Video Childhood

It may sound strange, but I remember my childhood being a lot like the New Edition video for “Cool It Now”. I remember the bright colors, hanging out at and around the park and just having a good time. I also remember some Slick Rick “Children’s Story” aspects, but overall it was great. One of the best visuals I can think of is LL Cool J’s “Around the Way Girl”. That is probably because he is unapologetically from Queens and brings that attitude to this song.

It is crazy the way that music can bring to life so many memories. Here are some of mine. I would love to hear some of your music memories.

1.       “I’ll Fly Away” – This song reminds me of high school because it is the song that our choir sang for everything. I remember we put on a concert at a church across the street from my house and we had to wear cream dresses with a gold lace top. It was itchy, but one of the best times I remember having in high school.

2.       “Real Love” – Mary J. Blidge basically bust on the scene as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul and even though nobody had a clue what that meant I knew she was singing everything that I had ever thought or felt and that I wanted to be fly like her. Not much has changed since junior high.

3.       “Slam”- All the boys in my junior high wanted be Onyx and I can still say the Sticky Fingaz verse by heart. “I’m a b-boy. Standing in my b-boy stance. Hurry up and give me the microphone before I bust in my pants…” The lyrics are deep, I know, don’t fight it. Just…just…SLAM!

4.       “Sweet Thing” The first time I heard this song was right before seeing the movie Malcolm X and it reminds me of that night and the anticipation I felt. It also reminds me of singing with Chyna in the salon while we waited to get our hair done.

5.       “Was it a Morning Like This” – This reminds me of riding in the car with my mom. I wanted to grow up and be Sandi Patti, until I realized she was white. Then, I decided I wanted to sing like her. (The same thing happened to me when I realized I could not be Doc Gooden or Daryl Strawberry because they were men. I should be grateful because changing that dream saved me a nasty drug habit.)

6.       “Let’s Get It On”/”Sexual Healing” – Unlike most people these songs remind me of my parents. The former is their wedding song and my dad would sometimes sing it when she was mad at him. The former is another song that reminds me of when we would all dance together to records in the living room. Even as I think about it now I visualize it in that weird sepia color.

7.       “Mama Said Knock You Out” – It reminds me of my brother and me walking to the park with music blasting from a boom box. That is right I said boom box.

8.       “Cars that Go Boom” – I remember singing this in elementary school and having no idea what was going on, but loving every minute of it. Thanks Lady Tigra and Bunny of L’Trimm.

9.       “Mr. Wendal” reminds me of roller-skating at Laces and those glow stick necklaces. Remember COUPLES SKATE and when they would break to have a race or teach a trick. It is amazing how much fun you can have just going in a circle.

10.   “Candy Girl” – I had already decided that if things did not work out between me and Prince I would marry one of the guys from New Edition. This song reminds me of playing hand games (like Numbers and Ms. Mary Mack) One of the games we played was Candy Girl and used some of the lyrics to the song. I also remember singing while walking through Rochdale in the summer while running errands with my brother and when I am pretty sure we were supposed to be going to the library.

Honorable Mention – That song “What A Feeling” reminds me of getting kicked out of ballet class and ultimately dance school. I still remember the look of confusion on my sister’s face when I came out of class early. She had been waiting for me in the lobby. She didn’t yell or anything. Instead she took me to hang out on the Ave. I almost feel like I am back there every time I hear it. I see the big mirrors and warming up and then being led out into the dim foyer.

What about you? What songs take you right back?