I drive a 1992 Saturn SL1.
It’s a great car—transports me where I need to go, gets phenomenal highway mileage, wears its age extremely well, has a power moon roof (which I adore), old-fashioned crank windows, and a broken cassette player (a casualty, no doubt, of the short-lived Richard Marx stage I went through about four years ago).
Fortunately, though, the radio still works. And as long as that remains the case, my “antique” (as my daughter calls it) and I will live a long and happy life together. Because—as anyone who has ever driven in my Saturn with me knows—I must have tunes on at all times while operating a motor vehicle.
The two go hand-in-hand. Like milk and cookies, hugs and kisses, conferences and alco—
You get the point.
Unfortunately, radio brings chatter. And chatter interrupts my music.
In the morning, on the way to work, I don’t want to hear forced laughter and trivial observations. A brief traffic report is acceptable, but only when there’s something I need to hear.
What I really want is my music. It wakes me up. Gets my brain going. And my body moving.
Until a few months ago, I only had five stations programmed into my radio. Because that’s all I thought I could program.
Duh.
I actually had room for eight stations (apparently when you push two at the same time it gives you another spot). Who knew?!?!?!?
Anyway, what I do enjoy—chatter wise—is stuff about the song or the artist. You know, where they got their inspiration, neat facts about various band members, how long it took them to make it onto the charts, etc.
So, I’m driving home from work a few days ago, and this D.J. is introducing a new Lifehouse song. I reach over and turn up the volume because, after You and Me, I’ve taken a shine toward this band. The radio guy says, “and now the latest from Lifehouse—the band that has a knack for writing songs that hit home with listeners at just the right time.”
Curious, I turn it up even louder because he couldn’t have introduced these guys any better IMHO. The song is called, Whatever it Takes (click here and you can listen/watch the video) and it blew me away. Big time. One, because it’s good (and, if I didn’t mention it before, I adore Lifehouse) and two, because it struck me deeply–as if I was the one the song was being sung to (I can dream, right?).
Which got me thinking…
It’s not uncommon for a person to identify with a particular book/author, painting/artist, song/musician because of something inside them that identifies with the work.
For instance, although I could never afford one, there’s something about Thomas Kinkade’s paintings that blanket me with peace. There’s something about Goldie Hawn movies (Housesitter and Overboard, in particular) that I crave when I need to find my happy place. And, as the D.J. said, there’s something about Lifehouse that seems to hit me—musically speaking—where I am at the moment.
How about you guys? Is there a group or particular song that resonates with you at certain times—either in a current wow-I-feel-this-song kinda way or more of an ongoing seek-this-song-out kinda way? How about a particular artist’s work? Or an author/book?
Hugs,
~Laura
**The countdown is almost complete. I’ll be arriving in the Big Apple in two days!!!! If my nine-year-old is able to successfully walk me through the ins and outs of my new digital camera before I leave, I’ll try to post a few pix when I get back. And if I can talk some poor unsuspecting passerby into taking a picture for me, I may actually be in one of them.
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I can’t wait to hear all about the trip!!!!! Be sure to take a picture of the sexy and decisive man waiting for you at baggage claim…….
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You’ve been writing a bit too much fiction lately, Tasha.  But it will be awesome nonetheless.
by Laura
on January 8th, 2008 at 7:49 am
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Have a great time on the trip, Laura. Details, we’ll want details–and not just about the man at baggage claim.
by Sara
on January 8th, 2008 at 8:15 am
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There will be NO man at baggage claim. Not for me, anyway!
Back to the post…
songs? paintings? books?
by Laura
on January 8th, 2008 at 8:34 am
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About that guy at the baggage claim…
About the only band I crave now and then is Pink Floyd. SOmething about that mellow style is good to chill out by. I’m guessing I’ll be the only one to mention Pink Floyd.
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Laura, did you program three more stations? 
Have a fantastic trip! I can’t wait to hear the details, too. I have complete faith that you’ll figure out the camera.
by Heather
on January 8th, 2008 at 8:52 am
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Have a wonderful trip, Laura. And happy birthday!
by Bente
on January 8th, 2008 at 9:00 am
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You went through a Richard Marx stage four years ago? You’ve really got a stranglehold on hipness, don’t you?
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There are a lot of musicians and songs that have struck a chord (pardon the pun) with me over the years. The main one has been Rachmaninov through the years, but most recently the one who sticks out in my mind is John Mayer. Especially the songs “83″ and “3×5″ off his ‘Room for Squares’ CD and “Stop This Train” off his Continuum CD.
Beyond music, the paintings of Bryan Larsen and Damon Denys, and the sculptures of Sam Axton (all of whom are at www.cordair.com) really touch me.
Thanks, Laura. Really great post today. I needed to remember some inspirational things this morning, and I didn’t even know it. Now I’m off to surf the wild waves of art, and listen to some tunes. =o)
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It just happened yesterday, when Mark Terry posted the lyrics to Another Trip Around the Sun! Exactly what I needed to hear!
I hope you have a great time in the Big Apple! I’ve never been. *whimper*
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When I’m having a crummy time, a session with Simply Red is a good way to calm me down and readjust my head tilt, so to speak. Mick Hucknall just has the most incredible voice…
I also like to check out Arts & Crafts (California Mission, too) magazines to remind me of the art and styles of living I wish I was able to have…and to think about buckling down more to at least transfer my longings into the background of my story.
by Kate Hathway
on January 8th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
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Oh, yeah, and have a great time on your trip!
by Kate Hathway
on January 8th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
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Hey Laura ~ Great topic! I’m off to run some errands & will be thinking about this before I come back & post, but you already know JB is one of my answers! 
PS~ Have a wonderful time in NYC & yes please, post pics! Happy B’Day in advance!
by Lynn in TX
on January 8th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
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You’re onto something. Practically all the time there’s something playing around me - in my old Volvo, in my office, at home working on the computer - no music, no joy.
For starters, Manhattan Transfer (Gentleman With A Family); Pink Floyd (Meddle or Dark Side of the Moon); Keiko Matsui; ANYONE who plays a Hannond B-3 )prefereably a dirty old blues); Lyle Lovett (If I had a Boat); Austin Lounge Lizards; Eric Clapton; Oscar Peterson — and the list goes on.
My car has a 6-disk CD changer and will play MP3 collections - so there are around 900 of my favorites available all the time, and it takes some hell of a long trip to hear all 6 available sides.
My motorcycles don’t have music yet, but maybe when I retire I’ll get cracking on that. My office has one computer that does nothing but pretend to be a television and play music.
Getting old has a few upsides - including folks’ reluctance to mess with you anout noises emanating from offices….
by Bob
on January 8th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
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Bob made a liar out of me. Pink Floyd. Bob’s a man I can relate to.
Laura, have fun. Where, other than the Big Apple to get inspiration for another novel.
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Recently I’ve been responding to “I’ve got your back” songs, like Nikka Costa’s AROUND THE WORLD and Jimi Hazel’s FACE THE DAY.
If anybody sang songs promising me eight hours of sleep, I’d be like so totally into those.
by Keith
on January 8th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
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*About that guy at the baggage claim*
Okay, Will, that made me laugh. Anyhoo, Pink Floyd is good mellow music, while ACDC on the other hand is good for getting the body moving. From the very first beat.
Heather…as a matter of fact, smart aleck, I *did* program the other three. With the help of the person who pointed that little known fact out. As for the camera, I think I have the taking picture part down. It’s the getting-them-from-the-computer-and-into-the-computer part that’s a little sketchy. Stay tuned for next Tuesday.
Thanks, Bente!!!
Theo…LOL. Yeah, that’s me. Hip. At all times.
B.E., ooooh love those paintings. Very nice!
Spyscribbler, there’s a christian contemporary song I *think* is called, “when God made you, He must have been thinking about me.” That’s the refrain anyway, LOVE that song. Always gets a knot in my throat.
Hi, Kate! *Big wave* Keep in mind if you buckle down, you might be able to HAVE those things one day. Because you’ll be a rich and famous author. 
Still waiting on you Lynn!
Bob, a 6-disc changer???? I can’t even imagine. My car really is behind the times.
Keith,FACE THE DAY is a great tune! LOL on the sleep. I bet you’re mighty tempted to put them back in those jail cells…I mean, cribs, aren’t you? I’ll be a few blocks from you Friday night. I’ll think about you and your little Hudinis while I’m drifting off to sleep.
by Laura
on January 8th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
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You know how to program your radio? I’m impressed. I finally figured out how to change my clock to the right time. Did I mention I’ve had the car for two years?
I was driving into Chemo one day and heard “If you’re going through hell…” by Rodney Adkins and cried all the way down Hwy 40 to Barnes.
Lynn
by Lynn
on January 8th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
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Have a great trip, Laura. Enjoy New York.
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Lynn, keep in mind it took me 16 YEARS to figure out I had room for 8 stations. And that’s only with help!  ops:
{{{Hugs}}} on the Adkins song.
Thanks, Stephen!
by Laura
on January 8th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
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Posted under the wrong name again… Have fun in New York, Laura! And happy birthday, in advance (again).
by JennieB
on January 8th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
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Are we talking about the same FACE THE DAY? It seems there are a few songs by that name.
(And actually, I think the version with 24-7 Spyz improves the original track.)
by Keith
on January 9th, 2008 at 4:56 am
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It’s official—I’m very late & it’s now Laura’s birthday! Have a wonderful day, (((Laura)))! Now you’ll have something else to read when you return from your fabulous trip to NYC! Heh.
Bob, I really like your choice of music, and yep, most of my favorites are from other eras. I listen to CD’s & the radio(local & Sirius stations) most all the time, too, to a very eclectic variety, depending on my mood & what I’m doing. The only exception is when I’m attempting to write–must have silence, as I tend to get caught up in the tunes and sing out loud,(usually off-key)and I’ve been known to actually write down strange lyrics in the middle of a story.
My list is very long & I know I’m forgetting some but here goes with my favorite musicians/singers/songwriters, in no particular order:
Rock & Roll:(The usual suspects)Beatles, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Stones, Doors,Cream,
Blind Faith, Jethro Tull, Ten Years After, Yardbirds, Hot Tuna, Jeff Beck, Johnny Winter, Canned Heat, Free, Humble Pie, Allman Bros.,Santana, Dire Straits, Chris Isaak, Dr. John, etc. etc.
Blues: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Bessie Smith, John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Lead Belly, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Muddy Waters, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry, Ma Rainey,Bonnie Raitt, T-Bone Walker, Ray Charles, Memphis Slim, James Cotton, Willie Dixon, Albert & Freddie King, Charlie Musselwhite, Mike Bloomfield, Jimmy Reed, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Roy Buchanan, Jimmy Vaughan & The Fabulous Thunderbirds, John Hammond, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers,Keb’Mo
Reggae: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals, Cocoa Tea
Female Vocalists/Musicians: Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, Patsy Cline, k.d. lang,Tracy Chapman, K.T. Oslin, Diana Krall, Iris DeMent,LeAnn Rimes, Joni Mitchell, Rory Block, Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams, Marcia Ball, Eva Cassidy, Nancy Griffith
Ballads, Country& Others: Jimmy Buffett, Neil Young, Steve Goodman, Townes VanZandt, B.W. Stevenson, James Taylor,Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Willis Alan Ramsey, Robert Earl Keen, Steve Fromholz, Louden Wainwright, Loggins & Messina, Terry Allen, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, David Allen Coe, Rusty Wier, Keith Whitley, Vince Gill, George Jones, Hank Williams Jr. & Sr., Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys, Asleep at the Wheel
Also like World Music which includes Celtic, African, Middle Eastern, etc. (non-Western)and for music sans lyrics, besides jazz I like some classical, ie. Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Vivaldi.
PS~ Hope that’s enough to satisfy you, Miss Bradford!:)
by Texas Lynn
on January 10th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
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Oh, I almost forgot my best-loved painters of all time are Gaugin, van Gogh, Klimt, Chagall, Klee, Matisse, Modigliani, Cezanne, Monet, Georgia O’Keefe & George Rodrigue.
Most recently I’m very passionate about the charming, other-worldly art of Martin LaBorde of New Orleans. (He’s even done some very cool wine labels) You can take a peek at his work here:
http://www.beegalleries.com/MartinLaBordePaintings.html
by Texas Lynn
on January 10th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
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