Music as Fuel—and Substance

I swear, the right music is like rocket fuel for my brain. I wonder if everyone works better to music, or if I’m just wired this way. I’m not much for new music (which, at 53, maybe isn’t saying much), but today I worked nearly six hours without a break because I loved every song more than the last.

My “John Hughes Soundtrack” playlist has been my companion: Lick the Tins with their quirky version of Can’t Help Falling in Love at the end of Some Kind of Wonderful, Molly Ringwald dancing to We Are Not Alone in The Breakfast Club, the soaring string-soaked love theme from St. Elmo’s Fire. Then I slid into Alanis, and finally into Amy Winehouse (yes, late to the party, I know). Every track felt like an old friend showing up at just the right time.

I hate that “desert island” game where you’re only allowed five albums. Five? As if. My list would be a suitcase. At the very top: Earth, Wind & Fire, Steve Miller, The Stones, CCR, The Beatles, Tears for Fears, Public Enemy, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Paula Cole, Fleetwood Mac, INXS, Talking Heads, Culture Club, Elton John, Billy Joel, Queen, The Fray, Run-DMC, Paolo Nutini (New Shoes), Nine Inch Nails, a-ha (whose Scoundrel Days is still one of the best albums I’ve ever heard), OMD, Stevie Wonder, Michael and Janet Jackson, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Oingo Boingo, Marvin Gaye, Sinéad O’Connor, The Beach Boys, The Real Roxanne, Joan Jett, Prince, Bowie, Carole King, Pat Benatar, Madonna, The Bee Gees, ABBA, Eagles, Kate Bush, Journey and Steve Perry solo, The The, Talk Talk (It’s My Life is still my favorite, though No Doubt did it justice). And that’s not even counting Rage Against the Machine, Rick Springfield, The Outfield’s Your Love (“Johnny’s on a vacation far away…”), The Beastie Boys, and all the grunge that came out of Seattle. Honestly? The list is endless, so I’ll stop here.

Some songs pull me straight back to a time and place. Depeche Mode especially. I can still feel the crisp air of those 2 a.m. sneak-outs (until I got caught) and even remember the smell of the Z we took.

I feel like so many artists back then had something real to say. Maybe that’s an old-person thing to admit, but it wasn’t just about the hook — it was about the substance. Not every song today feels built to last.

The Joshua Tree was my first CD, and I wore it out twice. So no, I can’t tell you the hottest underground band right now, but the music I do know feels like some of the best ever written. Sure, some songs hurt and I skip them. But bouncing in my chair to My Sharona while I work, singing loud enough that my neighbors probably hear me (they all speak Spanish anyway), makes me end the day knowing I didn’t just get work done. I enjoyed it.

I didn’t even notice the sun setting. It’s nearly 9 p.m. here in Spain. I didn’t eat today, but music fed my soul, so I guess I’m good.

What music fuels you? Leave me a comment — I’d love to know.

Too many great songs and memories from this one!