Many individuals from my generation are at a precipice in their lives – milling over who they are and whom they will become. On one episode of Oprah, she said she’d never want to go through these years again because they were the hardest of her life. And I can appreciate that, but I can also appreciate the constant opportunity for growth and reflection. I don’t seriously fu<% with people who don’t reflect on their lives. I might have casual conversation with you and I might even hang out with you, but when it gets down to the nitty gritty, you just ain’t my typa dude or chick. I try to keep the company of people who you can SEE grow and who welcome change.

About two months ago, I was having a semi-deep and thoughtful conversation with one of my friends about life and sh!t. We started discussing music and how a great song can move you or it can define a time in your life. I cry every time I listen to “Sometimes It Snows In April” by Prince. It’s one of my favorite songs, and I’ve maybe listened to it all of 3 times from start to finish, because DD doesn’t like crying. But whenever I’m in a mood for it, I turn it on and turn it up and let what happens happen. If someone’s pissed me off @ work, I might listen to “Me and My Goons” by Plies. Wanna dance? Check out “Strick Machine” by Goldfrapp. Feeling sexy? Check out “The First Taste” by Fiona Apple. Feeling nasty? Private message me, and I’ll put you on some sh!t that’ll make you blush.

And V&M, I know what you’re thinking, is she talking about music again? D@m^. But music is a big part of my life. It’s a driving force and a motivator. Music is not only an emotional and mental stimulus, but it can be a defining element of who you are. The artists you listen to and the concerts you attend can make a statement about you. I started thinking about songs that define me. Artists are people: struggling with the same uncertainty, life decisions and experiences that we regular folk do. Maybe some are adequately equipped financial and an entourage of minions to assist in handling many of those situations, but they still have to face and deal with them. So who is my artist? Alana Davis. And what is my defining song? “32 Flavors” It would be that one.

Video:

Lyrics:
http://www.lyrics.com/index.php/artists/lyric/alana-davis-lyrics-32-flavors-t-1634873

I won’t go into great detail of the who’s and how’s and why’s, but if I had to choose a song this would be the one. I will say my favorite section is “God help you if you are a phoenix and you dare to rise up from ash. A thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy while you are just flying past.” This part speaks to how we can tear others down, just for being, themselves.

Eventually, I started polling some of my friends for their songs that they identify with and the results were just as diverse as the individuals I know. The responses ranged from “It’s a Man’s World” by James Brown, to “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. Some couldn’t give an answer but only an artist like Stevie Wonder or Nat King Cole. And maybe one song or album or artist doesn’t sum up the measure of who you are. But if one did, what would it be? And so I ask you, what’s your song?