Short Stuff

by Linda McThrall, editor

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Somebody asked me the other day if I have a soundtrack for my life.

Well, duh.

I have random songs going through my head all the time. Especially songs from “back in the day.” Each has a special meaning -- or not. Sometimes they really are just random songs, but most of the time, they are saying something to me, reminding me of something, giving me something to think about in my life. Or maybe every thought I have has an appropriate song for the occasion.

For instance, at this moment the Moody Blues’ “Your Wildest Dreams,” is zinging around my cranium. The meaning behind that song, I’m pretty sure, is that I’m going to win a Pulitzer someday. Uh-huh.

Another song I hear in my brain is another Moody Blues song: “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere.” That’s for when I will be winning the lottery.

Sometimes I hear Beatles songs. Like “From Me to You” for when I am trying to describe how far something is.

Another Beatles favorite in my random brain is “I Will,” because it seems I am always telling somebody I’ll get something done. Really. I will.

When I suddenly remember something, I might hear “You Were on My Mind” (We Five) or Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed.” (Sometimes it really is amazing when I remember things.)

I try really hard to stay away from sugar. I am pretty good at resisting chocolate, and cakes and stuff like that. But if it is junky candy (ie., marshmallow Peeps, Red Vines, etc.), I can’t resist. So I’ll hear REO Speedwagon’s song, “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” or Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” if I am struggling with a particularly strong craving.

As I work to meet (or beat) a deadline, Jim Croce’s “Time in a Bottle” pops into my head. Sometimes when I am really behind the eight ball, Carole King serenades me with “So Far Away.” If I am just spinning my wheels, The Byrds chime in with “Turn, Turn, Turn.”

After we get Let's Go out the door, The Eagles come to mind with “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” unless we had a particularly tumultuous time getting the issue out, and I might think of REM’s “Losing My Religion” When we’re having dissension in getting things done, eventually I’ll hear “We Can Work it Out.”

I hardly even need the radio. When I’m getting ready to go home, Willie Nelson blares “On the Road Again.” When my daughter said she needs to go to Denver this summer, The Turtles’ “Get Me a Ticket for an Airplane,” came up, while I also heard “How Do I Live without You?” as I imagine her going off to school. Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” describes that feeling pretty well.

Linda Ronstadt’s “Colorado” will remind me of my little pastry chef, and I’ll think about “One Less Bell to Answer” when the house is down to the parental units. When a kid is getting ready to fly the coop, “Free Bird” by Lynard Skynard is apropos. (And what’s any soundtrack if you can’t at least request “Free Bird”?)

So I guess if I run out of songs, I will hear “Your Song” by Elton John as a placeholder. And when the months go by and the Princess has been gone, I’ll imagine James Taylor singing “Fire and Rain.” Because after all, I always did think I would see you again.