My Life In Music: Soundtrack to Me 2021

2021 was far too identical to 2020 in ways most don't want to recall. But, you know there's one way that I absolutely must...the same way that I have for years preceeding 2020 -- with music! My love for music and the memories music provides and the times music pulls you through, stays with you, or marks as a reminder for cherished times. Below is the list of musical gems that were my go-to's and stick-with-me's through the year; like always, they don't have to be newly released during the covered year as some older songs can touch you years later for the first time or in a totally different way. Enjoy...and feel free to share your soundtrack with me! xoxo 

MY LIFE IN MUSIC: Soundtrack to Me 2021

• Jacob Lutrell - Sweet Woman
• The Temptations - Bare Back
  
• Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) - Leave The Door Open
• Kool & The Gang - Sexy (Where'd You Get Yours)
  
• R. Kelly - Not Supposed To Be
  
• Whitney Houston - In My Business
• Jazmine Sullivan f/ Ari Lennox - On It
  
• K. Michelle - Can't Raise A Man
• Meghan Trainor & John Legend - Like I'm Gonna Lose You
• Jeremiah Cole - Crushing On Ya
• Aretha Franklin - Hello Sunshine
• Stevie Wonder - Gotta Have You
• Leela James - Rise N Shine
• Chris Stapleton - Tennessee Whiskey
• KeKe Wyatt - Tennessee Whiskey
• Whitney Houston - Hold On, Help Is On The Way
  

 

 NOTE: If it's listed above and not included in the video playlist or an alternate version is included...blame YouTube! As that would mean I couldn't find something somewhere for some reason.

My Life In Music: Soundtrack to Me 2017

2017 showed up and showed out...and the music keeps playing. So, it's time for my annual "this is my life in music" playlist.  I still can't sing or play an instrument, but music is all up in me...calming my soul and feeding my spirit.

For 2017, these are the songs that blessed me, touched me, and kept me going. Forever and always a part of my life, memories, and moments of 2017.  

This is me...and this is the soundtrack to my life 2017-lived life.

MY LIFE IN MUSIC: Soundtrack to Me 2017

• Jennifer Hudson - Say It
• Mica Paris - Stay
• Judith Hill - Cure (live version, but check the album version, too)
• Angie Fisher - Hide & Seek
• Jessie Ware - Say You Love Me
• Deborah Cox - Kinda Miss You
• Judith Hill - Cry, Cry, Cry
• Ranky Tanky - Sink 'em Low
• Adele - I Miss You
• Tamar Braxton - Love & War
• Fantasia - When I Met You
• Fantasia - Sleeping With The One I Love
• Alice Merton - No Roots
• Whitney Houston + Destiny's Child - It's Not Right, But Say My Name (mashup)

 

Music is a therapy: it relaxes me, it inspires me, it becomes my voice to express myself when I cannot find the words. Put your life to music. Which songs capture you and your year?

I wish you love,

Xx

My Life In Music: Soundtrack To Me 2016

You know how this works. Another year comes to an end (Bye, 2015!) and another list of "this is my life in music" is shared.  I can't sing a lick, but music is truly who I am, for the most part. Music calms my soul and feeds my spirit. 

For 2016, these are the songs that helped me reflect on life and will help me remember where I was as an individual in 2016.  It helps you to truly understand who I am and where I am with certain issues and emotions. 

This is me...and this is the soundtrack to my life for the year 2016.

MY LIFE IN MUSIC: Soundtrack to Me 2016

• Alicia Keys + Maxwell - Fire We Make
• Jazmine Sullivan - Good Enough
• Melanie Fiona - Wrong Side of a Love Song
• Rihanna - Kiss It Better
• Christina Aguilera - Change
• Whitney Houston - You Were Loved
• Beyonce + Kendrick Lamar - Freedom*
• Deborah Cox - Kinda Miss You
• Gregory Porter + Kem - Holding On
• Adele - I Miss You
• Rihanna - Love On The Brain
• Jennifer Hudson - Dangerous

2017, let's see what you're made of!

As I always say, to me music is a therapy: it relaxes me, it inspires me, it becomes my voice to express myself when I cannot find the words. Put your life to music. Which songs capture you?

You'll never stand alone,

Xx

*Not included in video playlist

My Life In Music: Soundtrack To Me 2015

Another year; another this is me, this is who I am. I love these posts; I love this mini project. It helps me reflect on the year, it's fun, it features music (a major love in my life), and it allows me to share myself with others...in a way that many likely don't understand from the outset. 

This is the soundtrack to my life for the year 2015.

I confess, I'm not sure what was up with 2015; was it a year of reflection, a year of living in the past, or a year of what's old is new or relevant, again? Many of the songs on the playlist this year are recordings that were released in earlier years, but they spoke volumes to me this past year. The only missing audio/video is a song from Adele's "25," but with over 3 million sales the album reached in it's first week of release...I'm sure everyone has the CD by now. If not, find the and listen to it; the title is in the track listing below!

MY LIFE IN MUSIC: Soundtrack to Me 2015

• Tamia - Chaise Lounge 
• TLC - Waterfalls 
• Whitney Houston - Exhale (Shoop, Shoop) 
• Deborah Cox - Where Do We Go From Here 
• Ariana Grande & Nathan Sykes - Almost Is Never Enough 
• Iggy Azalea + Jennifer Hudson - Trouble 
• Miranda Lambert + Carrie Underwood - Somethin' Bad 
• Mariah Carey & Ne-Yo - Angel's Cry 
• Whitney Houston - My Heart Is Calling 
• Paolo Nutini - Let Me Down Easy
• R Kelly - Spend That 
• R Kelly - Cookie
• Adele - I Miss You

Hello, 2016...it's me. Let's see what you hold.

As I always say, to me music is a therapy: it relaxes me, it inspires me, it becomes my voice to express myself when I cannot find the words. Put your life to music. Which songs capture you?

Nothin' But Love,

Xx

*Not included in video playlist

My Life In Music: Soundtrack to Me 2014

It's that time of the year! The time when the end and the beginning are oh-so near. The time for great food, great friends, resolutions, and reflections. I do it all through music which speaks to me. As is my annual tradition; I, generally, review the year through the songs that have spoken to me, touched me, hugged and squeezed and held me close at some point during 2014.

Indulge and enjoy!

MY LIFE IN MUSIC: Soundtrack to Me 2014

• Beyonce - Blow
• Jamie Holden - Hard To Let Go
• Reba McEntire - So Far Away
• Melanie Fiona - Wrong Side of a Love Song
• Antonique Smith - Hold Up, Wait A Minute (Woo, Woo)
• Sam Smith - Restart
• Alice Smith - Fool For You
• Paulo Nutini - Let Me Down Easy
• Angie Fisher - IRS
• Whitney Houston - So Emotional
• Jennifer Hudson - Dangerous
• Nicole Renee - Ain't Nothin' Changed
• CeCe Winans - Come On Back Home

As I always say, to me music is a therapy: it relaxes me, it inspires me, it becomes my voice to express myself when I cannot find the words. Put your life to music. Which songs capture you?

With love,

Xx



 
 
*Not included in video playlist

Podcasting: Putting Myself On-Air

Yes, I am co-hosting a podcast called The THRST. For those unfamiliar, a podcast is essentially the modern-day equivalent of a radio show, except most aren't broadcasted live and are available for you to download and stream anytime and anywhere you get the chance to listen.

With the incomprehensible advances in technology, one can do pretty much anything they want to do -- at affordable prices while maintaining complete control. Want to produce a music CD? Not a problem. Want to shoot a (short) film? That can be done, as well. Is it possible to produce your own radio show? A piece of cake!

I never thought I would actually do a podcast or radio show. I've always wanted to host a television show, but never thought I actually had a chance, because -- you know -- I speak to quickly, I speak too softly, and my Southern accent has a tendency to make an appearance whenever it wishes. Those three things are definite NO's in the public speaking world. At least in the "old" days, but not today.

I am going to say the journey, officially, started with my interest in voice acting. A few years ago, I started attending a voiceover workshop where I learned skills for radio and television commercial voice acting and eventually acquired the equipment I needed to record and submit audition pieces. Then, one day, I was walking with one of my friends and we're having this ridiculously funny conversation and realized we should have our own reality show. That was a bit much, but I realized we could do a radio show (or a podcast) and I already had the equipment. We discussed it for a few weeks and then just did it. The THRST was born!

No sugar- or cream-added, enticingly evil, wickedly funny conversations between two friends on life, dating, pop culture, and every issue in between.  It's humor, attitude, shade, and opinionated-truth!

I'm extending a personal invitation for you to hang out with us: follow up on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and join the conversations. You can listen to us via the player below or subscribe and download us via iTunes and the other networks listed beneath the player.

FIND US HERE:

• iTunes
• Stitcher
• Spreaker
• Blubrry
• TuneIn
• Blackberry
• Microsoft (Windows Phone/Xbox/Zune) 

See, it's possible. No more waiting on others to grant you access or to tell you yes. What do you want to do? Go.Get.It.Done!

"Bring snacks, the tea is on us!" (click to tweet)

My Life In Music: Soundtrack to Me 2012/2013

It's that time of the year --- the end of it -- where I reflect on my favorites and things that have touched my life. Yes, music continues to be a significant part of my life and who I am as a person, so I have returned with what I consider my personal soundtrack.  

With all that happened in 2012 [primarily, the loss of Whitney Houston --- and a few other things], I didn't supply a set for last year, but don't worry -- the music continued and I have included songs to cover 2012 and 2013. I have listened to the "soundtrack" and enjoyed reflecting on the songs and the moments in my life that made them significant to me over the past two years.

I present to you the latest edition of My Life in Music.  These are songs that have shaken my world, played with my emotions, and reflect aspects of my personality; contain lyrics that touched my soul; or just made me shout "That is my song!" (over and over, again) during the span of 2012 and 2013.

MY LIFE IN MUSIC: Soundtrack to Me 2012 + 2013

• Emeli Sandé - Read All About It (Part III)
• Robin Thicke - The Good Life
• Fantasia - Get It Right
• Bruno Mars - When I Was Your Man
• Beyoncé - Love On Top
• John Legend - Shelter
• Lina - I'm Not The Enemy
• Tamar Braxton - Love & War
• Whitney Houston - All The Man That I Need
• Christina Aguilera - Here To Stay
• Mary J. Blige - I Feel Good
• Whitney Houston - Oh Yes
• Bruno Mars - If I Knew
• Katy Perry - Walking On Air
• Whitney Houston - Don't Cry For Me (live)
• James Blunt - Miss America
• Tamia - It's Not Fair
• Jill Scott - Shame
• Patti LaBelle - Not Right But Real
• John Legend - Tonight (Best You Ever Had)
• Katy Perry - Roar
• Robin Thicke - Get In My Way
• Jonas Brothers - Pom Poms
• Adele - Set Fire To The Rain
• India.Arie - Just Do You
• Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan - Missing You
• Tamia - Smile
• Ledisi - I Blame You
• Beyoncé - Schoolin' Life
  

As I always say, to me music is a therapy: it relaxes me, it inspires me, it becomes my voice to express myself when I cannot find the words. Put your life to music. Which songs capture you?

Celebrating & Remembering Whitney Houston

The greatest diva of all would have turned 50 years old today. It has been a year and a half and not a day goes by that she isn't thought of and missed.

I can't sing...at all...so I'll express in the way that I know.

Aptly titled with the words she often proclaimed with warmth, "I Love You, Back!" is my tribute to and celebration of the icon and legend...WHITNEY HOUSTON.

Happy Birthday, Whitney! RIP.

MY LIFE IN MUSIC: Soundtrack to Me 2011

Nope, I'm still not singing, but I am grooving, relating, living my life, and loving music as much as ever. Another year behind me, more experiences under my belt, and another edition of My Life in Music --the soundtrack to my life over the past year. Songs that shook my world, played with my emotions, reflected aspects of my personality, contain lyrics that touched my soul, or just made me shout "That is my song!" (over and over, again).

As I always say, to me music is a therapy: it relaxes me, it inspires me, it becomes my voice to express myself when I cannot find the words.

I present to you ....

MY LIFE IN MUSIC: Soundtrack to Me 2011

• Toni Braxton - Why Won't You Love Me
• Fantasia - I'm Doin' Me
• Patti LaBelle - I Can't Make You Love Me
• Toni Braxton - Hands Tied
• Jennifer Hudson - All Dressed in Love
• Adele - Rolling in the Deep
• Usher - Making Love (Into the Night)
• Usher - Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)
• Michael Jackson - Behind The Mask
• Kem - Why Would You Stay
• Cee Lo Green - Forget You
• Leona Lewis - I Know Who I Am
• Adele - He Won't Go
• Quiana Parler - Save Your Love For Me
• Terisa Griffin - Wonderful

Put your life to music. What are your tunes?

A Taste of Me: Infusion...Can You Feel Me?

Infusion…Can You Feel Me?

Lay your head upon my chest

                Heal my heart

                Let your energy run through me

Place your lips on mine

                Kiss me softly

                Let your tongue warm me

Put your hands on me

                Touch, tease me

                Please, please me

Look at me; let the power in your eyes hypnotize me

                Your body supports me

                Your heat relaxes me

                Your scent…my aromatherapy

I’ve never felt like this—all day

                Used.

                Dirty.

                Violated.

In a good way!

selection from DISIMPRISON: FREEING MY SOUL, SPEAKING MY HEART (syieve locklair)

A Taste of Me: Monster's Ball

Monster’s Ball

I want to feel your body next to me—

                touching me

                trapping me

Your temperature—warming me

Your mouth and tongue—tasting me, teasing me

Your heart and soul—controlling me

Your lips and finger tips—exploring me

Your arms

Your strength—

                protecting me

I want you to use me, tempt me, satisfy and sex me

Love me…outrageously.

selection from DISIMPRISON: FREEING MY SOUL, SPEAKING MY HEART (syieve locklair)