherein Our Hero Hangs Out
I totally just had this conversation with someone last night. One meaningful song to me is Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek.” I don’t remember the first time I heard it, but I remember the first time it became meaningful. It’s an incredibly personal song to me and always my top pick when I need a little emo something :)
Doni´s last blog ..Pick-Up Line FAIL
Doni: “Goodnight and Go” is one of my favourite songs ever.
I’m pretty girly.
Peter´s last blog ..are you working on your drabble?