Friday, September 16, 2022

The Soundtracks Of My Life


M
y life has a lot more Music in it lately. Jared included us in his Music streaming service plan, and being able to listen to exactly what I want to hear with no ads was revolutionary. Now I understand why both my sons sit for a few moments in the driveway after we said our goodbyes; getting one's Music set up is sort of a big deal.

Because I'm old, I immediately started a playlist of a bunch of songs I loved from forever ago spanning the 70s to the present. Do you want to hear Carole King or Carly Simon? I've got you covered. How about a little Matchbox 20 or Bruce Springsteen? Here you go. Eminem, John Mayer, Steely Dan, Sam Smith, Aretha? Of course. Jeffrey James or James Bay or maybe The Weeknd? Let me play Al Green first. And that's just a little sampling (I even have Milli Vanilli; I loved those songs) because I keep adding more songs to this big bloated playlist rather than make a separate one. Why make things workier than I have to?

Sometimes, though, I need some Music that's very serene and relaxing. I don't want words and I don't want a melody that my brain has to follow. I needed that desperately a few weeks ago, and thankfully, I found a ready-made mix called Mellow Cello. That led me to Yo Yo Ma, and I discovered that I have a deep appreciation for cello Music. It's calming and beautiful, and Yo Yo Ma's artistry is profound. 

I like that this service tries to figure me out and make mixes for me, too. Sometimes it does a pretty good job. Other times, it bores me to death or strikes out terribly. It also has a pre-made mix of something they named Yacht Rock, and I have no idea why it's called that. Do aging rockers really sit on expensive boats and listen to songs like Africa by Toto, Brandy by Looking Glass, The Pina Colada Song by Rupert Holmes, Into the Night by Benny Mardones, and Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts? 

I will say that when Sam and Jared have joined us on the boat this summer and we drop anchor to do a little day drinking, they are in charge of the Music. They do not choose Yacht Rock. Instead, Sam brings his bluetooth speaker and fires up Hip Hop BBQ. This Music also gives my brain a break because I don't know any of the songs except for a few words here and there. Once in a while, I make reference to how many times the rappers/artists say "In da club," and the boys assure me that only Old School Hip Hop Artists say that anymore. I'll take their word for it because they would know and it's not my genre.

Quite often I'll simply tune into WCLV, the classical Music station, as I'm driving. I've discovered that there is a great deal of classical Music that I do not care for. Some of it sounds like they're throwing their instruments down a flight of steps. Some of it sounds like jazz, but with an orchestra. At times, violins irritate me. I've listened to enough Debussy to know that I don't like his stuff. 

I still like my Quiet, and it's rare that I play Music at home when I'm alone. I also don't play Music when I take my walks. It is, however, good to welcome Music back into my life. 

24 comments:

  1. Unlike the bird thing, this is not my button. Cocking my head, I confess to a low liking for country music, well, some of it. And my era was the folksinger era. Joan Baez, and that stupid guy who could not sing but wrote great lyrics. He played a mouth organ on a brace. He was a pain, and we figured he was going nowhere. Except for his lyrics. Yeah.
    I think the thing about classical music on the radio is that they have to play it so many hours that they run out of the good stuff. I like classical to drive with, but I used to make my own tapes with stuff like Pachebel on it. Good in traffic, but puts you to sleep on a road trip.
    My daughter used to make me driving tapes. One had a piece with a sudden transition and a thump of a drum. The first time I ran it, I was certain I had lost a tire. When I complained, she fell over laughing. I think your sons are better mannered. ARE there words in Hip Hop? Really? I will have to get my hearing aids recalibered.

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    1. Mary G--I simply cannot abide country music. It irritates me to no end. All those dropped g's from gerunds and progressive tense verbs, all that twanging, all the similar sounding stuff--it just smacks of a roundup of poorly educated individuals having a hootenanny or a crying jag.

      But that's just my opinion. Rick even listens to it when I'm not in the car, but I've asked him not to tell anyone or talk to me about it.

      You're probably right about the classical station having to find all kinds of stuff. The other day I was listening to something Icelandic played by an orchestra from Helsinki.

      The thing with Hip Hop is that there are so very, very many words. Every so often, a phrase will just jump out and it is so stark and clear that it sometimes cracks me up. That always makes my sons laugh. I wait for that moment in the song to bust out with that lyric, and it's my big moment. You know, I didn't choose The Thug Life; The Thug Life chose me. ;-)

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  2. Cello music is my favorite and I listen to it all the time at home and at work when I have to have calm kids. Try Brooklyn Duo, Midnight String Quartet, 2 Cellos,. Vitamin String Orchestra you will love them!

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    1. Meredith--Thank you for the recommendations. I'll search them and give them a listen.

      There's just something about the pitch and timbre of the cello that immediately calms me. It feels almost innate and natural. I'm not surprised that it calms your patients.

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  3. Yes to cello, but also Tedeschi Trucks, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Buffet, Joe Walsh, and so many others from classical to metal to opera.

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    1. Dee--That's what I love about having this app, I can toss all kinds of stuff together on one playlist and listen to a wide variety at once. Or I can just listen to one genre, premixed, if I want.

      I've never been able to enjoy opera. I can appreciate it, but I can't say it's a favourite.

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  4. My music tastes are varied. Considering I grew up in a house with music playing from the time went to bed (usually country or whatever "pop" was at that time), I rarely have music on in the house. Mainly, because I do enjoy the quiet; but also because The Husband is here ALL.THE.TIME; and that means, 9 times out of 10 the television is on; whether he's watching it or not.

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    1. Gigi--I wonder just how much of what we do as adults is in response to what we didn't like as children. I can think of lots of things in particular that I'm "fixing" now that I'm older. I'm sure we all can.

      What is it with the television being on all the time for Background Noise? I hate that. It's like being in a restaurant and hearing words, words, words from strangers and not understanding what anyone's talking about. Ugh.

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    2. There are MANY things I am "fixing" as an adult. The music thing isn't one of them, I never minded the background music; but as an adult, I generally only use it in the car.

      I think the television was on in the background a lot as my husband was growing up so for him it's a habit. It drives me insane. If you aren't watching it, turn it off.

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    3. Gigi--I agree that having a TV on all the time is often a habit. Some people find the sound companionable. Like you, I do not. It's just more noise. All that random talking puts me right back at school/work. No thank you.

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  5. I'm a quiet soul, too. I rarely play music when I'm by myself, but will all the time when people are around. I like music, but I like stillness more-- especially now that there is noise everywhere I turn.

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    1. Ally--Having work done in your home is a noisy and messy business. I like having the results but not the process. Adding music to the mix would make me nuts. I hope your serenity is soon restored.

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  6. I love Yo Yo Ma, both his music and his personality. If you haven't heard him play The Goat Rodeo Sessions, try it.

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    1. Jean--Nice to see you in Comments! That means your recovery is going well.

      I feel the same way you do about Yo Yo Ma. Thanks for the recommendation, and I'll look for it.

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  7. Unlike you, I have music going on in the background of my life. I too love playlists and I love when the 'people in the music box' know what I like to hear. Although, it varies depending on my mood.
    Yacht Rock is a station on Sirius and we often listen to it. But generally NOT while we're on our yacht; that's too on the nose for me. 😉
    Don't hate me, but we do love country music. It's simple, easy and relaxing for me. But I understand why it's not everyones cup of tea.

    Hey, I'm raising my hands over here because I too enjoy Milli Vanilli...or whoever was really singing those catchy tunes.

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    1. BBSuz--I would never hate you for liking country music. I have a lot of wonderful people in my life who like it. Music is like wine--we all have a different palate.

      We don't have Sirius; we have YouTube Music. I love being able to search for whatever song I want to hear or whatever album I have on CD and can no longer play in my car and there it is. I'm old enough that this thrills me.

      I used to watch MTV back when it really was Music Television, and I was so enamored of Milli Vanilli--their look, their dancing, their music. My boys were very little, and we played their music all the time in the car, and Jared and Sam would bob up and down in their car seats and sing along LOUDLY.

      So...Yacht Rock really IS a misnomer, then. People do NOT listen to it on their yachts! I KNEW IT.

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  8. I rarely listen to music even though I love it. I like the quiet at home and work, and I tend to drive like a maniac if I'm listening to music (audiobooks will engage my interest and keep me calm on the road). I generally like music I can sing to, so when I do listen, it's mainly 70s rock, 80s pop, and folk - people like Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Indigo Girls, and Bruce Hornsby.

    My mother hated classical music - she said that it would be all calm and lull you into complacency and then BAM there go the cymbals. Ha!

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    1. Bug--Your mom was right, although I'm getting very good at anticipating the Big Moments or Transitions.

      Music doesn't really affect my driving (it's funny that it impacts yours). Your comment about singing along has made me think, though, about how often I sing with music, and it's not much anymore. I'm more of a listener now. I did a lot of singing in high school and college, and when I got married, that part of my life was done. I sang with the radio and stereo and to my kids ALL the time, but that was it. My voice/range is pretty much gone now. Probably why I don't sing.

      I love 70s stuff. I grew up with a big sister in the 70s, so I listened to her music. She also made me a Beatles fan. But 70s stuff...yeah!

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    2. The last two days I've listened to music on my commute because I'm between audiobooks. Yesterday I started cackling because I hadn't ever noticed how much I talk to myself when I'm driving if I'm not listening to a book. I also gesticulate a lot, and I was going "huzzah!" for getting in front of a school bus instead of behind it. There's a lot going on - plus I drive a good 10 mph faster than normal. If my library book doesn't become available soon I'm going to have to listen to an old book already on my phone. Ha! Although I did enjoy listening to Poco this morning.

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    3. Bug--I celebrate not getting behind a school bus, too, although I don't think I've ever used the word Huzzah in my life. LOL. Maybe you need a Prius like mine, which grades your driving each time. (I'm serious.) I no longer care about my grade now, however, and I merely sass it with a lot of profanity if I get anything lower than an 80. Because, really, who in the hell is my car to judge me?

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  9. Well, darn. I drafted a comment, but we were on a road trip and my guess is that the internet wasn't the strongest while we were in the middle of nowhere. Hmm . . . as I was saying, I do not enjoy country music, unless John Denver is country. That was played constant when I was a child and I love him.

    I'm not great at knowing anything about who sings what, names of songs, or any of that. What I'm saying is, I would fail miserably if I got a guest spot on Name That Tune. I do enjoy having Tank's Alexa on the kitchen counter - not because he will occasionally change the music I'm listening to remotely from college, but that is entertaining. I ask Alexa to play The Cure radio, or Lumineers radio, or something and I usually like the mix that she comes up with.

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    1. Ernie--That prank is definitely something my sons (34 & 37) would do to me, and often. It's a great one.

      John Denver was sort of a country crossover artist, I think. Everyone I knew played and liked him when his first album came out. He was everywhere for a while, even the movies.

      Rick and I were just having a chat about The Cure on Saturday. One of their songs came on in the mix that was being played, and I was reminiscing about all my little alternative students in the '80s who were their fans. They were sort of goth and sort of emo, and they wore the skinny jeans, the eyeliner, the hightops, the slick-sided-high-hair style with perhaps a streak of blue. I loved those kids.

      Off to google Lumineers because they sound so familiar and I know I know what they sing but I cannot for the life of me remember what it is.

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  10. I often listen to classical. My favorite is percussion. I'm not a fan of string instruments.

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    1. Anni--I go back and forth on violins/violas. Sometimes, they can be uplifting and emotional. Other times, they sound nagging and whiny to me.

      I've always been thrilled by the rumble of those deep kettle drums.

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