There are songs you like.
There are songs you remember.
And then there are songs that don’t just play — they transport you.
These are the songs that don’t fade into the background. They drop you right back into a specific moment, with a specific person, in a specific place. No warning. No warm-up. Just instant time travel.
This blog post and companion podcast (below) is about those songs.
When Music Becomes a Timestamp
“Funkytown”
That song will always mean my first speeding ticket. I can still feel the nerves, the lights, the realization that adulthood had officially tapped me on the shoulder.
“Harden My Heart” – Quarterflash
Driving around with Brian Engleking at NOC. Windows down, nowhere in particular to go, but feeling like everything was ahead of us. Usually had Brenda and Janene with us singing along.
“Carry On Wayward Son” – Kansas
Straight back to our old garage band days. Loud, ambitious, and convinced we were onto something big.
“The Night Chicago Died” and “Billy, Don’t Be a Hero”
Hnaging out with Eric Wright. The first time I really sat down and listened to songs someone had actually purchased rather than on the radio. Ownership mattered.
Lunch, Jukeboxes, and High School Rituals
“Hot Child in the City” and “Kiss You All Over”
Ken’s Pizza jukebox at lunch in high school. That sound wasn’t just music — it was a soundtrack to being young and slightly reckless.
“Magnet and Steel” and “Life’s Been Good”
Oakwood Country Club, summer of ’78 with Stayton and Mike Stearman. Long days, slow afternoons, and the feeling that summer might never end.
Cars, Houses, and Family Memories
“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”
My mom’s 8-track in her ’67 Thunderbird. I can still see the dashboard.
“American Pie”
The third floor of Brendan’s mansion on W. Broadway. We had the 45 record, and it felt important. We played it over and over again.
“Goodbye Girl”
Going to the movies at the Video Twin and then over to Pizza Inn, hoping to meet girls. Sometimes we did. Sometimes we just pretended we might. It was late junior high and early high school when we couldn’t drive yet.
Hanging Out, Growing Up
“Convoy”
Stayton and I hanging out at the Christian Church of the Covenant waiting on his dad. We played that song a million times.
“The Hustle” and “Fly, Robin, Fly”
My sister Connie listening to her 45s on S. Johnson. That sound felt modern and exciting. Well before I was buying my own music.
“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” – Paul Simon
Reminds me of Junior high. When lyrics started meaning something different and everyone in school was singing it.
“Suicide Is Painless”
Reminds me of my mom. Watching MASH every night after the news. Comfort, routine, and familiarity. I kept up the tradtion well into my college days.
Work, Love, and Life Shifts
“Unwritten” – Natasha Bedingfield and “Come Clean” from Laguna Beach
Takes me back to when I was working for myself at home in my Indian Dr. studio. New chapter. New rhythm.
“Missing You” – Tom Waits
Tami and CSU pop into my head. It was on the radio all of the time.
“All For You” – Sister Hazel, “3AM”, and “Push” – Matchbox Twenty
Dating Denise and driving back and forth to OKC.
Movies, Friends, and Summer Lives
“The Warriors Theme” – Barry De Vorzon
Hanging out with the guys at the movies in junior high.
“Tell Me What You Want” – Zebra and “Eyes Without a Face” – Billy Idol
Living with Stayton in Yorktown for the summer after my year at OSU. Summer of ’84!
“Against All Odds”
Living in Stillwater, hanging out with Brian Engleking. We went to see this movie and it has stuck with me.
“She Sheila” – The Producers
Going to Mexico with Stayton and his parents. Stayton had discovered the song and we listened to it the entire trip.
Milestones That Stick
“Years From Now” – Dr. Hook
Our first dance at our wedding. Still hits every time.
“Sunshine on My Shoulders” – John Denver
Stayton trying out for the talent show in sixth grade. Pure innocence.
“One Headlight” – The Wallflowers
Single days before I dated Denise. Hanging out at The Frisco and The Ramada.
“Roll With the Changes” – REO Speedwagon
Youth group nights at Emmanuel. Friendship and optimism.
Fatherhood and Quiet Moments
“Praan” – Garry Schyman
Making videos with my girls when they were very little. That one still gets me.
“Feeling That Way” – Journey
Living with Kyle Shirm in the dorm at NOC.
“Caribbean Queen”
Dorm life at CSU with Steve Voss.
Upstairs Rooms and Radio Days
“Fox on the Run” – Sweet
Hanging out in my upstairs room on West Broadway.
“I Want You to Want Me” – Cheap Trick
Always on the radio when Mom drove us to high school.
“Linus and Lucy”
Being a kid watching Charlie Brown holiday specials. Pure comfort.
“Get Right Back” – Maxine Nightingale and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”
Building the haunted cardboard maze in Stayton’s garage. Long hours, big laughs. These were always on the radio.
“Three Times a Lady”
Spending the night at Todd’s house. One of those nights you don’t realize is special until years later.
Why These Songs Matter
These songs aren’t just music.
They’re landmarks.
They mark where I’ve been, who I was with, and how life felt in those moments. Everyone has a list like this. These songs that can stop time, rewind it, and let you step back inside a memory.
That’s the power of music.
And chances are, while reading this, a few songs of your own just surfaced too.
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