Now, if you know anything about my Dad, you know that he used to have a silver Mazda Miata in the early 90's that I thought was pretty cool. I remember driving around Provo, blasting the stereo as loud as it would go, and I though I was a big deal. My dad would always let me pick what we listened to from his cassette collection (that's right, I did say cassettes).
As a person, I've always been really good at memorizing things, especially songs. Even now, I can sing the songs, word-for-word, that were on his cassettes. So now, without further delay, here is the soundtrack of my childhood:
1. Like I mentioned before, the Footloose Soundtrack. I thought this tape was especially cool, because to me it sounded more modern and rock-ish than the rest of his collection. My favorite songs were "Footloose," "Holding Out for a Hero," "I'm Free," and "Never."
2. My next favorite tape on the 1990 Gary Chrystler playlist was "Oak Ridge Boys, Greatest Hits 2." I know the music on this tape is tacky, hideous and not something to openly own listening to. But I did. And I still do. I love this album. "Elvira" will probably always be on my top 50 favorite list.
3. My dad also owned "The Top Ten Hits," by Elvis Presley. My favorite song was "Return to Sender," but my parents tell me the first song I learned all the words to was "Are You Lonesome Tonight."
So in reviewing that list, I can see a lot of the reasons for the music I like today. I've decided that when I am a parent, I am going to let my kdis rifle through my i-pod and pick out music to listen to. That way, when they are older and need a quick pick me up, they can turn to songs they heard when they were little to have a surge of good memories. I know that's what Elvis, Footloose and Oak Ridge Boys do for me.
