The Beach Boys – They are the soundtrack of my childhood. My dad loves them, and he had put all his albums on a reel-to-reel, and we would listen to them constantly. Anytime I hear one of their songs, it brings a smile to my face. Some of my favorites: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Little Surfer Girl,” “California Girls,” “Sloop John B,” “Sail On Sailor,” and “Little Saint Nick.” Honestly, there are none I would turn off.

“Roller Skating Child” (The Beach Boys) – The truth is that I don’t randomly hear this song, but when I hear any song by the Beach Boys, I am reminded of my childhood. When we lived in Montana when I was in fourth and fifth grade, we had a large finished basement with an incredibly smooth concrete floor. My sister and I roller-skated down there – a lot! While skating, we would turn on Dad’s reel-to-reel of Beach Boys songs. Of course, Roller Skating Child was my favorite song to skate to, but it rarely came up with hours of songs, but when it did, it just felt right. “Well she’s a roller-skating child/With a ribbon in her hair/She gets my heart to beating/When I see her there…”

“Hurts So Good” (John Cougar) – The first non-Beach Boys music I remember came from a compilation album I got for my eleventh birthday. This song is the one that really stuck with me through the years. They played it and anything by Hall and Oates when I would skate at the rec center on Friday and Saturday nights.

“Don’t You Want Me” (Human League) – When I was in fourth grade, there was a talent show, and some sixth graders did this song and acted it out. Later I realized they had reenacted the music video, but MTV was really new, and I hadn’t seen it or MTV yet. I remember thinking how cool that was. So this song takes me back there. It’s not my favorite song by Human League, though – I love “Human.” Melodies make memories.

“99 Red Balloons” (NENA) – This was the first video I ever saw on MTV. I actually saw the German version of the song “99 Luftballoons” first. This song was the first song that spoke to me. The song is about the paranoia of the Cold War and the way everyone was on edge. A red balloon signifies a dream and that the craziness of the world was just popping them. I had lived in Germany when both the Cold War and the Iranians were very much on our doorstep. This song was significant to me. Even today, there is still paranoia and craziness killing our dreams.

“Greatest Love of All” (Whitney Houston) – Middle school was all about Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, Lionel Ritchie and Whitney Houston. They weren’t the only ones on the radio and MTV, but they were always on. I’m not complaining, though. I wasn’t a huge Prince or Madonna fan, but I liked the others. Whitney Houston’s voice had a way of permeating my heart like no other. Her voice was so rich and pure that I could have listened to her all of the time. Plus, her songs were catchy and fun, making it easy to sing along. I’ve always been a romantic and very cheesy, so the song “Greatest Love of All” was inspiring for me. It was also our eighth-grade graduation song making it very special.

Lionel Richie Songs – I am not ashamed to say that I love Lionel Richie songs. I’m not exactly sure what it is about them, but I do. During band in middle school and high school, we played Lionel Richie. I remember All-District Band in eighth grade. We only played Lionel Richie songs. You would think I would be over them, but they bring back those fun memories. It is tough to pick one song to represent him, so I will choose the one we all think of, “Hello.”

“Always and Forever” (Heatwave) – At the end of every high school dance, including Homecoming, Ring Dance and Prom, the DJ would play “Stairway to Heaven,” but right before it, he would play “Always and Forever.” This song takes me back to first kisses, new love, anticipation and hope for tomorrow. This song has a way of taking me to the warmest places in my heart. Those places where I still dream of the future and the happiness that will be there always and forever. Melodies make memories.

“Friends in Low Places” (Garth Brooks) – This song introduced me to country music. I had heard the Oak Ridge Boys and Alabama before, but it never really stuck. This song came out right before I started college, and it was an anthem for the next couple of years. College is nothing if not full of friends in low places. The song got me listening to Garth and eventually to country music. Country music is still my go-to when I am in a good mood.

“Nothing Compares 2U” (Sinead O’Connor) – This song came out during that magical time known as the spring semester of my senior year of high school. At my senior prom, when the song came on, everyone sang along – everyone. This song takes me back to that magical time unlike any other song can. Despite its raw, dark, mourning sound, it brings a smile to my face when I hear it.

“Forever Young” (Rod Stewart) – I love song lyrics. Again, I am a romantic, and I love anything with meaning. This song takes me back to a time of hope and naivety. I still love it and enjoy the nostalgic feeling it brings each time. “May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam./And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you’re far from home./And may you grow to be proud, dignified and true./And do unto others as you’d have done to you./Be courageous and be brave./And in my heart you’ll always stay forever young.”