10 Songs I Can't Live Without

Keirda tagged me in this meme, and since we're making a documentary about music, I felt obligated to participate. As I started to list the songs I can't live without, I realized that a lot of them needed explanation. I believe that a person's favorite songs are very personal. They serve as a reminder of a person, a place, or even of a previous version of yourself. They never exist in a vacuum. Same goes with movies. This is why I fervently defend my favorite movies and songs, because they are as personal to me as a treasured belonging. With that said, the songs I can't live without, in no particular order.

1. "I Know" by Sarah Slean. I honestly can't live without any of Sarah Slean's songs, but I had to pick one. Sarah sings with an honesty that I sometimes am unable to handle. Her words both uplift and cut deep, and her songs are forever an inspiration to me. I have been a fan of hers since I heard "I Know" back in 1999. "I Know" is a hard song about the abuse of women, and I understand she rarely, if ever, performs it. My favorite lyrics "I would fight a thousand men, I'd fight fire, and wind, and rain. I'd cry a river of tears for them." Followed with the haunting cry of "Jesus, where were you last night?" It's so unfair to only list one of her songs, but I wanted to list the first one I ever heard of hers.

2. "Top of the World" by The Juliana Theory. Unfortunately, this band broke up in 2005, before I was ever able to see them live properly. I love TJT's songs, but picking this one was a no-brainer. It's such a great song about the absolute fun of being in love. "We're at the top of the world, you and I. We've got a lot of time, and it sure feels right." It just can't be expressed any better than that. The song is also easy to dance to, and when I first heard it thought it would be the song I danced to on my wedding day.

3. "Colorblind" by Counting Crows. This song will always remind me of "Cruel Intentions," and rightly so as it was written for a specific scene in that movie. There is such honesty in Adam Duritz's voice as he sings this, and it always hits home. "I am covered in skin, no one gets to come in. Pull me out from inside."

4. "Of Angels and Angles" by The Decemberists. This song reminds me of working at Georgia Shakespeare and Heidi Blackwell. When I worked in the box office at GA Shakes, Heidi would always play songs and this one stood out to me. It's so haunting and beautiful, you almost feel like you should only listen to it when you are alone in a room in order to shield yourself from the emotions that will come out. "There are angels in your angles, there's a low moon caught in your tangles." And then a beautiful way to express holding hands..."Here's a hand to lay on your open palm today."

5. "Boogie Shoes" by KC and the Sunshine Band. I grew up listening to disco, and my Dad was particularly fond of KC and the Sunshine Band. This song is so fun to dance to. As simple as these songs are, they are fun and great to put on when there's a lot of people in the room. This song was also featured heavily in an episode of one of my favorite shows, "Sports Night."

6. "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac. Picking one song off of the "Rumors" album was extremely hard. I love "Dreams" and "Don't Stop" and "The Chain" as well. The album is mostly about breakups and heartbreak, and "Songbird" is a nice reprieve from all of this. Christine McVie said she wrote it for the band members to know that everything was going to be alright. "Songbird" has been covered a few times, but the original version is my favorite. "To you, I'll give the world, to you I'll never be cold."

7. "The Math" by Hilary Duff. Well, I couldn't have a list without a teen pop song on it. Sorry guys. This song will always remind me of Rob Fine, and his complete acceptance of my love for Hilary Duff. (he shares it as well) It also reminds me of what was a dark period in my life, and Hilary Duff's songs helped me get through it. I truly believe that bubblegum pop can be mood-altering. "If you can't do the math, then get out of the equation."

8. "Why Should the Fire Die?" by Nickel Creek. Choosing only one Nickel Creek song was hard. This song is off the album of the same name, and arguably their best. The song addresses what could be the death of a relationship, but the singer's desperate need to keep the fire alive. I heard this song live right after a horrible breakup, and it gave me such hope for the future and for a promise that I would be with someone who wouldn't let the fire die.
"why should the fire die, my mom and dad kept theirs alive." "let me stay, and try and try for the rest of my life. I'm not scared of being alone,I'm just happier being confused,beside the fire as long as it's with you."

9. "Full of Grace" by Sarah McLachlan. Featured at the end of the finale of season two of Buffy, one of the best episodes in television history, this song had to be on my list. This song is so tragic and unbelievably raw. I only listen to it when I'm in a good mood. I'm too scared to listen to it otherwise, as it could be dangerous. "Oh darkness I feel like letting go.
If all of the strength, and all of the courage, come and lift me from this place...I know I could love you much better than this."

10. "Playing Favorites" by The Starting Line. This song reminds me of when I was making the decision to go to Chapman and move out to the west coast. It was an extremely hard decision, and this song helped me feel better about moving to California. "Wait for me to move out west, it's ok if you don't. I hope you know you're my favorite thing about the west coast. So here I am, counting down the days till California comes."

These were extremely hard to pick, and they were condensed from a list of 20. I hope this was entertaining at least.