I have pretty unique musical tastes for somebody my age, (22). Some of my musical taste comes from my mother, who interacted with a lot of these musicians in her early career. Not from my father, whose taste in music makes my ears bleed. 

5. Tom Petty- Full Moon Fever (1989)

I’ve always liked Tom Petty, and Full Moon Fever is no exception. I bought this album on cassette for like a dollar for my project car, which only had a cassette player at the time. A lot of the songs on this album, like Free Falling, were very influential at certain parts of my life. I can’t even listen to that particular song anymore, without being flooded by nostalgia. I in fact, don’t really want to listen to it again to not ruin the way it brings me back. Also kind of a fun fact, but my mother met Tom Petty in the 80’s at a party, and he was so strung out on drugs that he wasn’t functional and could barely speak. Sounded like a great time.

4. Live- Throwing Copper (1994)

There is a radio station in the DC-ish area called DC101 that used to exclusively play 90’s-00’s rock. It sucks now, and plays pop music for some reason. Nevertheless, that station was always on in my fathers car, because I hate his music. They always played a couple songs from this album, and that kinda stuck with me into adulthood. Around that time, I discovered listening to the entire album, instead of selecting songs. This album itself is one of my favorites, and a rare case of an album where I like every single song on it. 

3. Supertramp- Breakfast in America (1979)

Another one of the albums my mother always listened to growing up, this is another one of the few albums I can stand to listen to in its entirety. Also has some of the best album art I’ve ever seen. Pretty much all of the songs are catchy as can be, and there’s a lot more instrumental depth to them compared to most modern music.

2. Talking Heads- Remain in Light (1980)

I could listen to this album all day. It’s so unique, and every track has its own sound to it. I could listen to The Talking Heads all day, easily. Another group where you can read into the lyrics, and actually comprehend meaning from them. David Byrne is definitely a character, but a musician genius at the same time.

1. Dire Straits- Brothers in Arms (1985)

One of the best summers of my life, I had this album on repeat the entire time. One of my close friends at the time always had some songs from this album playing in the car 24-7, and a few of them got stuck into my head to this day. While again, I can’t listen to some of them without immense nostalgia, this album still has been and always will be one of my favorites of all time, because of the music and the memories. 

2 Stars

Below are the 5 albums that shaped my taste. I have a rather eclectic music taste and this photo certainly shows that.

My favorite songs from each of the albums are as follows:

Every album, except for Lewis Capaldi, I grew up listening to, so they all have a special place in my heart. Lewis Capaldi’s album just came out this year and its amazing and is worth a listen to.

It was fun reflecting on my childhood to discover which albums played an important role in creating and refining my tastes. I used Canva to create the album covers. I’m slightly disappointed that the entirety of the album wasn’t able to be shown.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskTQ2EiK

Hunter Hayes: Hunter Hayes. I’ve listened to Hunter Hayes since I was a Junior in high school. I listened to it in my car everywhere I drove for about a year. It was also the first album I ever had signed by the artist when I met him at a concert.

Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift. I’ve been listening to Taylor Swift since her first album. Middle school and high school without T-Swift wouldn’t have been the same, and I still listen to her today.

Now That’s What I Call Music: 19. It was very hard picking just one Now album. Now 19 had the music that pretty much defined the years going from elementary school to middle school. “Incomplete” by Backstreet Boys (their comeback song), “Making Memories of Us” by Keith Urban, “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefanie, “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers, “Mockingbird” by Eminem – almost everyone loved a song that was on this album.

Reba: Keep On Loving You. Nobody beats Reba. This was really hard to pick a specific album, too. “Consider Me Gone” was her 24th #1 hit in her career. My mom and I used to listen to her Reba cassettes from the 70s, 80s, and 90s all the time.

Lonestar: I’m Already There. Lonestar was one of the best country groups ever. They didn’t stay popular as long as Reba McEntire, but they still had tons of hits, and they were the soundtrack to my elementary school years. My dad and I listened to plenty of Lonestar (and “I Saw Her First” still makes him tear up).

Back in my music loving days artists didn’t put albums together so much as they worked at creating top singles, so we will have to work with that.

It does seem a bit silly for a grown man to write about what sorts of music helped form him and all, but what can it hurt? Now, don’t you go thinking that these are listed in any particular fashion. That kind of sorting and sifting is simply too much after a long day at the job.

1) Good Morning Little School Girl by Sonny Boy Williamson

This is my canary Lenny’s favorite song. She has the most chipper taste-when this came out in 1937, most singles were as depressing as can be. This song’ll do wonders for a run down spirit.

2) With Plenty of Money and You by The Ink Spots

Talk about chipper! This song always makes me dreamy. Ma always said I was a dreamer, before she went to the home and all, I mean. I guess you could say this tune reminds me of her, though not directly.

3) It’s Only A Paper Moon by Cliff Edwards

Oh boy, was I young when this track was fresh. It reminds me of simpler times and all- keeps me in touch with my youth, know what I mean? Besides, those lyrics are just unbeatable.

4) I’m In The Mood For Love by Frances Langford

We had a beautiful wedding. Me and Lenny, I mean. No dame is more beautiful than Lenny, especially the way she looked that day, but I will say that dancing with Lenny while Ms. Langford played in the background made the whole celebration extra neat.

5) Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland and The Victor Young Orchestra

This song is the song to close a decade. This song managed to encapsulate the emotion behind the whole thing- folks in the 30’s were awful down, but somehow still awful hopeful. It was probably all of those memories from the golden days that kept them going.

Gee, I know I didn’t say it about all of these numbers, but each one manages to remind me of Lenny in some way. Back when these tunes were going strong, we were truly happy.

Alright then, I had better turn in. All of this sharing has tuckered this ole gumshoe out.