Joanie Summers
Johnny Get Angry
This song, coming from my teenage years, reflects an attitude of male/female relationships. Not in any way did this work out long term! So many of us became indoctrinated into such a myth through music such as this

Neil Diamond
Walk On Water
Over many years I have used the instrumental part of this song during teen retreats. I gave them clay, lots of it, many colors, along with a small candle. They were to just go at it and mold, form, re-do in a fashion that evolved into what they chose. Finally they were to link this with their candle. Symbolically this represented each as a light in the world, in the manner that suited them.  During this closing segment, in a dimly lighted room, each would quietly bring their lighted candle to the focal area created for this time. As each did this the instrumental music was playing in the background. It was quiet, personal and communal. 

REM
Hold On
In many ways this became an anthem to me. This was a time of change in my personal life. I worked with teens who were struggling in theirs as well. The haunting melody and lyrics speak to a common bond most of us share.

Corky Siegel
Chamber Blues
Brother Charlie, his daughter Abby and I saw Corky in Green Bay, years ago. This was a great evening spent with family and listening to cool music.

Ray Peterson
Tell Laura I Love Her
This is one of the first "teen" songs I can remember. (However, I was only 11!)
Still sing the verse on occasion, just for a trip down memory lane.

The Browns
The Church In The Wildwood
Zooming back to magical times (at least for me), when sister Anne and I stayed in Chetek with Grandma and Grandpa Neck. There were stacks of 78's on the 2nd floor landing in their big old house. Anne and I would spend our time listening to these. This one brings tears of nostalgia.

Patti Page
The Tennessee Waltz
It started, same place as before, on the landing at Grandma and Grandpa Necks' home. I can't hear this without remembering my childhood.

Groucho Marx
Lydia the Tattooed Lady
What a fantastic video with Groucho Marx! Anyone who knew our father would have heard this sung by him and the Spud City Four. I can hardly wait to show this to my daughters!

Bobby McFerrin with
Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Mark O'Connor
Hush Little Baby
Talk about a Lovefest! I experienced Bobby regularly while attending concerts at the Ordway in St. Paul. My daughter, Mo and I went to a Casual Concert at St. Olaf College during this period with Bobby conducting. I told her to get ready, because she was going to see her "new daddy"! Bobby never knew...
I saw Yo-Yo a couple times at Orchestra Hall, and to this day am blown away by how cool he is. Edgar and Mark: what is not to love! and, here they are together- hurray!

The Glenn Miller Orchestra
In the Mood
This was the brilliant way mom used to get us to pick up whatever we left around the living room. At least I remember it this way. She would plunk herself down on the piano bench and commence playing. Worked like a charm!