My Life's Mix-tape.

I was feeling very nostalgic today because my Alarm decided to play Gloria's ubiqutous Feel the Rhythm to wake me up-- Oh eh-oh-eh! So I decided to compile the songs that remind me of key chapters in my life.

Yes- this is pretty much the mixtape of my life. :)

1. Another Day in Paradise- Phil Collins

"She calls out to the man on the street--'Sir can you help me'?". This song has always been a huge part of my childhood, triggering memories of vacations in Mumbai- and trying (and failing) to ignore the horrifying poverty and violence in the city around me. "Sir can you help me" always makes me visualize the ragged, starving young mother toting a malnourished child- knocking on the window of the car, or taxi I travelled in. 

Is it any wonder I prefer to brave the crush of humanity on the Mumbai trains?

2. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds- The Beatles

This is a strange choice I know- but my dad loved to hum it at random times. This song triggers memories of attending parties as a child, and my memories of those gatherings always feel like I was in the land of glittering Lucies in the Sky with Diamonds, with giantesses in their silks and gold, and singing, dancing and laughing giants. The light used to glint of amber, blue and green hued bottles and glasses scattered on every flat surface. I later found out that this song was a not-so-subtle mnemonic of LSD, and composed when the Beatles were "tripping on the lights fantastic". 

But before you start thinking I spent my childhood on Jack's beanstock, or in a Hippie Commune getting high on LSD, let me clarify that the giants in question were with my parents' friends, as seen by my shorter self- and the colorful glasses in question were their tipples of choice. 

3. Promises- The Cranberries

It was this song, and not "Lucy" that made me a fan of rock. Its not a great song by any stretch of imagination, but when I was 13, The Cranberries released this album in time to comfort me as I reeled from the loss of close childhood friendships, and non-stop bullying in school. I used to play this on the family's portable CD player (remember those 50 pound boom boxes with the "D" batteries?), and make up increasingly bloody vengeance scenarios and escape into an alternative reality, where I was strong and nobody's victim.

In other words, my thirteen year old self was dreaming about being my 27 year old self. ;)

4. Stan- by Eminem

Another favorite song- Stan, from my favorite lyricist, Eminem. A symbolic choice- this was the song that made me pay attention to Rap, and poetry, and the beauty of the written word. When I heard it for the first time, I thought it was beautiful in its rage, and honesty. I was probably the only kid in my school that was listening to Eminem- everyone else was hung up on the Boy Bands. Eminem inspired me to spend much of misbegotten teenage years trying to write down the angst, anger and hurt in rhyming verse.

Naturally most of it was shit. ;)

5. Gimme Hope Jo'anna by Eddie Grant

This song always brings back warm memories of what I call my political awakening. It was 1998, and I had just read a book on Nelson Mandela, and the apartheid. (Yes I was a nerdy 14 year old) The only reason why the Apartheid really struck a chord with me was all the rampant racism I had to deal with as a kid. But apartheid wasn't the only issue that I was concerned about. All of a sudden- I was engaging in online (Internet Relay) debates on animal rights, pollution, eradicating nuclear energy and weapons, war, and of course, racisim. 

I continued my debating into college- but I turned my focus on Socialism, Pacifism, and our beloved leaders' failures and success. These were quite possibly the best years of my life.

6. Twenty Something- Jamie Cullum

Ah the lovely early twenties- as a freshly minted NUS graduate full of eagerness, questions and big plans. :) I think the song speaks for itself.  Who'd have thought finding that perfect job, and happiness would be such an arduous journey?

7. Fade by Staind

The 2nd dark chapter- when workplace bullies, stress and anger sent me into a downward spiral again. This time it felt worse, because I went from a high of confidence and happiness, into this dark, depressing hole- and shame about me being left behind while other friends moved ahead in their careers made me cut off from the world and keep the pain to myself. 

This song is dark and depressing- but representative of what was pretty much the real Div- trapped inside- screaming to be set free. Is it any wonder I had it on replay for a very long time for much of 2008 and 2009?

8. The History of Everything- by Barenaked Ladies

I decided to overcome work bullies and other related depressions by doing the thing that made me so happy the first time around. So I went back to college to study- a Post Graduate Diploma, followed by my masters degree. I thought my bachelor's degree was fun, but it didn't have anything on the masters. 

Is it any wonder I graduated near the top of my class? ;)

9. That Don't Impress me Much- Shania Twain

This is the no-brainer- and in reference to all the idiots I've met in the grand matchmaking experiment. They lyrics were practically written for the situation don't you think, "You think you're a genius, you drive me up the wall, you're a regular, original, a know-it-all. But That don't impress me much- don't get me wrong, I think you're alright- but that won't keep me woman in the middle of the night". ;)

Yeah- they didn't impress me... much.

10. Feelin Good- Nina Simone

So here I am right now- Freedom is mine- and I know how I feel- its a new dawn, a new world and a new life for me--- and I'm feeeeeling good. Plus it rocks that it was sung by a woman. Micheal Buble's version sounds like tepid tap water in comparison don't you think?

So what's in the mix tape of your life so far?

~deviousDiv