Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Whether You Want to Know or Not

In college writing classes a writer is asked to picture their audience when they write any piece. Being the star student I am, whenever I sit down to write down to write a post I picture my audience. I used to picture droves and droves of people all over the WORLD who really like a good story. Now that I haven't been blogging as regularly I picture my Mom. And maybe Shannon every other day or so.


The whole reason I even bring this up is because as I was formulating my blog post while putting Emily down tonight I knew I wanted to ask a question of my audience at the end but I'm not real sure anyone will comment. And that makes me so sad. You don't want me to be sad, do you? C'mon, leave a comment! And for crying out loud, leave a question for The G Spot.

So I spent much of my day being a lazy turd on the couch because I had a big headache. While I was lying around I made a sweet little playlist that I like to call "I Was Drunk the Day My Mom Got Out Of Prison"...yes, that's right--17 country, drinking songs. I figure it will be the perfect playlist for camping, floating the Deschutes or barbecuing with any of the Niles' clan. Its got some classics on it like Margaritaville, I'm Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer, Tequila Sunrise, I Need You Now (the Lady Antebellum song that Shannon and I cannot get enough of) and Family Tradition because really, what's a good barbecuing with Niles' playlist without some Hank Williams Jr.?


One of my favorite playlists these days is my house cleaning playlist which includes some sweet and jiggy Beyonce, Eminem, Lady Gaga and I'm not ashamed to say it, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. I have Hit Me Baby One More Time right next to Rock Your Body so that somewhere in the universe Justin and Britney will be together, where they belong.


On the whole other end of the spectrum I have my workout playlist that is full of bumpin'-praise-Jesus music. I love me some David Crowder Band and have Oh Praise Him and Here is Our King. There's also some Chris Tomlinson, Lincoln Brewster and Michael W. Smith on there. I know, I know "1992 called and wants their Michael W. Smith back" but you can just stick it. Not only is this playlist workout worthy but its also good for bike rides and for car rides with the kids when I just can't take anymore Psalty praise songs. Samuel loves this playlist because it has his alltme favorite Our God Saves on it--the Paul Baloche version). Now if I'm in the car on a road trip and everyone else is sleeping then I'm listening to sermons because I just gotta have me some Josh Mann and Steve Fowler on the highway.


Speaking of road trips, there are only 2 cd's we ever listen to while rolling through the Rockies from Idaho to Montana and that is John Denver and Jim Croce. There is nothing like listening to Rocky Mountain High while reaching the peak of Lookout Pass.


One very versatile playlist is my "Smooth and Easy" playlist and its jammed packed with some Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. I've even managed to get my real Dad (Rod Stewart) on there with his sultry version of I Don't Wanna Talk About It and I love listening to it after the kids have gone to bed. I have a glass of wine and fold laundry, or look at a magazine or snuggle with Hot Jeff. This playlist is versatile because it can be the perfect baby-makin' music or the perfect break-up blues playlist. A melancholy lady could cry for hours while listening to In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning or I'll Be Seeing You.


Finally, my 80's playlist, made by the assistance and insistence of Hot Jeff pretty much brings down the house. This playlist is a must for laying out in the backyard getting some sun. And while I'm laying out in the sun my kids usually interrupt me so I start working in the garden or pulling weeds and I just love me some Bon Jovi, Rick Springfield and BOY GEORGE. I could just listen to Betty Davis Eyes, Hold Me Now and If You Like Pina Coladas all.day.long. And are you kidding me, what woman in her 30's doesn't imagine kissing Andrew McCarthy every time she hears If You Leave? Not me.


So what are your favorite playlists? Do you just like a good beat or do lyrics mean something and remind you of a certain time and place? What playlists get you going? Which ones make you want to kick back and drink wine by candlight? Be specific because I may want to make one like it.

13 comments:

Bex said...

Best line in this post? "I have Hit Me Baby One More Time right next to Rock Your Body so that somewhere in the universe Justin and Britney will be together, where they belong." I couldn't agree more!

I use my iTunes Genius feature to sort of make playlists as I go. I'll be honest....I primarily listen to like Hillsong, Jesus Culture, Desperation Band, etc. for every thing. BUT if I am in the mood for something else, I use Pandora. I've got a kickin John Mayer Station and a Lady Antebellum station. :-)

Jennifer said...

Again Becca, our kindred spirit-ness shines through in our desire to see Justin & Britney reunite.

jana said...

Basically the only play list we listen to these days is "Finn" which is comprised of what JJ calls, "Coffee House Rock." We figured we'd do our best to keep Finn away from the kids music and try to get him to like our music. Right now it's working. But, he's 5 months old, so he doesn't really get to whine too much about it yet.

Vanessa said...

Ok, so, I feel like I am spilling little secrets about myself, but when I am in the car alone, running around town, I listen to Guns-n-Roses, AC/DC, Led Zepplin and a lot of that classic rock stuff! At home, while making dinner, I listen to a lot of jazz and classical on my little kitchen under cabinet CD player. And Jennifer, you would love the group Pink Martini! They are an Oregon based band and fabulous! With the kiddos we have been listening to some old school Music Machine and Bullfrogs and Butterflies. That's just how we roll!

Mia White said...

My favorite music to bop around the house to is... DISCO! Seriously, just TRY to keep me from dancing when disco comes on. And my other favorite is classic oldies... Doo-wop, Johnny Cash or beach boys, anything! I think I was born in the wrong decade.
So are we still friends? ;)

Christy said...

I like gwen stefani, ben folds, barenaked ladies, the kids like the kids album barenaked ladies put out called snacktime. Reagan likes billy joel & ben folds, she really likes the piano. I also like me some green day, regina spektor, johnny cash, the beach boys, and u2.
Lincoln likes his Jesus music that the church gave him last year & the pop corn song from BNL snacktime album.

Laura Fenske said...

I'm not a big music person *gasp*! I enjoy music but I don't naturally gravitate to put it on throughout the day. But I love Alison Kraus.

Maryanne and AJ said...

I don't currently have any exciting playlists but I do have one in my head if I were to make one. I am feeling a bit nostalgic as we sold our car that AJ picked me up in for our very first and many dates to follow in. That first date he had a great CD playing he had made and I remember Enya being on there. So my playlist is mellow, calm and Enya-like music. Takes me back 9 years to the day I met the man of my dreams. Ahhh, those were the days.

thedebackerfam said...

If knew how to download music and if I had an Ipod, I'd listen to smooth jazz, the Beatles and Cuban or Brazilian dance music,. You just can't be unhappy listening to Latin tunes.

Jessica said...

Well, if we are being honest here I love the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack because The Bee Gees and John Travolta are flippin' awesome!
I'm a huge Gnarls Barkley fan and I swoon at the mere mention of John Mayer or Justin Timberlake. He will NOT be reuniting with Britney, by the way, because he already told me I'm the one!

Jennifer said...

Jessica, I love the BeeGees! Vanessa, you are Hot Jeff's musical kindred spirit!!

Rhonda said...

I can't believe you ask a question about music and don't honestly expect to wade through all of the comments. Hmmm. Well, I have many different playlists...depending on mood. I also mix and match them depending on what is going on that day. I don't really listen to music that my 7 year old cannot or should not be listening to. I have Christian/Praise music, oldies "Oh What a Night", country oldies Don Williams, classics Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin, latin Enrique Iglesias, 80's/Disco, ballads, instrumentals, funny Ray Stevens, cowboy music from the 50's-today, I honestly listen to it all. Sorry, don't go for the hard rock or screeming guitar. :( I know, I know. I really listen for the lyrics and most of the time music that goes with my mood. Some songs make me remember times, places or people, and some songs just make me want to move my body...the macarena. So, more than you wanted to know I'm sure...but thanks for askin'. I truly believe that you need some Enrique Iglesias or other latin music to spice up your groove! Whether you are feeling sassy, spicy, sexy or sedate, you got it all in latin music. Just so you know. Hey, just think, you may even find that it leads to salsa classes or something fun for just you and Hot Jeff. The kids may pick up Spanish, move to Latin America and be bigger than either Brittany OR Justin. :)

Kim W. said...

I love Adele, Duffy, JJ Heller, Dave Barnes, Dave Matthews *swoon, just to name a few!! :)