Music That Made Me Who I Am

For this article as a music reviewer, I think putting together a list of the top ten albums that have shaped me is definitely important. As my articles read through the Chronicle, my music taste is quite a mix of genres.

The Albums 

1. Warrior (2013)- Kesha

If you have read my articles or have even talked to me, you will somewhat know how much I love Kesha. Warrior has a really special spot in my heart, especially the song, “Wonderland.” It is about growing up and when I was a teenager it still felt like I was growing up so fast when I was 13 it hit differently. Now I am 21, and hearing it makes me laugh thinking I felt old at 13 years old. A lot of my favorite Kesha songs come from this album, including, “Crazy Kids,” “Supernatural,” and “Wherever You Are.” Every song on this album has a memory that comes with it, specifically the summer of 2018 when I saw Kesha for the first time live and when I rediscovered her from my childhood. 

2. Frank (2003)- Amy Winehouse 

Like I have said in previous articles, I love and adore Amy Winehouse and her music. Frank came to me at a time in 7th grade when I wanted to listen to something different and expand my horizons. This hip hop and R & B inspired album is super underrated especially since it did not even release in the United States until later years when Amy became popular. Some of my favorite tunes from this album include, “I Heard Love Is Blind,” “In My Bed,” and “Take The Box,” which happens to be my favorite Amy song and number one song of all time to this day. 

3. Selena Live!: The Last Concert (2001) Selena- I know it sounds sad that the last album recorded live from Selena impacted my life. Thus far, Selena Quintanilla is one of those artists I have come to have a really unexplainable connection to. She was so real and this album really expresses the rawness of her voice and who she was as an artist. This album was released after Selena’s death. The most memorable songs from this album are, “Disco Medley (Live from The Houston Astrodome),” “La Carcacha (Live from The Houston Astrodome),” and “Amor Prohibido (Live from The Houston Astrodome).” It is just a completely terrible thing that she had to die at only 23, like Amy at 27, but her legacy will forever be. Like some people say, Anything For Selenas. 

4. Peter Criss (1978) (solo album)- When I was about five or six this album was on repeat. I had a karaoke machine and had the CD so that was non-stop. My taste in KISS solo albums have definitely changed since I gotten older. At the moment, my favorite is Gene Simmons. It just fits who I am now and back then Peter’s album fit who I was when I was little. My favorite tunes from Catman's solo album are, “You Matter to Me,” “Kiss The Girl Goodbye,” and “Easy Thing.” This album is very easy-going so I suggest it to anyone who needs a chill album to listen to. 

5. If I Could Make It Go Quiet (2021)- Girl In Red

This album came to me when I was in high school, after a breakup and was still figuring out who I was. Girl In Red, aka Marie Ulven, wrote songs about how she felt as well in a relationship and it felt as if she was writing them for me to relate. It felt very personal and that was one of the first really personal experiences with an album I had. The most personal tunes on this album to me are, “Apartment 402,” “I’ll Call You Mine,” and “.”.

6. Joanne(2016)- Lady Gaga 

I love Lady Gaga so, so, so, so much. Also known as, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germonatta, she is such an inspiration to many people, including me. Not just in what she does but her music as well. Her music came to me when I was in middle school, when I had not really listened to anyone other than Kesha, Macklemore, and KISS. It really opened me up to more awesome tunes and more artists. I still really enjoy her music. At that time my favorite album was The Fame, but currently is Joanne because of the summer memories I have with it. It is also the only Gaga vinyl I own that I will always cherish. This Gaga album is so raw and real. I love that it’s produced by Mark Ronson, someone who produced Amy Winehouse’s music and was close to her. The coolest tunes on this album are, “John Wayne,” ‘Come to Mama,” and “Angel Down.” 

7. Future Nostalgia (2020)- Dua Lipa 

I have been listening to Dua Lipa since high school, and I really feel that this album came to me at a time of personal reflection during sophomore year after COVID. I was trying to find new tunes as I always do and this was just a fun spring album. The funnest songs on this album are, “Cool,” “Pretty Please,” and “Hallucinate.” The title track hits pretty good too. 

8.Born In The U.S.A.(1984)- Bruce Springsteen 

The “Boss” was a pretty big part of my childhood, especially this album. My dad would play it in the car, all the time. The songs I really remember liking from those days are, “I’m Goin’ Down,” and “Dancing In The Dark.” These days I really enjoy those as well as, “I’m On Fire,” and “Glory Days.” I sound basic but those songs are too good not to love, as they shot him to stardom in 1985. 

9. Dynasty- KISS

This album will forever be my favorite KISS album. The greatest memory I have of it is listening to it on the way to a pizza place in 2009 when I was 5. The songs that give me the strongest sense of my young self are, “Dirty Livin’,” “Sure Know Something,” and “X-Ray Eyes.” 

10. 21- Adele 

With Adele being one of the biggest artists of my childhood, and on the planet, I had to add her in here. Specifically her “21” album. I remember my mom would play this album on repeat in April of 2014, and every day, it would be raining. So now that is what I associate it with, rainy days. Which is funny because the album cover is grey. The songs that remind me of the rain the most are, “Don’t You Remember,” “He Won’t Go,” and “Turning Tables.” 

Conclusion and Top 3 albums 

I found while writing this article the three albums that impacted me the most are Peter Criss’ solo album, Kesha’s Warrior, and Dynasty by KISS. While those artists being the most impactful to my life it made the most sense to me. 

Concluding this review, I hope people realize that what you grow up listening to really impacts who you are as an adult.