The Song Remains the Same

Just a few days ago, I finished reading Jodi Picoult's latest book, Sing You Home.  I am a huge fan of Picoult's writing, and, while, for a number of different reasons you can read here, this wasn't my favorite of her books, it still got me to thinking.  One of the central characters in the book is a music therapist, and, during one of her narratives, she writes, "The music we listen to may not define who we are.  But it's a damn good start."  She goes on to ask the reader, "What songs would be on a mix tape that describes you?"
I know this might come as a surprise to some of you--NOT--but I couldn't just read that and blaze on to the next page.  I immediately had to stop and jot down the first few meaningful songs that came into my head, and, by the time I finished the book a few days later, I had my playlist finished, too.  It's, admittedly, a little lengthier than I originally intended, but every song, every piece of music included in this list means something special to me.  It might recreate a memory; it might plant a special person beside me; it might reignite a feeling buried deep inside; it might make me grab my hairbrush and hideously attempt to belt out the high notes; it might drive me straight out of my seat and straight onto the dancefloor.  It might do a lot of things; but one thing's definite:  something will happen for sure.
So, here lies the stuff I can play on repeat.  Here lie the songs I know by heart.  Here lies the music that brings me to life.

Billie Holiday:  They Can't Take That Away from Me
Alan Silvestri:  Annie's Theme from Father of the Bride 
Pitbull:  Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor)
Queen Latifah:  When You're Good to Mama from Chicago
Cat Stevens:  Peace Train
Brandi Carlile:  Dreams
Matchbox Twenty:  Bright Lights
Sister Hazel:  All for You
Crash Test Dummies:  Mmh Mmh Mmh
Jerry Goldsmith:  Tryouts from Rudy
Vitamin String Quartet:  Hallelujah
Chris Rice:  Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Honestly Sincere from Bye, Bye Birdie
Sarah Maclachlan:  Song for a Winter's Night
The Outfield:  Your Love
John Mayer:  Edge of Desire
The Beach Boys:  Wouldn't It Be Nice
Robert Preston:  You Got Trouble from The Music Man
The Hollies:  Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)
Black Eyed Peas:  Rock That Body
Pat Green:  Wave on Wave
Phillip Keveren:  A Might Fortress is Our God/Trumpet Voluntary
Judy Garland:  Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Lil Jon and LMFAO:  Outta Your Mind
What You Own from Rent
Coldplay:  Fix You
KC & The Sunshine Band:  Boogie Shoes
R. Kelly:  Ignition (Remix)
Stevie Wonder:  Uptight (Everything's Alright)
Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenowith:  Defying Gravity from Wicked
Girl Talk:  Down for the Count
Otis Redding:  Try a Little Tenderness
Sara Bareilles:  Gravity
The Four Seasons:  Let's Hang On
Train:  Get to Me
The World Will Know from Newsies
Run D.M.C.:  It's Tricky
Dave Barnes:  Until You
John Mayer:  Not Myself
Erin McCarley:  Love, Save the Empty
Reliant K:  Be My Escape
David Cook:  I'm Alive
Haley Westenra & Conventus Choir:  May It Be
Dario Marianelli:  Briony from Atonement
Tim Myers:  Brand New Day
Stevie Wonder:  For Once in My Life
Black Eyed Peas:  Alive
Mamas and the Papas:  Creeque Alley
Nat King Cole:  Smile
The Proclaimers:  I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Chris Rice:  Great is Thy Faithfulness
Brooke White:  Every Breath You Take
Billy Joel:  Piano Man
Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor & Gene Kelley:  Good Morning from Singin' in the Rain
Miranda Lambert:  White Liar
Glee Cast:  Happy Days are Here Again/Get Happy
MC Hammer:  U Can't Touch This
All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera
All-American Rejects:  Don't Leave Me
Miles Davis:  It Never Entered My Mind
Kenny Chesney:  The Good Stuff
Elvis Presley:  Suspicious Minds
Consider Yourself from Oliver!
Nick Perito:  The Green Leaves of Summer from Inglourious Basterds
Keith Urban:  Somebody Like You
Fleetwood Mac:  Go Your Own Way
Something There from Beauty and the Beast
Reliant K:  The Best Thing
Train:  When I Look to the Sky
Sonny & Cher:  I Got You Babe
Fergie:  Glamorous
Jay-Z/Linkin Park:  Jigga What/Faint
Franz Liszt:  Hungarian Rhapsody
Lifehouse:  Somewhere in Between
Black Eyed Peas:  My Humps
Jim Sturgess:  All My Lovin'
Out Tonight from Rent
Carly Smithson:  Blackbird
Tag Team:  Whoomp!  There It Is
John Mayer:  Heartbreak Warfare
Ray LaMontagne:  You are the Best Thing
David Elder & Kate Levering:  Young and Healthy from 42nd Street
Itzhak Perlman:  Tango (Por Una Cabeza) from Scent of a Woman
Celine Dion:  A New Day Has Come
Tchaikovsky:  Op. 20/10-Scene from Swan Lake
Barbra Streisand:  I'd Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Happy with Somebody Else) from Funny Girl

So, like I said, I know it's a bit lengthy, but... well, perhaps I got carried away and just couldn't stop.  If you know me well, you probably realize this kind of activity is right up my alley, so my excess playlist shouldn't really come as a surprise.  It was awfully fun, though.  If you have a bit of extra time, try one for yourself.  I'm not laying down a gauntlet or challenge or anything, so don't feel at all pressured to top my 80+ songs, either.  Repeat:  I. Got. Carried. Away.