Daily writing prompt

What’s a song that always puts you in a good mood?

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This is impossible to narrow down to one song. I’d feel like I was cheating on all the others, and my ingrained Catholic guilt would never allow it.

Two songs immediately popped into my head: Shiny Happy People by R.E.M. and September by Earth, Wind & Fire.

I’m not surprised they were the first to appear in my orbit because no matter when or where I hear them, I’m not only moved to groove, but I also find myself smiling.

Music is powerful that way. It has carried me through some of the best and worst moments of my life.

I can’t listen to Betcha by Golly, Wow by the Stylistics without thinking of a lying, cheating boyfriend. And I can’t hear Everybody Hurts without being transported back to the day I learned of a friend’s suicide.

Music has a way of bypassing logic and heading straight to the heart. Somehow, a three-minute melody can bring memories to the surface that we thought were long gone, leaving my 60-plus-year-old self with the urge to slash the tires of that lying, cheating boyfriend.

Then there are the songs that take me somewhere I’d gladly visit again. The moment an ’80s Madonna song comes on the radio, I’m young again. The windows are down, my tan is fresh, and my girlfriends and I are singing Holiday at the top of our lungs without a care in the world.

I can forget hand soap on my shopping list twice in one week, but if Funkytown hits the airwaves, there I am, reciting every word, and reliving every memory from the Summer of 1980 at the Jersey Shore.

Songs are time machines, comfort blankets, celebrations, and wounds. Sometimes all it takes is a few notes, and we’re right back where we were, laughing, crying, dancing, grieving, or falling in love, or out of love.

That’s the power of music!

So, no, I can’t just pick one song.

I’m positive the songs I left behind will forgive me, but that Catholic guilt never will.