Let’s prime the pump to the well of your memories with music.

We’ve all had a song come on the radio that reminds us of a certain time or event in our lives. I can be shopping at TJ Maxx and hear Rod Stewarts “Tonight I’m Yours” song come over the Muzak and immediately be taken back to gym where we decorating for my junior prom — flirting with Alan, wearing my short shorts and hiding under the parachute… but I digress. I start singing along with Rod and my daughter pretends she doesn’t know me.

It is widely believed songs can stimulate memories. Let’s delve deeper. Think about it — as small children, songs are used to teach us things like:

• the Alphabet (Now I know my A,B,C’s)
• Animals (Animal Fair)
• Counting (Five Little Monkeys, Ten Little Indians)
• Direction and Learning Body Parts (Hokey Pokey, If Your Happy and You Know it)

We teach our children family favorites and songs from our childhood as they are growing up. We used to sing “You are my Sunshine” and “School Days, School Days” incessantly when taking car trips when I was young. To this day, on a car trip I have an overwhelming urge to break out in song.

In school their are pageants, choirs and talent shows; clubs and school songs; popular songs from school dances and proms; teenagers are known to form bands to express themselves musically. On through our lives music plays a large part — the first dance as husband and wife; the songs chosen for a wedding… or a funeral; songs for birthday or anniversary parties; the song that was playing when you had your first kiss in a car, the lyrics that always remind you of the one that got away — music is tied to our memories.

This weeks’ prompt is to write a memory that is triggered when you hear a certain song. Is there a song that never ceases to take you back in time — no matter where you are or what you are doing? Tell us the song and the artist and write your memory. I have included some songs below to get you going. Use one from the list or share your own (I’m sure my eclectic taste in music is not appreciated by everyone)

Rock on…
Mandee

We Will Rock You – Queen
Babe – Styx
Everybody Loves Somebody – Dean Martin
You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
Wonderwall – Oasis
Afternoon Delight – Starland Vocal Band
I Honestly Love You – Olivia Newton John
I Got You Babe – Sonny and Cher
I’m a Bitch, I’m a Lover – Alanis Morissette
My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
Take This Job and Shove It – Johnny Paycheck
You Never Even Call Me By My Name – David Allen Coe
California Girls – The Beach Boys
Come as You Are – Nirvana
Celebration – Kool and the Gang
Thriller – Michael Jackson
Something to Talk About – Bonnie Raitt
I Want You To Want Me – Cheap Trick
Long Way Home – SuperTramp
Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton