Good Charlotte always reminds me of the smell of birthday cake. Just like Reliant K brings me back to warm May afternoon, singing and dancing in the grass at a concert with Becky.
And whenever I hear Sublime, I chuckle a little, thinking of the time when Janelle and I were on the marching band bus coming back from Elizabethtown and began to sing … loudly. After about 10 seconds, we realized we weren’t just humming a little tune to ourselves but belting out off-key, note after note.
I’ve always loved music. It wasn’t just for the simple enjoyment of listening to a melody or admiring a particular talent (which I also do), but for the power a couple of different notes and some lyrics can hold over people.
Music has the ability to reach into your heart, grab your emotions and toy with them however it likes.
Hearing Gogol Bordello always brings back a strange mix of sadness and laughter when I think of my grandfather, who passed away a few years ago.
He was a big polka fan (no, I’m not joking), and one day my sister and I made him listen to this gypsy punk band, who sang a song about wearing purple.
Well, every time we saw him after that, he had us bring over our headphones, so he could hear that song and remark on how “catchy” it was.
I can’t think of anything that can bring back a memory as vividly as music can. Although the smell of Noxzema face wash may make me faintly recall vacation with Becky, it’s hearing “Ice, Ice Baby” that brings me back to Becky and I driving down the beach, vowing to learn all of the words to the rap (which, proudly, we did).
For Christmas, my friend, Janelle, gave me one of my favorite gifts I’ve ever received — a mix CD with songs that documented our entire friendship.
Random songs fill the CD’s 15 tracks — from “Laguna Beach” (a show we would quote endlessly), marching band (oh, those crazy bus rides) and the ’90s (remember LFO?).
Whenever I need a little pick-me-up, I find the CD labeled “To Kendal, From Janelle,” pop it in and let the memories flow back.
When I’m old and gray, instead of a carefully crafted scrapbook (I’ve never really been that crafty), I’ll instead have a collection of CDs.
Any time I’m feeling a little nostalgic, I’ll grab a disc and sing along with the Spice Girls.
After all, who could forget standing in line for the “Spice World” movie, only for it to be sold out?
I know I can’t.
Kendal (Gapinski) Kloiber 