I think I might be good...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 It was Parent Night last night at the boys' school. Chris stayed home with the kids and I went solo, which is usually how we have to handle things like this. It works for us.
I rarely get to drive alone - anywhere. I love it. I enjoy talking with the kids and listening to music appropriate for them, but it's a treat to listen to whatever I want, as loudly as I want and sing while car dancing. I sing and car dance with the kids in the car, but they don't like it. It embarrasses them. Chris doesn't like it either. He says, "Please don't clap."
Oldest Boy's teacher auditioned for American Idol over the summer knowing she wouldn't make it because of her age - she's too old (I'm older than her, so I can say that). I didn't hear the entire story, but the gist was she had drawn enough attention to herself that they allowed her to sing. She's a belter who can carry a tune and she sang - Pat Benatar's Hit Me With Your Best Shot.
My brother Mallory Joe and I used to sing every word of every Pat Benatar song in my bedroom at the top of our lungs. I know, who didn't?
My friend Lynn P. Carlson was/is a belter and sang any time she could find a microphone. Working swim meets, there was always a PA system (we were lifeguards), so the opportunity was hers many, many times. She sang Patty Smythe's The Warrior, anything Pat Benatar, or Belinda Carlisle and occasionally Elvira by the Oakridge Boys. She even sang at her own wedding - not the kind of tender, looking into your new husband's eyes singing, but the "I can do that, give me the mike!" singing. I think she closed the party with New York New York.
We all know music is powerful and personal. Punk Rock Dad recommended a book recently that, among other things, explains "...why people have a lifelong passion for music they heard in their youth...". I believe the title is This is Your Brain on Music. (Correct me if I'm wrong - anyone.)
This morning while working out with Supermodel, Pat Benatar's Hit Me With Your Best Shot played in the gym. I was 14 years old again in my mind, singing with my brother Mallory Joe. I could see my bedroom, the posters on the walls, my pet parakeet Larry... So vivid.
What is it about wanting to be able to sing or play an instrument well that grips many of us, even the *shy* ones and at very young ages? Maybe it's explained in the book. Probably why Nickelback's Rockstar was so popular.
On the way home from Parent Night yesterday, I took my time, listened to and unabashadly sang along with Joe Cocker, Kid Rock, and a little Sam Cooke. I believe in church, it would be called, "a joyful noise".
This is for you Lynn P. Carlson:
(The music's not in sync with the visual - sorry, it came that way.)
Reader Comments (15)
Wicked awesome post, Chris. I am a belter too. Especially in the car. Oh yeah.
I can't sing with my three year old in the car. He howls. I mean - like a dog. Like dogs howl when something hurts their ears. I don't know why he does this since I'm not bad (I'm actually good in a non-professional, sing for your own enjoyment kind of way). But he's a weird one, so I don't take it too personally.
Mrs. D. - Half the fun is getting caught ;)
Vodka Mom - I bet you can groove... I wanna party with you.
Kate - Another song that never got old for me was Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer".
Sherri - Thank you very much! Nope - not weird & stalkerish at all. Truly appreciate your kind words.
"Hit me with your wet snotcome on, hit me with your wet snot.Hit me with your wet snot,Fire away!"
I know, I'm immature, but 10 year old boys love me!
(I refuse to stop car dancing (good term, btw!) or cranking up the tunes for anyone, especally the kids. They are SO going to popping my eardrums in a few years, I feel like it's an investment in paybacks!)
Pause for air guitar - "Waaaaaaaahhwah wahhh!"
And just about any song from the 60s on up will call to mind a certain moment in time.
I don't get people who don't like music. There's something wrong with them. Horribly, horribly wrong.
Corbie - Good luck with your "project"! (She's trying to creat her own personal top 10 - whittling down from nearly 500!)
Anissa! - Thank you for the comment. Family bands are fun - even if they just stay "in the family".
Mama Dawg - I'm glad you "got" it now.
Jennifer - I need to get the book too.
Da Goddess - "...a certain moment in time." Music can pinpoint moments for me too. I KNOW how much music means to you. I showed my husband all the art work - he LOVED it all. He was bummed the Stevie Ray originals were sold. I think we could still purchase prints though...
I'm hoping to turn some of my photos into mixed media portraits. If I do a good job, you can buy some of them. :D