I picked this challenge (Posting Challenge #9) as my first challenge because I thought it would be easy. Now I know why it’s called a challenge. I love music, but I’ve never thought of my life as a collection of songs, and only 10 songs at that.

Here’s my mix:

1. Summer of 69, Bryan Adams – this is the year it all began, so I couldn’t think of a more appropriate song for a June baby.

2. Grease, Frankie Valli – I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen this movie, how many times I’ve quoted characters in everyday dialogue, or at how many sleepovers the Greased Lightning dance was reenacted

3. Shining Star, The Manhattans – Patrol Camp, 1979. Troy Pepper was the counselor and my first childhood crush.

4. Karma Chameleon, Culture Club – Summer, 1984 in South Hero, Vermont…boom box, Lake Champlain, synchronized swimming routine performed for family (doubles with my sister). Oh yeah!


5. La Isla Bonita, Madonna (1987) – My friend Diane and I danced the night away in a Spanish disco. Lucky for us my Spanish was good enough to get us a taxi and get us back to our hotel….ah to be 16 again in a country with no drinking age. Those were the days.

6. Wind Beneath My Wings, Bette Midler – Played at the funeral of my dear friend Eric Pearson on July 6th, 1993. This was and is my low.

7. Hard to Handle, The Black Crows (1995-2003) Of course I wasn’t familiar with the Black Crows version until much later, I was familiar with the Midnight Special, Decoy Lounge version. A special “Thank you” to Eric Scott and John Luskey for the countless times they played this song for me. These were the “sow my wild oats days”.

8. Unanswered Prayers (1969 – present)– “I guess the good lord knows what he’s doin’ after all”.

9. Soak Up the Sun, Sheryl Crow – (2002) At the age of 31, I quit my full time job, returned to college and started bar-tending at a local beach bar. This song reminds me of “the beach”, “the girls” and all the fun we had “soakin up the sun”.

10. It’s Your Love, Tim McGraw – My husband and I didn’t have a first dance. We were married by the Justice of the Peace. I don’t really think we have “a song”, but if I had to pick one, this is it!

Jenn, 38, Belarus