Top Ten Tuesday

It’s that time of the week! Time for the 2nd Edition of Top Ten Tuesday. This week I am going to give you ten songs(minus the obvious selections like the Star Spangled Banner) that bring me happiness and the reason. When I hear the opening note of all the following songs, I immediately begin to smile and so this week i would like to present...

Top Ten Songs That Make Me Smile (plus a runner-up)
in no praticular order...

Runner-Up: Hot in Herrre by Nelly
This song was popular in 2002 right before some friends and I took a graduation trip to New Braunfels, Texas. We played this song over and over and sang along to every word! We had finally graduated high school and with that trip we gained a sense of freedom we had yet to experience. In fact, I even have a horrible tattoo to prove it.
10. Elvira by The Oak Ridge Boys
My grandparents loved, loved The Oak Ridge Boys; mostly because my grandmother served on Student Council in college with Duane. A couple of years ago when I was working at L’Auberge, The Oak Ridge Boys’ were scheduled to perform during their Christmas tour. I was able to pull some strings and surprise my grandmother with the awesome Christmas gift of tickets to the show and the VIP meet-and-greet. Duane even said he remembered her(I don’t know if he did or not) and I will never forget the happiness(and a few tears) on her face during the concert while she sang along to all the songs.
9. Settlin’ by Sugarland
I love this song because it reminds me never to settle and always strive for the best in everything. Also, the lines, “With some good red wine and my brand new shoes,Gonna dance a blue streak around my living room,” describe me perfectly!
8. What’s Your Fantasy by Ludicrous
I have so many memories of junior year in high school and driving around blaring this song with Liz, Jessica, Ashley and crew. We would play it in the drive through of Taco Delite(a Paris staple) and in the parking lot after pep rallies. For some reason we loved it! (I don’t think we actually got how dirty it really was)
7. Independent by Webbie and two Lil somethings
I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T do you know what I mean? Not only do I never smell like onion rings, but I work hard for what I have. I have done it on my own and I am so proud of that. Even though at times I am a little too independent, I am proud of not having to rely on someone (or a man) for everything. This song is the anthem for that!
6. Don’t Stop Believing by Journey
This is just a feel good song. Reminds me of the Summer of ’07, the best summer I’ve ever had to date! Road trips to Tahoe every weekend weren’t complete without this song.
5. Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus
A product of Billy Ray Cyrus’ mullet days, this song warms my heart. It brings memories when I was a kid and my mom, Tamara, Jaclyn and I would listen to it over and over and dance and sing like fools. Mom would have us call the radio stations to request it and we would just stare at the radio waiting to hear it again. Good times!
4. Sitting on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding
This song completely mellows me out. It makes me have this ridiculous grin on my face and immediately get in a better mood. My mom even has it set-up to play when I call her so sometimes I call my mom for a double pick me up, the song and my mom’s voice!
3.Any of the early hits by Elvis, Haggard or Jennings (I know this isn’t just one song but I’m the author, I can break the rules)
My granddad loved him some classic music like Elvis, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings Glen Campbell, and so on. He used to have a tape player and a box of tapes and he could sit in his chair, play a tape and usually end up napping. He LOVED to just sit alone and listen to music and I love the classics that remind me of that.
2. Hangin Tough by New Kids On the Block
Need I say more?
1. Dirty Diana by Michael Jackson
I was introduced to this song by Lee in college and it kind of turned into “my song.” Some friends still refer to me as “Dirty D” and now you know the orgin. I really can’t relate to the song one bit, but it reminds me of those good ol’ times with the crew at Tech. I still get excited when it comes on. It’s not one of MJ’s more popular tunes, but to me it’s my favorite from his collection. There have been a few times when the song has played and only my friends and I were on the dance floor.