The Best non-video game Songs EVER OR The Music and Me pt. 1

There is very little context for this list. These are songs that I find myself going back to constantly for reasons I don’t understand. Each song represents a moment in time for me, a girl dated, a friend lost, a Transformer purchased….milestone moments. I have a deep infatuation with pop music from 1960-now. I have always had soft spot for singer songwriters from the 70’s as well. I loved Brittany Spears when she came out and have most ABBA songs memorized at this point. Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, and anything Motown is on my playlist. Huge Delphonics fan. I listen to a lot of rap/hip-hop, that music takes a more functional role in my life mostly during workouts and things.

I have to say, I grew up being very embarrassed by my musical taste because as a black man..well it’s not very black. I stay current with hip-hop etc more out of obligation than passion but it’s something that has always been an interesting topic to navigate. Music is such a cultural signifier. My history with music is more relative to my mom and dads. I grew up listening to P Funk and Luther Vandross. I didn’t buy my first rap album until 5th or 6th grade. I’ve always had a lot of shame that I like other genres of music more than rap. Part of that is there is a hyper-exaggeration of black “performance” that happens in the suburbs. Black people weren’t policing my blackness it was white people. I had a hard time dealing with that growing up. That ended when I got back into more black communities that truly represented the wide variety of interests/talent in music that our people have.

Also, Todd Rundgren is as great as you’ve heard. All that said! I also love listening to music while playing racing games. Test Drive Unlimited, Forza, and Blur are probably my most musical games and back when I was playing myplayer I went through a deeeeep depressing Kid Cudi phase. Feel free to listen and make fun of my musical tastes! 

Kid Cudi- These Worries (NBA 2K12, I was in grad school and during breaks I would play all of his albums while laying in my grandmothers living room gaming on her TV)

All-Star- Smashmouth (life, whenever I am sad, this song makes me happy. Reminds of high school parties)

Wait for Me- Hall & Oates (the perfect song, listened too a lot during my sales time at Cox Radio)

T.I.- King Back (I used to think I was cool in college, so….I listened to Trap Music and relaxed in the suburbs. )

Clair de Lune- Claude Debussy (there was a midi version of this song on Windows chat and I played it constantly when MSN chat was a a thing.)

My Hero- Foo Fighters (takes me back to a time when I watched music videos on MTV)

Show me the way- Thundercat (this is a recent jam that is carrying me through some hard times at work)

By your side- Confunkshun (listened to this song driving home from playing basketball at the dayton salvation army)

Promentalshitbackwashpsychoisenema Squad (P. E. Squad the doo doo chasers)- Funkadelic (my dad played this song when we found out Grandaddy Tommy died, it took me years to hear this song and not cry. Now I love this song because it reminds me of a very poignant moment. I was sitting in a beige interior green Volvo S70 while this was playing and I was internalizing the realizty of my grandfather’s death)(nice car, weird door handles)

Close to you- The Carpenters (Karen Carpenters voice is proof that God is real. When Apu got married they played this song at his reception)

Strange magic- ELO (this song reminds of a friend/former RA, she always like ELO)

Mama- ELO (see above)

Witchita Lineman- Glen Campbell (I love this song, it paints a really interesting story. I listen to it when im running. Makes me think about things other than running)

Tuesday- ILoveMakonnen (this song is strikingly beautiful while still being something you can play at a party and not make the event somber. I listen to this song a lot on Fridays) (Friday is the new tuesday)

2SEATER- Tyler, the creator (Driving with SJ to Kenwood, great driving song and a beautiful piece in it’s own right. this goes has like 3 distinct stanzas and it could be 3 songs but Tyler the creator doesn’t roll like that)

Fucking young/Perfect- Tyler, the creator (Z-Bones)

Michael Jordan – Kendrick Lamar (I listened to this song a lot while I was flying to Hall Director interviews, it was a nice song to keep me from freaking out about being too high in the air)

It’s up to me- Lil’ Wayne (this is the realest song wayne ever made, the pain of him losing his father resonates in a way that few do. He was only 16 or 17 when this album came out and you can tell. My best friend from grade school’s father died and this song was the anthem)

I’ll Die for you- lil’ wayne ( weird sort of rock song off of a weird sort of rock album, i work out to it)

Living inside myself- Gino Vaneli (depressed summers, Goshen Joe)

This one’s for you- Barry Manilow (the single greatest song ever written and performed by man. I heard this song driving with a basketball coach to a game and never stopped)

Lay me down- Barry Manilow (I am depressed)

Crazy- Paul Davis (Dumped by who I thought was the love of my life…..hurt)

Off the wall- Michael Jackson (Best MJ song. Fight me.)

Leave a tender moment alone- Billy Joel (Reminds of a girl from grad school, she loved Billy Joel)

Benny and the Jets- Elton John (this is one of the few songs my wife always listens to if it’s on the radio. I still can’t place what my wife really likes musically so I hold dear the songs that I know matter to her. this song was also playing when I almost drowned in a pool at Myrtle beach. Some red head saved my life. I hope shes ok)

Raspberry Beret- Prince (WRF)

(no video available copy right claims, etc)

Dont hang up- 10cc (still depressed)

Cry- Godley and Creme (very depressed)

Steppin’ Out- Joe Jackson (another song I know my wife likes and I think it’s amazing, always play it on long road trips)

Kid Charlemagne- Steely Dan (just a good song, will never turn it off if it’s on the radio)

Bootsy- Physical Love (High school, played it a lot while practicing basketball and not doing homework)

Funkadelic- Adolescent Funk (see above)

WHAM- Last Christmas (when Jesus promised his return, many Christians have been waiting but they fail to see that his return was in the form of song. That song is Last Christmas by Wham. Don’t ever play the Glee version. ever. )

S Club 7- Never had a dream come true (watching TRL and love lost)

Styx- Renegade (high school football, Scaggs, life)

In conclusion, sometimes while listening to Andy Gibb I ask myself, “Why did God spare me and take such treasure away from us all?” RIP Andy Gibb. Never Forget.

Peace.