The four right chords can make me cry

That's a phrase from the Third Eye Blind song "Semi Charmed Life." Cousin Shane and I have always agreed that that phrase sums up very well how we feel about music, and how it affects us.

We all have different kinds of music that we love, but I think many of us can find common ground in a mutual love of music in general. No matter what kind of music we favor, there is someone out there who also appreciates it. And even if it's not our usual style, any music lover will somewhere, somehow, find a way to connect with another music lover. For example, I'm not a fan of modern country music, but I worship love and value Johnny Cash and his music. Anyone who enjoys modern country, but says they don't like Johnny Cash...well, all I can say is bring it on, because it looks like we've got us a rumble. Give the guy his due, and don't mess with the Man in Black. Seriously. But I digress.

I'm not sure how to explain some of my special music moments, but I'll try. Sometimes it's an entire song, sometimes it's a hook, sometimes it's a guitar solo, sometimes it's a phrase or two, sometimes it's a drum riff. Whatever it might be, the right combination can definitely bring a tear to my eye, and it's usually a tear of joy. It's those moments that stick in your mind, and every time you hear it, in your head you say, "Man, that is so cool!" So here, in no particular order, are a few of my special music moments. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Some of you may know exactly what I'm talking about in some of these songs. Some of you will have no clue, but maybe it will make you want to hear the song, if you're into this kind of music.

I've been listening to the Godfathers a lot lately, natch, so there are going to be a bunch here from their songs.

The second guitar solo in "Birth School Work Death." It makes me want to do a Pete Townsend windmill.

This spoken bit from their song "Tell Me Why": "I told her I loved her very much. I told her I loved her more than life itself. I told her...I told her I loved her more than I loved myself. And that's sayin' something."

The phrase "I have to hear your sweet voice, honey, breathing down the line" from their song "S.T.B." In fact, the name of my AOL journal was originally Breathing Down the Line.

From their song "Cause I Said So": "And I don't need no Ph.D., 'cause I'm ten times smarter than you'll ever be!"

In their song "Obsession," for most of the choruses Peter yells "no no no," but towards the end of the song, he yells "YES!" with a cool echo effect. I love that, and I yell it every time in my car!

Okay, I guess that's enough Godfathers, but man, I dig those cats! On to other bands, other songs.

The big huge drum riff in "Fat Bottomed Girls" by Queen.

In the B-52's song "Devil in my Car" when Cindy sings, "I've got the devil juice in my...CAAAAAARburetor!"

The fiddle in John Mellencamp's song "Paper In Fire."

The crescendo of Harry Connick, Jr.'s song "When My Heart Finds Christmas," when he sings, "MYYYYY heart told me once before, to find my dream and search no more!" I just have to throw my arms out dramatically and sing along. Yes, I really do.

The segue from the Cars' "Shoo Be Doo" into "Candy-O." The first song is kind of low key and sinister, lots of loopy synthesizer, Ric singing "Don't you tell me what to do" then Ric yells (again with the cool echo effect), "Don't tell me what to--tell me what to--tell me what to---" and the throbbing bass and synths of "Candy-O" kick in. Oh man, TURN IT UP!

The minor tone of the Police's "Message in a Bottle" and this stanza:

"Walked out this morning, don't believe what I saw
Hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore
Seems I'm not alone in being alone
Hundred billion castaways, looking for a home."

When Chrissie Hynde sings "But I noticed his scent started to change somehow, his face went berserk and the veins bulged on his...brow" in "Up the Neck," and in "Tattooed Love Boys" when she speaks/sings, "Yeah, I shot my mouth off and you showed me what that hole was for." Chrissie's a bad girl! She's such a rock chick.

These lines from "Somebody Got Murdered" by the Clash: "Somebody got murdered, his name cannot be found. A small stain on the pavement, they'll rub it off the ground."

The way Jim Morrison's voice sounds all growly and tough and smooth and soft, all at the same time. And the way he sings "Try to set the night on...FIYAAAAAAH!"

"Ring of Fire." Is there a more perfect song?

It always makes me happy to sing along to Elvis's "Suspicious Minds." And "Viva Las Vegas," especially the big finish. There I go, throwing out my arms again.

The bassline and backbeat in Devo's "Going Under."

The lines "Levitating lovers in the secret stratosphere" in Blondie's song "(I am Always Touched by your Presence) Dear." Even the title of that song is ultra-cool.

The guitar in Dick Dale's "Misirlou."

I'd better stop, because this could get really long. What music moves you? Do you have certain songs, or bits and pieces, that you just can't get enough of? Do tell! Since I'm in such a rockin' mood, here's a live video of "Tattooed Love Boys." I also love it when she says, "Stop snivelin'!" towards the end.