~orion~

It’s interesting how in my mind I’ve associated a song with an event or activity. For example, I have associated the song The Unforgiven by Metallica with reading military techno-thrillers. Why? Well one summer in high school (or perhaps middle school) I devoured a ton of books by Dale Brown (no relation to Dan Brown of Da Vinci Code fame), Patrick Robinson, and Tom Clancy. That same summer I was constantly listening to Metallica, especially the Black Album. For some reason that song in particular creates the strongest association. Along with that association comes emotions and feelings. That songs makes me feel relaxed and peaceful, like on a reading pleasant summer day. Another song is Jeff Beck’s What Mama Said. That song reminds me of playing soccer at the USA Cup.

There are also songs that I’ve associated with people. Some of those associated feelings are good, some are not so good. Some songs make bring back great memories and happy feelings. Some songs bring bad events from the past that I’d rather not remember (I don’t listen to those songs anymore).

But the point of this post isn’t about my past. Rather, it’s about the strange way the mind works. The really weird thing for me is when a song will remind me of something (or someone) but I don’t remember what (or who), but I will remember the associated feelings. It ends up being something like: This song brings back good memories … memories of what I don’t know …