10 Most Definitive Songs of My Life

I'll be the first to admit that these are not the best songs of the last 20 years, but they are the songs that mean the most to me. It's those songs that, when I hear them, bring back a rush of memories and I just feel that connection. These are the songs that seemed to get me through the tough times and these are the songs that I was celebrating with during the best of times.

10. Ants Marching- Dave Matthews Band One of the few songs on this list that I would consider “quality” music. Their music is fun and dynamic- singing along for me includes dancing, playing the air drums and trumpet and singing falsetto. I think in another 20 years I will still enjoy listening to Dave Matthews Bands albums “Under the Table and Dreaming” and “Crash”. Dave Matthews for me was the group I would turn on after a long day or for the ride home after a late night.



9. Basket Case- Green Day Listening to Green Day and Nirvana for countless hours was a rite of passage for my generation. I wonder where alternative, punk, or even rock music would be today without these bands. This song epidimizes the MTV generation. Remember when MTV played music videos?



8. Outkast- Hey Ya This was the party song while I was in College. Hearing this song reminds me of dating, road trips, partying, and living care free. Those were good times.



7. You Raise me up- Josh Groban This song taught me that it is ok to listen to sissy music. His music is powerful yet peacefull. He is so amazing and seeing him in concert was a memoriable experience.



6. Sin Miedo a Nada- Alex Ubago This song was huge while I was in Spain and this song will be a reminder of the great times I had there. It also shows how undeniably sexy a real Spanish accent is, lisp and all.



5. Gangsta’s Paradise- Coolio I credit this song with bringing Hip-Hop mainstream and it definitely did in my life. I heard this song so much in high school that its lyrics with forever be etched into my memory.



4. What I got- Sublime This was my favorite band in High School. I still remember the first time I heard Sublime, I was in my Cousins truck. I was somehow drawn to their music even though I could never really relate to it. I owned every one of their cds, including the bootleg ones. Sublime was undeniably cool, and I was a big fan.




3. Something like that- Tim Mcgraw This song converted me to country and I haven’t looked back since. This album, “A Place in the Sun,” will always remind me of my Senior Year in High School and my Freshman year in college.



2. Santa Monica- Everclear The first Rock Album I ever bought and the first concert I ever went to. This is what being from California is all about.




1. The Dance- Garth Brooks The single greatest country song ever. Past relationships, old friends, and broken hearts all come into our lives for a reason, and we are better off because of them. I try to live with no regrets, just enjoying each dance as it comes.



Honorable Mention: Back Where I Come From- Kenny Chesney If you grew up in a small town like Yreka you understood what this song is all about. Our little town might not be much, but I will always be proud to call it home.