Sing me a memory

I was driving to work this morning and the song "I Will Follow" by U2 was on the radio...instantly I was reminded of three great friends from high school. And it got me to thinking of certain songs and who or what they remind me of...

• I Will Follow, U2: Tina, Kristen, Steph. We spent so much time lusting after the lead singer of a local cover band that played this song.
• Runaway, Bon Jovi: Tina, Kristen, Steph (again). We saw them in concert in 1987 and after the entire set and two encores they hadn't played this song yet. I turned to my girlfriends and said "Goddammit! I wanna hear Runaway! Now!" Jon and the boys reappeared for a third encore to the first few bars of Runaway. I felt so powerful. The next thing I said was "I want Jon naked. Now!" Didn't work, unfortunately.
• Lyin' Eyes, The Eagles: Mom (who I call 'Mere'). She had a ton of custom 8 tracks & cassettes made by a dj friend of hers, so growing up there was always music playing somewhere. And I swear, this song was on every single one. It's one of Mere's favorites.
• You Dropped a Bomb on Me, The Gap Band: Tina, Kristen, Steph. We were underage, drinking in a local club and dancing on the bar to this oldie but goodie. Never fails to get me out on a dance floor (my bartop dancing days are behind me - for the most part!)
• Hysteria, Def Leppard: the entire album puts me right back at my senior year: partying at the river, working late on the yearbook, kissing Eric B. in the darkroom while we waited for the film to process, cruising the Plaza in the Silver Bullet...
• Funny Valentine: Chris. Her mother used to be a singer and she played me a recording of her mother's version. It was so beautiful. Since then, the song has always reminded me of Chris, "...you're my favorite work of art".
• She Will Be Loved, Maroon 5: Heather. I think it's the phrase: "look for the girl with the broken smile..." because when I met her, she had just lost her mother and her smile was sad. It's getting better every day. Plus, one day I know she will be loved in the way she deserves.
• Cat's in the Cradle, Harry Chapin: Tina. She and I have been friends since birth and we loved this song. I know it's about a father and son not spending time together, but I can relate it to our friendship as well. We don't see each other nearly as often as I would like. Easy fix, I know, but sometimes life gets in the way.
• Brave & Crazy, Melissa Etheridge: Dawn. We would play Melissa Etheridge on all of our roadtrips. We'd be hauling ass on I-70 heading to Colorado, singing at the top of our lungs.
• It's Your Love, Tim McGraw w/ Faith Hill: Bobby F. This was our song. It was so hard being 1300 miles apart, but this song always made it a little easier. Wonder if he remembers...
• Amazing Grace: Grandad. When we would go to church with them we would sing this song. I would stand on the pew beside Grandad and his rich voice always made me feel comforted.

It's amazing how songs can take you back...