The Q-Kids: Unchained Melody

By John R. Nocero and Andrea L Bordonaro

JRN: I am a communications major. My original career goal was to be a disc jockey. My biggest regret in life is not mastering classical piano. I don't know why we have never talked about music. But it is long overdue. It is important to both of us for various reasons. For me, I find myself now listening to music on the way to and from work and I can consider it professional development. It can affect your emotions and how you work. It heightens my mood, motivates, engages, wait... rather than telling you, here is a snippet from my personal playlist with categories and an explanation for each.?

1. Best Workout Song - Head of the Table

Roman Reigns New Theme Song Alternate Version (I Am Greatness x Head of the Table) by TKxHorsey

This is not a surprise. Every workout kicks off with this. Of course, I rip my shirt off after doing a set of pullups and walk around the living room with my finger in the air, saying acknowledge me. I know I cannot be the only one, right?. Andrea just put her head in her hands here and mumbled, "Jesus John, really??"?

2. Best Song from the Greatest Band of All Time

Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me (Live) [HD Remaster]

I love stevie singing lead, but the harmonies with Stevie, Lindsay and Christine are so perfect, as is the lyrics about unrequited love. this is the greatest group of all time. pick any one and you have a winner out of their catalog. Some of you may love Dreams or Go your own way, but this is their best. Like Christine's maiden name, it is perfect.?

3. My Guilty Pleasure song

MMMBop

MMMBop

I f*cking love this song! Best sing along, best one hit wonder, by far my favorite to jam in the car as loud as possible with the windows down in a mustang convertible with flames on the side.?Andrea puts her head in her hands here and mumbles, "Jesus John." We'll talk about that at some point. no we won't.?

Best song to work to

Pachelbel - Canon In D Major. Best version. - YouTube

Pachelbel - Canon In D Major. Best version.

When I need to focus, when I need melody, and get into the rhythm. this is it. I feel like a boxer hitting the speed bag when typing on the keyboard. I put this on repeat and get into the zone. I love classical music.

My absolute favorite song of all time. I love it like no other.?

The Rose - by Bette Midler + lyrics

The piano, her voice, my memories, the meaning behind it - I have loved this since 1980. It makes me smile and cry simultaneously. It is the world's most perfect song, period.??

ALB: Music is such an integral part of MY life as well. As a matter of fact, as I type this on this very cold, blustery winter night, I am listening to calming spa music on my Echo. It's very relaxing, helps me focus, and brings me peace. It also drowns out a bit of background/outside noise so that my dog, Rocky, doesn't bark as much, which is always a positive :)

I, too, listen to music to and from work every single day, from the moment I get up in the morning while I get prepared for my work day, and I fall asleep to ocean waves playing in my bedroom every night, too. Hearing Christmas music on repeat in my house and in my car is already missed, but now it's time to get back to what motivates me, drives me, makes me feel good, excited and full of life. I enjoyed reading about and listening to your top five. I am not sure I have a "top five favorite songs," surprisingly enough.?

My all time favorite song is BLOCK PARTY by, yep, you guessed it, New Kids on the Block. It's the ultimate feel good song for me, as it takes me back to amazing concert memories (one was even in the FRONT ROW this past summer!) and I LOVE the sound of my man Donnie's voice on this track - it's like a giant party and at the concert it is just that - confetti, fire, the guys come out into the audience during this tune, and toss around beach balls...

The link to check it out: https://youtu.be/0jxui59d5yI?si=douAkjgT3b52GqqQ

I also really, really love SUMMER TIME?by New Kids on the Block for the simple reason that it gives me pleasant feelings of sweet, sweet summertime. It's a true, feel good song for me and it gets my blood pumping and ready for the best part of the year! I blast this to and from the beach and pool ALL summer. I literally live all year long for summer to arrive in every sense of the word, so it's my ultimate summer anthem. It can be found here:?https://youtu.be/CpkCWs2zSNY?si=LN6xd3o2hyJnNlpA

Another song that literally stops me in my tracks EVERY time I hear it is an anthem song that was released at a very pivotal time in my personal life, 2002: Christina Aguilera's FIGHTER:?https://youtu.be/PstrAfoMKlc?si=pyRFIloqEB9cFJbj. Whenever I am feeling the least bit weak, sad, unmotivated, etc...THIS song turns it around for me 100% of the time. The lyrics are still SO symbolic to me, and even still are to this day for a little bit of a different reason. Christina's talent is invaluable and I BLAST this song every time I hear it.

I am a HUGE Jennifer Lopez fan and Pitbull as well....old school, I know. I have had a VERY hard time choosing which song of theirs/hers speaks loudest to me, but I cannot deny that ON THE FLOOR by Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull (https://youtu.be/t4H_Zoh7G5A?si=M1hY8m8z9wu3K71f) makes me want to stop what I am doing and DANCE. It's an upbeat dance, feel good song and I like this one so much, probably just ahead of WAITING FOR TONIGHT by Jennifer Lopez (https://youtu.be/_66jPJVS4JE?si=TISeNgdQCtUsihZD). It's timeless and I just feel strongly that no music nowadays is made like this anymore :)

It's SO hard for me to narrow down my listening choices for this article, but a song that has recently, within the past two years, is JUST THE WAY YOU ARE by Bruno Mars. It's private as to why this song means so much to me, but it really makes my heart soar and feel so loved. I have always been a big fan of Bruno Mars, but this one is my favorite:?https://youtu.be/LjhCEhWiKXk?si=6nq4TqZRDROid5TK. The real picture of true love.?

There are so many more artists that come to mind that I love listening to for a variety of reasons: Usher, LL Cool J, Jason Derulo, and several others come to mind, but yes, John, music in itself plays an integral role in my life. It can change a mood, boost emotions, motivate, and turn a day around completely. Lots of these DO bring back memories of me in my red Mustang convertible with flames on the side...blond hair blowing in the wind in the sunshine....