“Play that Funky Music”

Listening to music as well as singing heals! It can help with anxiety and depression.

Music is so very important to life.

We should never let our circumstances define who we are. Music, on the other hand, defines us from an early age. Research has shown that music listened to between the ages of 10 and 30 “defines that individual for the rest of their lives”.

I listen to a variety of music from all decades and genres but find myself gravitating back to the 70’s more often than not. That was my formative years and when I listen to the songs now I am taken back to my childhood to relive memories that are both happy and sad. This time around I am paying more attention to the lyrics and the artists. I have even begun to search song meanings. I believe we can create whatever meaning we want to each song but I find it interesting the nature in which each song was conceived.

I reminisce and can see myself at age 12 putting on headphones and singing in my room, listening over and over and writing down what I thought were the words. We did not have Google! 🥴

Vivid memories of being on the dance floor when going to clubs in high school, sitting behind Oakwood Bowling Alley with friends at age 13 are among my many reflections when listening to music and singing. The louder and more passionate I sing, the more impact the song had in my life. Takes me back to a time of innocence, less worries. A time when the future had no meaning. Oh…to be a kid again. Wait! I am still a kid! Hehe! 😁

Songs remind me where I have been and allow me to see how far I have come. I am greatly thankful for the songwriters and those who brought the words to life. I could not survive this earth without music.

I have been taking notes of the songs I would like to sing karaoke, those that give me a spark and jolt of energy to keep going. Every day is not a good day but at any point can turn around. I have experienced it solely listening to music!

Sometimes it is difficult to listen to music and that is okay. If I am really in a funk, depressed or grieving… and I have been there many times… I cannot listen to music nor sing. I listen to sports radio at that point or nothing and do some deep thinking or simply cry and that IS OKAY! I know my mood has lifted when music is enjoyable and I begin singing again.

Prior to Covid I began working on my bucket list. Road trips and going to concerts were just a few. I drove to San Francisco from Texas to see The Eagles and it was fabulous!!

Here is a sample of the many songs I have catalogued as keeping me sane and grounded. There are a few 80’s and even a few 60’s. Interestingly enough, the station on Pandora I have been listening to has not played any Elvis songs as of yet and I have been listening for awhile. Hmmm….. he was certainly one of my favorites.

Songs are listed in no particular order but merely as they were played through Pandora. I am still adding to the list. I did not realize there were soooo many!! Recognize any? 😁

Shambala – Three Dog Night 1973

Hold on Loosely – 38 Special 1981

Hold Me – Fleetwood Mac 1982

How Long – Ace 1974

China Groove – Doobie Brothers 1973

You Can Do Magic – America 1982

Sugar, Sugar – The Archies 1970

Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac 1975

Southern Cross – Crosby, Stills and Nash 1982

Ventura Highway – America 1972

Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty 1978

Gypsy – Fleetwood Mac 1982

Judy Blues Eyes – Crosby, Stills and Nash 1969

Biggest Part of Me – Ambrosia 1980

Everything I Own – Bread 1972

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding 1968

I can’t Go for That – Daryl Hall and John Oates 1981

Rockin’ Robin – Bobby Day 1958

Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations 1967

Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire 1981

Sister Golden Hair – America 1975

Sweet Talkin’ Woman – Electric Light Orchestra 1978

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd 1974

Mainstreet – Bob Seger 1972

Peace Train – Cat Stevens 1971

You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet – Bachman-Turner Overdrive 1974

Ramblin’ Man – The Allman Brothers 1973

Evil Woman – Electric Light Orchestra 1975

I’ll Be Around – The Spinners 1973

Money For Nothing – Dire Straits 1985

Come Monday – Jimmy Buffett 1978

Lean On Me – Bill Withers 1972

Respect – Aretha Franklin 1967

Still The One – Orleans 1976

Against The Wind – Bob Seger 1979

Wasted on the Way – Crosby, Stills & Nash 1982

Shame on the Moon – Bob Seger 1982

Under the Boardwalk – The Drifters 1964

Oh Girl – The Chi-Lites 1972

Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett 1977

Baby I’m-A Want You – Bread 1972

Take it to the Limit – The Eagles 1975

Lyin’ Eyes – The Eagles 1975

Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes 1979

Tin Man – America 1974

Get Together – The Youngbloods 1967

Last but not least……Play that Funky Music – Wild Cherry 1976

I will work on the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s and today. Music has definitely evolved.

I hope you will make notes of songs you find uplifting or that take you back to a blast from the past. Create a playlist. It can be highly cathartic guiding you forward providing a new outlook while creating new meaning to a past gone but not forgotten.

mh – 💕😊