I've Found My Name-Song

While I'm happy for him, I have to admit, I've always been jealous of the fact that Elton John wrote a song about my husband, Daniel. And you know what, while we're making confessions here, I've got to say I've often felt a slight tinge of envy over the fact that Bob Dylan composed a seven-minute ballad for my sister, Johanna. Even my college roommate, Kelsey, had a band called Metro Station singing her praises on the radio a few years back.

And look, while in reality I understand that these songs weren't actually written in honor of these people I know, I still can't help but think of them every time I hear their corresponding name-songs.

♫ Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane.... ♫

♫ These visions of Johanna, they kept me up past the dawn... ♫

♫ I'd swim the ocean for you, oh, Kelsey... ♫

I've heard somewhere that everyone's favorite word is their own name, and if that narcissistic factoid is true, it explains why I got so excited when I found out that there is a song out there called "Christy". Before this, the closest I'd ever come to the whole "this song is about me!" front is probably Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl." But let's be honest, isn't that song basically about all of us? I mean, if over half of the population has brown eyes, and half of the population is made up of women, doesn't that mean that the description applies to roughly a quarter of the entire world's population? (Is that how math works?)

Anyway, as of this week, it seems as though my luck has changed in the name-song department. My sister, Johanna (the one Bob Dylan was having all of those visions about) introduced me to a track by Natalie Prass called "Christy", and folks, it's perfect. It's this hauntingly beautiful melody set to baroque, orchestral sounds, and well, I'm just in love with it. And it's not because it has my name in it (but guys, it totally has my name in it).

Take a listen:



♫ Christy, a name that isn't too short or too sweet...♫

♫ There's a shadow of a smile in your eyes, Christy...♫ 

If you pay close attention, you'll note that the Christy that Prass is singing about here is...like...not exactly an awesome person. It's kind of like a Jolene situation -- you know, the one where Dolly Parton pleads with a woman named Jolene: "I'm begging you, please don't take my man." (Damn, I love that song so much).

But while that characterization is not necessarily on-brand for me, I still dig my new name-song. After listening to and falling in love with it, I wanted to see if there were by chance any other Christy songs out there that I'd missed. And oh my, YouTube delivered.



♫ Christy, yeah, she's gonna break your heart again♫ 

Apparently, Christy is a name that is associated with heartbreak. Who knew? But anyway, this poppy, punky anthem from 2001 is by a group called Tina & The Total Babes, which...hang on...IS THAT NOT THE BEST BAND NAME EVER? I Wikipedia'd them and it turns out they ultimately changed their name to Trashwomen, which in my opinion, is a total downgrade, but whatever. I still dig this song. The Christy in this tune is less of a seductress with ill-intent and more of a bad ass lady who doesn't trust men, applies red lipstick at midnight, and is "too cool to care" about her torn stockings. Plus, it seems she's also a total Hottie McHotHot, so of course, this song gets my stamp of approval.

I'm sure there are other songs out there called "Christy", but as you can see, I'm quite satisfied with the ones I've got right here. I'll probably play them while giving myself positive affirmations in the mirror each morning. Kidding, I don't do that (but if I did, it would probably look a lot like this).

And since I found my name-songs, I figured I might as well pay it forward. Here's all of the songs that I can think of off the top of my head that invoke a woman's name, so if any of these apply to you, you're welcome:

If your name is April... try April by Simon & Garfunkel.

If your name is Amanda... try Amanda by Boston.

If your name is Julia... try Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard by Simon & Garfunkel, and just pretend he's just mispronouncing your name.

If your name is Maria... try Maria from West Side Story, OR if you're feeling a bit down on yourself, try How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? from The Sound of Music. Or I guess you could try Ave Maria, but you know, don't be weird.

If your name is Beyoncé...try Yonce by Queen Bey.

If your name is Monica, Erica, Rita, Tina, Sandra, Mary, Jessica, Angela, or Pamela...obviously you should try Mambo Number 5 by Lou Bega, and then you can proceed to curse the day that you ever heard that song because it's the worst and it stays in your head forever.

Meh, I've run out of steam on this charitable endeavor. Sorry about that. But still, I'm dying to know...

What's your name-song?

My iTunes Diary: Songs With Which I Get Down

I am a person who would rather let someone read my personal diary than look at the songs in my iTunes library. This is largely because I don't tend to my music collection as often as I do my diary, but it's also because I have songs like Domino by Jessie J and Toxic by Britney Spears (both are songs I am now publicly endorsing, but it's not my proudest moment by a long shot).

But seriously, how good is this song? 

There is this cultural assumption that you can tell a lot about a person by what is in their music library. I would hold that that's largely untrue for me because I am more of a Pandora person. What I have on my iTunes is only what I need to get me through a subway ride (since there is still not consistent WiFi down there...I seriously don't understand). If you tried to determine who I was based on my phone's music, you would probably think I was a fifty-five-year-old mom/youth group leader who majored in Art and minored in Beyoncé Studies.

My music personality assessment is inconclusive, but in the interest of full disclosure, I've decided to share some of the songs that get me jazzed anytime they come on. When I shuffle my songs, I tend to do a lot of skipping, but these are the ones that lately, depending on my mood, make me stop and appreciate my day (this list is incredibly subject to change). I'll also let you know how and when you should listen to these songs as well as their proper drink-pairings (this last part is for pretty much no reason).

Warning: This is a hella random list and Beyoncé is very well-represented in it. Also, a lot of these songs might already exist in your music library. I don't super care. 

Love on Top - Beyoncé

The reason that I get down with this song: I can sing the first chorus pretty well, but it's still a stretch. The second that first key change rolls in, I'm out, and then there are like 90 more key changes after that, and each one sounds amazing. This woman, you guys, she just gets it. 

When and where to listen to this song: When you are super vibing on your man or when you are in the mood to be impressed but not terrified, you should probably crank up some Love on Top. This is a good car song, but it is not a good subway song because you will be doing little gestures whenever she's like, "Baby, baby, it's you!" 

What drink pairs well with this song? Champagne! Or something with grapefruit. 

Gold - Once: The Musical

The reason that I get down with this song: Daniel got us tickets for Once: The Musical for our one-year-anniversary. I was captivated, to say the least. It's one of those musicals that has a profound impact on everyone who sees it, but this lesser-celebrated song is seriously one of my favorites. I love the line, "If a door be closed, then a row of homes start building." I also just love the total Irishness of this song.

When and where you should listen to this song: I recommend listening to Gold on your commute when you are in an absolutely terrible mood. It makes you feel like Heaven is near and people are good and all of that stuff.

What drink pairs well with this song? Irish whiskey, obviously. 

It Ain't Me, Babe - Johnny Cash with June Carter Cash

The reason that I get down with this song: In a world where I didn't find my husband at the age of fifteen, I think I would have had some relationships with weird endings. It's that absence of experience in my life that makes me love breakup songs. This is a weird one in that Johnny's like...um I am going to be a really shitty and selfish boyfriend, so you should probably go. I like the honesty, and I like the tight harmonies.

When and where you should listen to this song: This is a great driving song, so pump up the jams, especially if you're into harmonizing. I also recommend delaying listening to this song until you are in a particularly self-centered mood. 

What drink pairs well with this song? A really, really cold Shiner Bock.

Instead of a Show - Jon Foreman

The reason that I get down with this song: I could write a lot about Jon Foreman, and I probably will one day, but basically I think he is brilliant. This song in particular seems to come on my shuffle at the exact moment I need it. It's based off Bible passages in Isaiah and Amos, and it calls out Christians on a lot of our showmanship bullshit. It's not going to make you cry, but it might make you reevaluate a lot of your motivations in life.

When and where to listen to this song: Listen to this song if you feel yourself becoming false or holier-than-thou. You should probably listen to this one alone in your room since it's probably the least grace-filled song you'll hear lately.

What drink pairs well with this song? A lukewarm Shiner Bock. 

In My Life - Judy Collins (originally by The Beatles)

The reason that I get down with this song: I am an extremely sentimental and nostalgic person. For someone who has called quite a few places "home" across the country, this song tugs at my heartstrings. I almost always start crying the second I hear, "In my life, I've loved them all."

When and where you should listen to this song: Not in the car. Your tears will interfere with your driving. Listen to this song when you are homesick and you want to feel even worse about your life or at a middle school graduation or something.

What drink pairs well with this song? White wine with ice cubes.

Countdown - Beyoncé

The reason that I get down with this song: I saved this song for last, but Countdown is first and foremost on my life's list of songs. Like, seriously, no joking here. This song is IT. That moment where she is like, "Ladies, if you love your man, show him you the fliest" or when she's like, "Damn I think I love that boy/Do anything for that boy" ...PSSSSHHH. It's just so good. 

When and where to listen to this song: At all times, if you can. I seriously cannot think of an occasion where this song is not appropriate, and that includes trips to the bank, funerals, and prison stays. Keep in mind that you will need ample dancing space. 

What drink pairs well with this song? ALL THE DRINKS. Or no drinks. Just listen to it and never stop!

I hope these tunes help get you pumped for your weekend! If you don't mind, I'd love to know what you're listening to. Maybe I could even make some new additions to my currently very short playlist.