The Right Sheet of Music

Life without music would be a tragedy, writes Nietzsche, unless it's the Phantom of the Opera, and then in tragedy, you burst into a song. I'm a creature of habit, and my favorite songs are like a well-oiled machine. I've probably worn out numerous records in my head, but those songs will always be in my top 40. I have eclectic tastes with music, but when I find a song I like, I don't try to fix what's not broken. I love it like a love song and keep hitting Repeat...peat...peat. Here's a list of the songs that had an impact, for one reason or another.

Escape - Craig Armstrong

It doesn't matter what you pair it with, Escape by Craig Armstrong can turn even the most mundane footage into Homer's Odyssey. It took me what feels like forever to find the name of this track, circa Plunkett & Macleane Trailer after trailer taunted me, and I had to scour the darkest reaches of Google. Until the day I found the name of the song featured on The trailer of The Patriot. I've been listening to it ever since.

Aaliyah - At your best

Age ain't nothing but a number, but this melodic hit from R&B singer Aaliyah still resonates years after it was recorded. It's easy like Sunday morning. This song first played at work, the words seeped into the music. Should you ever feel the need to wonder why? Let me know after you listen to it.

Sixpence None the Richer -- A million Parachutes

The snow is falling, and there's something nostalgic about this ballad. Lead singer Leigh Nash voice accompanies the perfect song for a snow day. It's nostalgic and tender, and it makes me long for slippers, a housecoat, and get cozy with a cup of cocoa. I'll wait for the dogs to fall asleep, and daydream. All those million parachutes, now a blanket of white...

Kiss Me

It was 1999, and She's All That was the rage. A young Freddy Prince Jr was still in demand, and Rachael Leigh Cook blossomed on the screen, as the geeky, awkward protagonist of the film. I spent hours trying to find this classic. I tried the soundtrack to Burton's Batman, and couldn't find anywhere I looked. Until one fateful day, I discovered it. Kiss Me is one of those timeless songs, that never ages. Years into the future, I can still see it as popular as when it was first released. Much like Faith Hill's This Kiss, the trail marked on your father's map still leads to a classic.

There she goes

Sixpence none the richer is on a roll. Another hit from the late 90s, a rendition of a beetle's classic that would make Ringo Starr proud.

Brighten My Heart

Getting in touch with its Christian roots, Sixpence None the richer delivers one of its better original tracks. It is sung as a prayer between created and the creator, relying totally on the creator as the source of all things. One of their best tracks and one that no fan of the group should go without listening too.

Melody of you

Faith Hill -- This kiss

I don't have the answer to Cinderella's question, but snow white probably enjoys listening to this song too.

Anthony Hopkins -- And the waltz goes on

Although I've never followed his tenor as Hannibal lector, Anthony Hopkins has my respect as an actor. Both as Tom Cruise's mentor in Mission Impossible II to his turn as a bumbling, yet lethal, character in RED2, Hopkins is a man of many talents. I was surprised to find out that he also is a composer. True to the adage, you're never to old to try something new, Hopkins began composing. Andre Rieu does a phenomenal job and treats it with respect. It's thoughtful, stirring, and adequately boisterous in the places where it needs to be. Enjoy!

Chopin - Prelude in E minor

Chopin is like wrapping my head in a soft pillow. Some of Chopin's nocturnes feel as though he wrote them in his tears and dried his eyes with each sheet of music. With the swagger of Zeppelin, and a cigarette dangling from the side of his lips, Page's performance is one of the most unforgettable songs ever played. Page did an outstanding job with this rendition. Melancholy has met its match.

Honorable mentions.

JSRF - Oldies but happies.

You can watch the aforementioned videos, or you can just listen to the playlist on Spotify. Regardless of which you chose, please enjoy the music.

https://open.spotify.com/user/31c3qzi3k6derje3b4skvjxlgz7e?si=39d8b7044b0f4928