The soundtrack of my life

Have you ever heard a song that is part of your history?

When you hear it, it reminds you of something from your life--a memory, a moment, a person. If your life was turned into a movie, this song would be in the soundtrack.

Maybe it's all the talk we've had at young adults' group lately (see "This is my anthem."), but I started thinking about songs that have been memorable in my own life. Some of them are just plain corny, goofy fun. But I think others resonate with me so much because something in them has become part of who I am or who I want to be.

So here is a list of a few of the songs that would be in my soundtrack...and a little explanation why.

• "The Right Stuff" - New Kids on the Block
  This one just makes me laugh. It reminds me of fourth grade and fun times with my core group of friends...we thought NKOTB was SO cool...and we thought we were, too. :)

• "I Cast All My Cares Upon You" / "I Love You, Lord"
  These two are lumped together because I remember singing them when I was about 7 at the tiny church I grew up in. I think they're meaningful because even then, I felt something when I sang them--maybe they were the first songs I can remember worshipping--not just singing--to. And that's pretty cool.

• "Lean on Me" - DC Talk
  I think DC Talk's "Nu Thang" and "Free at Last" albums came out when I was in the fifth grade or so. For me, they made Christian music just a bit cooler when before, there was just Carman, Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant (all of whom I liked earlier in my childhood). But DC Talk was different. This song in particular was big around my sixth grade graduation when friends (and leaving some) were so significant.

• "Love Song for a Savior" - Jars of Clay
  Ahh...Jars of Clay. I still love this song and its lyrics. I remember hearing a short soundbite of it once during an AP English class in my senior year of (Christian) high school. Someone in the class started singing along to part of the chorus and a group of us ended up joining in. This whole scenario might sound completely cheesy to anyone who's reading this, but that moment became a powerful picture of my senior class for me--no matter how different we were, we had a common love for God.

• "I Will Remember You" - Sarah McLachlan
  High school graduation. Enough said.

• "Celebration" - Kool and the Gang
  This song has followed me through several memorable moments--graduations, New Year's Eve on the millennium. And it's always fun.

• "Love Shack" - B-52s / "Unbelievable" - EMF / "Mr. Jones" - Counting Crows
  These are memorable songs from my TWU days with the 3F Hotties. :) If any of you are reading this, who can forget how Alicia answered her phone with a simple, "Love shack"? Or the "Unbelievable" 2000-2001 TWU challenge skit with us dressed to the hilt in black in the rain? And Carly, Kyla, Jenny and Devyn - I somehow remember one night driving in Carly's cute little red car singing "Mr. Jones" at the top of our lungs. Anyway, I think of crazy fun times with some of the world's most amazing girls whenever I hear these songs.

• "Your Love Will Never Change" - Dave Barnes
  If you've read any of my posts, you know how much I like Dave Barnes' music. This song
  is my ultimate favorite. And I may not know much of the details around my wedding [including kind of important things like...exactly who the groom will be :) ]. But I'm pretty sure this song will be part of it.

• "From the Inside Out" - Hillsong United
  With lyrics like "Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades," this song meant a lot to me during a pretty tough time--it's just a cool declaration of faith and love for God no matter what. And I also remember singing it at an incredible, life-changing night of worship with Hillsong United. What could be a cooler anthem than something like,
  "Let justice and praise become my embrace"? Such a great song.

• "Realize" - Colbie Caillat
  The token soundtrack song about unrequited love. Who hasn't been there?

• "More Than Anything" - Champions Centre worship team
  Another amazing song representing an unforgettable night of worship at my own church.

• "Hosanna" - Hillsong United
  "Break my heart for what breaks yours / Everything I am for your kingdom's cause." Definitely another anthem worship song...and the best way to end my oddly eclectic "soundtrack" at the moment.