Music and Memory

When it comes to music, I am so very in tune with all the different styles and genres. From my last blog, I mentioned how I wasn't a fan of metal music. I had a lovely comment from Emily that included some song suggestions for some metal music. I will say I did hate the genre a little less. 😁

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As I said in my previous blog, I grew up in the Lake Wylie/Clover/Rock Hill area. Hermon Presbyterian Church is the name of my church. Although my church is labeled as a Presbyterian church, I don't believe we act like one, haha. At my church, we (the choir) sing this one song called Total Praise by Richard Smallwood. When I hear this song, my soul instantly rises. I don't have nooo idea why. Growing up, this was one of those songs that I used to play on repeat. I wish I could tell you more about this song, but I truly don't know how to put how I feel about this song into words. You just have to listen to it!


My next song is Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. This is the true meaning of nostalgia for me. The lyrics and meaning behind this song are so dear to my heart. The meaning behind this song is to overcome difficult times and stress and always try to find the light at the end of the tunnel. My family has faced many struggles growing up, and this song always helps to lighten the mood, even when someone is crying. Saying the words, "Here comes the sun," is so refreshing and imaginative. Like, how can you not say that with a smile on your face? This is the type of song that I love to play while I am doing a deep clean. My reasoning is to try and keep myself relaxed. Even though cleaning and organizing are something I am very passionate about, that doesn't mean that I don't get overwhelmed, as others may. I also love love loveee this song because it's in one of my favorite movies ever! Ever heard of the Bee Movie? 😊 The Bee Movie is about this little bee named Barry Benson who notices how the human world uses their honey and tries to take matters into his own hands by ending honey production, but ends up worsening the situation. He and his human friend Vanessa Bloome then scavenged for living flowers to restore the ones that had wilted. Ughhh, just the best movie ever!!


Lastly, an unforgettable song I will be playing until I am physically unable to. It'sssss Smooth Operator by Sade!! Let's take a trip back to Fourth of July week in 2014, which is about 7,100 days after the song came out, and it's a nice, warm afternoon. My dad would play this on repeat in his SUV. And I mean REPEAT. I never understood why he would constantly have this repeating in the car until December of 2024. I found out that my grandad sadly passed away due to a seizure. In his obituary was a paragraph about how his friends used to call him a "smooth criminal" because of the way that he dressed and his demeanor. They would make jokes about how swift he was with the ladies. Also, turns out, Smooth Criminal by Sade was his favorite song, and that is why my dad would play it so often. I hate that I found this information out after the passing of my grandfather, but since finding that out, I now listen to this song with a different headspace and intention.


Okie, didn't mean to end on such a sad note there, I promise. I just have such a bursting heart about these songs. Well...after all my ranting, I hope you all enjoyed my music selections, and if you have any for me, pleaseee put them in the comments!


Comments

  1. Kendall H.January 14, 2026 at 12:55 PM

    Hi Jennelle! I love this blog post! The first song that you talked about I had never heard but there really is something so soulful and beautiful about it! Also your second song and memory I loved. That song is one that can always put me in a good mood too. And your last one, I love that song, and also the memory behind it, while it might be a bit sad, it is also beautiful at the same time!

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    Replies
    1. Cydni McCleodJanuary 15, 2026 at 9:38 PM

      *Smirks* Hey Jennelle😏… I absolutely love that song from the Beatles and over the summer I tried learning how to fingerpick the song. I only got about 15 seconds of it, but nevertheless I listen to it when I’m either getting ready for class or work. And SADE?! Her voice is chef's kiss. Whenever I listen to her music it makes me feel so chic 🍷 :)

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  2. JordanJanuary 16, 2026 at 4:16 PM

    Hey Jennelle, I'm with you I'm not listening to music, UNLESS (with all caps) I hear something good. See I listen to all genres too but that hasn't made it yet. I like that song by the Beetles, you got to just listen to the song. Some songs will just let you know everything gone be alright. You said your dad played a song on repeat , i know the feeling on that.

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