The Little Mermaid Original Broadway Cast-Part of Your World
My love for music began at a very young age. Not long after I began talking, was I singing. This interest in music sprouted from numerous viewings of The Little Mermaid. My mom to loved to sing and together we we would belt this song all around the house. From my childhood to now I have related myself to Ariel and what she expresses in this song. Through this song Ariel expresses her all of her hopes and dreams. She is ready to be independent, and will do what ever she has to in order to live her dream. I am driven and inspired by this character. I too have dreams. I want to perform in New York, and while there have been times when I have thought seriously about abandoning this dream, I will not let logic defeat me. I know that I don't exactly have the ideal body type for most roles, nor do I have a lot of acting experience outside of high school, but as proven by Ariel, anything is possible if you want it bad enough.
Green Day-Good Riddance
Good Riddance by Green Day is about making the most of your life and the memories that live on. The song specifically states, "It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life." This song has been used many times throughout my life to signify the ends of things, sports seasons, high school and other things of that nature. The first time I ever heard this song was at the end of my eighth grade basketball season. Throughout middle school and the beginning of high school I loved basketball. The basketball court was where I felt most comfortable. The freshly waxed wooden floors squeaked when you stopped suddenly. The rush you felt running up and down the court hoping to score. Standing at the three point line waiting for the pass, and feeling your body jolt as you catch the ball. Grounding your body and then shooting. The swish of the net as the ball goes through it. The crowd cheers for you and many hands pat you on the back as you hurry to the defense. You feel overwhelming satisfaction. In a way it makes me sad that I didn't continue playing basketball, but those were some great times and I did have "the time of my life".
Dreamgirls-We Are a Family
We Are a Family from the motion picture Dreamgirls describes how the closeness of their group has become much like a family and that they all have to work together to achieve their dreams. The same was true for many of the music and theatre ensembles I was involved in throughout high school. We spent so much time working together towards a common goal, that we became a family. The stage was our commonplace, our home, if you will. The paint on the floor of the scene shop outlined sets of show done in the past. Props cabinets line the walls backstage filled with objects that were familiar to most of us. A neon "Footloose" sign hung above the paint cupboards. Though they could not be seen by the naked eye the stage was covered with footprints of those who walked the stage before us, those families that shared a passion for theatre and passed there passion on to many generations. Near the entrance to the stage hung an illuminated sign that read, "Act Well Your Part. For There All Honor Lies." This reminded why we were there, not to be in the spotlight, but rather to do the best we could for the sake of the ensemble. We learned very quickly that you cannot let theatre be all about you. It takes many people to make a show run smoothly. When we were successful it was because we did so as a family.
Wicked-For Good
Ok, so this is a really crappy, illegally recorded (not by me) version of the cast of Wicked performing For Good, but it was all I could find. This was originally sung by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway. The lyrics perfectly describe the friendships I have had throughout my life. Good friends are there for you always, no matter the circumstances. They listen intently to your venting and offer advice. They always offer a shoulder to cry on. They truly care about you. You know in your heart that without these people you would not be the same. I have been very blessed throughout my life to meet the kinds of people that meet these criteria. I honestly don't know what I would do without them. It scares me to even think about it. My friends are my rock. They are my support system and I would not be the person that I am today if I had never met them. As the lyrics say, "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."
I'll Fly Away-Jars of Clay
I'll Fly Away by Jars of Clay is about going to heaven when you die. It is a beautiful song and the video shows many different images of angels. This was one of my great grandparents favorite songs. It was even sung by my aunt and cousin at my grandfather's funeral. My grandparents both used to sing it to all the grandchildren in the living room at their house. Their living room was the site for many family gatherings. The smell of freshly baked goodies filled the air as grandma would pass them out to all the grandchildren. We would all gather around grandpa's old torn recliner while he told us stories and sang with us. A few feet away sat grandma's recliner. It was in better shape than his and covered in crocheted blankets. The table next to it held baskets full of yarn and crocheting needles. Crocheting was one of grandma's favorite pastimes. She often attempted to teach me and we would sit there for hours, me asking for help quite often. She was very patient with me. The walls were covered with family pictures, golden butterflies and framed bible verses. Whenever we were over the floor was covered with toys, dolls, barbies, blocks and wooden ducks that my grandpa would make in his workshop. The living room now sits empty, but I can still picture everything the way it used to be. And I know that they are as happy as ever being with god in heaven.
Spice Girls-Wannabe
This video of Wannabe was taken from one of the Spice Girls concerts. My sister and went through the Spice Girls phase when I was in middle school. We loved them and watched the Spice Girls Movie at least twice a week. This movie had a very odd plot. It included a lot of singing and dancing, which my sister and I loved to impersonate. We each picked one of the Spice Girls and acted out the movie. Of course my sister got to be Baby Spice and I was Sporty Spice. Through our dancing, singing and acting, we transformed ourselves into the Spice Girls. We even attempted to speak in a British accent. This movie and our love for the Spice Girls brought my sister and I closer together. My sister and I are inseparable. We do everything together and tell each other everything. She is the only one in the world that I am this close to. I love her to death. She is my sister. And to think that I relationship like this stemmed from impersonating the Spice Girls.
Bette Midler-The Wind Beneath My Wings
Bette Midler's video for The Wind Beneath My Wings illustrates two best friends that watch out for each other. I love this song so much, but rather than associating it with friends that have changed my life, I usually associate this song with my parents. After all, it is their wedding song. My parents are always there for me through thick and thin. They support me even if they don't always agree with some of my actions. The chair in our living room has become a central place for us. This beige circular chair is one of the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat in. And not only is it used to recline and watch television or sleep, but it has become a place where I can bond with my parents. The pillows are stained by the many tears I have cried there in the arms of my comforting mother. Those same pillows are squished and misshapen from cramming six people on it for a group hug. It is covered in little black and white hairs from our dog, Lucy, who also loves to cuddle with us. This chair has seen many fights, conversations, tears, but especially so much love. I know that my parents will always be there for me no matter what. I don't just consider them my parents anymore, but also my best friends, because they are "The Wind Beneath My Wings".
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