An author’s playlist

Some writers listen to music while writing books. I can’t really do that because it’s too distracting for me, and when I get into my “flow” writing a chapter, I can’t really hear anything outside my head anyways. But I do have an iPod and I have a favorites playlist like anyone else and listen to it when jogging or mopping the kitchen floor. So in case you ever wondered what was on my playlist, these are ten of my top favorites and why, in alphabetical order.

 

Can’t Fight this Feeling (REO Speedwagon) – reminds me of junior high school. It’s also a song I played to a girl I fell in love with and married.
Hallelujah (Canadian Tenors) – I love the harmony of these great singers and the sadness of the song. This is my favorite version, but others are good too. Reminds me of the story of King David and how the mighty can fall. A cautionary tale.
I See Your Smile (Gloria Estefan) – this was the theme song of my Landmoor books as I was writing them. My favorite line: “tell me if I’ve ever made you feel ashamed”
Lead Me (Sanctus Real) – learned about this song on Father’s day on Facebook years ago and it’s become one of my favorites. It’s a great Virtus song and it reminds me of the importance of my most critical job – being a good husband and father.
Magic (The Cars) – a great one from high school. Love the harmony. It’s also about magic. What’s not to like!
Only Hope (Mandy Moore) – from the movie A Walk to Remember … a great Virtus movie. Love how the bad boy turns into a good guy because of a girl with faith.
The Promise (When in Rome) – another favorite from high school and the movie Napoleon Dynamite.
Someone to Fall Back On (Aly Michalka) – this is from the movie Bandslam, which I thought was cute. I love movies about geeks and nerds. Favorite line: “I will go crashing through fences…in your name…”
Walk Like an Egyptian (The Bangles) – I’ve always loved this song since the first time I heard it in high school.
You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban) – this is my all-time favorite song. Hearing Josh in concert at the Arco arena was amazing. I love it because it makes me think of my beautiful wife. Wish I could sing like Josh and perform it for her.

 

For the record, my favorite band in high school was Def Leppard—but they aren’t on iTunes yet, so don’t have any of their songs on my iPod. True story—when I was a teenager, I was often asked to play prelude music on the piano in church before our final classes. One Sunday, I played “Love Bites” very slowly and softly. My fellow teens stared at me in shock and horror but I was amazed at how many compliments I got from the adults who had no idea what I was playing. Not sure my parents ever found out, but they sure didn’t enjoy me pounding out “Armageddon It” on the piano at home! My tastes in music have softened a bit since then.

 

Happy July 4th!