Music has always grounded me through every facet of my life. It soothes me when times are hard, moves me when the rhythm rocks and even inspires my writing. From my childhood through adulthood, these are the artists and songs that shaped my world.
Sections
4
Childhood favorites
The 80’s, the decade of my 20’s.
Next up! Decade 2000 and Beyond
The 90’s. There’s a lot to unpack here.
Childhood favorites
My uncle introduced me to this group. It was part of our other weekend trips to Ft Worth. My all time favorite album from this legendary band.
The Isley Brothers - Harvest for the World (Official Audio)
Another one of my anthems that tells me to keep going no matter the odds.
Gregg Allman - Midnight Rider (Lyric Video)
I have been a fan of this trio since my teens. They are tied in second with the Isley Brothers behind Earth Wind & Fire (all time 1st)
The O'Jays Greatest Hits
Hands down “As” is in my top five songs
Songs in the Key of Life
My first introduction Master Jam
Rufus
Still jams
Philadelphia Freedom - song and lyrics by Elton John - Spotify
The harmonies on this song
Earth, Wind & Fire - Fantasy (Official Audio)
I spent many days in the mirror with a hair brush singing to her songs.
Donna Summer - Last Dance (from VH1 Presents Live & More Encore!)
Michael McDonald 🎤
The Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes (1980) : r/OldSchoolCool
🔥
Summer Breeze - song and lyrics by Seals and Crofts | Spotify
💥🔥💥
Summer Breeze, Pts. 1 & 2
The horns, the drums 😊
Children of Sanchez
❤️ telling my age with this one. High school graduation song
Rock Steady - song and lyrics by Aretha Franklin | Spotify
When my heart is heavy this calms me and lets me know there’s light at the end of the road.
Bridge over Troubled Water
🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️
Stevie Nicks – Edge of Seventeen Lyrics - Genius
I don’t think I’ve heard a bad version of this song.
Sam Cooke - A change is gonna come - 1963
This, Tusk and The Chain 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Nicks and Silver Springs : r/FleetwoodMac - Reddit
The 80’s, the decade of my 20’s.
This and Dancing in my dreams are my favorites by this extraordinary legend
Something Beautiful Remains (Official Music Video)
Where to start. From All the Man I Need, I Go To The Rock, the remake of I’m Every Woman, Exhale, Count on Me, Whitney remains one of the best.
Whitney Houston
I have too many favorites to name but Speed Demon and Liberian Girl 🫶❤️
Michael Jackson
Another legend that shaped my 20s and beyond. His riff on While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Purple Rain, Diamonds and Pearls. My theme song though is Sexy MF 💯
Prince (musician)
Layla! But my all time favorite is Old Love ❤️
Category:Eric Clapton songs
Who remembers music stores? An afternoon well spent introduced me to the sounds of this artist. He’s amazing.
Home - Andreas Vollenweider & Friends
A co-worker played Sweet Control and I was instantly hooked to his smooth voice.
Jon Lucien
From his debut album to his last, I will forever love Luther. A House is Not a Home played in my car when I moved from Alabama to Washington DC. I was so fortunate to see him in concert many times.
Luther Vandross
I consider myself a girl who loves a good bass and drum hook, however this guy on lead guitar and the grit of his voice. Like Clapton, Prince and Ernie Isley, I love me some Stevie Ray.
Stevie Ray Vaughan
As a child I had a love hate relationship with this artist. My maternal grandparents loved Ray. It was a constant repeat on our weekend trips to Sweetwater TX. I came to appreciate Ray as an adult and “you know the nighttime is the right time….” ❤️
Ray Charles
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
The Police - Synchronicity Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius
Pearls, Is it a Crime. I’m still a fan. Are you waiting on new music too?
Sade Adu
He definitely shaped the 80s and his contribution to the Lethal Weapon soundtrack. My all time favorite “Lisa” ❤️
David Sanborn
Another afternoon spent in the music store - but the 1999 hit Bisso Baba is my favorite. Who knew Bob James would be my to be husband’s favorite too
Bob James (musician)
Slave to the Rhythm 🎵. I danced for days off this song.
Grace Jones
Let’s Dance. My first intro to this genius.
David Bowie
Careless Whisper, Freedom, Hard Day and any remake that he did of a Stevie Wonder song. The day he passed away my brothers and I sang every song he recorded that Christmas. One of the best ever.
George Michael
Square Biz; Fire and Desire; Casanova Brown are only a few of her hits. Masterful lyricist.
Teena Marie
If you haven’t heard her, I implore you to listen. Beat vocals ever!
Rachelle Ferrell – Singer, Musician, Artist
Next up! Decade 2000 and Beyond
Artists that shaped my years as a wife, mother, and writer
So this song actually came out in 1974. During my pregnancy I heard this song at least 3x a week. When the guitar riff hit, I would crank it. Guess whose son is a lead guitarist? Mine 😂
MANDRILL-Fencewalk
SOS, Umbrella, B**ch Better Have My Money, Lift Me Up and especially Born Again. If you wanna dance or be lifted, take a listen.
List of songs recorded by Rihanna
The absolute #1 “What Were We Thinking”. She gives me chills every time I hear her.
Joss Stone - Never Forget My Love (Official Music Video)
My brother introduced me to this incredible artist. My favorite is “River” from Our Version of Events.
Emeli Sandé
I just discovered her this year. Her vocals “OMG Amazing”. Her album Escapism and the single Oscar Winning Tears continues to blow me away.
Raye
I just love him period. Meaning of Love and Just Strong Enough from more recent works hold a special place in my heart.
Michael McDonald Official Website | Home
From Toni Tone Tony to his solo work and work he’s done for films and other artists, I consider him and Babyface are the Quincy Jones of their generation. Favorite Anniversary, Loving You, Moving Down the Line, Different Times, Be Here, Hollywood and...
Raphael Saadiq
Chris Stapleton. This voice reminds me of country and blues singers my grandparents played. His voice is like a great glass of whiskey. My absolute favorite “Sometimes I Cry”
Think I'm In Love With You (Official Music Video)
What’s not to love by her, Skyfall, Set Fire to the Rain, Rumor has it, Oh My God, Hello and When We Were Young. I could continue but I’ll stop now 🌞😊
Adele
Even though I’m familiar with this phenomenon, my introduction to his music came through my husband and son. My favorite If 6 was 9 and Hey Joe
Jimi Hendrix
What a voice. So smooth and mellow. Love her remake of The World is a Ghetto.
Esperanza Spalding
It’s not her early work that made me a fan, but Lemonade and Cowboy Carter. Cowboy Carter exudes almost every genre of music I listen to.
Beyoncé
New discovery. This kid is awesome. What a wonderful way to introduce classical music to a new generation of music lovers.
Levi.Sct
Another new find. Soothing and his voice is amazing.
Mon Rovîa - crooked the road. (official lyric video)
Her voice. Love love love “Lungs”
Ruti Olajugbagbe
As a writer I often create playlists that reflect the mood of my characters or the tone of my storylines. Chapter 62 represents my current season in life. And if anyone knows how I can actually put my name instead of my son’s please share 🥰
Chapter 62 by Je’Lan Harwell on Apple Music
She definitely inherited her father’s musical genes. I have too many favorites to name but her version of Forever, For Always, For Love and We Were 2 stick out the most for me.
Home - Lalah Hathaway
The 90’s. There’s a lot to unpack here.
Genesis and Phil Collins. My first thought Miami Vice. The beats and his drum riffs. My favorite “In the Air Tonight”.
Phil Collins
Smooth, Smooth and smooth. Sweet Thang and Boneyizm are two from his extensive catalog.
The Official Website for Boney James - Boney James
The decade of smooth jazz, this South African guitarist has the smoothest song. Love everything he sings.
