Musical Regression

When I look at some of the most recent additions to my iPod, it looks like I might be regressing to my teenage years. I've added some Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson. A while ago I downloaded a bunch of Cyndi Lauper songs that would've been popular about 25 years ago, but based on those songs, I might be regressing to my elementary school years.

I was thinking about some of my recent music choices last night when I couldn't get Taylor Swift's "Fifteen" out of my head. I haven't purchased that song yet, but I do have "You Belong to Me." Both songs have to do with high school crushes.

I've also been ridiculously obsessed with Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" book series since May. And in some of my recent recreational writing I've plucked splinters of memories from my high school days to create characters or story lines. Does that mean I'm having a midlife crisis, trying to relive my "glory" days? God, I hope not. For the most part, I hated high school.

But, I do like a good love story, which explains the appeal of "Twilight" and the Taylor Swift songs. I also like music that's fun to listen to and sing along with in the car when I've a) had a really good day or b) need to blow off steam from a really bad day. And really, there's no other way to sing a song like Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You" than screaming it at the top of your lungs in the privacy of your own car.

When I get too worried about my musical regression, I scroll through the playlist on my iPod and look at the variety of music there. I take pride in the odd indie rock or jazz or classic country -- every woman needs a little Patsy Cline in her life.

I can't decide what my musical taste says about me, but it's fun to pick a different soundtrack for my life every day.