Musical Stuff

The other day I touched on music and how it can affect you (well how it affects me, but I use the language as I wish). Marvin Gaye's music brings out the love, but other music brings out other feelings.

If I'm driving long distance I need hot music from my past to keep me going.

Unfortunately when I start singing (okay, squawking for those of you who've heard me live), I start speeding without realizing it. I'll glance down at the speedometer ( a rent-a-car of course, with a working speedometer since my car doesn't deal with such petty information anymore) and shock myself (ooops - 97 MPH, I didn't mean to do THAT), I'll give the gas a break for a while and go with the flow of traffic. I might stop the CD player and listen to the local radio station for a bit. I usually go for "urban" radio, but once in a while I might listen to country of classical music.

Country music is safe for driving - at least until something like, "Jesus Take The Wheel" comes on. I can't help looking around to see who's listening to the same station and actually letting Him take the wheel while they apply makeup, eat a salad, or argue with their wife. After watching some of the other drivers on the interstate, I make a soon to be broken promise to myself to drive 55 for the rest of the ride.

Classical music is hazardous for me in a car. It usually starts out quietly, so I in turn drive at a moderate pace. The tempo and volume increase so I have to drive faster to keep up. Crescendo! By the time the movement climaxes, I'm driving over 90. The big (f*%^!!) ticket I got on the N.J. Turnpike was a direct result of my listening to classical music.

I can no longer listen to any type of music while walking down the street because I'm overly conscious of the beat, and have to step along with the music. Fine if I'm listening to something with a moderate beat - less fine if a song like "Whip It" by Devo is playing. Imagine watching someone trying to walk down a busy sidewalk as if they were being controlled remotely by a comedienne with a wicked sense of humor. The sexy aura I'm famous for goes right out the window and people literally stop and stare.

Music works for me if I'm making an entrance somewhere and the beat is just right. That awkward walk into the club becomes my personal fashion show down the runway if something jazzy is playing.

Or not.

Sometimes the music changes mid-entrance and I'll find myself prancing to "Country Road, Take Me Home" or something else I hate and I have to admit, the look isn't good. It's hard to do the sexy walk thing with a smirk of distaste on one's lips.

I've talked about me being stoooooooopid in the gym. The "Rocky Theme" is the worse thing I can listen to while working out. Amadeo noted another song that has a similar effect: "The fighting theme for "The Karate Kid". They both make me feel invincible, mighty, dum-dum-dum-dum: Super-chick! I'm answer D on the health quiz - none of the above and my body pays for the music for days after the event.

Certain music is mood killing. "A" and I sleep with the TV on every night, and don't consider program changes while in the mood for love. We've had to stop once we realized that early morning TV includes Gospel Hour and it's hard to feel sexy while someone is screaming, "Jesus". (correction, it depends on who's screaming and in what context, but I think you guys know what I mean).

"Musak" makes my teeth hurt. I hate certain elevators and rest rooms that are wired to the same station that all dentist seem to use. I sort of wait for the drill sound and even though I know I'm not at the torture chamber, my subconscious reacts to the sounds.

Rap automatically takes me back to Afro-puffs and the 'revolution' until I listen to some of the lyrics. "Lean with it, rock with it" or "My laffy-taffy" don't exactly call for social change. Rock isn't good for me at certain times since I'm usually compelled to play the air guitar which doesn't go over too well in the produce aisle. For some reason, when I listen to rock I really believe I can sing and I've scared people with "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" at the wrong moment in time.

Neo-soul and R & B are my favorites for almost everything. Right now Lupe Fiasco just makes me smile - no matter what I'm doing. Ceelo in any form (in any collaboration) is a good mood maker and Jill Scott is inspirational to me (know what I mean? -wink!)

What music works for you guys?