The Soundtrack of Life’s Journey- A List of Favourite Songs
Hello Wonderful People,
I share with you a list of 41 favourite songs to mark my 41st birthday, today. I love mainstream songs, but have often been drawn to the under-rated. Yes, the ones that were never hit singles, the ones that were under-promoted.
By the way, what factors make a song a hit and who is the determinant? Definitely, a subject worth investigating! That is not to say that mainstream songs are valueless, but we must bear in mind that not everyone invests in music (music streaming, CD purchase, concert attendance, etc), and that the creation of music awareness is mostly relegated to external agents. As such, I would argue that many great songs have paled into oblivion due to little or no airplay.
Anyway, as a 80s baby, I here celebrate the glorious decade of my birth and the 1990s which saw me metamorphose to a teenager. The 2000s are abysmally represented. Few songs on this list were hits and are probably familiar, but most are unfamiliar. I suppose a list of favourite hit songs should be in the pipeline.
[DISCLAIMER: None of the music content on this page belongs to me. They are merely reference points which evoke nostalgia and serve the purpose of entertainment and awareness creation, only]
Please ‘like’ the songs and subscribe to the content creators.
Enjoy!
Anita Baker - "Body and Soul" (Rhythm of Love, 1994).
Aretha Franklin - "I Dreamed A Dream" (What You See Is What You Sweat, 1991).
Babyface - "A Bit Old-Fashioned" (For The Cool In You, 1993).
Barry White - "Baby's Home" (The Icon Is Love, 1994).
Bette Midler - "From a Distance" (Some People’s Lives, 1990).
Beyoncé - "Sweet Dreams" (I Am….Sasha Fierce, 2008).
Bobby Brown - "Pretty Little Girl" (Bobby, 1992).
Bruce Hornsby - "The Show goes on" (Scenes From The Southside, 1988).
Bruce Springsteen - "Trapped" (We Are The World by USA for Africa & various Artistes, 1985).
Céline Dion - "Call the Man" (Falling Into You, 1996).
Cindi Lauper - "Unconditional Love" (A Night To Remember, 1989).
Chaka Khan - "Be Bop Medley" ( Chaka Khan, 1982).
Culture Club - "Mister Man" (Colour By Numbers, 1983).
Diana Ross - "Muscles" (Silk Electric, 1982).
Dionne Warwick - "Whisper in the Dark" (Friends, 1985).
DMX - "Right/Wrong" (Soundtrack to the film Cradle to the Grave, 2003).
Donna Summer - "I'm Free" (Cats Without Claws, 1984).
Earth Wind and Fire - "Victim of the Modern Heart" (Touch The World, 1987).
Elton John - "When A Woman Doesn't Want You" (The One, 1992).
Emeli Sandé - "Read All About It" (Our Version Of Events, 2012).
Eric Clapton - "Change the World" (Soundtrack to the film Phenomenon, 1996).
Eros Ramazzotti - "Io amerò" (I will love) (Dove C'è Musica, 1996).
George Michael - "Cowboys and Angels" (Listen Without Prejudice vol .1, 1990).
Gladys Knight - "I'll Fall in Love If You Hang Around" (Just For You, 1994).
(The) Jacksons - "Torture" (Victory, 1984).
Janelle Monae - "What an Experience" (The Electric Lady, 2013).
James J.T Taylor - "Sister Rosa" (Master Of The Game, 1989).
Jeffrey Osborne - "You Should Be Mine" (Emotional, 1986).
Jody Watley - "It All Begins With You" (Affairs Of The Heart, 1991).
LeVert - "Like Water" (The Whole Scenario, 1997).
Lighthouse Family - "Question of Faith" (Postcards From Heaven, 1997).
Lionel Richie - "Se La" (Dancing On The Ceiling, 1985).
Luther Vandross - "Dream Lover" (I Know, 1998).
Madonna - "Where's the Party" (True Blue, 1986).
Mariah Carey -"All in Your Mind" (Mariah Carey, 1990).
Marvin Gaye - "My Love is Waiting" (Midnight Love, 1982).
Mary J. Blige - "What Love Is" (Growing Pains, 2007).
Michael Bolton - "Soul of my Soul" (The One Thing, 1993).
Michael Jackson - "Keep the Faith" (Dangerous, 1991).
Mint Condition - "U Send Me Swingin' (From The Mint Factory, 1993).
Missy Elliot - "4 My People" (Miss E…So Addictive, 2001).
It takes a die-hard music junkie to get this far. And if you have, thanks a million! But, I don’t see Whitney Houston or Prince on this list, and it would be foolhardy and the height of contempt to leave out dear Whitney, since we are both Leo women (Yes, I am biased like that…haha!). So, let’s make it to W. Here are 10 more songs for the road because if truth be told, I am a very kind soul.
Oleta Adams -"Rhythm of Life" (Circle Of One,1990).
Patti Labelle - "Too Good To Be Through" (Gems, 1994).
Phil Collins - "Find A Way To My Heart" (….But Seriously, 1989).
Prince - "Gold" (The Gold Experience, 1995).
Randy Crawford -"Shine" (Through The Eyes Of Love, 1992).
Stevie Wonder - "Contusion" (Songs In The Key Of Life, 1976).
Take That - "The Flood" (Progress, 2010).
Toni Braxton -"Spanish Guitar" (The Heat, 2000).
Whitney Houston - "You'll Never Stand Alone" (My Love Is Your Love, 1998).
Yes, we made it!
Sincere apologies to Wyclef Jean!
For every artist listed on this page, so many have been excluded. And for every favourite song per artist, one could list many more. This list is by no means exhaustive. I hope these songs which are markers of my childhood and life’s journey, bring you immense joy and tremendous pleasure like they have me.
Thanks for stopping by!
