The list of songs so far...

Here is my list so far. I actually went over them last night with Heather (the Jr. High youth leader) so she's been warned.

What it Feels Like for a Girl -Madonna
True Colors -Cyndi Lauper
Do You Wanna Dance -the Beach Boys
Goodbye Earl -Dixie Chicks
We Belong -Pat Benatar
Linger -Cranberries
Perfect -Alanis Morissette
She Is - the Fray
Sisters Are Doin' it for Themselves -Eurythmics
My Little Corner of the World -Yo La Tengo (from Gilmore Girls)
Sweetest Little Thing -U2
Dancing Queen -ABBA
To Love Somebody -Bee Gees
Otto Titsling -Bette Midler
White Wedding -Billy Idol
She's Always a Woman to Me -Billy Joel

Do I need to defend any of them? Are you confused as to why I chose some of them? There are three leaders who are all pooling their songs together. Not all of mine will be chosen. I told Heather, if I had to pick one off this list "What it Feels Like for a Girl" is my number one choice.

The irony of some of my choices is this: Sunday night we had a band play at youth group. Several other church youth groups were invited (the band was the Sr. High leader's husband's band). All the other youth were up; dancing and clapping and jumping up and down. Our Jr. Highers sat there. They looked like they'd rather be having surgery. I am very curious to know why they were insert word here (afraid, scared, shy...)? There were other Jr. High kids there. But our group didn't know any of them. Are they that afraid of having fun?

I, blessedly, have never been like that in front of strangers. My friends, yes. However, in front of a group of strangers, I will dance, I will boogy, I will twist and shout! Well, at their age, I may have been a little reserved, but I remember getting up and at least trying to look cool (and was probably VERY unsuccessful at it). Finally in college I realized that I should dance like no one's watching all the time. Now I dance because Ellen tells me to. I dance because I feel like it. I dance because I want to. I dance because it's fun!

Afterwards, one of the kids said to me, "You know how you were crazy dancing? I have a bumper sticker on facebook that I'm going to send to you." He sent it to me yesterday. It says, "I often bust out with random dance moves." I love it! The kids all said they had a good time. I don't know how you can have fun, just sitting in your chair at a mini concert, but okay!?

Do you dance like no one's watching? Or are you afraid?

soundtracks of our lives

I had such great success with asking for opinions on photographs, I'd like to ask your opinions on music. What are some great songs that you enjoy? What song has had a great impact on your life? What might be your theme song, or has been in the past? For those who are married, what song did you dance to for your first dance? With your mother/father? (Bill and I cannot remember that one... we know our song. But we do not have written down ANYWHERE the song that we danced to, he with his mom and me with my dad. Does anyone out there know???)

Our Jr. High are going to have a separate guys/girls day retreat, and we're looking for fun songs to have playing while we're talking with them. Songs that they might not know. I have a pretty eclectic mix right now. I'm wondering if I'm missing anything important. Here's another chance to add your two cents worth. After I get a few responses, I'll share what I've got so far. I'm leaving it wide open....