Summary

Lisa Gerard Braun, a self-professed playlist avoider, shares a deeply personal selection of eight songs that resonate with her life experiences and emotions, emphasizing that a playlist can be a reflection of one's soul rather than a curated collection.

Abstract

In a candid reflection, Lisa Gerard Braun admits her aversion to music playlists due to the anxiety they induce, yet she finds herself compelled to share the eight songs that have profoundly impacted her. These songs, ranging from Jaron and The Long Road to Love's "Pray for You" to the Mamas & Papas' "California Dreaming," are not just favorites but are intrinsically tied to moments and feelings throughout her life. From her college years to her daily routines, each track holds a special place in her heart, representing different facets of her personality and life journey. Lisa's selection is less about musical taste and more about the emotional connection she has with each piece, suggesting that the true essence of a playlist lies in its ability to capture the essence of its creator.

Opinions

Lisa views playlists not as a cohesive blend of music but as a personal and emotional expression.
She believes that one doesn't need to be musically savvy or "cool" to appreciate or create a meaningful playlist.
The songs she chose are a window into her soul, revealing her unapologetic embrace of her eclectic tastes and experiences.
Lisa holds a special reverence for "Here I Am, Lord" by Dan Schutte, considering it so integral to her being that she wishes it to be played at her funeral.
The act of sharing her song choices is a significant and intimate gesture, as she typically avoids the vulnerability associated with revealing such personal preferences.
Despite her initial resistance to the idea of a playlist, Lisa finds value in the exercise, recognizing that these songs have been pivotal in shaping her identity and outlook on life.

PLAYLIST OR NOT

Island Musts: Toes in The Water, Arse in The Sand, and Music for My Ears

Billy Joel still has an open invite.

The photo and albums are owned by the author

My name is Lisa, and I am a great avoider of playlists.

From reading them to sharing them, or creating any, all music lists make my head spin. Anxiety bubbles up, and I turn away to pretend they don’t exist. Are they supposed to be a cohesive blend? That would never work for me.

I am not cool. I wasn’t cool when it was considered cool to be uncool. I am not young, middle-aged hip, rad, boss, or whatever adjectives are used today to describe interesting people.

I’m sure there’s a fitting acronym for those folks, somewhere.

Yesterday, I sat on the playground and watched the orange Cheetos dust build up on my grandson’s face and fingertips. Grandmothers know, that cheese curl crap should only be enjoyed by toddlers outside of the house and far from furniture and white walls. The playground it was.

As I melted in the shade, I read Misty Rae’s story, “One Girl, One Island, Eight Songs” in response to one of Pierce McIntyre’s challenges. His story, “If I Could Take Only 8 Songs With Me to a Desert Island…” kicked off the prompt and many ran with it. What do I know of music? Not enough to do a playlist.

But I do love the thought of being stranded on a desert island. Would I have any music to bring?

Songs randomly floated in my brain while reading Misty’s take. It hit me, unexpectedly, that I did have 8 songs that move me and I would need to survive. Is that even a playlist or just a peek into my soul?

I love these songs so much that I figured it was time to share.

Good or bad, sane or not, they represent me. Unapologetic me; I am a walking cornucopia filled with oddly grouped items in my heart and brain that most people wouldn’t put together for any one person. You aren’t expected to understand why I chose them ~ hell, even I don’t know, but I hope you enjoy them.

This first song is the only one I beg you to listen to closely.

1. Pray for You — Jaron and The Long Road to Love

My kids were young pre-teens and knew to ‘stop, drop, and roll’ when the first chords sounded on the radio. All talking ceased as required because I needed to sing with every fiber of my being. The approach, the twist, and the irony, all feed my tongue-in-cheek, dry sense of humor.

2. Meat Loaf — Paradise By The Dashboard Light

Next up encapsulates my college years. Frat parties. TKE (Tau Kappa Epsilon) brothers played it at every gathering. Their dark, seedy basement with kegs in every corner and puddles to match was worth it. It was my time to shine as I morphed into a live video presentation. Every. Word. By. Heart.

3. Carpenters — Rainy days and Mondays

I would have to bring my teenage-angst tear inducer. With my curling iron microphone in hand, I belted out my hidden pain, seated on my bedroom rug in front of a full-length mirror. Oh, the despair I suffered, without knowing why ~ hormones? was released easily with Karen Carpenter holding my hand.

4. Queen — Bohemian Rhapsody

Of course, I include my daily five a.m. running routine. Through the dark streets, this is a heart-racing must-have, no questions asked. Only the people leaving for work at that ungodly hour have heard my off-key rendition. The ones I may have woken never said a word. They were probably scared.

5. Billy Joel — Piano Man

The man I just knew I would marry one day. Obsessed. Any of his songs will do, but my voice sounds best when we perform this duet. He wove stories and I found myself in each one.

6. Green Day — Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

All I can say is this: they looked inside me, grabbed my thoughts, and created lyrics that haunt me with their vividness. It holds a timeless application regardless of where I am in life.

7. Here I Am, Lord — Dan Schutte

I was going to put this last but I need to end on a high note instead of with the song that my kids know is my only request to be played at my funeral. It touches me to the core and my physical reaction matches the intensity of the message. We are so small but never alone. Never.

8. Mamas & Papas — California Dreaming

This song packs a double punch for me. Hopes and dreams. I will never let either of them go. This song has nothing to do with California in my mind but everything to do with inspiration. Brown leaves and grey skies are not forever and we will survive.

Each song is permanently seared into my soul and causes me to stop what I’m doing to smile, cry, or reflect. They are me and I am them.

If my old portable turntable fits in my suitcase, my vinyl collection will be going with me. Does anyone remember “Old Yeller?” I do. I do.

Feel free to create your own playlist, or give us a peek into your soul, by jumping on the bandwagon steered by Pierce McIntyre. As you can see, you don't have to be cool after all.

I am late to the game and think most are already involved. Maybe Alison, The Garrulous Glaswegian, has not stepped in yet?

The Perfect Song Led Me to Happiness

How static played a role in my enlightenment.

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