Favorite Songs

I’ve grown up in a very musically inclined family. Everybody plays an instrument. They all play guitar, Ben, my second oldest brother, also plays the drums, my dad also plays bass, and my mom plays the flute. I was once a skilled violinist before suddenly deciding to quit and selling my violin for a quick $350. I still think it was worth more but that’s neither here nor there. Basically, unlike them, I was never attached to making my own music.

But listening to music- now that’s where I fit in. I’ve always found my emotions to be immediately tied to whatever song is playing. My confidence goes through the roof when Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet plays, seventh grade Jess really tried to model herself after that girl with “big black boots” and “long brown hair” (I’ve since moved past that phase). I’m filled with a longing ambition every time I hear Fast Car by Tracy Chapman, completely ready to hit the open road for a new life. I’m hit with nostalgia and youthful rebellion as soon as Keeping the Faith by Billy Joel kicks it through the radio- I mean who doesn’t relate to those timeless lyrics of “I heard about sex/ But not enough/ I found you could dance/ And still look tough”?

My brother recently asked a room full of family and friends what our favorite songs were. The room was immediately filled with responses. From Europa to Into the Mystic to Last Stand, every single person had an answer except me. “How do you not have a favorite song?” they asked me, “you never stop listening to music.” This should have been a perfect topic for me! I’ve spent the following months trying to figure out what my favorite song is, what is the perfect fit for me? Angel of Sweet Death and the Codeine Scene? Cecelia and the Satellite? Levon? I seem to change my mind every time a different song I like plays. So, I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t have one.

I’ve never been the favorite type anyway. I always said rainbow when asked about my favorite color or “all of them!” when questioned about animals, why would I be any different with music? There are too many amazing songs, each completely unique with its own vibe, its own message, its own emotion. How could I choose? I may have a favorite sad song or pump-up song or love song (and the infinite categories within) but there isn’t one song that reins above all the rest. I think it’s silly to assume people have a favorite and if they say they do I’m not sure I believe that it’s truly their favorite. I think they may have arbitrarily picked a song that they liked at some point and stuck with it, saying that it’s their favorite. Or it's just a song they want to listen to in that moment. There are too many amazing, relatable songs to choose just one!

Although, I’m not them so maybe they really do?