Tracking Down Tunes: BFF Memories

We're back for Tracking Down Tunes! Lindsey of Bring My Books & I are teaming up on this collaboration, inspired by our mutual desire to broaden our musical horizons. Basically, we both listen to music the same way: we find a favorite artist or album or track and listen to it nonstop. In an effort to diversify the music we listen to, we decided it would be fun to go out of our way to listen to new songs - and that it would be even better if we could recommend stuff to each other. So, every month, we'll be sharing our monthly playlists (for the previous month) with all of you!

I have always believed in the power of friendship. There's nothing like knowing that someone loves and accepts you for who you are, and chooses to be there for you no matter what is happening in your life. I'm incredibly blessed to have formed relationships with some of the very best ladies I know! When I came up with my songs for this playlist, I thought about the songs that evoked shared memories, and the songs that reminded me of specific individuals, and came up with this mix.

I'll Be There / The Moffatts – Pat & I first met when we stood next to each other in our morning class lines. The one thing I will always remember about the first year of our friendship is that we both had band obsessions, mine was A1 and hers was The Moffatts. While there are plenty of songs I could have chosen, this is actually one of their songs that I remember most without any prompting!

If You Come Back / Blue – In high school, I met my friends Jaymee & Nicole because we were seated next to each other (and that’s because we all have surnames that begin with letters towards the end of the alphabet). The three of us, as well as our friends Pam and Pat, shared an obsession over Blue, a British boy band, and I had to pick one of their classic tunes to represent that time.

The Journey / Lea Salonga – One of my best friends is actually also my second cousin, so you could say that Bianca and I have known each other for years (having first met as tiny babies). We’ve honestly been through so much together, good and bad, and I think our friendship is all the greater for it. I had to pick a song that Bianca had performed at some point, but it also worked out that it represents our own friendship journey.

I'll Make a Man Out of You / Donny Osmond + Cast of Mulan – Hidden away in my external hard drive somewhere or on an old CD is a video of me with my three college roommates – Bianca (mentioned just one item ago), Rachel & Mutya – being silly and singing along to this song. Just hearing it always reminds me of our nights of insanity together, and all the ups and downs of our dorm and college lives.

Just Dance / Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis – Not only is Rachel a dancer, but she and I were also really into Lady Gaga when she first came onto the scene. It was a no brainer for me to choose one of her songs to represent our friendship! Plus, I'll always remember being out and dancing to this song.

Dark Blue / Jack's Mannequin – I never really listened to music in the vein of Jack’s Mannequin before Mutya introduced me to that particular genre. I don’t listen to it as often nowadays, but I will always remember Mutya introducing me to this song and both of us just blasting it on our iPods.

The Man Who Can't Be Moved / The Script – A year after I had moved to the US, Jaymee and I had one of the best concert experiences of our entire lives when we went to see The Script at Rumsey Playfield. Not only were they incredible performers, but the entire atmosphere was crazy amazing – especially when they sang their debut hit, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.

Wonderwall / Oasis – At any point in the time when she was still living in the US when we were at karaoke, Pam always picked this song to sing. It’s not hard to see why since it’s very popular, the lyrics are easy to remember and pretty much everyone will sing along. Whenever I have a karaoke session now, I always make sure to have this song on the playlist because it reminds me of her.

Good Time Comin' On / Jana Kramer – There are so many songs I could have chosen that remind me of Rachel. But we both fell hard for Jana Kramer and her music last year, and it seemed like a given that I would pick one of her songs. I feel like this song just encompasses all the awesome experiences Rachel & I have (and will continue) to share.

Incomplete / James Bay – It was always going to be a James Bay song that I would choose to represent Danica. You guys already know that I spend a lot of time with this gal (we’re coworkers and best friends who obsess about a lot of the same things), but we definitely share a mutual love (well, obsession) for James Bay. He’s an amazingly talented singer-songwriter, and I need more music from him, stat.