If I Could Only Have 10 Songs

1.  Nightswimming by R.E.M.
Whenever I hear the piano at the start of this song and the haunting quality of Michael Stipes voice it still gives me goosebumps.  I used to listen to this song over and over and I could still spend hours diving in it's beauty.

You, I thought I knew you
You, I cannot judge
You, I thought you knew me,
This one laughing quietly underneath my breath
Nightswimming

2.  Closer to Fine by Indigo Girls
When I'm feeling less than me.  When those times hit me when I feel lost, lonely and weak I put in the Indigo Girls and with their music and lyrics I'm able to find myself again.

I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind
Got my paper and I was free

3. The Places You Have Come To Fear the Most:  Dashboard Confessional
Someone that I don't even know wrote a song about me.  Isn't it freaky when that happens.

Buried deep as you can dig inside yourself
And covered with a perfect shell
Such a charming, beautiful exterior
Laced with brilliant smiles and shining eyes
Perfect posture, but you're barely scraping by
But you're barely scraping by

4.  Just Like Heaven:  The Cure
It was the first boy that I ever kissed who introduced me to The Cure.  I was in 7th grade and he was an older guy from a nearby school district.  The Cure still remains in my musical blood.

I kissed her face and kissed her head
And dreamed of all the different ways I had
To make her glow
"Why are you so far away?" she said
"Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you
That I'm in love with you

5.  Bless the Broken Road:  Rascal Flatts.
As an equal opportunity musical connoisseur I can find something in all genres that speaks to the soundtrack of my life. 

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

6.  "A Little Death" from A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim
The wife and the other women sing the amazing lyrics of the Sondheim musical that I basically know by heart.  Into the Woods comes in second to this as my favorite Sondheim.

He smiles sweetly
Strokes my hair
Says he misses me
I would murder him right there
But first I die
He talks softly of his wars
And his horses
And his whores
I think loves a dirty buissness

7.  Verdi Cries:  10,000 Maniacs
When I hear this song, or any song by the Maniacs, I'm brought back to sitting in my bedroom working on AP History essays and reading some primary reference or preparing to leave home for college.

I draw a jackal-headed woman in the sand,
sing of a lover's fate sealed by jealous hate
then wash my hand in the sea.
With just three days more I'd have just about learned the entire score to Aida.

8.  Let it Show:  Jen Chapin
Jen is Harry Chapin's immensely talented and intelligent daughter.  If there was one thing I could impart on my daughters it would be the message of this song.

Find your joy and let it show.

9.  4th of July:  Shooter Jennings
This song brings back some of the most bittersweet of recent memories.  My ex husband and I listened to this song and sang it to each other over and over again on our last road trip before all hell broke loose in our lives.  I let him keep the CD in the divorce.  When either one of us hears this song I know that we think of each other  and that trip and we remember  it wasn't ALL bad.

You were pretty as can be, sitting in the front seat
Looking at me, telling me you love me, and your happy to be,
With me on the 4th of July
We sang Stranglehold to the stereo
Couldn't take no more of that rock n roll
So we put on a little George Jones and just sang along
and im looking for you in the silence that we share

10.  Animal by NiN
Because every girl needs a stong to strip to.