Metal Meredith

The Music of My Life

This week, in the middle of all of my financial woes, I splurged a little on myself and used my American Express points to buy an iPod. For those of you who are unfamiliar, this is a portable MP3 player that allows me to take music equal to many, many CDs of music with me wherever I go.

These days, I don’t go out too much. When I do, I am usually toting the required children’s nursery rhyme CD, Sesame Street CD and Muppet Movie soundtrack. Instead of having my car be a mobile CD rack, I bought this iPod.

It arrived Wednesday to little fanfare. When Phil got home he giggled and seemed to be way more excited than me. I managed to muster up enough interest to put some music on it and plug it in that night while Phil was out. When Phil arrived home, I was on my computer, hooked up to my iPod in tears.

It is amazing how much music has meant to me and what a major role it has played in my life. I innocently hooked up the iPod as I typed a few emails and reviewed some websites. I scrolled through album after album and selectively played all the songs I missed. After the third or fourth song, I became nostalgic. I remembered when Jeff Buckley’s “Grace” felt more like breathing than listening to music. I thought back to when the Counting Crow’s “Anna Begins” gave me answers to life’s most difficult questions. I could feel my heart breaking during George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” as if I was 13 again.

I am brave enough to admit that I am still in love with all things Madonna. I get giddy when I think about my Depeche Mode concerts. I don’t think I will ever get over meeting Boy George face to face. But everyone has those crushes right? Mine seem to go so much deeper. Sometimes, when I hear these songs, I want to be swallowed up by the music. I want to lose my physical self in the sounds and curl up into a ball. I can imagine just melting into the noise. This is what Phil came home to.

Phil walked in the door, tears streaking down my cheeks and immediately asked “What’s wrong?” The only thing I said was “I missed them all so much”. These songs, these long lost family members and missing friends. I had forgotten how much they all meant to me.

This week, I hope all of you take time to revisit an old friend, whether it is on CD, vinyl or tape. Take 3 minutes out of your day to get reacquainted with the person inside you that has been neglected for a while.

Best Wishes,
Meredith

PS. February 5th was MetalMeredith.com’s 1 year Anniversary. Can you believe it?