Six for my Wife

Well, I just knew she-who-must-be-obeyed would bring this up, and my nostalgia gene was going to be the culprit. After reading my recent song post, she brought up the fact that I seem to be stuck in a decades-ago mindset. I guess I can't argue too hard on that one. The military geostrategist, Thomas P.M. Barnett, has said:

Morris Massey, an expert on conflict between generations, pioneered the argument. "what you are is where you were when ," meaning all of us reach a point in life where we discover a world larger than ourselves. At that point, we become cognizant of the morals we've developed across our early years, and those morals - or worldview - tend to persist across our adult years.

For most people, that fateful transition occurs in the teenage years, which explains our tendency to stick with the popular music of those years throughout adulthood.

Admit it - you stayed cool enough across your 20s, and maybe you faked it deep into your 30s, but then you woke up in your 40s and realized you absolutely hate your kids' music!

Don't worry. It happens to everyone.

So busted am I. I know I'm not alone in this. I'm sure there are countless number of (somber) males out there who've faced the same realization of when the female in their life proves their point (to their downfall). She even challenged me to post another six, this time for the last two years. Well, that's not going to happen because, for me, the song (whether old or new) and the moment have to percolate for at least that long for any of the engrams to form. Ooh... how's that for justification?!? So, I'll reach back a little further, dear, and grab some of the more recent music and memory commemoration--and yes, I can tie in old music with just over the hill events (I can do this because it is my blog, after all ;-P)

So, without further a do:

Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? (1996), after the birth of my daughter in '99 I could relate with this Bryan Adams song--especially since I came to realize I was under the dual effect of two of the most important females in my later life (and under the same roof!)

The Year of the Cat (1976), this old Al Stewart hit played on the radio during a particularly beautiful stretch of California coast as I wound my way in a car to Pebble Beach in 2005 (for what was a turning-50-gift from my wonderful wife)

The Sweet Escape (2006), who haven't really heard this song till you've heard it being co-sung from the backseat backup singers that are my children (in school carpool); wooohooo yyyeeehhoooo!!!!!

Cool (2005), "Dad! You're not playing this song, again, are you?!?" - my kids; I guess my children don't really understand that I appreciate the direction and editing of this piece (and both the track and music video are on my iPod)

Just Dance (2008), okay, I lied. Musical memories don't take years to formulate--I watched this music video on Virgin America's seat entertainment system on our way to NYC (and the song kept playing in my head whenever we were in Times Square)

Tears In Heaven (1992), around the turn of the century, while looking at my sleeping children, I realized this Eric Clapton song and its lyrics would never again be just another tune