(Psst..I know you guys probably want to hear about The Today Show and what Lester Holt smells like. I will write about it soon, but I have a job and a sleep schedule to attend to, so please enjoy this pre-written entry for now.)
Ten years ago I was lying in bed at summer camp when a floormate walked into the room. This wasn’t unusual because my roommate and I kept the door open and somehow a spontaneous bubble of popularity had formed over our room, a bubble I would never have been able to create if I tried.
“Do you have any CDs?” she asked.
“Yeah, over there,” I replied. “Why?”
“I need to find my theme song.” Her group had been assigned a task to pick a song that represented who they were. This was 1997 and MP3s hadn’t even been invented yet, so she was limited to the handful of CDs and cassettes (I’m so old) her peers had brought with them. I don’t know what song she ultimately picked, but the idea of a personal theme song has stuck with me over the years.
If you’d asked me 5 or 6 years ago what my theme song was, I’d have said “In Hiding
You’ll find me
forever in hiding
and only time will tell
what it’s done to me
I’ve tried to show
god only knows to grow
but music hides me so well
and reveals me
Oh well
You can find me in hiding
I spent a lot of my life in hiding, hiding behind my hair, hiding behind my fat. I’ve always been introverted (and I still am), and it’s still hard for me to strike up conversations with strangers, but I don’t feel like I’m in hiding anymore. The blog has helped a lot with that.
These days I’d say my theme song is “Come A Long Way” by Michelle Shocked from the album Arkansas Traveler
I’ve come a long way
I’ve come a long way
I’ve gone 500 miles today
I’ve come a long way
I’ve come a long way
And never even left L.A.
The song is about someone who steals back her motorcycle from a repo man and goes driving around LA all day. Eventually she trashes it and says:
Now you tow it to the repo man’s front door,
And you give him these keys, I don’t need them no more
Granted, I’ve never even been to L.A., so I’ve never driven around it or left it or trashed a motorcycle there. But I think the song is really about self discovery and how you can travel very far without ever leaving yourself. I’m also plenty sure I’ve gone more than 500 miles in the past several years.
So that’s my theme song. What’s yours?
Leanna says
May 13, 2008 at 8:11 amMine is a Jennifer Lopez song from J To The L-O, The Remixes.
The Chorus is:
“I’m feeling so good
I knew that I would
been taking care of my self like I should.
And not one thing, can bring me down
nothin’ in the world’s gonna turn me ’round.”
“Like the stars above I’m gonna shine
anything I want will be mine
tonight I’m gonna have a good time,
call a few friends of mine
‘cuz I’m lovin’ life and tonight’s for me…”
It just makes me feel happy and good to listen to it.
Nicole says
May 13, 2008 at 8:17 amAs silly as it sounds Rhythm Is A Dancer by Snap! is my theme song. It’s been my theme song for four years since I started losing weight. It just pumps me up and makes me feel alive.
Wendy says
May 13, 2008 at 8:41 amGosh this is food for thought. I’m going to have to think about this for a while and get back to you!
Hi by the way – found my way here via Dietgirl and loving your work!
Erin says
May 13, 2008 at 9:14 amTubthumping by Chumbawuma.
I get knocked down
but I get up again
You’re never gonna keep me down
It’s my driving thought when I struggle or am hurt. I ALWAYS get back up again, no matter what.
JourneyGirl says
May 13, 2008 at 9:50 amHi! I’m so glad I got a chance to see your interview. I live in Japan right now so I was wondering if I’d be able to see it. Thanks for posting it! You did a great job. As for my theme song…right now it’s probably “Unwritten” by Natasha Beddingfield.
cranky says
May 13, 2008 at 10:05 amErin – did you know that Chumbawamba have said that in part that song was inspired by the UK’s McLibel case?
My theme song is “Sleeper Coach Driver” by the Rev. Horton Heat. What a song. A man who is confident in the choices he has made career wise, and in his ability to be a good provider to family and clients.
:P
Janet says
May 13, 2008 at 12:38 pmAfter having GBS and losing 140 pounds, my ‘new’ theme song.
“Ready To Fly” by Ronan Tynan
I’ve been trying to open the door
To the secrets of my destiny
And every new road I think is the one
Seems to lead right back to me
I’ve looked for a way to be wiser
A way to be strong
Now I see the answer was hiding
In me all along
CHORUS:
And I’m ready to fly over the sun
Like a rocket to heaven
And I’m ready to soar right through the sky
Never dreamed I’d find something to lift me so high
I’ve always had wings
But I wasn’t ready to fly
Restless, hopeless, and misunderstood
Like so many others I know
So busy trying to keep holding on
When I should have been letting go
I was given the gift to find it
This spirit inside me
But I never really imagined
All I could be
CHORUS
The answer to all of my wonder
Is right in my hands
Now it’s time for me to discover
All that I am
CHORUS
I’ve always had wings
Now I’m finally ready to fly
victoria says
May 13, 2008 at 12:51 pmI just saw the clip. You’re so young & pretty! And you have such a beautiful voice! Thank you for posting this. You come across really well on camera. I’m so happy for you and for all your successes.
Red says
May 13, 2008 at 12:57 pmMy theme song…
Daft Punk’s “Da Funk”
The lyrics are:
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Andrew is getting fit says
May 13, 2008 at 1:38 pmHmm…some serious thought required here.
Helen says
May 13, 2008 at 1:43 pmI don’t have a theme song although my boyfriend and I have two: “I Think I Love You” by The Partridge Family (and you think YOU’re old?!) and “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” by Jet. Speaking of my BF — he loved you on Today too when I showed him the recording last night — he said “is that the one who sucks Pooh brains?” (yes, we both loved that image). So you’ve made a mark on our lives, kinda like a song… ;-)
Karen says
May 13, 2008 at 2:04 pmComing Back to Life off Pink Floyd’s album The Division Bell
The line that clinched the decision for me?
“I took a heavenly ride through our silence,
I knew the moment had arrived
For killing the past
And coming back to life.”
Sagan says
May 13, 2008 at 2:20 pmHaving a theme song is such a good idea! I don’t have one at present. I shall have to find mine:)
SarahJ says
May 13, 2008 at 2:41 pmMine has got to be U2 ‘Beautiful Day’. It pumps me up and reminds me of my love for life, despite all odds.
It was a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
Beautiful day
Touch me
Take me to that other place
Reach me
I know I’m not a hopeless case
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
What you don’t know you can feel it somehow
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
Don’t need it now
Was a beautiful day
http://youtube.com/watch?v=omFdpnSu57U
Rachael says
May 13, 2008 at 4:17 pmHold On by Wilson Phillips
I know this pain
Why do lock yourself up in these chains?
No one can change your life except for you
Don’t ever let anyone step all over you
Just open your heart and your mind
Is it really fair to feel this way inside?
Chorus:
Some day somebody’s gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry
Don’t you know?
Don’t you know things can change
Things’ll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day
Things’ll go your way
Hold on for one more day
You could sustain
Or are you comfortable with the pain?
You’ve got no one to blame for your unhappiness
You got yourself into your own mess
Lettin’ your worries pass you by
Don’t you think it’s worth your time
To change your mind?
(Chorus)
I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and
Break free the chains
Yeah I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and you
Break free, break from the chains
Rachael says
May 13, 2008 at 4:20 pmAnd I’m always singing myself this chorus by Bif Naked from the song “I love myself today”:
I’ve had enough, made up my mind
I’m gonna get up and out and wahhh!
I love myself today
Not like yesterday
I’m cool, I’m calm
I’m gonna be okay! Uh huh
I love myself today
Gonna step right up. Spit shine my soul
I’m gonna be proud and loud and outta control!
I’m lookin’ in the mirror and I like what I see:
I’ve lost the fear & the horror that’s been eating at me
deanna says
May 13, 2008 at 5:31 pmgood question. the first thing that comes to mind is Van Halen’s Right Now – see below, but want to reserve the right to think about this more:
Right Now
Don’t wanna wait ’til tomorrow
Why put it off another day?
One by one, little problems
Build up, and stand in our way. Oh
One step ahead, one step behind it
Now ya gotta run to get even
Make future plans I’ll dream about yesterday, hey! Come on turn, turn this thing around
(Right now) Hey! It’s your tomorrow
(Right now) Come on, it’s everything
(Right now) Catch your magic moment
Do it right here and now
It means everything
Miss a beat, you lose a rhythm
An nothin’ falls into place. No!
Only missed by a fraction
Slipped a little off your pace. Oh!
The more things you get, the more you want
Just trade in one for another
Workin’ so hard to make it easy
Whoa, got to turn. Come on, turn this thing around
(Right now) Hey, it’s your tomorrow
(Right now) Come on, it’s everything
(Right now) catch that magic moment
Do it right here and now
It means everything
Said a lie to me
Right now
What are ya waitin’ for? Oh! Yeah!
Right now
(Guitar Solo)
(Right now) Hey! It’s your tomorrow
(Right now) Come on, it’s everything
(Right now) Catch that magic moment
And do it right, right now (Right now)
Oh, right now!
It’s what’s happening
Right here and now
Right now, it’s right now
Oh!
Tell me, what are ya waitin’ for?
Turn this thing around
sarah says
May 13, 2008 at 7:37 pmWhat a great post!! My theme song is Better Version of Me by Fiona Apple:
The nickel dropped
When I was on
My way beyond
The rubicon
What did I do
And of the games that I can handle
None are ones worth the candle
What should I do
I’m a frightened, fickle person
Fighting, cryin’, kickin’, cursin’
What can I do
Oooh, after all the folderol
And hauling over coals stops
What will I do
Can’t take a good day without a bad one
Don’t feel just to smile until I’ve had one
Where did I learn
I make a fuss about a little thing
The rhyme is losing to the riddling
Where’s the turn
I don’t want a home
I’d ruin that
Home is where my habits have a habitat
Why give it a turn
Oooh, after all the folderol
And hauling over coals stops
What did I learn
I am likely to miss the main event
If I stop to cry or complain again
So I will keep a deliberate pace
Let the damned breeze dry my face
Ooooh mister wait until you see
What I’m gonna be
I’ve got a plan, a demand and it just began
And if you’re right, you’ll agree
Here’s coming a better version of me
Here it comes, a better version of me
Here it comes, a better version of me
Laura says
May 13, 2008 at 7:37 pmGreat post. I don’t have a theme song, but I love the idea of one. I really like Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten,” and without thinking about it too hard, that’s what I would pick right now. It meant a lot to me when I was first starting to run and ran my first 5K last September.
Remember the Seinfeld episode when Elaine tried to figure out her theme song. So funny. (Seriously, every single day there is something you can find in life that was in a Seinfeld episode.)
VerseFameBeauty says
May 13, 2008 at 8:19 pmJamie O’Neal, “I Love My Life”. It’s a little weird because I’m neither married nor have a kid, and unfortunately that’s sort of a large part of it (why can’t singable songs just be about being happy?, but everything else is awesome:
I’ve got everything, more than I ever dreamed
I love my life
I thank God for all I have…
Cara says
May 13, 2008 at 8:50 pmThat I Would be Good by Alanis Morrissette. It’s rather angsty, and a tad morose, but that song just really struck a chord with me when I was an impressionable teenager and struggling with my self worth, and now that I’m an impressionable 20 something and struggling with self worth it continues to resonate.
that I would be good even if I did nothing
that I would be good even if I got the thumbs down
that I would be good if I got and stayed sick
that I would be good even if I gained ten pounds
that I would be fine even if I went bankrupt
that I would be good if I lost my hair and my youth
that I would be great if I was no longer queen
that I would be grand if I was not all knowing
that I would be loved even when I numb myself
that I would be good even when I am overwhelmed
that I would be loved even when I was fuming
that I would be good even if I was clingy
that I would be good even if I lost sanity
that I would be good
whether with or without you
origamifreak says
May 13, 2008 at 10:10 pmOMG, I’m impressed you actually know who Happy Rhodes even IS!
I’m one of the original 5 members of SMOE that formed while waitig for her gig to start at Joyous Lake for Alternative Woodstock about 15 years ago. http://www.smoe.org/smoe/smoe.html
My theme song in high school used to be “Sounds of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel. When I was in a particularly bad mood, it became “I am a rock.”
I think my current theme song is purring. No, seriously! When I got my MP3 player I recorded my new kitten purring, and it’s nice to listen to when I’m travelling or upset.
I like to listen to swing music when I work out, though. It has a better rhythm than purring, which makes me want to sleep. :-)
Boilergrad1993 says
May 13, 2008 at 10:28 pmIt’s definitely ‘Proud’ by Heather Small…I fell in love with the song the first time I heard it on ‘The Biggest Loser’…For as long as I can remember I try to accomplish something each and every day and I think this song reflects that attitude:
I look into the window of my mind
Reflections of the fears I know I’ve left behind
I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I am on my way
Can’t stop me now
And you can do the same
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It’s never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Still so many answers I don’t know
Realise that to question is how we grow
So I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I am on my way
Can’t stop me now
And you can do the same
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It’s never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
We need a change
Do it today
I can feel my spirit rising
We need a change
So do it today
‘Cause I can see a clear horizon
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
‘Cause you could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
What have you done today
You could be so many people?
Just make that break for freedom
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
Cindy says
May 13, 2008 at 10:56 pmThis is a toughie—it depends on the kind of day I’m having. When I am feeling bold (or the need to be bold!) it is “Defying Gravity” from the musical “Wicked.” So for now I will go with that. If you haven’t seen it and it comes your way, you should give it a try. It is AMAZING!!! I love Elphaba and could totally identify with her, even if she was only green and not morbidly obese… Her feelings were not dissimilar…
Christy says
May 13, 2008 at 11:16 pmWork in Progress- by Sister Hazel
Well I’m sick, I’m annoyed
And I’m nasty and I’m incomplete
I am angry, I am lost
Yeah I’m hard as stone
I am sore, well I am worried
And I’m disgusted
I am lonely and I’m scared
And it’s crushing me
You said “what is worthy?
Yeah, you say you belong, belong, belong, belong
Well you say if it matters
Well tell me I’m not dead because I’m going crazy
I’m a mess, such a mess
I’m a coward and a hypocritical sinner
Like a bitchin’ politician
But my anger’s true
I am tense and intentional
I’m passionate to a fault
I am old
But I’m a work in progress
Well, tell me that I’m worthy
Oh, tell me I belong, belong, belong, belong
Tell me that I matter
Well tell me I’m not dead, ’cause I’m going crazy…
Well I’m hung up on the past
Finished up in last
Idealistic in case you missed it
Later, self-mutilator
Killing time, procrastinator
Why worry about my health
Ripping on myself
Idealistic in case you missed it
Well you said “what is worthy?
Oh, tell me I belong, belong, belong, belong
Well tell me that I matter
Well tell me I’m not dead ’cause I’m not that lazy
Well I’m a wreck, such a wreck
Well I’m a martyr and a perpetual loser
Not a sin-free Oprah Winfrey
But I do mean well
I am tense and intentional
I’m passionate to a fault
I am old
But I’m a work in progress
Kristen says
May 13, 2008 at 11:37 pmThere have been times when I have felt really down about myself and my life and the one song that seemed to perfectly fit that was called “Funny” from the musical “City of Angels.” It’s a very bitter song, the singer on the cd is fantastic, and by the end it just oozes self loathing. It’s a very powerful, dark song. The best line is “Sad enough my life’s a joke that suffers in the telling.” It makes more sense in context, of course.
Anyway, I don’t really have a positive, uplifting song to call my own right now. Hmm. I will agree that the song “Proud” that is used in the Biggest Loser is pretty good. And I like “Soak up the Sun” by Sheryl Crow. It’s optimistic.
It’s not having what you want
It’s wanting what you’ve got
I’m gonna soak up the sun
Gonna tell everyone
To lighten up (I’m gonna tell ’em that)
I’ve got no one to blame
For every time I feel lame
I’m looking up I’m gonna soak up the sun
Shelley says
May 13, 2008 at 11:57 pmI’ve always told people that my theme song was “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen.
Are you gonna take me home tonight ?
Ah down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out ?
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin’ world go round
Hey I was just a skinny lad
Never knew no good from bad
But I knew life before I left my nursery – huh
Left alone with big fat Fanny
She was such a naughty nanny
Heap big woman you made a bad boy out of me
Ok, that’s dirty, right? :)
Ashley says
May 14, 2008 at 1:52 amSo, I can admit it. I still love Britney and hope she gets herself together and puts out a new album. I realize some of you consider this kind of pop the domain of 14 year old girls everywhere, but my theme song is none other than Britney’s Stronger, which is a truly fabulous girl power song, in addition to being a great running song.
cathy says
May 14, 2008 at 8:43 amFree by Marie Wilson (on the Anywhere but Here soundtrack) has always stuck a cord with me.
It’s not the final destination
It’s the journey on the way
And I can feel these times are changing
And nothing could stand in my way
I wanna be free, free to find where I belong
Free to find my way
I know at times I act a little crazy
And I’ve made mistakes along the way
But I can see the silver lining
It’s about to bring the change I have been waiting for
Hey, Hey
I wanna be free, free to find where I belong
Free to find my way
I wanna be free
I won’t fight this feeling
It’s leading me so far away
Believe in me my baby
`Cause everything’s gonna be okay
Well I don’t know where I’m going
And I don’t know where I might be
But I can feel these times are changing
And that’s alright by me
`Cause I’m free, free to find where I belong
Free to find my way
I wanna be free
Wendy says
May 14, 2008 at 10:13 amOK here’s mine for now, it gets me singing along at the top of my voice any time I here it! But I reserve the right to change it to something else in the future!
Big Girls You Are Beautiful by Mika
Walks into the room
Feels like a big balloon I said,
Hey girls you are beautiful’
Diet coke and a pizza please
Diet coke I’m on my knees screamin,
Big girls you are beautiful’
You take your skinny girl
Feel like I’m gonna die
‘Cause a real woman
Needs a real man here’s why
You take your girl
And multiply her by four
Now a whole lot of woman
Needs a whole lot more
Get yourself to the Butterfly Lounge
Find yourself a big lady
Big boy come on around
And they’ll be calling you baby
No need to fantasize
Since I was in my braces
A watering hole
With the girls around
And curves in all the right places
Big girls you are beautiful
Big girls you are beautiful
Big girls you are beautiful
Big Girls you are beautiful
I especially love the bit where it says a whole lot of of woman needs a whole lot more (real man) because for me that lays down a gauntlet – are you man enough to love a big girl?
It’s cheesy but I love it!
kcsolly says
May 14, 2008 at 11:06 amIt would have to be “The Secrets of Loveliness” by The Easys.(http://theeasys.com/)
There’s magic in her make-up,
fine art when she fixes her hair.
She’s got pointers on panties
and she understands underwear.
She always cross her T’s and dots her I’s
She knows how to please with the blink
of an eye.
And I found I’m falling again.
She’s got it.
She knows it.
She knows the secrets of loveliness.
She’ll grab you with a glance and beat you up,
and kill you with a kiss.
You know you never had a chance
but you don’t mind the risk.
She’s a little bit lost
and a little bit found.
She’s Satan in a sundress and
she’s coming to your town.
And for the story behind the song…my friend Catherine found this book at a flea market a few years ago. Published in 1964, it’s an instructional manual for women called “The Secrets of Loveliness.” The foreward reads:
“Not every girl can be beautiful. Beauty is a quality that a special few are born with. But loveliness, the aim of all women through the ages, can be acquired.” And it goes on to instruct on the proper way a lady should sit, dress, behave. It even has a sub-chapter titled, “What About Falsies?”
So one of the songwriters for The Easys picked up the book one day and found it amusing, and voila! The song was born. And it’s become one of my all-time favorites.
psychsarah says
May 14, 2008 at 12:38 pmWow-a theme song-I love it! I am always singing or whistling to myself (just ask my husband and coworkers…) and I have so many songs that I use to regulate my mood (i.e., wallow when needed, inspire when necessary etc.) that it was hard to pick just one, but here I go with what has sprung to mind reading everyone else’s great picks:
I love this verse from Stuck in a Moment… by U2
“I am not afraid of anything in this world.
There’s nothing you can throw at me that I haven’t already heard.
I’m just trying to find a decent melody,
One that I can sing, in my own company…”
That’s what I think of when I want to feel strong and get myself “unstuck”.
I agree with Cara that “That I Would be Good” is the perfect thing to sing to yourself when you’re feeling less than good. Sometimes that song makes me cry.
Great question to ask PQ-it really made me think (and want to sing!)
Marina says
May 15, 2008 at 10:35 amCongratulations! I lost 50 lbs 8 years ago and have never looked back. It absolutely changed my life.
My theme song is “Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall…
Her face is a map of the world
Is a map of the world
You can see she’s a beautiful girl
She’s a beautiful girl
And everything around her is a silver pool of light
The people who surround her feel the benefit of it
It makes you calm
She holds you captivated in her palm
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
Why the hell it means so much to me
K says
May 17, 2008 at 10:05 amI have fond feelings for “Suddenly I See” too!
When I need a boost, I tend to listen to the Divine Comedy, particularly the albums “Liberation” and “Casanova”. They give me the feeling that although life is terribly complicated and sometimes bittersweet, and we are all imperfect, somehow that’s all right.
Alexander says
May 22, 2008 at 4:05 amFor those who would like to hear the Happy Rhodes song “In hiding” in full can do so at http://www.myspace.com/happyrhodes4 (last track)