It’s upon us again.  Valentine’s Day.  My least favorite of the manufactured, consumer-driven holidays.  Why do I have to buy candy or what…. batteries?….extension cords? – what do you get a man for Valentine’s day- to prove to someone I’ve been with nearly 19 years and see 365  –  that I love  him?  It’s not that I’m anti-romance, but at this point, I believe it pretty much speaks for itself.  The fact that I’m still here should be gift enough, right?

Anyway….

In 2011, I came upon a list of  Billboard’s Top 50 Sexiest Songs OF ALL TIME.   (Put down your drink before you look at it.  You’ll for sure do a spit take at some point and I don’t want to be held responsible for any damage to your electronic device. ) Reading that article, I quickly surmised those songs were chosen by horny 15 year old boys.  Because they had the word sex in the title, boobs in the video,  or some type euphemism for doing it was mentioned.  I literally heard Beavis and Butthead laughing while I read it.  So I made my own list of sexy songs.  The Top 13 of that compilation are listed below this article.

In the years since I originally wrote that piece, things have changed.  As they do for everyone.  Emotional connections are important to me.  And not just with my partner, my friends and family, but most importantly with myself.  If you don’t love yourself , you truly have nothing worthwhile to share.

Behold the new and improved list. Song I love.  Songs that remind me of myself.  They might remind you of yourself as well.

So here is ….

My 2015 Collection of Love Songs To Myself

Because I feel this way most days…

…this has become my anthem,  I listen to it nearly every day.

You might think you do, however, you don’t.

  I’m not quite sure yet what it is.

“Rummaging for answers in the pages….”

Encourages me to write:

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?

Because there are some days when we all want to feel like heathens.

Dedicated to my soul mate Paul Rudd.

I’m sure I have one with some people.  That means to me that I’ve done something right.

I might actually consider going to that church.

Reminds me of, well, my favorite mistake.

For my Sassy.  May she becomes all she wants to be and more.

I don’t know and I don’t care if I ever will be there.

When all is said and done, it all comes down to this.

I’m sad but I’m laughing, I’m brave but I’m chicken shit.
I’m sick but I’m pretty, baby.

Blank stares at blank pages,  No easy way to say this
You mean well, but you make this hard on me.

For those meditative, contemplative  occasions.

Raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right way, all my underdogs!

No list would be complete with the ultimate diva songs.

I love a man who sings and plays the guitar.

And dances.  (I’m not obsessed, I promise!  I really just want to work with him.  In a film with at least one love scene, preferably.  I do want to kiss and date him. )
Who am I kidding.  I’m obsessed.

And when all else fails, come home with a box of tools.

And always remember

 

Happy VD, everyone!  And remember, learning to love yourself is the greatest gift of all.

 

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From the original 2011 piece.

 

13. Could I Be Your Girl – Jann Arden: “I am ashes, I am Jesus, I am precious.  Could I be your girl?” Some of the most brilliant lyrics ever written. I’m still in awe of her talent.

Sorry, I cant get this one to embed.  Click the link.  It’s worth it.

12.  I Wanna Be Your Lover – Prince.    I guess the Duggars are right. Those syncopated “devil rhythms” make me want to do unholy things.

11. We’ll Be Together – Sting.  Those glasses used to drive me mad….

10. Practical Amanda – Ben Folds/Nick Hornby    If my husband were a woman, his name would be Amanda.

9. I Drove All Night – Cyndi Lauper: tortured and haunting.  Beautiful.

8. Need You Tonight – NXS: Raw and animalistic.   Michael Hutchence- what a waste.

7. Hard To Handle – The Black Crows: This song makes me want to light up a Marlboro Light, grab a Jack and Coke and hit the dance floor!  (My red roots are showing!)

6. If –  See above list

5.  Your Body is a Wonderland – John Mayer – There is innocence about this song that I find sweet and charming.  Plus, John Mayer.

4. I Touch Myself – Divinyls:  I honestly do.

3. Can You Tell – Ra Ra Riot:  These cute boys make me forget I’m a middle-aged woman. They are so (when I was young, cute, and single) my type.  And cellos.

2. In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel:  Our wedding song.

1. I’m On Fire – Bruce Springsteen:    “Sometimes it’s like someone took a knife, baby, edgy and dull, and cut a six inch valley through the middle of my skull.”   Just watch and listen……  (John Sayles directed the video.)