Wednesday, August 1, 2007

1995

This morning I was running a little late for work, which is not out of the ordinary for me. But, today I happened to catch the 8 at 8 on 94.7 fm. They pick a theme and play 8 songs based on the theme...the usual radio kitch. This morning, the theme was 1995 and as I was listening to the first three songs I came to the realization that I LOVE 1995. In that year I was a Junior & Senior in High School. I was cruisin' around in my yellow 1974 VW Bug named Sunny, relishing my independence, making life long friends, and I didn't think life could ever get any better. As I rocked out to the first three songs of the set (Oasis - Live Forever, Better than Ezra - Good, and The Presidents of the United States of America - Lump) I started to feel those happy feelings well up in side that make you feel like you might explode. I was flooded with memories from back in the day and I somehow felt the vibe of that year and some serious nostalgia for that time in my life. For me, music is a lot like smell, the sense that is supposed to be the most connected to memory. When I hear particular songs I can be instantly transported, just like when I get a whiff of the sweet smell of carbon paper and it takes me back to the summer of 1997, but I digress.

I think the music of that era is still among my favorite. Is that the case for everyone? Does everyone just LOVE the music from their high school years? Is it so great because it's associated with such fun memories (for those who actually enjoyed their high school years)? Or is it great because that's usually the age where you are discovering music and figuring out what you like (a la Emily)? Or was the music of 1995 particularly good? I don't know the answer to these questions. But, I do know that I'm grateful for 94.7 taking me back today. I'm grateful for 1995 and all of the people that made that year so great. I'm grateful for the music and the happy times it brings to mind. In the famous words of Bob Hope...Thanks for the memories!

3 comments:

Anna said...

even though I HATED of my high school years...I still like the music! Even though that was only about 2 years ago!

I like your blogs!

courtney said...

Truth be told, I pretty much hate the songs you just listed (except maybe "Lump", but even that one gives me an uncomfortable feeling when I try to decide where I stand with it, like I could like it except that I have certain intractable principles that just won't permit me to). And yet, I too was in high school in 1995. It's a tricky thing...

Some songs from that era may be totally horrible and I'll love them ("I would walk 500 miles": still like it...go ahead and judge). But I cannot abide The Offspring though I had an extreme attachment at the time to "Self Esteem" (again, go ahead and judge). Hmmm, I may have to explore this in my own blog post...

Anonymous said...

I think your supposition that the music from your high school years is imbedded deeply into the Nostalgia Banks of the brain....and just hearing it will take you back to all kinds of memories. so..personally I like the music from...um...1970-73!