The Soundtrack to my Life

I am a big fan of music and did not know how to tackle this "project". I am trying to cross something off of our Living Intentionally list today. At first I thought I would just pick my favorite songs of all time and put them on the list, but I realized I like far too many songs and the soundtrack could end up being 1,500 songs. Then I thought I would pick a song from each year that I have been alive, but I really have/do not listen to a lot of music from the 1988-1995 era so I didn't want to waste tracks on those years. So I decided I would choose 23 songs (one for every year I have been alive, but they do not have to cover every individual year) and 9 honorable mention songs (one for each month I was alive before being born). The songs will be a soundtrack to my life. If my life were a video this is the music that would accompany it. Each song resonates with me deeply and has had an impact in my life and therefore is making the list. Some of the music is dark and some is more lighthearted trying to keep it as real as possible for the life I have lived so far. Sometimes music represents how we are feeling or what we are going through better than words simply can. Some songs I will give an explanation as to why it made the list or just list my favorite lyric from the song. You can tell alot about a person by the music they listen to, so hopefully all 6 of my readers will get to know me a little better after this. Without further ado.....

1. Everything by Lifehouse
"how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you"
This song is awesome because it builds and builds up to a strong and moving finish.
It has actually been turned into a human video that is performed across the country.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwsTUW4fsV4

2. Let it All Out by Relient K
"You said 'I Know that this will hurt, but if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse. If the burden seems to much to bear, remember the end will justify the pain it took to get us there"
I listened to this song on many a sleepless/pain filled night. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" - 2 Corinthians
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rUtyfB6gVU

3. In Christ Alone by Newsboys
"No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from his hand"
This song is all about Jesus. It is fitting because he saved my life, gave me a future and has always got my back even (or especially) when I do not deserve it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjZYLmi61oo

4. Can I Live by Jay-Z
"We invite you to something epic...we offer our lives, what do you bring to the table?"
I have always wanted to something epic with my life ever since I was a little kid. It is at the core of who I am. That's why this song resonates with me. It has a swagger, confidence, and desperation to get things done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC7MJ8l73SQ

5. Beautiful Day by U2
"What you don't have you don't need it now, what you don't know you can feel it somehow"
This song is classic. Bono is a beast. It has a very optimistic and upbeat feel to it, which is the same way I want to live life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZzpqtekRoI

6. In my Life by Nelly featuring Avery Storm and Mase
"I wanna be the one to give you my last name" and "me and you that's one thing I know for sure"
One of my favorite songs ever. Plus, I straight up stole my proposal idea from this song. I literally gave Natalia my last name. Thanks for the idea Nelly.
Couldn't find this one on youtube. It's on his "Suit" album if you want to hear it. 

7. Chances by Five for Fighting
"Chances lost are hopes torn up pages; maybe this time chances are we'll be the combination. Chances come and carry me; chances are waiting to be taken...and all I need"
Awesome piano in this song. Plus great lyrical message about hoping, chances, and taking risks. Again, another theme of my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8cfbBgXIow

8.Be (Intro) by Common
"I want to be as free as the spirits of those who left" and "Walk like warriors, we were never told to run; Explored the world to return to where my soul begun"
I am a big fan of Common. He is a great wordsmith. The song has elements of freedom and redemption which I love. I had to listen to the song about 427 times to pick up all the intricate details that were buried in it.

9. Somewhere I Belong by Linkin Park
"I wanna heal, I wanna feel what I thought was never real, I wanna let go of the pain I've held so long"
This is the heaviest, darkest song to make the soundtrack. You have to acknowledge the past to not repeat the same mistakes. At one time in my life I could relate to every single lyric in the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsCD5XCu6CM

10.Hey Baby by Stephen Marley featuring Mos Def
 "Even though I'm gone, I am never too far; You're the light through the dark, shining right thru my heart"
and "if you thought that I was lost I had to bear my cross and now I'm free from all these chains"
This song is as cool as the other side of the pillow (Stuart Scott reference). Very chill, relaxing song but still with a driven and resilient tone. Strong themes of freedom and redemption found in this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkJxcjSrclI

11. Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphy's
The music is better than the lyrics. I had to add this one because I'm part Irish. I'm trying to get in touch with my roots...lol... Plus, this is the most recognizable song for one of the greatest movies ever made - The Departed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-KBnd4106A&feature=fvst

12. Fix You by Coldplay
"Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones and I will try to fix you"
I have been all kinds of wrecked and broken, needing to be fixed.
"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" -Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI-o25K6B-E

13. One and Only by Nelly
"Let me stop for a minute, take a second to say; Girl you take my breath away"
 I love Natalia. She is my one and only.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zn-PQq18mU

14. Stolen by Dashboard Confessional
"I watch you spin around in your highest heels. You are the best one of the best ones"
Natalia. Natie Ice. Natie. Hobbes. Bobbes. Lil Coconut. Bobbe-won-ken-o-bee. You have stolen my heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j82FBbgpUy4

15. A Lifetime by Better than Ezra
"No one is allowed to be so proud, they never reach out when they're giving up"
This song resonates with me especially over the last five or six years. The song is a story about breaking rules and living free. I am not a huge fan of uptight people who make rules about the rules about the rules. So, as long as it is not morally wrong I like to break rules that I think are stupid, much like the kids in this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ2QT88m_nk

16. Life of a Salesman by Yellowcard and Hey Mama by Kanye West (I know this will put me over my limit, but I made the rules so I can break them...lol)
"Took me by the hand and you showed me how to be a bigger man, dad...Now I'm older I wanna be the same as you"
This is a tribute to my dad. He is incredible man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dtcYOACkHY
"You're unbreakable/unmistakable/Highly capable/a livin legend too/just look at what heaven do/send us an angel/and I thank you (hey mama)"
My mom is awesome. She needs a track on the cd. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtpKqMpqGU0

17.You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
"Each restless heart beats so imperfectly; But when you come and I am filled with wonder, Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity"
Josh Groban kills this song. He hands down has the best voice on the planet. I need him on my soundtrack in an effort to sell more records and make more money.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJxrX42WcjQ

18. Fallin' in Love by Anthony Hamilton
"if I could have my way I'd spend my life with you, fallin' in love"
The piano intro in this song hits it out of the park like Albert Pujols. Plus, Anthony Hamilton is THE man, can't leave him out. So much passion and desire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XixLqtXwW88

19. The Title Track by The Fold

"You can take your time, figure it out. This is a call to all the pain (this too shall pass)"

I don't know who many times I have said "this too shall pass" to myself....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0ltYhPIUD4

20.Family Business by Kanye West

"Act like you ain't took a bath with your cousins/Fit three in the bed while six of y'all/I'm talkin' 'bout three by the head and three by the leg/but you ain't have to tell my girl I used to pee in the bed" and "Keep your nose out the sky/keep your heart to God/and keep your face to the rising sun"

This one goes out to all my family everywhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8yoxyIu0s8

21. Live Your Life by T.I. featuring Rihanna

"Your values is a disarray/prioritizin' horribly/unhappy with the riches 'cause your piss poor morally/Ignorin' all prior advice and forewarnin'/And we mighty full of ourselves all of a sudden, aren't we?"

Get busy living or get busy dying - The Shawshank Redemption

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koVHN6eO4Xg

22. Never Let Me Down by Kanye West featuring Jay-Z and J Ivy

"It's gon' take a lot more than coupons to get us saved" and "If I were on the highest cliff, on the highest rift and you slipped off the side and clenched on to your life in my grip I would never, ever let you down"

This is one of my top 3 favorite songs all time and by default had to make it on the life soundtrack. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sHpHQTuZC4

23. Don't Waste Your Life - Lecrae featuring Cam and Dwayne Tryumf

"The cost is Christ/And they could never offer me anything on the planet that'll cost that price"

I have been all kinds of broken, shattered, and wrecked, but also delivered, restored and redeemed. Can't waste my life, gotta make it count.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxr6DaqHN74

Honorable Mention:

1. Coming Home- Diddy - Dirty Money & Skylar Grey

2.Good Life - OneRepublic

3. What a wonderful world - Louis Armstrong

4. Young Forever - Jay-Z and Mr. Hudson

5. Right Above it - Lil Wayne feat. Drake

6. Stepped on My J's - Nelly feat. Ciara & Jermaine Dupri

7. Make Me Better - Fabolous 

8. Pieces- Red

9. High School Never Ends - Bowling for Soup

I will be selling this instant classic soundtrack out of my trunk for $9.95. Hurry up and get yours before they are gone. And when financial crisis hits our home I will be release my life soundtrack 2.0 for a quick influx of cash...j/k.. but seriously. Hope everyone enjoyed.