Home
1) “If You Could Read My Mind” by Gordon Lightfoot* – My brother, Lawrence, gave me a copy of the album by the same name the year before he was killed. Even though that song is about the failure of Lightfoot’s first marriage, its melody haunted me after Lawrence died. (pg. 7, Untethered)
2) “Friends” (from the “Friends” soundtrack) by Elton John – This album was the soundtrack of my high school years. I learned to kiss to this song.
The Outer Banks
The Nags Header (vintage postcard)
3) “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille – This song frequently played at The Tap Room of the Nags Header, where my summer love, DJ “Steve the Dream,” spun records. Whenever I heard this song, I had to get up and dance.
4) “Fame” by David Bowie* – The first time I laid eyes on Steve Taylor aka “Steve the Dream,” he played this song. Little did I know at the time that fame was what we were both chasing as we ran off to model in New York. (pg. 23, Untethered)
5) “The Hustle” by Van McCoy – “The Bump” was the big dance craze in the summer of ’75, and this was the best song to bump to.
New York City
Photo: Unknown
6) “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”* by Elton John and Kiki Dee – This song was on the jukebox at Kitty Hawk, the restaurant where I waitressed in NYC. I’d put in a quarter, push the button, and sing along with Billy the Bartender. (pg. 69, Untethered)
7) “If You Leave Me Now” by Chicago – Another Kitty Hawk jukebox favorite.
8) “Weekend in New England” by Barry Manilow – Because what is a 70s playlist without Barry Manilow?
9 & 10) “Turn the Beat Around” by Vicki Sue Robinson and “Last Dance” by Donna Summer – Whether I was at Studio 54 or my favorite neighborhood disco, these two favorites always lured me to the dance floor.
Home Again
Photo: Annie Timmons Photography
11) “Part Of Your Life”* by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge – The song I sang with Troy on our first date. (pg. 124, Untethered)
12) “How Deep Is Your Love” by Bee Gees – Mine and Troy’s song.
13) “Whenever I Call You ‘Friend'” by Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks – A song that reminds me of those early days with Luke.
14) “The Water Is Wide”* by Karla Bonoff – An old Scottish ballad about forbidden love. (pg. 155, Untethered)
15) “What I Did for Love”* from “A Chorus Line” – At twenty-three, my former agent told me I was too old to model. That night, I heard this song while watching “A Chorus Line.” (pg. 161, Untethered)
16) “Still” by Commodores – Just because you break up with someone it doesn’t mean you’re over them.
17) “September”* by Earth, Wind, and Fire – One of the songs I exercised to during my Jane Fonda stage. (pg. 182, Untethered)
18) “The Longest Time” by Billy Joel – Me and Drew. This was our song.
19) “Carolina in My Mind” by James Taylor – Because my roots here are deep. And JT is the minstrel of my heart.
I hope you enjoy this
playlist. I’d love to hear which songs most resonate with you.
Great playlist! I’m blessed that my daughter loves listening to songs such as yours!
Thanks, Michele! I had so much fun pulling this together. It took me about eight months to curate the perfect songs. I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks!