Went into my seeds "Note" and this Slice is inspired by one from 2025 - inviting writers to create a "music festival" post of meaningful songs: I bookmarked this one for inspo
"Both Sides Now" written by Joni Mitchell, but the Judy Collins version
I was lucky to grow up in a home with many records. My parents loved The Beatles, then mixed in Carly Simon and James Taylor, Judy Collins, John Denver. I remember laying on my belly in front the stereo, album covers & liner notes strewn around me, learning the lyrics to every song, passionately singing until my brothers would yell at me to SHUT UP. I don't remember my parents having Joni Mitchell albums, but I love a good hour with Joni now, and that's how I realized, late to the dance, that Both Sides Now is Joni's tune. As a 10 year old, I listened to Judy Collins sing it, not knowing at all what the lyrics meant, just finding them twisty and beautiful and both childish and mature - "I really don't know love at all" - which is the whole point of the song.
"When I'm Holding You Tight" by the Michael Stanley Band
The summer before my senior year, I saw the Michael Stanley Band at Blossom Music Center, Cleveland's amazing outdoor venue (pavilion then a huge lawn for picnicking, underage drinking, dancing and gazing at cute boys). I went to see both shows, and I most certainly had on a new outfit (I think I remember a gauzy miniskirt and an Esprit T shirt?), and even though I was dating my first real boyfriend, I was there with all my high school girlfriends, scream-singing every single line with our whole hearts, boys be damned. Oh, how I loved those summer concerts, holding hands and spinning on the lawn with the pure joy of our favorite songs, the buzz of a Miller Lite, the we-will-always-be-together energy that comes from being with your besties when you're 17. "When I'm Holding You Tight" wasn't a chart topper for MSB (in fact, they were crazy popular in Cleveland but never really broke out nationally), but it's super danceable with a sexy bridge that we sang looking each other's eyes and pouring our yet-to-really-be-broken hearts out to each other.
Every Little Kiss by Bruce Hornsby
Now this song holds my first truly broken heart memories. Stupid college girl pining away for someone who doesn't want a relationship. Reading too much into the happy moments, then trying again and again not to care. Ignoring the wisdom of friends ("Do not call him!"). Thinking a summer apart would make our "love" sweeter (it's even embarrassing to write it here, 40 years later). But this song... the beautiful piano, Bruce Hornsby's gentle voice inviting me to miss, miss, miss that boy so much, who really was "a thousand miles away"... and wanted to be! (Shout out to cassettes - I definitely had this one and wore it out.)
The Lovecats by The Cure
Well, the angst of that love lost was quickly shaken off, and nothing but nothing helps like dancing with girlfriends, and this time, it was with my college girlfriends, as we hopped, swayed, and kitty-catted our way through this song in clubs, at house parties, or sometimes just getting ready for the night. College was not a strong academic experience for me (I ended up dropping out and taking a twisty 10 years to get my diploma), but the friendships from those years have held up well, despite the foundation being cheap beer, sharing Forenza sweaters, breaking up with our high school boyfriends, and dancing - always, always dancing!
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