Watch for Rock

Nothing takes me back to my childhood years faster than Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself.”  In fact, “Dancing with Myself” is one of three songs that instantly transport me in time to vivid moments – moments that I now realize have had a major affect on who I am today.  Thanks to my parents I was introduced to rock music at a young age.  And to this day I will never forget that first song – the irresistible combo between powerful drums, passionate lyrics and a heavy guitar riff – when The Clash triggered my love for music.

Later in life, when I was about 13, I experienced my first real rock show.  Sadly, but also amazingly, my concert virginity goes to MC Hammer.  However, Hammer Time wasn’t what sold me on live music.  It was that atmosphere that filled the stadium as Mick Jagger ran around on stage expounding about how he couldn’t

get no satisfaction.  But what was a teenager doing hanging around the sex, drugs and rock and roll?  Despite the fact that my sister was 15 and I was barely a teen, my parents saw the concert as too good of a show to pass up.  So they did what any rock-loving couple would do with their teenagers when The Stones come to town, buy them tickets, even if they can’t sit in the same section.  That concert also happens to be the first time I was offered pot.  And like any rebellious teenager I immediately declined, started crying and found some cops to whom I could report the illegalities.  I guess D.A.R.E. worked a little too well…

The Rolling Stones weren’t what set off my eternal appreciation for loud music, though.  No, even with Mick Jagger live there were a couple of other songs that were my inspiration.

First Influence: “Should I stay or should I go” by The Clash
It was a sunny afternoon, fall if I remember correctly.  My dad wasn’t home so I spent the afternoon exploring the wonderful world of mischief – a rare opportunity.  Finally after an hour or so I saw my pops sitting on the curb outside of our house, post-run, sweaty and with his yellow Sports Walkman blasting noise.  Upon greeting him at the curb I noticed the music and tuned into the beat, I couldn’t resist asking what he was listening to.  He rewound the tape a few seconds and then hit play, making The Clash’s “Should I stay or should I go” blare into my ears.  20-seconds into the song I was hooked.  That intro guitar riff captured me.  From that point on it was rock, and it was gonna have to be loud.  I’ve never forgotten that afternoon, and thus I’ll forever thank Joe, Mick, Paul and Nicky for my addiction to music.

Second Influence: “Dancing with Myself” by Billy Idol
At the time, around the age of six, I just loved the beat to this song.  I had no idea what Idol was singing about but that didn’t stop me from doing somersaults around our couch as fast as I could.  I mean fast somersaults. Or, at least it felt like it.  The mixture of being slightly dizzy, expending a lot of energy and just letting the song reverberate through my veins was almost too much to handle.  I couldn’t get enough of it.

19 years later I listen to the song and still get the urge to drop down and start rolling my way around the room.  Also 19 years later, I analyze the memory and chuckle because of how much those experiences foreshadowed who I would become – a love for being dizzy, slightly out of control, inspired by music and only thinking about the moment.  All of which are feelings that adults need powerful experiences to reproduce.  For me they happened to be kayaking, girls (and the pursuit), learning, dancing, alcohol, breaking rules, the list goes on…  Thank you, Billy.  I’m now very comfortable dancing with myself and being sure to enjoy the party while I’m at it.

Third Influence: “Bad to the bone” by George Thoroughgood
Yes, you read that correctly, influential song number three, “Bad to the bone.”  I vividly remember driving to the Ocoee River with my dad as he let George crank this classic out of the speakers.  It was always a difficult couple of minutes for me because I could never figure out if I should continue being a nervous wreck, worrying about running the Ocoee, or if I should give into the tune and just rock out.  Fortunately George was always able to temporarily blow away the butterflies in my stomach and allow me to enjoy the moment.

That song always brought great moments for my dad and me.  No matter where we were he would turn up the volume and we’d escape into our own world of rock – father and son feeling bad to the bone.  Little did I know the lyrics also portrayed a slight reflection of my life to come.  If you ask my parents what it was like to raise me they would be the first ones to admit that right after I took my first breath the head nurse told everyone to leave me alone.  And without giving away too many secrets, I can admit that throughout my life I might have been able to make an old woman blush and a good woman steal…True or not, goofy or badass, you have to admit that Mr. Thoroughgood created a masterpiece.  If you listen to “Bad to the bone” and don’t have the inkling to move or feel a little more confident in your dance steps then I’m sorry to say, you don’t have rhythm embedded your soul.

So what songs inspired you?  What beat makes you want move?  You never know, it might just be the tipping point of giving you the confidence and motivation to make your next big accomplishment.

Rock.
~JDR~