An Exercise In Nostalgia (And A Giveaway, Too)

Last weekend I was working on something that made me think of Moonlighting, which in turn made me think of the Moonlighting theme song. Which made me think of Al Jarreau. Which made me think of this song (I’d embed it if I could, but I can’t). I hadn’t heard it in YEARS, but as soon as I remembered it, I immediately bought it from iTunes and have listened to it over and over and over. For some reason it makes me so happy.

Anyway, thinking about old Al Jarreau songs reminded me of the artist that I listened to more than any other in the 80s and 90s: James Taylor. I can’t even tell you how much I adored (and currently, presently, at-this-very-moment adore) his music. There’s something about listening to him that makes me stare off into space all dreamy-eyed, only pausing occasionally to wonder if it would be possible to hire someone to come to our house every afternoon and play acoustic guitar (accompanied by soothing vocals, of course) for 6-7 hours.

I know. That’s sort of unrealistic. But considering that I would be willing to pay upwards of $25-$40 American dollars PER MONTH for such a service, I imagine that I’m going to wake up in the morning to an inbox that’s full-to-overflowing with hopeful participants. FINGERS CROSSED.

So all that to say: tonight I’ve pretty much been sitting in a chair and watching James Taylor sing on YouTube and sighing with great contentment.

I mean, there’s this.

And there’s this.

And my all-time favorite – this.

So. Who’s your favorite go-to artist when you just want to hang out and relax and listen to some music that makes you smile? Tell me in the comments, and since it’s Friday and I’ve had a crazy week and there was a slight hint of fall in the morning air for two whole days and IT’S ALMOST FOOTBALL SEASON, I’ll draw from the comments early Monday morning and give away (3) $20 iTunes gift cards. Just for fun and for kicks. And also because I want you to encourage you to heed Al Jarreau’s advice and get your boogie down.

Happy Friday, everybody!

This giveaway is now closed – I’ll send the winners an email later today (Monday)!

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Comments

  1. I’m showing my age, but Kool and the Gang is the best! Especially, “GET DOWN ON IT”!! Gets me cleaning and going everytime. I saw them in concert at MSU in the 1980s. Great concert and have been a fan ever since.

  2. Absolutely have to agree with you and James Taylor! Saw him in Kansas City over 10 years ago in an outdoor concert. Laying on a blanket on the hill looking at the stars listening to Sweet Baby James! Doesn’t get much better than that!!

  3. Dave Barnes. Period.

  4. I’m still trying to figure out who my go-to, listen-and-relax artist is. I like so many different kinds of music. James Taylor has always had that smooth, sit-down-and-put-your-feet-up kind of voice, though. And Kenny Loggins, too.

  5. I don’t have a particular artist that I listen to to chill, but instead, a playlist named Calm full of songs I’ve always loved and lots of new one’s I’m currently loving. Many Friday afternoons I crank it up and get busy cleaning, cooking, or doing nothing. If a song plays that I’m not in to anymore, I delete or skip it!

  6. I don’t have a particular artist. And it drives my husband crazy. He can hear one song off an album and buy the whole thing knowing he’ll like every song. Me, on the other hand, I will buy only the songs I like. (What I did before itunes, I don’t know.)

    My current favorite music is what I call pop-country. You know…Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Rodney Atkins. (OK. As I’m typing I’m trying to think of a female to add to the list and can’t come up with one. Apparently, I like MALE pop-country.)

    Anyhoo – that’s my randomness.

  7. Lynnetta says:

    Josh Groban. Just soothes the savage soul.

  8. Love Sugarland….even though some of isn’t necessarily chill music, it makes my happy!

  9. Amber Hinson says:

    James Taylor, Carole King and Michael Buble

  10. I actually had to look up when Moonlighting aired, so I could be shocked *SHOCKED* that my parents let me watch it. I was SEVEN when that show started. And I remember watching it every week. Maybe I watched in the last couple of seasons. That much I’m not clear on. I think it was on Tuesday nights? I’d love to watch it again and see if it’s as fabulous as I remember (doubtful).

    My go-to artist depends on the mood I’m matching. But if I don’t have time to carefully select someone to listen to, I throw on Dave Matthews Band and let it roll through every album I’ve got. But I always start with Live at Radio City.

  11. I love listening to Keith Urban! He has such a sexy voice, and he is rather easy on the eyes too ;)

  12. Fanannie says:

    Def Kenny Loggins and/or Loggins and Messina…

  13. So my father in law went to college with James. And he tells a really funny story about his pet pig. James’, not my father in laws. Not that my fil had a pet pig. Sigh. I’ve already ruined the story without even telling it.

  14. At the moment it’s Van Morrison. His music makes me think of fall for some reason and I’m sooo ready for fall to get here! I’m sure it’s someone different in the other seasons but for now that’s what I’m listening to and I just feel all mellow inside! But I do enjoy some James Taylor too now and again!

    Thanks for the giveaway!! Love your blog!

  15. I love Jim Brickman and his beautiful, peaceful piano music. When I’m baking or cleaning house, I turn the TV to the instrumental music channel, turn the volume way up, and hope his songs will play often (and they do!) I also like George Winston and a few others that play on that channel.

  16. I love praise and worship music or the sounds of the beach

  17. Meredith says:

    Oh, I am cuckoo-for-cocoa-puffs over JT! I sometimes watch his old Sesame Street bits to make me smile. Doesn’t hurt that my 2-year-old loves it too!

  18. We always listened to JT’s greatest hits FIRST on our road trips. If I want to feel 15 years old again, I listen to Huey Lewis & The News in the car with the windows rolled down (something about the combination of that music and wind in my face…). If I want to achieve an at peace, all is right with the world state I listen to Huey Lewis & the News & go to Dairy Queen for a banana supreme. Ahhhhhhhhhh! It is almost a religious experience. Or diabetic coma. I’m not really sure which.

  19. I am with you on James Taylor :)

    Also, Eva Cassidy…oh my goodness. She died from cancer too early. I would love to hear what she would have recorded….

  20. JT Is my go-to guy. When I was little I used to stand on the toilet (stage) in front of the bathroom mirror (audience) with a curling iron (microphone) and pretend I was one of his back up singers (bliss!) :)

  21. James Taylor makes me happy too, it reminds me of my mom. Her and my dad went on a date in the early years of their relationship to one of his concerts at the state fair. She still talks about it :)

    I also always smile to ‘put your records on’ by Corinne Bailey Rae. Bob Marley. Jack Johnson. And some Michael Buble :)

    Oh, and the occasional NSYNC song…but we won’t talk about that…

  22. Elaine Lund says:

    I like to listen to U2, Elvis, Neil Diamond, BeeGees

  23. Carol N. says:

    Good question. I do love me some James Taylor and remember seeing him in concert when I was in college (at USM by the way). He just wandered out on stage with his guitar and sat on a stool and started singing. Magical! I’ve also always loved Elton John music to make me happy and want to dance. And if you have never heard anything by Eva Cassidy you need to. And Sophie, you introduced me to Gabe Dixon and David Barnes and I am loving those on the ipod right now.

  24. another Norah Jones fan

  25. Dave Barnes does it for me!

  26. Nora Jones always relaxes me and makes me smile!

  27. I love Avalon! Their songs always inspire me when I’m feeling down.

  28. Gotta be Billy Joel! Reminds me of high school. ;)

  29. Gotta go with the Beatles.

  30. My go to music is always something slow like jack johnson maybe chris botti if I’m wanting instrumental!

  31. This summer my favorites are:
    Bonnie Raitt- “Nick of Time”
    Dolly Parton- “Together You and I”
    Michael Buble- “Everything”
    Audrey Assad- “Restless”

  32. Right now I’ve been loving The Civil Wars. And I always love Shane & Shane. And a lot of local artists…

  33. Steven Curtis Chapman!

  34. You picked my man: Sweet Baby James.

  35. I have a wide variety of “go-to” artists that I love. Right now, I’m loving The Script and OneRepublic, but I get a huge smile on my face anytime I hear anything from my Garner State Park playlist which mostly consists of old Garth Brooks, George Strait, Patsy Cline, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, & Shania Twain hits. Oooh, and “Some Fools Never Learn” by Steve Wariner…’cause it speaks the truth folks. :)

  36. Always, always, always U2. Bono and the boys can almost always turn a bad day around for me. I can listen to them when I’m sad, mad, frustrated, blue, happy, blah – whatever and I always feel better (or even better) afterwards.

  37. Switchfoot, love them any day of the week!

  38. Victoria says:

    The Indigo Girls!!

  39. Allison A. says:

    Steven Curtis Chapman. I love all of his music.

  40. I am going to have to agree on the James Taylor – loved him ever since my sister and I shared a room , and she had all his albums…Rainy Day Man is one of my favorites.
    I also loves me some Peter, Paul, and Mary – nothing but a happy place!
    Chris Rice, Joe Jackson, and Carol King – I think that is all I need !

  41. Kenny Chesney Old Blue Chair CD. Reminds me of the beach :)

  42. I love me some James Taylor. Amy grant a close second. I grew up with my mom listening to these two, so they give me a happy feeling when I hear those songs.

  43. I’m showing my age, but I love the feel-goodness of Herman’s Hermits from the 60s. And my favorite JT song is “Every Day.” What a fun topic!

  44. What? No Fanilows in the house? I’m shocked. BARRY MANILOW is the man. I never liked JT but probably b/c early on, BM had my heart. I had the 45 of Mandy when I was 5 and I would listen to it on my little record player over and over and I would CRY. I’ve seen Barry in concert 3 times, which is saying a lot since I’m not a big concert goer.
    Second would probably be Dan Fogleberg. Longer and Auld Lang Syne both bring tears to my eyes almost every time I hear them.
    Third I would say England Dan and John Ford Coley. SIMPLY FABULOUS!!!

  45. I can’t believe I forgot about John Denver! He is musical perfection as well. He yodels on Calypso like a dream. Who can yodel and still be cool? JD!

  46. Listening to the oldies station always takes me back to a simpler time. :)

  47. King George Strait. And then if I’m really wanting to stroll down memory lane, a little George Jones. My mom would play a cassette of the White Fox while we would clean house every Saturday morning.

  48. I could listen to Harry Connick Jr all day long and I also love James Taylor but nobody beats Frank Sinatra!!

  49. I really like James Morrison, sometimes Elton John. Sometimes Peter Gabriel’s more mellow stuff (like “Solsbury Hill”).

  50. Gonna be a little different here…Pink Floyd!

  51. Kourtney says:

    Currently I can’t get enough of Adele.

  52. It depends on my mood. Three top choices are The Eagles, REO Speedwagon (Hi Infidelity is pure greatness) and Bon Jovi.

  53. Well I have to admit that when the air gets a little crisp (you know, like 88 degrees), out comes the Dave Matthews Band CD “Under the Table and Dreaming.” It reminds me of my freshman year of college and the luxury of sitting in a dorm room with the window open after reading lit assignments all day, enjoying a cool breeze, and working on the New York Times crossword puzzle to relax. Oh, the decadence of an afternoon sans PBS Kids and potty training!! That music takes me there.

  54. Grandma Moses says:

    Israel Kamakawewo’ole or simply IZ who is currently “Somewhere over the Rainbow”.
    Also, Luciano Pavarotti, who happened to die on me the last time I was at Disney World. It was NOT the happiest place on earth that day!

  55. Kelly Campbell says:

    Jimmy Buffett – oh, yeah!

  56. Jess M from TX says:

    Listening to U2 makes me smile and brings back lots of high school/college memories!

  57. Olivia Newton-John. Most definitely. She’s been my favorite since I was 10 and wanted to be her. :) Her songs always bring back good memories for me.

  58. Eagles
    Atlanta Rhythm Section
    James Taylor
    Allison Krauss
    The Carpenters
    Gino Vanelli
    Dan Seals/Seals and Croft/ England Dan and John Ford Coley
    Steely Dan
    Selah
    Guess I just dated myself really really bad, huh?

  59. Jennifer G says:

    Billy Joel or Elton John.

  60. Sweet Baby James! Great taste, Gal!

  61. Colbie Caillat, Corrinne Bailey Rae, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow

  62. I have to confess I never listen to music to relax! If I have music on, it’s to get me going when I’m feeling draggy (current fav: Move by MercyMe) or to worship. Lately when I’m worried and anxious and need to get my mind right, I listen to Waiting Here for You by Christy Nockels.

  63. Neil Young – great music

  64. http://youtu.be/VePusXJrudk

    ACM Awards 2011 – Zac Brown & James Taylor – Colder Weather/Sweet Baby James

    This is a great performance by both of them.

    Thanks for your wonderful blog!!

  65. Oh, I’m a James Taylor girl, too. Love him!

  66. James Taylor is definitely up there. In fact, my four-year-old has been requesting Carolina in My Mind every time we get in the car the last few weeks (we’re from Carolina). Also, I’ve been listening to Lady Antebellum a great deal lately.

  67. Jack Johnson. Total chill music!

  68. When I need comfort and peace and some soothing, I go to one of two guys- James Taylor or David Wilcox. As a UNC grad, there’s just nothing like hearing JT sing “Carolina In My Mind” and David Wilcox has all sorts of goodness to share in his lyrics.

    Oh, yes ma’am, if you haven’t heard David Wilcox before, allow me to introduce you- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BzviqE2i4A

    (And I wrote a post about James Taylor’s songs being a lullaby in my life- http://leslieruthpetree.blogspot.com/2011/02/when-i-was-little-girl-it-was-my-moms.html )

  69. Keri Always says:

    JT is great but I also would add The Eagles, Harry (yes, we are on a first name basis,) Elvis, Bing, John Mellencamp, Steven Curtis Chapman, TobyMac, Third Day, Avalon, The Black Crowes. My list is too long for here. :)

  70. My go bands are STYX, REO, throw in a few Eagles of course James Tayloe.

  71. James Taylor ranks up there for me, but lately it’s been Zac Brown Band. I CANNOT get enough of them! Roll Tide!

  72. I’m a child of the 70’s……Chicago, John Denver, and Seals & Crofts (I’ve had their greatest hits album on vinyl, 8-track, cassette, and CD :)

    Do you have James Taylor’s lastest Christmas CD? It’s beautiful!

  73. Melissa C says:

    I had to comment because I LOVE the song Boogie Down! During college, I would crank it up, and we’d have a dance line going down the hall of the dorm, (and this was a Christian College)! I think it was featured on As the World Turns years ago when Betsy was played by Meg Ryan. For some reason, I put her with it – could be crossed wires.

    Anyway, my go-to changes, but Harry Connick, Jr. or Billy Joel would always be in the rotation!!

  74. Andrew Peterson! Thanks so much for introducing us!!

  75. Jack Johnson. So chill!

  76. Jack Johnson! Just enough mellow for me.

  77. I love norah jones… something about her is so relaxing!

  78. This changes every week.. Right now I’m in love with Michael Buble. I love “Haven’t Met You Yet..” Love it. I yoga and do pilates to it. I have it on repeat in my brain.

  79. late 80’s hair bands :) Bon Jovi, Guns & Roses etc. Love it makes me want a Mountain Dew and some Doritoes and go lay in the yard and read Harlequins.

  80. Steven Curtis Chapman. He’ s amazing.

  81. Deanna Collins says:

    Hi BooMama…
    I’m new to reading your blog and I truly don’t know how I’ve missed out for so long. I guess I’ve been in a cave. However, I know have your blog as a quick link on the homescreen of my iPhone, iPad, and a bookmark on my home and work computers! Anyway…its tough to pick just one because I have a lot of comfort music that takes me back and puts a smile on my face. However, I am going to have to go with Elton John. He’s timeless and his music ranks as #1 in my books as the greatest sing-a-longs!

  82. While I do love James Taylor, the handsome Micheal Buble’ runs a close second as a favorite.

  83. Marc Cohn, Billy Joel, Dixie Chicks, Zac Brown Band…

  84. Rebecca Scott says:

    I would go with a little James Taylor and a little Jimmy Buffet = )

  85. Love to chill out to some Jack Johnson, The Civil Wars, Gungor and John Mark McMillan. But the newest Beastie Boys album, Hot Sauce Committee – Part 2, is a fantastic play-in-the-background-and-work album. It’s not lyrically heavy, just good groovin’ beats.

    Word.

  86. I love James Taylor, too! Michael Buble’ is another favorite!

  87. I’ve got a thing for Adele right now. Her voice makes me want to hug someone. So smooth and pretty.

  88. If I just want to relax and chill out then Trent Dabbs is my go-to artist. Everything song he creates is gorgeous and very soothing. You just can’t go wrong with Trent.

    As for the music that always makes me smile? Well… that would have to be old-school New Kids on the Block. The Hangin’ Tough and Step By Step albums never fail to make me smile. When I put that music on I’m nine-years-old again, rocking my purple keds and side ponytail. Ohh memories… :D

    • Ugh. That’s supposed to say “every song” not “everything song.” That’s what I get for typing too quickly. Lol.

  89. Heather S says:

    That’s a hard one but I suppose I would say Frank Sinatra!

  90. JT is great, but my true guilty pleasures are ABBA and John Denver.

  91. i have been meaning to dig out my james taylor CDs for a while now, seriously. love love love. my favorite, though, is Carolina in my Mind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dimDXTOf94&feature=related

    Can’t you just feel the moon shine?

  92. James Taylor is my guy to go to for comforting tunes.

  93. Another Norah Jones!

  94. Devan Griffin says:

    Mine would have to be Prince. No matter what mood I am in, he always does the trick!