I was a late comer to music. I enjoyed it, but never took an active interest in it--maybe it was because we had so many Broadway soundtracks and Disney musicals around the house--more than enough to keep myself and my sister busy singing along in the car on trips to swim meets, which we participated in year-round. (I still know the words to all of the songs in the Little Mermaid, as well as Into the Woods. "Giants in the Sky" will always be an all-time favorite). The rest of the time I was busy climbing trees, riding bikes, and building club houses.
I began taking guitar lessons in the fifth grade. The first song I learned was "Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles. I hate that song. It always makes my fingers hurt when I hear it. My guitar teacher was incredible--Steve Hoke--and he introduced me to a lot of different things that I was too tasteless to enjoy at the time. Nothing really spoke to me until I discovered the Dave Matthews Band. Then, in college, everyone had discovered DMB, and they didn't light my fire anymore. Luckily, my fabulous roomy, Mandy, was not only musically gifted, she was also a music shark. I was introduced to more genres in those years than ever before, and I began to understand what appealed to my inner rhythm. Law school beat that out of me, as it did many other things, and only recently have I come back to enjoying the sense of excitement associated with new, amazing music.
Initially I justified my hesitance to dive in and discover new music because CD's are expensive. And Sherando ain't rich. And it's always a dangerous venture to buy a CD when you only like one song. These were pretty bunk excuses, considering that I had an iPod, and the real reason I didn't want to dive in is because it's WORK--and I'm frickin' picky, and that really annoys me about myself.
However, even I can overcome. I've gone digital, thus mooting my enabling justification, and the experience has been electrifying. Pandora is a wonderful thing (and it's free, Free, FREE!!!). And although I'm a little embarrassed that I've only just come to enjoy what everyone else my age has known about since we were 9, it has been a fun time.
In the future, I hope to be able to associate this time in my life with Pink Floyd (my GOD, I LOVE them), Joni Mitchell, U2, Imogen Heap, Frou Frou, Kate Nash and Paul Simon (yes, Mandy, I have FINALLY come to appreciate Paul Simon). It's feel good music--all of it. And darn it if I don't LOVE to feel good.
Comments