Summer Soundtrack

When I listen to "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," it takes me back to 1999, my junior year of high school. That's when I had decided that I wanted to go into art, shunning math (shock!). I started putting together a portfolio, which meant that I spent endless hours in a studio, drawing, painting, generally cursing my poor decision.

There was a guy in the studio that was really talented (I wonder whatever happened to him?), that everyone admired. We pretty much let him have his way, and his favorite album at the time was Lauryn Hill's. We ended up listening to that CD on repeat for hours and hours and hours a day. Not that I don't like it- I can listen to it now (and still remember all the lyrics) and it immediately makes me think of the smell of Prismacolor colored pencils, rubber cement, and pencil shavings.

It's said that the sense of smell has the longest memory, but hearing must also be up there. Anytime I hear any song from the old 2d-animated Disney movies, I think of how much my sister and I watched those videos (remember VHS tapes??) and how we knew all the songs by heart.

My summer soundtrack this year has been Lily Allen's first album, "Alright, Still." Yes, her current singles are also great, but for some reason, I've been stuck on "Alright, Still." Maybe because I'm just trying to get to the alright phase? More likely, it's because the songs are light, infectious, funny, and even when dealing with something serious, bubblegum-pop at its best.

I just listened to "Littlest Things" and really listened to the lyrics for the first time, and have even more appreciation for the song. Youtube video at the end of the post.


Littlest Things

Sometimes I find myself sittin’ back and reminiscin’
Especially when I have to watch other people kissin’
And I remember when you started calling me your missus
All the play fighting, all the flirtatious disses
I’d tell you sad stories about my childhood
I don’t know I trusted you, but I knew that I could
We’d spend the whole weekend lying in our own dirt
I was just so happy in your boxers and your t-shirt

Dreams, dreams
Of when we had just started things
Dreams of you and me
It seems, it seems
That I can’t shake those memories
I wonder if you have the same dreams, too?

The littlest things that take me there
I know it sounds lame but it’s so true
I know it’s not right, but it seems unfair
That things are reminding me of you
Sometimes I wish we could just pretend
Even if only for one weekend
So come on, tell me
Is this the end?

Drinkin’ tea in bed
Watching DVD’s
When I discovered all your dirty, grotty magazines
You take me out shopping and all we’d buy is trainers
As if we ever needed anything to entertain us
The first time that you introduced me to your friends
And you could tell that I was nervous so you held my hand
When I was feeling down, you’d make that face you do
There’s no one in the world who could replace you

Dreams, dreams
Of when we had just started things
Dreams … of me and you
And it seems, it seems
That I can’t shake those memories
I wonder if you feel the same way, too?

The littlest things that take me there
I know it sounds lame but it’s so true
I know it’s not right, but it seems unfair
That things are reminding me of you
Sometimes I wish we could just pretend
Even if only for one weekend
So come on, tell me
Is this the end?