[Ottor 246]

For me, it's not about the lyrics or any of that, it's the memories the song evokes.

Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf

Every time it comes on the radio, I am magically transported back in time to 1992. I'm standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room of 339 E. Burd St. (Our chapter house at the time) with a beer in my hand. There's a foosball death match in progress right inside the back door. All my brothers are singing the "Meatloaf" part of the song at the top of our lungs, while all the sisters of KTE sing the girl's part back to us. We've got old mattresses tied over all the windows to deaden the noise so the neighbors don't call the cops, and I know it's only about five minutes before the kitchen floor will be wet enough for the naked beer slides to start. Good times...

Also, The Weight by The Band

My senior year, I was still learning to play the guitar. Four other brothers and I decided to play "The Weight" for the Greek Week talent show. Between going to class, working and trying to learn that damn song, I hardly slept for a week! But learn it I did, and that song has never sounded as good to me, before or since, as when we played it in front of 800 screaming college students. I was so nervous I had to tap my foot as I played so the audience couldn't see my leg shaking. Still, it's one of the stand-out memories of my college career.

Thanks for getting me thinking about that!

In ZAX,
Ottor