I recently had the absolute joy of revisiting my childhood CD collection whilst doing a COVID clean-out, and – you know what – I am NOT mad with what I found. Looking beyond the Raffi years, there are some solid gems that could go up against the best machine-learning algorithms on Spotify or Apple Music. Here are a handful of favourites that I found from my early years!
Cyndi Lauper – Twelve Deadly Cyns
I have my sister to thank for this SLAM DUNK of a first CD. I mean – “True Colors”, “Time After Time”, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”?! You can imagine the bedroom dance parties (or totally out-in-the-open, shame-free dance parties ’cuz…childhood) I had to this record. What a start.
The Corrs – MTV Unplugged
I remember seeing a huge billboard for The Corrs as a kid driving through Liverpool on a family holiday. Little did I know how life-shaping this exposure would be to my music taste, and every future interaction with any Irish person, ever. Their unplugged album, performed with a live orchestra in Dublin, really highlights the true musicianship of this talented family band, complete with traditional tin whistle and bodhran (which I only learned THIS YEAR was pronounced “baw-rawn” and not “bod-rahn”- thanks friend, Aoife!) elements. Covers of “Old Town” and “Little Wing” only add to their hit-filled line-up of original songs.
Grammy Nominees 1999
This remains the best mix playlist I’ve ever had in my possession – Spotify will forever be trying to claw its little robotic, algorithm-y hands towards creating such a well-crafted cocktail of singles. The CD is exactly what it says, with songs from contenders for Grammys in 1999 including Eagle-Eye Cherry, Natalie Imbruglia, Lauryn Freaking Hill, Goo Goo Dolls, Brandy and more. This CD has aged WELL.
Fush Yu Mang – Smashmouth
My twin brother and I both went in on getting this CD, and my Dad miraculously made it past the A&B Sound store clerk telling him there was a PG-13 rating on it, and getting it anyways. I’m absolutely awful at remembering lyrics, but when I say I know 85% of the lyrics to “Walkin’ on the Sun” that is HIGH. This is a nostalgia AF album that goes in the category of Blink-182 and Len for bringing back the good summer vibes of childhood, slurpees, and cul-de-sac street hockey. I don’t remember any other songs apart from the single, but I remember feeling super awesome about owning this record at the time. “It’s a cool place, and they say it gets colder? You’re bundled up now – wait ‘til you get older!” – A lyric I actually know.
Liona Boyd
Whenever I couldn’t sleep as a small kid (which was a lot because I LIVE FOR THE NIGHT), my parents would put on a vinyl record of Liona Boyd. Perhaps this was my first exposure to classical guitar, and maybe cultivated my desire to play one day. Soothing AF. Honestly, I don’t even know what album it would be, so here’s her playing in ‘99.
What are some of the most meaningful or memorable albums from your childhood?
