Music had been part of my life since the day I was born. My mom is a soprano opera singer (since I can remember), that worked as a librarian. Growing up was a beautiful memory, since she worked in a Conservatory of Music, so everytime I went to the school, it was so relaxing and joyful to hear violins and many other kinds of instruments being played by the students while they practice. I love my early days also because in my pre school, every morning the director of the school played us different song before taking the classes. From La Borinqueña (our national anthem) to popular songs played in the radio in our days. The one that I will always remember is the “Macarena” from los del Rio. That song will always live in our souls (the 90’s kids) since it was the hit and EVERYBODY, absolutely EVERYBODY knew the steps or dance to that song. It was hilarious, because us (the kids) we invented new steps and make fun of the AJA! Now a days, I showed to my roomates and looked for the lyrics and it was a pretty simple song:
Well, during my period of time in elementary school I became fan #1 of the Spice Girls and had their movie and knew all of their songs. One that I will never forget (because my cousins and friends always sang it in every single party) was “Wannabe”. I was very sad when that group split up, I even had Mel C’s sporty doll!!!!! So to cherish our great memories, I leave you the video of the song:
Another Important event in my life that was very Very VERY important in my life when growing up was when the famous movie Titanic came out. I didn’t saw it in the movie theather because it was always full and the movie was like almost 5 hours long, but I did saw it on video a LOT of time. So the song was “My heart will go on” by the incomparable Celine Dion. That song was THE song, besides Whitney Houston’s “I will always love you” from the movie The Bodyguard. Those two songs marked our 90’s because in every corner you heard girls trying to imitate not only Celine, but even Whitney and people, please be yourself! You will NEVER be as good as these two in that song…
And then, the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France came, and you know what song was in it!!! Our very own Ricky Martin singing “La copa de la vida” with the famous “Ale, ale, ale. El mundo está de pie. GO GO GO, ale ale ale.” I really love Ricky Martin at that time, from “Maria” to “Livin la vida loca”, it was a hit after hit, after hit, after hit. The sky was the limit for him.
So the pop era began!! It was the time of many boy bands and cute little girls (pop princesses) trying to make the cut of our pre-teen time. From the sweet and innocent Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson to Backstreet boys and N*Sync, it was the most fierce battle of them yet. My favorite ones where Britney’s “Baby one more time”, Christina’s “Genie in a bottle”.
As the time flies by, my love for music began to grow more and more. The new pop singers made their way to our tunes and break into a new style of music. Boy bands such as Backstreet boys, N*Sync, 98°, “and another one, and another one, and another one…” and female pop singers such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore (just to name a few) where the new sensation for our teenage dreams. Well, they got me and I was their fan for a very long, long, long time. So, I leave you with that part of my sweet and innocent childhood singing about “Hit me baby one more time” and “I want it that way”.
Meanwhile in the latin female version, the sound of Shakira became more and more commercial for the Hispanic public. Songs like “Ojos asi”, “Inevitable”, etc gain notoriety throughout the girls (like me) wanting to dance like bellydancers like she did! And until now, she is one of my favorite singers because of her unique style and voice.
Also, at that time, Santana was a very important and reknown artist. The song “Smooth”, not only was important to my life (because the first 30 seconds of the song I still hear it each morning in my head thanks to my big brother that is graphic designer and was making a commercial at that time when he stayed at my parents house) but because I kept on wondering who was the main singer in the video, until I found out that it was Rob Thomas, (the lead singer of Matchbox Twenty, one of my favorite bands later in my life).
There was a time in my life (and yes I admit it) that I loved soap operas. And there was one in particular called “Cómplices al rescate” with the teen popstar Belinda. She was like my idol and the first time that I went to a concert was to see her (twice)!!! Yes, crazy fan, and I even got to meet her (the picture I don’t have it and I regret it all my life because I used most of the frames during the concert that when it came the part of the pictures with fans at the end of the concert, I was out of frames). Yeah, it wasn’t a very technological era and digital cameras and smartphones were not like the ones we know now. Also, I became a very hardcore fan of Hilary Duff too… But I didn’t get the chance to go to her concert (I remember that I cried all night).
Passing that moment of adolescence and pre-teen years, I moved to my teenage years. Oh so glorious years where you feel so ugly and vunerable and not notice by any guy. The days where you don’t want to go out in public because of your many pimples in your face. That time, I moved from girly childish Belinda to more pop/rock bands such as Maroon 5, The Killers, Coldplay, Lifehuse, Matchbox Tweenty, Nickelback, Three doors down, The Fray and many others. I loved “She will be loved” by Maroon 5 and “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers when my brother introduced me to this amazing band.
As I kept on listening to this songs in the radio I became more fan and in 2008, a month before my granddad passed away, I started my loyal listening to Alfa Rock. Thanks to this station, OneRepublic, The Script, Jason Mraz, Coldplay, were known by. I remember in 11th grade I started to hear OneRepublic with “Apologize” and Jason’s “I’m yours” and became instantly in love with them until today (where I kept on listening to them). That’s why I wanted to share with you my favorite songs from them: OneRepublic’s “Marchin on” and Jason’s “I won’t give up” because they teach me the importance of following your dreams and never giving up on them. If I haven’t follow them and fought for them, I literally wouldn’t be where I am standing now.
One of the songs that I cherish most, besides “Yellow” by Coldplay is “Vivo Por ella” or “I live for her” by Andrea Bocelli. Yes I love that song and no, it doesn’t refer to a girl... The song is about music! They live for music and I love music. The first time you hear the song, you don’t recognize is about music because in one of their last lyrics line… “Ella se llama música” in a very soft voice. Well, you’ll be the judge.
As part of my Christian formation, I was part of several church choirs and musicals (yes, singing is my other passion besides Chemistry). One of my favorite Christian singers (which I gladly had the chance to meet) was Marcos Vidal. His songs are just simply the best and so inspirational. I cannot get tire of any of his songs. The most important one has and will always be “Cara a cara” (“Face to face”) and it talks about the moment when we meet God in the heavens and how can we imagine being in the presence of Him (our Creator, Father, and everything). Is a very special song for me because my mom sang it a couple of times in church and my dream is to be able to sing it with her.
And talking about my mom, I just wanted to say that we share the love to music (she is more classical than me, but still knows my favorite bands and singers). And one of them is James Blunt. As soon as my mom heard on the radio “You're beautiful”, she starts to sing it out loud. Is even her ringtone when I call her.
Roar! My favorite song right now. Is like my theme song to many hard times and to conquered everyone of the different aspects in my life. I think Katy Perry did this song for me. This song has given me the guts to do the extra mile and go to places and do things I have never imagine I could do before.
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