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My husband and I were driving in the car together recently with the kids. We were listening to the radio and suddenly The Goo Goo Dolls song Slide came on. We both looked at each other and smiled.
Isn’t it amazing how one song can bring you right back to a specific time and place? How your brain becomes instantly flooded with memories of a moment in your life? I recently was reading Carolyn’s blog and she wrote a post about how music can really establish an emotional connection with us and that’s exactly what I experience with certain songs. No matter how old the song may be, it will bring me right back to that time in my life as if it were just yesterday.
Slide by The Goo Goo Dolls was super popular when I first met my husband. It was one of those songs that we would often hear when we were out together. At the time, I was a full-time elementary school teacher commuting to NYC in the evening to earn my graduate degree. There were many weeks that would go by in which I would only see him for a few hours. My schedule and his schedule were so different and to make matters worse, we didn’t live close to each other. We had to make the best of the limited time we could spend together.
So we would often meet in Northern NJ just right outside the city, usually in a bar or restaurant to grab a few drinks and some food before I headed home. Although this was another “crazy” time in my life, it was so much fun.
I looked forward to leaving class and driving out of the city to see him, even if it was just for a few hours. It didn’t matter that it was a random weekday night and that I had to be up early to teach the next day. I was running on adrenaline and anticipation of seeing him and spending time with him. And I can’t tell you how many times we would listen to The Goo Goo Dolls play in one of the bars.
When I hear that song now it brings me right back to when I was 23…all I have to hear is the beginning of that guitar riff and my mind is instantly filled with wonderful memories of when we first met.
And although my life used to be days filled with absolutely no responsibility of paying a mortgage and raising kids, I still wouldn’t trade anything for my days now which are of a much different kind; filled with my daughter’s “Goo Goo” voice and the actions of my very own two little Dolls.
As crazy as life can sometimes be as a Theta Mom I love my life just where it is…and my Goo Goo Dolls just where they are.
And the songs that play on the radio today will one day bring a smile to my face. Because I will think of my children and remember them just as they are, right now.
{ 86 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: LauraBlue24
February 1, 2010 at 1:05 pm
you are so right about music bringing you back. I heard that very song on my ipod this morning, great song.
I post about music fairly regularly, it is so important.
Twitter: lpurtell
February 1, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Me too .. I just listened to the entire Iris CD this weekend.
I also love “Hey Jealousy “– which I always thought was the Goo Goo Dolls – but it is the Gin Blossoms.
I took my daughter (9 yrs) to her 1st concert this year – the Jonas Brothers, & we’ll see Taylor Swift in May. We all share the love of music & it is wonderful.
thanks for taking me back,
Lesley
Twitter: mrsaddison
February 1, 2010 at 1:26 pm
What a beautiful post! I love hearing songs that take me back like that!
Twitter: ThetaMom
February 1, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Leslie – “Hey Jealousy!” I remember that was such a huge summer song when I was in high school! Isn’t it amazing how certain songs bring you right back?
And thanks Shay and Vodka Logic!
Twitter: thegrownupchild
February 1, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Thanks for the shout out Heather! I love the Goo Goo Dolls. When my husband and I were still dating, we went to a concert and saw Live. He loved the band and their songs always make me smile and think of him.
Thanks again! Great post.
Twitter: tattytiara
February 1, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Makes you wonder what song someone’s writing somewhere right now that’s going to come to mean the world to us, eh?
Twitter: ThetaMom
February 1, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Tattytiara – exactly! And you are welcome Carolyn!
LOVE the goo goo dolls!!!
Lifewithsweetcheeks.blogspot.com/
Twitter: AnotherMomOf2
February 1, 2010 at 1:48 pm
What a beautiful post! This brought tears to my eyes. I know exactly what you mean. I have songs that take me back to high school, to college, to my wedding day.. and now songs that associate with my kids. Music can be so powerful!
Twitter: baptistness
February 1, 2010 at 1:52 pm
You are so right — I bet many people could make a soundtrack for some special moments in their lives! I know music does the same thing for me!
Twitter: RedSoxGirl10
February 1, 2010 at 1:53 pm
This definitely happens to me too, so many songs bring me back. I don’t necessarily want to be back to those times, but they are often good times to remember
Kenny Chesney talks about this song/memory thing in his song “I Go Back” hehe
Twitter: ThetaMom
February 1, 2010 at 1:53 pm
So glad you can relate ladies! Music does give us that emotional connection. Love it!
Great stuff! It is funny how powerful music can be! I keep getting chocked up whe I hear a song called “little guy” that I put on my blog. So excited about being a daddy to a 3 week old.
Thanks so much for popping by the other day!
Shane
http://www.calgarydaddy.com
Love your blog- I’m following you from MBC and would love it if you would return the follow as it is sooo sad only to have 7 followers!!!
Twitter: dailydribbles
February 1, 2010 at 2:03 pm
That is sweet. What a great pic of your Goo Goo dolls!!
So many songs bring me back to the very place, the very moment that I heard the song. It’s amazing.
Twitter: 3littleonesblog
February 1, 2010 at 2:11 pm
I totally agree – it is amazing how certain songs bring you right back to a period in time. The other day Amazed by Lonestar came on (it was a song that played when we were first dating) and the kids were talking like crazy in the car and asking for their favorite songs to be played. In unison, my husband and I responded to the kids “as soon as this is over – can you pls be quiet though until it’s over” – lol!!!!!
Twitter: ThetaMom
February 1, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Thanks Kmama, and methusula mum, I’m off to check out your blog!
Twitter: ThetaMom
February 1, 2010 at 2:14 pm
OMG Jackie, we must be close in age because “Amazed” was a HUGE hit when my hubs and I were dating! And I know what you mean about being “quiet until the song is over…” LOL!!!
Twitter: heely22
February 1, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Today is Music Monday over at my blog and I posted some of my fav. tv theme songs. They took me back to being in elementary school and lying in front of our console tv on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Music def. has a way of taking us back to a certain time period, event or even a specific day in our lives.
Twitter: ElliaCNaturals
February 1, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Love that song (in fact, I love most things Goo, LOL)! What a wonderful memory to share with your hubs
Twitter: ThetaMom
February 1, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Thanks Bullfrogs & Butterflies – Love my Goo Goo Dolls!
Twitter: _MamaJules_
February 1, 2010 at 2:53 pm
I love how music can take me back to another place and time. But I still wouldn’t trade what I have now. Great post!
Twitter: thismamaworksit
February 1, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I actually have mixed CD’s (remember the days of mixed tapes) with all my favorite oldies of yesteryear…And my hubby as a playlist of just our songs. I love and I love thinking back on those times.
Twitter: http://la-mode-at.blogspot.com
February 1, 2010 at 3:14 pm
This is a lovely post ! I enjoyed reading it!!!
and sometimes when I do miss when I had no responsibilities and I just had fun but my family is priceless and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Twitter: ThetaMom
February 1, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Nikki – Thank you, sounds like you totally get it.
And This Mama Works It – I do remember mixed tapes!!! lol
Twitter: clueless_mama
February 1, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Hey gal, you really do have a way with words. I LOVE my music too, although I am with you. Nothing beats the sound of my babies voices. Great pic by the way. Your little girl makes me want to squeeze her little cheeks:)
Twitter: lemead
February 1, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Yes … yes! More than any other sense, I think, sound takes me back. Certain songs are inextricably linked with specific experiences or moments in my life. To the point where often when I’m listening to the radio (really only when I drive) I feel like I’m ping-ponging through memories, with every song yanking me back to a certain year in my life. Mostly it’s wonderful and nostalgic, sometimes it’s heartbreakingly sad.
Thank you for writing this.
OH, I know!! There’s this song that Clint Black sang back in the 90′s…and it goes something like, “Ain’t it funny how a melody…can bring back a memory??” And it’s true.
My husband teases me because I always seem to know the year a song was released. It’s because so many songs will remind me of a specific time/place/event. Great post!
Goo Goo dolls, I went to see them with my husband before we were married! Your kids are adorable!
Twitter: salt_says
February 1, 2010 at 4:14 pm
What an awesome post! I think this is why I love listening to the station that plays all 80′s tunes so much. It’s always happy memories of when I was younger, with my hair in a side pony and singing Madonna into a hairbrush in my room. Music is so powerful that way.
Twitter: ThetaMom
February 1, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Ladies – Thank you for your comments, they are spot on!
And Salt -Madonna with the hairbrush, you found me out. Yes, that was us singing “Borderline…” LOL
Twitter: magicordinary
February 1, 2010 at 4:25 pm
What a terrific post. Love the Goo Goo dolls. I just love it when I hear a song and it takes me back to another time and place. Thanks for the smile!
Yep…you are SO right. And I love when that happens too.
Twitter: trinmom
February 1, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Love that song and the memories it brings back…
I wonder what those songs will be that remind me of my babies at this age and stage… Which will tug at my heart and bring back the sights smells and sounds?
So funny to think that we’re making memories each and every day, but that really is what we’re doing. Gotta make it count.
Aww..thats sweet. Its crazy how that happens. Its exciting to think of what songs will trigger memories of these days, right?
Twitter: shellthings
February 1, 2010 at 5:23 pm
How sweet!
Songs definitely hold powerful memories for me.
It is very interesting how songs do that to us! I remember the older ones the most!
Twitter: themommyologist
February 1, 2010 at 5:58 pm
I have so many songs that bring me back to my younger days! I agree though and wouldn’t go back or change my life now for anything!
Twitter: idontlikemama
February 1, 2010 at 6:00 pm
How true! We always dancing in the kitchen or singing in the car. I look forward to looking back and saying to my babies remember that song?
Twitter: IAmConfessing
February 1, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Music always “takes me away”… I actually have a funny memory about “Slide”. I was 17 and in high school when it came out, and my then-boyfriend told me it was “our song”, because it reminded me of him. Obviously, not good memories– because we only dated for about 2 months!
~Elizabeth
Confessions From A Working Mom
Twitter: coffeeandsippy
February 1, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Isn’t this true! There are some songs that just bring me right back to when I was in college and my husband and I were just care free. Although we are blessed to have the life we have now, sometimes it is nice to just relive (in your mind) the days where the romance was fresh, and your biggest concern was when you would see each other next!
Alicia from Coffee Mugs and Sippy Cups
Twitter: ThetaMom
February 1, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Yes, I agree – Music gives us that ability to be totally taken away!
Twitter: magicordinary
February 1, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I just left something for you on my latest post. A little thank you!
That is so true! It makes me think of Clint Black’s song, State of Mind.
“Ain’t it funny how a melody–can bring back a memory–take you to another place in time–completely change your state of mind.”
I love those songs that make me feel 23 again!
Music does that to me too.
I saw the Goo’s in concert with Sugar Ray at some fair in MI when I was pregnant with my oldest son. I was so miserable and felt like an idiot in my big muu muu maternity wear.
“could you whisper in my ear, the things you want to feel . . . ”
love that song. was never the biggest goo goo dolls fan, but have ALWAYS loved that song.
“Oh May, Put your arms around me, what you feel is what you are and what you are is beautiful.”
Great song.
Twitter: ThetaMom
February 1, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Kiran – “Oh May, you wanna get married? Or runaway….”
The BEST song!!!
Following from MBC FFF.
Twitter: Leslie_Limon
February 1, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I love when an old song comes on the radio and whisks me back a couple of decades!
My hubby found a lot of old mixed tapes at his mom’s house the other day and we have loved listening to the “oldies”!