A Little Help From My Friends

So, after a couple of weeks of making fabulously inventive and believable excuses to myself, I will start walking again Monday. I actually started last week, and was very motivated. But then I got terribly sick and was unable to walk due to chest congestion that left me feeling like a candidate for the iron lung. But I'm healthy now, and ready to strike out again.

I got an iPod for Mother's Day this year, and I was so excited to take it on my walk. WOW. What a difference music makes. It kept me energized, helped me maintain a brisk pace, and really made it seem like I was done in no time.

The problem is, I am in a musical rut. Mrs. Chicky once said that when you become a parent your musical taste is arrested. This is certainly true. But I also think it actually reverts as well. Most of the stuff in my library is from 1980 back. Mine is predominantly 80's and Husband's is mostly 70's. I am not ashamed to admit that I love Neil Diamond, The Carpenters, Helen Reddy, Linda Ronstadt and Barry Manilow. In fact, I need to add "Copacabana" to my Walking Playlist. I've loved that song since I was 9 years old. It, like "Turn on Your Heartlight", never gets old. And what self-respecting woman can't get behind "I Am Woman Hear Me Roar"?

We even have quite a bit of music that is even older than that. I actually downloaded Johnny Cash greatest hits after watching "Walk the Line". And the other day, husband downloaded "Dino: The Essential Dean Martin" after watching a sitcom that featured the song "Ain't that a Kick in the Head". We like it. A lot. Sure the guy was a drunken womanizing lech, but dayum that man could sang. I am also realizing that I really dig big band and swing music and I'm currently shopping for a good compilation to download.

I love all things vintage, so it's no surprise that this holds true for musical tastes as well. And I'm not implying that there is anything wrong with that. But I need some really jammin stuff to walk to and "Volare" isn't terribly invigorating. I want some new and fresh music that I haven't listened to a bzillion times. I do have some new-ish stuff in my Library that my Pre-Pubescent one introduced me to. Fallout Boy, All American Rejects, Hoobastank and Maroon 5. Of my own accord I added some Shakira, KT Tunstall and Outkast. (Why don't they do more songs like "Hey Ya" instead of that rap garbage???).

But there are so many new artists that I am unfamiliar with and I don't have the time to "browse" for music really. So I turn to all you hip young chicks who haven't yet fallen prey to musical stagnation syndrome. Give me some suggestions for music that really gets your blood pumpin, your ass shakin, and your toes tappin.

I like just about everything, with the notable exception of Rap. I am constantly amazed that this genre continues to gain popularity. I mean, Will Smith was pretty entertaining and I actually liked Vanilla Ice, but I can't get behind the violent mysoginistic rantings of the modern rap culture. There is no artistry there.

So, gimme your recommedations. If you have a workout mix, please share it. I would love to see what everyone else is sweating to. In the spirit of reciprocity, I'll share mine. But don't laugh at all the old fogie tunes. I can't help it. I came of age in the 80's.

Walking/Workout Mix

Hips Don't Lie, Shakira
Dancing With Myself, Billy Idol
I Like The Way, Bodyrockers
Personal Jesus, Depeche Mode
Sunrise, Duran Duran
Want You More, Duran Duran
The Bitch is Back, Elton John
Cars, Gary Newman
Yes U Can, Jewel
Come Dancing, Kinks
Black Horse & A Cherry Tree, KT Tunstall
Lady, Lenny Kravitz
American Woman, Lenny Kravitz
You're The One That I Want, Olivia Newton John
Jive Talkin', Bee Gees
1999, Prince
Glamorous Life, Sheila E.
La Vida Loca, Ricky Martin
Vertigo, U2
Play That Funky Music, Wild Cherry
Whisper to A Scream, Icicle Works
A Little Less Conversation, Elvis Presley
Everybody Dance Now, C&C Music Factory
Dirty Little Secret, All American Rejects
Move Along, All American Rejects
Hey Ya, Outkast
My Humps, Blackeyed Peas
Ray of Light, Madonna
Dance Dance, Fallout Boy