*sigh*

Nostlagia’s hitting me hard right now. I’m always realizing just how much the Muppets have always been a part of my life. How much Jim Henson has impacted my imagination and view of the world through everything he touched.

Crazy, I know. But they’re my heroes, and they’ve never let me down yet.

Jim never will.

Thanks, Jim, for all the magic you’ve given us in your wonderful legacy.

The Soundtrack of My Childhood

‘86 baby right here.

I went through a ton of my music recently and realized that a lot of it stems from my childhood, and it helped shape me into who I am today.

These are some of the top songs that I associate with my childhood - maybe you’ll have some nostalgia from them, too.

1. Bullfrogs & Butterflies (Barry McGuire) - we always played it in the car, and the daycare I was in had a copy we’d always jump around to.

2. He’s Alive (Don Francisco) - my dad would put this on and sing with it every Easter morning before church. He still does, too.

3. Rejoice in the Lord (Ron Hamilton) - I knew this guy as Patch the Pirate, and my sis and I listened the HECK out of the “Mister Slippy River Race” tape we had; this song has been a guiding force in my life, and I re-discovered it recently and can apply it to my life even more now.

4. A Duo (An American Tail OS) - this movie makes me choke up all the time now, I love it so. And Dom DeLuise’s voice was one of the cornerstones in my childhood, considering all the Don Bluth movies I watched.

5. The Great Migration (The Land Before Time OS) - this song gets me every time; there’s so much life and magic in it.

6. Whatever You Imagine (The Pagemaster OS) - As a proud book nerd, I love this movie, and this song always sparked my imagination.

7. There You Are, Peter (Hook OS) - all the magic and innocence of childhood are contained in this piece, especially since it’s dealing with Peter Pan. This movie plays with ALL of my emotions every time I watch it, and I get choked up knowing my childhood (like Peter’s) is gone.

8. April Child (Rigoletto OS) - not many people know about Family Feature Films, but this one is easily my favorite of all. This song is gorgeous and reminds me of summer vacation after homeschooling.

9. The Last Unicorn (Kenny Loggins) - I heard this version on the Kenny Loggins lullaby cd (Return to Pooh Corner) before I knew anything about the Rankin/Bass movie w/ the cover song by America. I’m really not much of a Loggins fan, but this version of the song is gorgeous, and I prefer it.

10. Flying Dreams (The Secret of NIMH OS) - such a sweet song, and another from Don Bluth. I liked the version at the end of the movie the best, but I never got to hear the whole thing because my parents had taped the movie from TV, and the movie would cut off about ten seconds into the credits, and the Dark Crystal would start :D

11. To the Stars (Dragonheart OS) - you guys, this movie. Oooh this movie. And the music. All my feels, especially for this song. This movie reminds me of my cousin, because she loves it just as much as I do, and we both get choked up at this song.

12. The Hobbit Soundtrack (Rankin/Bass) - if anyone asks what my favorite movie is, this film is one of the first to pop into my head. I adore this movie passionately, and the music no less; I’m instantly transported back to better, happier times with the entire soundtrack.

13. Where There’s a Whip (The Return of the King Animated OS) - disco beats within a fantasy theme, I know. Corny, yes. But it’s such a great song, and if I’m ever hiking with people who know the song, you can bet it turns into a karaoke session.

14. Overture (Mary Poppins OS) - musicals are a major part of my life, and this song encompasses the beauty and wonderfulness of this movie.

15. Posh! (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang OS) - when I travel someday, this will be my theme song. Despite the absolutely frightening Child Catcher, this was (and still is) one of my favorite movies of all time.

16. The Whistle Stop Cafe (Fried Green Tomatoes OS) - I remember seeing this movie once when I was young, and feeling a lot of deep emotions that I didn’t understand then; the biggest was sadness of course, but I realize now that I was affected then by the music and the wonderful story.

17. The Pod Dance (The Dark Crystal OS) - it’s hard listening to this song sitting down because I have to get up and dance to it EVERY time.

18. Singin’ In the Rain (Gene Kelly) - the epitome of classic musical movies. That genre held the top billing in my young life, and still does.

19. The Chronicles of Narnia Theme (BBC) - these movies shaped my love for CS Lewis’ actual stories, and to this day (no matter the adaption), I sob at Aslan’s death scene because of what it means to me as a Christian. This music always transports me to Narnia, and always will.

20. Rainbow Connection (The Muppets) - my life would be incomplete without my Muppets. I hear this song, and I hear my entire childhood, especially the Rocky Mountain Holiday set (listened to THAT every time my fam went camping). Jim Henson literally made magic, and I’m forever grateful for having it be a part of my life.

21. Orinoco Flow (Enya) - my gosh, the jazz station my fam started listening to in the mid 90’s played this song SO much. But it sparked a love for Enya’s stuff, and this song always has a special place in my heart.

22. Sweet City Woman (The Stampeders) - this song reminds me of my mum. I know that sounds odd, but it’s due to our mutual love for the banjo in the song. It reminds me of summer drives in the country, and the joy of family time.

23. Surfin’ USA (The Beach Boys) - in a nutshell, summer soundtrack and CA road trips.

24. In the Summertime (Mungo Jerry) - another that reminds me of my mum. We’d be driving around town with the windows down, playing the oldies station, and this song would come on. And we’d jam - I did the “ch-ch-ch” and my mum did the loud “UH”. We STILL do it.

25. Joy to the World (Three Dog Night) - I always think of great times at Chuck E. Cheese when I hear this piece; the animatronic critters would sing a parody version of it, but it was still just as awesome.

26. Me & Julio (Paul Simon) - I hear this piece and can’t help but air guitar along. It brings back memories of listening to a Paul Simon mix tape my dad had - we’d play it every time we drove that long hour to the beach.

Aaah the nostalgia. <3