My Life In Music: Soundtrack to Me 2024

Well, well, well...another year has come and gone. 2024, it's time to put a pin in you. You did your thang; brought on changes but provided some memories, too -- many of which are attached to music. No surprise, because you know how I do.    

As with tradition: 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 2024

• P!nk - Turbulence
• Jazzmela Horn - I'm Going Down
• Eric Clapton - I've Got A Rock 'n Roll Heart
• Ledisi ft. Kenny Lattimore - Perfect Stranger
• Ledisi - All The Way
• Whitney Houston - Look Into Your Heart
• Earth, Wind, & Fire - Let's Groove (instrumental)
• Lisa Stansfield - All Around The World
• Leon Bridges - Sho Nuff
• Teddy Swims - Lose Control
• Teddy Swims - Amazing
• Beyonce - Lost Yo Mind
• Pitbull + Dolly Parton - Powerful Women
• JoJo - Vibe
• MaKenzie + TA Thomas - Maybe
• Jerry Lee Lewis - Trouble In Mind
• James Ingram - I Believe I Can Fly
• Moti - No Scrubs
• Pacific - Moody
• Pacific - Soho
• Beyonce - Ego
• Whitney Houston - Where Do Broken Hearts Go
• Monica - With You
• Brett Young - In Case You Didn't Know
• Miles Davis - Tutu

NOTE: If a video is missing from the playlist, blame YouTube; not me. :-)

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 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

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?

Irreplaceable vs Interchangeable

Four years later and Beyonce still has people singing "to the left, to the left" and thinking they are 'irreplaceable.' They really just don't know. Not only are they NOT irreplaceable, they may be down-right interchangeable.

Do you know the difference between the two: Irreplaceable vs Interchangeable?

While irreplaceable means not having a substitute or similar/identical alternative; interchangeable means the ability to replace or exchange places. In short, interchangeable means you need to get your act together and get your business in order because things aren't right and your foundation is vulnerable. Your house can come down at any moment! Yes, I am saying it: someone else can be you and do what you're doing; either as good or better. Now, what are you going to do about that?

Time to pick it up and get to irreplaceable! Be valuable...be worth something...and know it. Rock what you do in a style and manner that no one else could ever do; drive them to imitate, but never allow them to replicate.

Irreplaceable is the goal and replaceable is not an option. Vow to never be replaced. NO ONE should EVER be able to be you or fill your shoes. The gauges of your life should be unparalleled, highly-distinguished precedence, to inspire and lead by example (inspire others to aspire to do better), and to establish and maintain high standards (quality over quantity). A truth to being irreplaceable is to always be aware of your Replaceability Factor and to know your value and worth (your self-worth must always be higher than your worth to someone else).

While many of my topics apply and are related to aspects of the intimate relationship, the battle of Irreplaceable vs Interchangeable has no boundaries and transcends borders. Meaning, it can be applied in other realms; such as the workplace, platonic friendships, and any other situation in which you are a functioning element. Always strive to do your best, to be your best, and to be the best. Variation from the rest is what distinguishes you; so, stand tall, do proud, and shine on! Besides, what could possibly be better than You? Except for, maybe....Me.