Day 1: My Favorite Song

If you are new here, hello!  I hope we're going to have a great time doing this 30 Day Blog Challenge together.  If you can't do all 30 days, just jump in when you have time or when you have a topic that interests  you!  Goodness knows, we are not all about the strict rule following around here.  (And besides, I'll always come in on the side of "the more the merrier" when it comes to blogging!)

Anyway, let's get on to today's topic.  Music is kind of my things.  I think I was singing as soon as I could talk.  Both of my parents are musical--Dad sings, Mom plays the piano and sings.  So, it was no real surprise that it's in my blood, as well.  Asking me to pick a favorite song is dangerous business.  I mean, how long do you have?  Are we talking by genre?  There are a lot of variables at play.  So, instead of just picking one in particular,  I'm going to give you a list with, of course, my reasoning for each song.  (Because I just can't help myself...)

"That's How Strong My Love Is" - Otis Redding - I think this is seriously one of the most underrated songs of the MoTown era.  I love it with a love that is pure and true and if I do ever manage to get married, this is the song I want to dance to with this as-yet-fictional husband.  It's that good!

"Dark Blue" - Jack's Mannequin - When I'm having a bad day, this is the song I want to hear.  The pounding piano, the angsty vocals.  It is guaranteed to improve your mood by 100%...or at least my mood.

"The Party" - Regina Spektor - I have no clue what it is about this song that does it for me.  I played it for the kids in my Music Appreciation class and they decided that it's a song that sounds happy but is really kind of sad.  (If that doesn't say something, right?)  Or maybe it's because I laugh when I think of my sister's rewritten opening lyrics, "You taste like Thanksgiving, You look like Groundhog's Day."  And yes, you probably had to be there for that one, but it's funny.  Trust me.

"Fancy" - Reba McEntire - This and "Sin Wagon" by The Dixie Chicks are my go-to songs for karaoke.  When I was 16, I stood in the 10th row of a Reba McEntire concert and watched her perform this as the encore in her fur coat and infamous red dress.  Say what you will, but Reba knows a thing or two about performing.  Plus who doesn't love a wholesome ditty about a poor girl turned out by her mother becoming a high-class call girl?

"For Good" - from the musical, Wicked - I don't listen to this song all the time, but I have a great emotional attachment to it.  Aside from the beautiful melody and words, this is the song that I sang as a duet with one of my favorite students for graduation, when she was just a lowly seventh grader.  (I know, teachers aren't supposed to have favorites, but let's get real.)  She is one day going to be able to sing circles around me, and that day is probably coming sooner than I'd like.  But this song will always make me think of her and of the best things about my job.

"Precious Lord, Take My Hand" - Traditional Hymn - There are lots of songs that are special to me in the sacred realm.  Many are ones with sweet memories of singing with Sheena and Crys over the 10 years we sang as a group.  But this one is probably the first solo I did in church that made me realize there was something so powerful in being given the gift of song.  It is a gift that touches people's hearts in a way that is so personal.  And I will forever be thankful for it!

I can't wait to see what everyone else has come up with!  Add your blog to the linky party so we can all jump around and see what everyone else has said!