Coming Out of the Clarkson Closet

I was a closet Kelly Clarkson fan.

American Idol premiered my senior year of college. I saw pieces of a few episodes and saw enough to know I hated it and everything it stood for. My friend Dee, on the other hand, was a huge fan, so I heard Kelly beat out Justin via the TV in Dee’s Mom’s minivan while we were stuck in traffic moving out her college stuff.

Dee, of course, bought her first CD and I rolled my eyes every time we listened to it that summer. But by album number two, Kelly was winning me over. And I found myself, a few years later, one slow Friday afternoon admitting to my cubemate, Casey, that there was that one Kelly Clarkson song I kinda liked. He, in turn, begrudgingly admitted to digging one of her tunes, too.

Casey and I are both music snobs and so this mutual admission was sorta a big deal. And the follow up online search to figure out which two songs we actual liked was on the side of scandalous. So much so, that when a team manager walked in and ask us what we were doing, we both averted our eyes and turned brilliant shades of red.

I came out of the Clarkson Closet in 2011. Sure, I had been spotted cranking I Do Not Hook Up on rental cars radios since it dropped in 2009, but I made excuses, like, “all the stations in Dallas suck, this was all I could find to listen to.” But I couldn’t admit the joy, nay the inspiration, Kelly provided until a few years later.

And then I discovered Catch My Breath, and people, I’m here to tell you, this lady gets me.
In this one catchy ditty, Kelly and her composing team of Jason Halbert and Eric Olson sum up the trust/truth journey I’ve been on for the last couple of years in the way only a pop song can. And I can admit that now.

This song has become a bit of an anthem for this section of my journey. I have indeed spent the last 6 months laughing hard with the windows down, leaving footprints ALL OVER this town, keeping faith and, because I’ve felt a little like life has been sucker punching me, remembering to catch my breath and then letting it go. Because you know what, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that.

Sing, Sing A Song

Elvis Thumb War ~ Nashville, Tenn. ~ September 2010

I often speak in sounds effects and song lyrics so for my first 12 months as a blogger all of my entry titles were song lyrics that continued to play in my head as I wrote my entries. To celebrate my success of one year of semi-consistently blogging, I’m listing out all of the songs and artists to which they refer.  Yep, I’m THAT kind of nerd.

Post Title: Song Title: Artist

1. Express Yourself: Express Yourself: Madonna
2. Ch-Ch-Changes: Changes: David Bowie
3. The Shot Heard 'Round the World: The Shot Heard 'Round the World: Bob Dorough for School House Rocks 1976
4. Dream On: Dream On: Areosmith
5. Blame It On The Rain: Blame It On The Rain: Diane Warren for Millie Vanilli 1989
6. Seasons Of Love: Seasons Of Love: Jonathan Larson for the musical Rent
7. So This Is Christmas: So This Is Christmas: John Lenon
8. Christmas Time Is Here: Christmas Time Is Here: Vince Guaraldi Trio for A Charlie Brown Christmas
9. It's Not Easy Being Green: Bein' Green: Joe Raposo for Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson) 1970
10. What You Waiting For: What You Waiting For: Gwen Stefani
11. I Say A Little Prayer: I Say A Little Prayer: Burt Bacharach &Hal David for Dionne Warwick
12. Would I Lie to You: Would I Lie to You: Eurythmics
13. Let Your Colors Burst: Firework: Katy Perry. (You can judge me. I’m OK with it.)
14. Fascinating Rhythm: Fascinating Rhythm: George Gershwin & Ira Gershwin
15. Little Things: Little Things: Good Charlotte & Little Things: Bush. (My mind shuffled back and forth between the two.)
16. A Time to Dance, A Time to Mourn: Turn! Turn! Turn!: The Byrds
17. Time Is On Your Side: Time Is On My Side: Rolling Stones. (This is a testament to how I sometimes mishear and/or misquote lyrics. And how for the entry, I liked my version better.)
18. Time Is Wastin', Time Is Walking: Time: Hootie & The Blowfish
19. They Say the Neon Lights are Bright on Broadway: On Broadway: George Benson
20. Life is What Happens to You While You’re Busy Making Other Plans: Beautiful Boy: John Lenon
21. Ain't No Mountain High Enough: Ain't No Mountain High Enough: Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell 1966
22. I Sing Because I'm Free: His Eye Is on the Sparrow: Charles H. Gabriel & Civilla D. Martin 1905
23. Hazy Shade Of Winter: Hazy Shade Of Winter: Simon & Garfunkle
24. Let The Sun Shine In: Curtain Call –Let The Sun Shine In: Cast of Hair
25. All You Need Is Love: All You Need Is Love: The Beatles
26. The Weather Outside Is Frightful: Let it Snow: Jule Styne  & Sammy Cahn

Going forward, some titles may be song lyrics it the description fits. Like today. The Carpenters.