THE WORDS & MEMORIES ORBIT

A life, on the record.

Songs that bring you back. People who stay with you. Wander through Nick’s writing, one memory at a time.

13 storiesNEWEST MEMORIES FIRST

54 to 54Dec 18, 2019DAY 3

Wonderwall

Not sure how this song squeaked past and didn’t make it into previous countdowns, but here it is today: Wonderwall by Oasis, a decade-defining masterclass in pop rock. Music changed so drastically so fast…

54 to 54Nov 5, 2019DAY 45

Dreaming With A Broken Heart

John Mayer has been on my lists several times, and for good measure: that voice like none other. No one does a heartbreaking ballad the way this modern genius does them. He is arguably one of the most…

53 to 53Dec 1, 2018DAY 20

You Are Loved Don’t Give Up

This song happened onto the world around 2006, just before I met my Woof and during the years that my sister was fighting her greatest battle. I remember pretty clearly a, autumn day in 2007 at the start of…

53 to 53Nov 29, 2018DAY 22

Harmony / Empty Garden Hey Hey Johnny

I can’t believe I have never had a song by Sir Elton on this countdown before now. That said, considering his brilliant, endless catalog spanning 5 decades, I tried my best to narrow it down to just one and…

52 to 52Nov 18, 2017DAY 33

I Saw The Light / Hello It’s Me

Continuing along the lines of childhood memories, these two Rundgren gems are right in the sweet spot of my AM Radio memories. Mom, Sis, Greg & Linda. I Saw The Light is, by far, one of those that brings me…

51 to 51Dec 21, 2016DAY 0

Merry Christmas Darling

To end a countdown of 51 songs to 51, when the one in question is born 4 days before Christmas, seems incomplete without a bonus song that only gets played this time of year, but is hands-down my favorite…

51 to 51Dec 20, 2016DAY 1

Those You’ve Known

With one day left to my birthday, I decided to save this song from Spring Awakening as my penultimate. Obviously, unless you’ve seen the show you won’t know the song or what events led up to Jonathan…

51 to 51Dec 19, 2016DAY 2

And I Love Her / In My Life

And then there’s the Beatles. Last year they made my list with Let It Be. This year, I strategically chose two Beatles’ ballads that remind me of my two angels in the cover photo of my Facebook page. First…

51 to 51Dec 18, 2016DAY 3

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life

How do you follow up two of the most amazing talents of our time? Probably with one of the many brilliant songs by the timeless Stevie Wonder. We all know his hit list. We all have a favorite or two. Mine…

50 to 50Dec 21, 2015DAY 0

Finale [In The Heights]

Of all the music in all the genres from all the time eras, it’s been REALLY difficult to cull down 50-ish songs as favorites. I love music. Music is joy and sorrow, an outlet and a hope chest. Songs…

50 to 50Dec 9, 2015DAY 12

It Don’t Matter To Me / Everything I Own

Bread, with lead singer David Gates whose voice is pure perfection, might be one of the lamest A.M. Radio bands of the seventies, but as you already know, that shit’s right in my bucket. And anyone who’s…

50 to 50Dec 8, 2015DAY 13

Smile A Little Smile For Me, Rosemarie

This post needs no blog entry, really. She was the most beautiful girl in the world, said I when I was only in kindergarten. She was my big sister and there was a song on the radio about her! Smile A Little…

50 to 50Nov 19, 2015DAY 32

Otherside

Flea’s bass, one of the most consistent things in music history; Anthony Keidis’s soulful, almost nasal voice is like none other, and just the perfect harmony for the rock wonder that is the Red Hot Chili…