Mixtape: A compilation of favorite pieces of music, typically by many different artists, recorded on to tape or another medium by an individual.
Music moves many of us in our everyday lives. It picks us up when we are down, helps us put an extra spring in our step when we are happy, and helps us express emotions when our own words fail. That is why I felt that I needed to make music an important part of my book, The Mixtape to My Life.
Like the definition above, I wanted the songs that inspired Mixtape to be something special. Songs that really mean something to me. I also wanted it to be eclectic and messy, with similar songs but also a few that might not seem like they belong, but ultimately fit a theme. Then there are the artists that appear more than once. The ones who have more than one worthy song to go on a Mixtape.
So here they are, the song list that help make up the story:
- Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
- We’re Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister
- Seventeen – Winger
- Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
- When I Look Into Your Eyes – Firehouse
- Cum On Feel The Noize – Quiet Riot
- Kiss Me Deadly – Lita Ford
- Gypsy Road – Cinderella
- Angel of the Morning – Juice Newton
- Creep – Radiohead or Stone Temple Pilots
- I Hate Myself for Loving You – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
- Poison – Alice Cooper
- Always There for You – Stryper
- Alone – Heart
- More Than Words – Extreme
- Angel – Aerosmith
- I Was Made for Loving You – KISS
- To Be With You – Mr. Big
- Sabotage – Beastie Boys
- Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
- Faithfully – Journey
- Home Sweet Home – Motley Crue
- Amor Prohibido – Selena
- Don’t Know What you Got, Till It’s Gone – Cinderella
- Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
- Breaking the Law – Judas Priest
- Crazy, Crazy Nights – KISS
These are just some of the songs that I would play over and over again on my Walkman (I’ll write about what that is in a later post for you young folks), so I knew they had to be a part of my book. Starting next month I’m planning to post about each song, with an emphasis on why I chose them for the story.
Before that, go ahead and check out the songs by clicking on the Spotify icon found at the bottom of the page.
What songs move you? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Jake Martinez - Author 