Jane Taylor's Tiwnkle Little Star

My wife and I celebrated our two-year anniversary in August. “Whatever It Is” by Zac Brown and Keith Stegall had been on the radio for years when we met. It is funny how a song written so far in advance of an event can still mean so much in a person’s life. "Whatever It Is" exemplifies the adoring relationship I have with my wife in the way it makes me smile and want to sing, the way the lyrics remind me of all the ways I appreciate and love her, and because it was our wedding song.

Every song I’ve heard can to connected to a memory in my life. It doesn’t have to be an important memory; certain songs flash images of the radio playing while driving down highways or hearing a song playing in the background of a commercial. Others inspire memories like times I’ve danced with my family, or covered songs with friends. These are the memories I will hold on to forever, and I’ll do it through these

For my choice of a song that produces an emotional appeal, I decided to pick Forever by Joyner Lucas. In this song, Joyner is presented with a child that he denies and hates at first. Joyner complains about wanting an abortion, abandoning his son, abandoning his wife, hopes of a miscarriage, and just anything to get him out of that situation. Ultimately, in the end, the child is born. Joyner struggles at first with accepting his fate, but eventually, he grows into it. Forever journeys into the perspective of Joyner as he is talking to his newborn child. He explains to his child, even though he is unable to comprehend it, that he hopes he forgives him for all the evil actions and thoughts he had against him and his mother. The song makes an excellent emotional appeal to any audience due to Joyner’s tone, lyrics, imagery, rhyme scheme, storytelling.

I started out in Lindbergh at the age of three where I went to preschool for two years. I remember taking naps, playing on the playground, and snacking the most. After I finished preschool I went on to kindergarten. My first year riding a big school bus vs the small they use to pick us up in for preschool. I remember my kindergarten teacher Ms. Dorn who taught me the alphabet and how to count. My first grade teacher Ms. Hansen taught me how to read, write, add, and subtract. I remember my second grade teacher Ms. Welinski who help me further my education in the world of history, math, reading, and writing. My third grade teacher Ms. Cox retired my third grade year, but her lasted year she taught me how to write in cursive and to multiply.

This song would be appropriate at the elementary school level because the song is repetitive and the lyrics can be spoken. Although the note range is a bit larger than what is expected of a kid’s voice range, from the middle C note to the 3rd space C, students should be able to sing this song. If necessary, teachers can also substitute the 4th line D note for another note.

The moment I fell in love with Selena Quintanilla, I was watching her movie recreating her life story. I was around the age of 6 or 7 when I first saw the movie on television on the anniversary of her death. Even though it has been over 20 years since her passing, every year without a doubt the movie is played and I’m watching it. I clearly remember after watching the movie for the first time, I listened to her music 24/7. Dreaming of you has always been my favorite song from her. Her soft voice, almost like a lullaby always helped me think of all the important people in my life. Even though the lyrics are about love, when I was younger it was more of a deeper level of love about my family. I listened to it numerous nights outside in the

What music/musicians inspired you when you were growing up, and what music/musicians inspires you now?

My story has a meaningful story behind it. The story is deep for me and even for the artist and probably for many other people. Hearing songs like this can inspire you. It inspired me to be thankful for the people in my life. One day they can be here the next they could be gone. You never know what’s going on in their lives.

I loved circle time. Watching children sing old and new songs was something that was completely adorable. Once they had, a new song learned it went from singing

In verse 1, “A long long time ago I can still remember How that music used to make me feel” Don McLean is looking back nostalgically on the music that he loved so much as a child and how simple it was but also how joyous it made him feel

As a young girl, I always loved to sing. I would sing anything from songs in cartoons to "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" from the Wizard of Oz. Everywhere I went I could be found singing. One day, my mom received a package in the mail. Inside the package, there was a CD that would shape my life.

I can be sitting down and doing something and then this song comes on. It brings back all my childhood memories from me playing outside, to me sitting at the table eating with my grandparents. My grandfather had been my role model, my whole life. My father wasn’t always there so I looked to my grandfather. He was an astounding role model, he was respected by all and loved by all. At the same time, he was someone who had an air of authority, being a Sergeant Major in the military gave him that. He may have been stern and temperamental but he was my grandfather and would always be there for me no matter what.

The music soothed me and for my family it helps us live our daily lives. I believe in the song “Lean on me” by Bill Withers. It makes me dance inside and I’m easily able to paint my future, even though I’m scared of the future it makes me stay positive. Going along with this song, I’ve always wondered why the school system didn’t allow student to be in a homeroom with a close friend.

There are days of my childhood that I will always cherish. I will always remember the sweet summer days with my family from singing karaoke, taking trips to the beach, and so much more. Even though I can not remember every memory; times with my family will be etched in my mind forever.

At least one person in almost every American family knows the song “You are my Sunshine,” as this song is one of the most commercially programmed songs in the United States. This song was popularized in 1940 when Jimmie Davis bought the rights and Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell took credit as the composers. Davis made the most of the song’s popularity using it when he ran for governor of Louisiana both in 1944 and again in 1959. “You are my Sunshine” has been recorded more than 300 times, so when most of us think of the song we imagine little kids singing it or like myself, mothers who sing it to their children. To most people this song reminds them of love, happy childhood, falling in love, and the simple joy of being together.