Musical Memory Lane

Ever hear a song on your car radio, only to be instantly barreling down musical memory lane? Of course, you have.

Many of you know I love music. This is not secret or a surprise considering I’m a DJ. The following is a secret I’ve not shared with many. Anytime I hear “Radar Love” by Golden Earring,

I’m on musical memory lane – figuratively and literally.

It was a night several years ago. I was driving home after a camera club meeting with a decision on my mind. Either crawl back into my dungeon (the bottom portion of the split-level home I was sharing with my soon-to-be-ex-wife) or stay out.

I had been texting a crush of mine at that the time. An inexplicable tsunami of bravery and boldness slammed into my mind. I alerted her that I was on the way to her, and that she needed to text driving directions.

Before I received an answer, I exited the freeway by bombing across 4 lanes of late night traffic. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest it threaten to escape. The adrenaline was coursing through my veins as I waited for confirmation.

Her reply? Driving directions to a meeting place. VICTORY! A ginormous smile grin appeared on my face.

As I piloted my car through the twists and turns of two-lane roads in the middle of the night, Radar Love starting rocking on my radio. I huffed, “How apropos.”

I rolled p to the place, and parked. I mumbled to myself, “Oh my god, is this really happening?” I draw in a deep breath, as I perform a mental check list. Attire? MEH, I could’ve done better with more planning. But this is completely spontaneous, so there you go. Game face? Check. I exhale, and mentally exclaim, game on!

I enter the place. Not difficult to find her at seated at the near-empty bar with a shot glass in front of her. My smile broadens as I realize that she’s just as nervous-excited to meet me up.

Me: “Do you come here often?”

Crush: Turning to look at me with a smile, “I will now,” she laughs.

Flirtatious talk ensues over drinks and food. She suggest we dance the night away. We leave promptly after the declaration of dance. Before I knew it we were in a club filled with night fever. We even managed to do some karaoke while enjoying our drinks and dance.

The music was blasting out the speakers as our bodies were syncopated song after song. We eventually shut down the place as the lights came on with the words over the speaker, “You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here!”

As I drove her home, my smile starts to diminish, with the thought of goodbyes and the end of this incredible night of adventure. I parked the car, and sighed.

She slipped off her seat belt, and opened the car door. The car dome light is shining down on her like a spotlight. “You’re coming inside, right?” she smiles.

I chuckle to myself. “Of course,” I retort.

Whoever said time travel wasn’t possible truly didn’t live with music in their soul.

Wanna know why the experience resonates with me so much? It happened in one of my darkest hours with self-harm and low self-confidence. That my boldness was strengthened by the “I have nothing to lose, and everything to gain” attitude.

I was rewarded with one night of soul redemption adventure that I’ll be forever grateful for. And for six minutes and 24 seconds, I re-live it each and every time on musical memory lane.

Do you have a song on musical memory lane that has had a profound impact on your life? Lemme know! Love to hear about it.

Until next time, be good like you should and if you can’t bee good, be good at what you do!

Mic drop; bOoM