28 Songs that Changed My Life: Aretha Franklin, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (10 of 28)

28 Songs that Changed My Life: Aretha Franklin, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (10 of 28)

Posted inMusic
Penned by the incredible Carole King and her husband, Gerry Goffin, this is one of those old classics that I'd have scoffed at in my youth. Too much shmaltz, too much romance, too much like the music my mother liked. I wanted something edgy and challenging, right? But a funny thing happened on the way to adulthood: One day I found a cassette of Aretha Franklin's greatest hits. I have no recollection of where it came from or where I got it, but in a fit of boredom and curiosity, I gave it a spin and decided to pretend I…
28 Songs that Changed My Life: The Foundations, “Build Me Up Buttercup” (3 of 28)

28 Songs that Changed My Life: The Foundations, “Build Me Up Buttercup” (3 of 28)

Posted inRandom Musings
For most people these days, The Foundations' 1968 classic, "Build Me Up Buttercup," is just that quirky song that has appeared in a thousand movies and maybe gets played at a wedding now and then. For me, it's long been the sound of what "carefree" feels like. I grew up with this song. It was a staple in my household, and as a result it became one of the first songs I loved. After all, what kid doesn't latch onto catchy melodies? And this is a VERY catchy melody. Just hearing the title, I guarantee it's already in your head!…