Music in Honor of my Hometown: Valdez, Alaska!

I had to change my 80's music playlist . . . to give you MORE 80's music. I made a playlist that reminds me of growing up in my sweet little hometown, about 3 months ago. (No, I haven't had time for that kind of thing, recently!)

Since I'm going to Valdez in 2 weeks, I thought I'd pump myself up!! And Emily, I really wish you still had your "Eagle" so we could cruise Egan Drive, playing these songs on my laptop. Oh well, we'll re-live the magic in your grown-up lady car.

Small Town by JCM: I wasn't into Mr. Mellenchamp until college. I was a late J. Cougar Bloomer. When this comes on the radio, I crank it up and sing LOUD and remember my favorite SMALL TOWN! And how about this line: "No, I cannot forget from where it is that I come from, cannot forget the people who love me, and I can be myself in my small town . . ."

'92 Subaru by Fountains of Wayne: I just chanced upon this song. The line: "I'm coming for you, you better make way 'cause I'm coming through, in my late '92, baby blue subaru," is just too much. I drove a baby blue subaru my senior year, 1992. And I hit a lot of stuff, snowbanks mostly. The license plate said, "Goold" for crying out loud. I still drive like a crazy Alaskan.

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor: My brother John and I loved this song in 1983 (3rd grade). I would call our ONE AM Radio Station about 20 times a day and request it. I'd also pretend to be someone new, each time. I'm sure in a town of 3,000 the DJ knew my squeaky voice and tried not to be annoyed. I saw all the Rocky movies recently and renewed my love affair with the song.
Eternal Flame: I still haven't posted about my 4-wheeler accident in 1989. The one where I drove my before mentioned friend, Emily, off a cliff. This song reminds me of that time. Not the cliff jumping, but a nicer, albeit inappropriate, memory. I know the song by heart and it's STILL one of my favorites. Not to mention that I put it on EVERY mix tape I EVER made.

Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler: Emily had this 45 record and we would play it on her mom's gigantic floor model, piece of furniture, record player. And we were probably eating frozen cranberry juice boxes, while the bisquick coffee cake was baking in the oven.

Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & the Waves: I know I always say, "This is my absolute favorite song" but I really think this one is. Growing up in a town that's overcast most of the year, I'll tell you, when the sun comes out, the whole place SPARKLES. You really learn to appreciate the sun. This song is just fun and cheerful, and another one I love to crank up and sing along with, LOUDLY. FYI: I like Aly & AJ's version better, but it wasn't available on the playlist site.

Rainy Days and Monday's by Karen Carpenter: My mom loved this group when I was a kid. And I know all their songs (and ABBA's) by heart. I usually bust into this song on a rainy day or a monday, at least a few times a month. And it really did rain about 280 days a year in Valdez. So you have to deal with it, with humor.