Music Genome Project

I wish I could claim this as my own novel idea, however I cannot do so. One of my good friends from Tufts who is much more creative than me has taken on the endeavor of discovering what is the soundtrack of life. Such a project can be seen in many different lights from the abstract to the quite literal. However, what he was going for and what I hope to mimic is to learn what are the songs that define you as a person. It can be taken in the direction of the songs that resonate with you, songs for when you are angry, happy, in love, or in a fit of rage. They can be songs that you use to get ready for the clubs, to find your inner peace, or just to escape from the world. While most of you are probably thinking that this is a piece of cake I already know what my favorite songs are I want you to take a step back. I am not asking for your favorite songs, I am asking for the songs that define you as a person.


What I want each of you to do:
1. Chose 10 songs that define you.
2. A short description of why you chose that song.

I have already begun working on the soundtrack of my life and I find that it is continually changing. However, I know that there will always be certain constants that I will forever resonate with my mood. I took the approach of finding songs that correlate strongly to nostalgic moments in my life, but I am curious to see what each one of you makes of this assignment.
My list in no particular order:

Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd (The Wall Disc 2)

I am a huge classic rock fan thanks to my dad and i-95 and my love for Pink Floyd only increased after hanging out with my roommate in Davis Square. This is perhaps from one of their greatest albums and maybe I am choosing it as a symbol for my overall love of Pink Floyd. I specifically chose this song because I think it is one of the sexiest songs I have ever heard. Nothing beats putting on this song, fading out and just letting the moment take you.


Stay or Leave - Dave Matthews (Some Devil)

Produced when Dave went solo for a bit, all his songs had a more melodramatic tone. I am not saying I am depressed, but this song always reminds me of my summers in Brookfield. More to the point it reminds me of high school when I would go down to the lake, spend all day swimming, and end the day with a bonfire. It doesn’t help that I have several mistakes with my relationships and this helps me recall those times.


Stand By Me - Ben E. King (Greatest Hits)

Ok, I may be a dork, but this is my “favorite” song. I have it in quotes because if I had to think about all scenarios and what really strikes a cord it would be this song, yet obviously it is not appropriate at all moments. This is also my mom’s favorite song and I enjoy the simple message and do-whop beat.

Since You’ve Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson

I may regret this and I think I do as I write this synopsis. Yet, part of me can’t help from putting this as one of my defining songs. Everyone has that one song that they are embarrassed to admit they like and this was one of my more open secrets. Like Patrick’s Third Eye Blind, this song takes me back to high school when this would blast in the weight room and no matter how big the kid, we would all bust out to the chorus.


Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O’Connor (Greatest Hits)

Another love song that I can jam out to at any hour of the day. Her voice just sounds so desperate in this song and it is so damn sexy. The message is pushing for personal independence, yet harps back to the importance that we aren’t anything without someone to share it with.


Her Beautiful Ideas - The Guggenheim Grotto (Happy the Man)

I first heard this song only two years ago while I was driving to work in Brighton. I couldn’t get enough of it and I fell in love with this band. They are a duo from Ireland and I just love this entire genre of music. Based again on love, it is just an uplifting song and I enjoy the several different beats they have meshed together. It is definitely a walking song and you can see me walking down the street to the beat.


Babylon - Outkast (Atliens)

Really I wish I could put this entire album on the list. It is so perfect and exemplary of Outkast. I love each of their albums in different ways, but the early work of Outkast is just so raw. This song just has the greatest quotes from Andre 3000 and I can still recite the whole song.


Would You go With Me - Josh Turner (Your Man)

This song single-handedly got me into country music. I love his voice and it was kind of ruined for me when I finally saw what he looked like. I always imagined a dirty cowboy who was a mild alcoholic and very disheveled. Yet, I still love the song and it is great for just singing along to while you are cruising down some windy country roads.


Friday I’m in Love - The Cure (Greatest Hits)

Listening to I-95 Classic Rock Brookfield Danbury. This song always comes on and I never had the heart to change it. You can’t help but feel good about yourself when this song comes on with the light beat and who can argue with the voice.


Street Lights - Kanye West (808s & Heartbreak)

This song reminds me of my last connection to Tufts. Anyone who knows me knows that I didn’t have the best college experience and I was glad to finally leave. However, this song reminds me of my closest friend from Tufts who is perhaps the most difficult friend I have ever had. I always recall hanging out in his room, talking about nothing or art, and heading out to the clubs. I came very close to losing this friend who I would have swore was my one true friend from college and it reminds me of how fragile friendships really are.


Runners Up:


Holiday in Spain - Counting Crows (Hard Candy)

What can I say, I studied abroad in Barcelona for a year and they mention it in the song. I made some of my first true college friends while abroad and also came close to losing some of my most important friendships in the process.


Cat’s in the Cradle - Harry Chapin (Verities & Balderdash)

I am sticking with the theme of life messages. It is a constant warning to me of what not to become and to remember that I am living the one and only life I am going to have and I shouldn’t waste it always trying to reach my next goal. I think of my dad who works so hard for my family and how I too one day want to be a father.