covered. (dis)covered.

it's monday and things are looking up. way up.

i love music. i always have.  growing up, i sang along to the oldies on the AM dial with my mom. hayley and i went through a brief (maybe not so brief :)) but intense obsession with the new kids on the block. the first mixtape i ever made included the bangles, whitney houston, and tone loc. we choreographed some sweeeet dance moves to eternal flame and knew every word to funky cold medina.

in eighth grade i saved up all my pocket change to make my very first cd purchase. i already had bob dylan and james taylor, but those cd's were gifts and reflected my parent's tastes. even though i shared my parent's enthusiasm for the same music, i was ready to assert myself as a music individual. after some research, i rode my bike to the music store and plunked down my money for if i were a carpenter, a tribute album to the carpenters. it felt risky, but i knew i was getting the best of both worlds. the cd had songs i already knew (by an artist that maybe wasn't junior high "cool") covered by artists nobody knew like sonic youth and american music club (which made it "cool").

that cd is probably the reason why i am a sucker for covers. i like the comfortable familiarity mixed with the sound of something new. i like reinterpretations. just like hairstyles and fashion trends, cover songs bring music back around with new life. i updated the music player with some of my favorites. give them a spin. 

while you are listening, check out these fun layouts i found poking around the world wide web.

leave a comment and let me know what artists started your love of music. i will pick a random winner this weekend for a pal prize.

xo
sandy bee.

Comments

[Beth Perry]

I guess I had a similar story. Growing up, my brother and I would sing THe Beach Boys songs with mom. Andy (my bro) and I still like to listen to them every now and then and sing. It is hilarious!

B

[Cheri Freeman]

Wow! All of the comments here bring back so many memories! My first record (yep, I said record) was the Beach Boys. I grew up listening to the Bee Gees, Elvis, Willie Nelson, John Denver and of course Dolly Parton. But, the first music I bought was a casset tape...Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' and Duran Duran's 'Seven And The Ragged Tiger'. Such fun days!

[Paula Clare]

Okay, I've answered this question before, but I've never felt quite as dorky about it as I do now...I never had a real "musical" heart throb growing up...my hero was Billy Jack. You know, of the Billy Jack movies? The song, "One Tin Soldier" probably led me into the rebellion of my youth...and I guess I've just stayed there! Lol! I am a "radical" peace activist. Go figure...

I'm sure that's WAAAAAAAAY more information than you wanted...

[jen t.]

for me it all started with madonna...i am an 80's child and i loved pop music! i rollerskated and danced to her music.the first cassette single i bought was madonna like a virgin.....i still know all the words when her old songs come on the radio.oh and i have to mention how i knew all the words to all the stevie b albums...i even have a demo 35 record when he played live in the surf club in ortley beach new jersey..aahhh... memories!thanks for a chance to remenisce about the start of my love for music! jen t.

[Laura Stewart]

Beastie Boys were my first love.

[Tricia Wilson]

I STILL know all of the words to Funky Cold Media! My mom always had music playing around the house, so some of my early influences were Neil Diamond, Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdink. Yeah, that's right, I just admitted that in public.

[Lea Lawson]

80's pop music...what can I say? I had young and hip parents in the 80's and that is what they listened to. To this day my favorite song is "West End Girls" by Pet Shop Boys.

~Lea

[Sandra]

Actually, I think I also started with New Kids On The Block...not too sure about that though.. Later I had an obsession with Caught in the Act, a boy group from the Netherlands *lol*..quite emberassing now, but anyhow *lol*

[melita]

gotta say it started with the original high school musical "Grease." i knew every word to every song and i betcha i still do! ;)

[Patty Tanúz]

I love sing, in house, we love all music!!! My mon listened Ricky Nelson and my dad Pedro Infante hehehe.... My music was romantic always, Camilo sesto from Spain and after, MENUDO from Puerto Rico hehehe Now I anjoy ALL MUSIC, by example Madonna, Aselin Debison, RBD, uff I don't finish! I'm from Mpexico, many kisses!

[Sue]

The Osmonds. :)

[Lindsay]

Like you, I was first influenced by my parents! Buddy Holly, Lou Christie, Petula Clark, and Johnny Mathis were my parents' faves. Thanks to them, I love all types of music. My first two records (GASP!) were Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Michael Jackson's Thriller. My first CD was Guns n Roses - the one with November Rain. Now I only use my iPod. My favorite is Jason Mraz's I'm Yours right now.

[Shawna]

i believe my first cassette tapes were New Kids on the Block, MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice

[Laurel]

When you spoke of New Kids on the Block -I have to tell you that my 29 year old daughter was also obsessed. I took her and her best friend to see them for their 1st concert. She was in 7th grade then. They are still best friends and live next door to each other. My daughter is expecting her second child and last week they went and saw them in concert again! She cried through the entire concert and said she fell in love all over again! So precious! And so are the layouts!
Laurel in Houston

[kkoeur]

U2..... it was U2............... ;O)

[Kim M]

I am ashamed to admit it but the Bee Gees. I listened to them over and over on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.

[Heather Prins]

I think it would have to have been Shaun Cassidy or Donny Osmond, such sweet memories, lol!

[Megan A]

hmmm, I have no idea because I really love all music - bananrama, bon jovi and belinda carlisle come to mind as stuff I listened to back in the day.

[vicki]

the artist that started my love of music was Boyzone, an irish pop group, they were the first concert i went to and it was great!!!

[PippiPebbles]

I love 3 doors down, the first cd's I ever bought was 1 from 3 doors down and 2 from Anouk, a Dutch singer, who is absolutely amazingly, goooooooood!!!

[christine]

To reply I must delve deep into my inner geekdom and confess..the answer is....

DURAN DURAN. Planet Earth, Girls on Film..then RIO. Well..it was worth the risl..I might win a prize !

:)

[ivy]

duran duran (am i dating myself?)!! love michael jackosonn too from his earlier 'normal' days!

[Lindsay]

Like you, I was first influenced by my parents! Buddy Holly, Lou Christie, Petula Clark, and Johnny Mathis were my parents' faves. Thanks to them, I love all types of music. My first two records (GASP!) were Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Michael Jackson's Thriller. My first CD was Guns n Roses - the one with November Rain. Now I only use my iPod. My favorite is Jason Mraz's I'm Yours right now.

[Sandra]

I didn't really get into music until I was in the 7th grade. Back then, it was Duran Duran and Brian Adams that made my musical juices flow! Other classics included George Michael and Heart. Drool buckets...

[bianca]

Oh my it's gotta be the theme from "The Greatest American Hero". Loved that song!