Ever wondered what your life would look like if it were a soundtrack? I have.  It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.  When I finished writing this list, I took a long look at the breadth and variety of music selections that stretch through the years of my life and I had to laugh a little. 

Some of my friends have looked and laughed and said, “Ew!”  to a few of my selections.  Honestly, it’s amazing that some of these artists were actually cool at one point.  Then there are the tried and true golden oldies.  The songs that still make me stop wherever I am and think back to those years.  This was never about having a super cool list of music.  It’s about remembering the music that hallmarks some of my most important and cherished moments in life.  These selections represent me and who I was at that time.  For my younger years, I wrote with my parents in mind because that’s what they were listening to at the time.

1976

“Close to You” by The Carpenters
“Walkin’ After Midnight” by Patsy Cline

1977
“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac
“Stayin’ Alive” by The Bee-Gees

1978
“Take a Chance on Me” by ABBA

1979
“In My Room” by The Beach Boys

1980
“Take Me To Your Heart” by The Eurythmics
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar

1981
“Break On Through” by The Doors

1982
“Thriller” by Micheal Jackson
“Gloria” by Laura Branigan

1983
“Legs” by ZZ Top
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler

1984
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cindi Lauper
“Jump” by Van Halen

1985
“Money For Nothing” by Dire Straits
“Crazy for You” by Madonna

1986
“Livin’ On a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
“Heaven is a Place on Earth” Belinda Carlisle

1987
“Love Bites” by Def Leppard
“Angel” by Aerosmith

1988
“Take My Breath Away” by Berlin
“Devil Inside” by INXS

1989
“Partyman” by Prince
“Shine On You Crazy Diamond” by Pink Floy

1990
“Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode
“Sweet Soul Sister” by The Cult

1991
“Tangerine” by Led Zeppelin

1992
“Enter Sandman” by Metallica
“Give It Away” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

1993
“What Time Is Love” by KLF
“Jeremy” by Pearl Jam

1994
“Smells like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
“New Orleans is Sinking” by The Tragically Hip

1995
“Dreams” by The Cranberries
“All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow

1996
“Ready or Not” by The Fugees
“What’s Going On” by 4 Non-Blondes

1997
“Man! I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain
“Waterfalls” by TLC

1998
“Building a Mystery” by Sarah McLachlan
“Where the Streets Have No Name” by U2

1999
“I Think I’m Paranoid” by Garbage
“Smile” by Olive

2000
“Someone Like You” by Paul Oakenfold
“Silence” by Delerium & Sarah McLachlan

2001
“Where’s Your Head At” by Basement Jaxx
“Born Slippy” by Fatboy Slim

2002
“Without Me” by Eminem
“Slippin Slide” by Deep Dish
“Stupid Girl” by Garbage

2003
“Laura” by Scissor Sisters
“In My Place” by Coldplay

2004
“Sweet Child O’Mine” by Guns and Roses
“Hey Ya” by Outkast

2005
“Crazy in Love” by Beyonce
“What You Waiting For?” by Gwen Stefani

2006
“Don’t Phunk With My Heart” by Black Eyed Peas
“Here Comes The Sun” by Nina Simone