I’m not going to make a big deal out of this, especially since it’s Tuesday. I’m simply going to say I’m back on the treadmill, which means Marathon Monday is back on the blog. But I thought I’d do something a little different this time. To keep my interest in running as well as in writing about running, I’m going to turn Marathon Monday into Music Memory Monday. Here’s why and how.
Like most people, I run with an iPod. I hook it up to my treadmill’s sound system and go. And like most people, I have music on my iPod that is hard core, kiss-ass cool as well as rather embarrassing. This strange combination keeps me moving, and I think I’ve figured out why. It’s not a profound revelation or even an astute observation. It’s more like “it’s about time you jumped on the understanding-the-connection-between-people-and-music bandwagon.”
I love music. I love listening to it, and I love thinking about it. It stirs a range of emotions in me that I like feeling. I like feeling the pain in Janis Joplin’s voice when she challenges a former lover to take a piece of her heart. I like feeling Carrie Underwood’s anger when she takes a Louisville Slugger to both headlights. I especially like nodding to Aretha Franklin’s dictum to call the funky low down feeling of moving left to right, of rocking steady, “exactly what it is.” And there is nothing like getting lost in the brilliance of Led Zeppelin.
Music also stirs a lot of memories of shared times with friends and family. Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long” evokes thoughts of my high school friends. Anything by The Police reminds me of my college roommate, Tania Metcalf. And the Grateful Dead’s “Ripple” will always hold bitter sweet memories of my Aunt Anita.
Every time I run I have these feelings as I remember these people and the time we’ve spent together. So, in addition to the weekly updates with the statistics of the miles and times and drudge of the running, I thought I’d also pick a song on my running playlist and share a memory.
This post is already long enough, so I’ll start next week with the music memories potion of Marathon Mondays. Stay tuned and I tell you all about tambourines, Anne Gram, Michael LaMacchia’s Midwest Tour, and Billy Preston’s “Will It Go Round in Circles.” For now, here’s a little taste of what’s to come (By the way, don’tcha love his hair!):
