Top 10 songs I’d sing to My Man (if I had the chance… and the voice)

I grew up listening to songs by Madonna, Patti Austin, the Cure, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and of course Michael Jackson. My childhood soundtrack includes songs from these iconic artists and I feel really bad over the death of Michael Jackson. I remember learning my ABC’s and 1,2,3’s while listening to Jackson 5’s ABC—from my mom’s Motown hits collection. My mom thought I’d learn my basic letters and numbers better if I have something fun to listen to.

Over the weekend, I decided to play my collection of Jacko songs. My most favorite Jacko song is I’ll Be There. Well, it’s not officially a Jacko song since Michael sang it while he was still part of Jackson 5. The best line there is “… I’ll be there to protect you, with an unselfish love that respects you…”—this line says it all, no explanation needed.

Songs really have this mysterious way of forcing you to remember your significant other. I planned a weekend devoted to only me—no work, no him—but still, I was taken over. So I came up with top 10 songs I’d sing to him if I had the chance and the voice (I lose my voice whenever I’m nervous). I also added the lines that really struck me for bonus effect. Haha!

10. One Day in Your Life by Michael Jackson

This is the initial song that ruined my “devoted only to me” weekend. It reminded me of my fear of the future as discussed on my recent article.

Trigger line: “… one day in your life when you find that you’re always waiting… you’ll remember me somehow…”

9. You Don’t See Me by PCD

This song was released by the PCD when Carmen Electra was still their lead vocal. I can’t remember how many times I’ve played this over and over during the most depressing moments of my life—I call those moments, my analytical moments because I analyze the situation that bothers me until I get tired.

Trigger line: “… is this how the book ends, nothing but good friends…”

8. Saving Forever by Shanice (OST Beverly Hills 90210)

Yup, I’m saving my forever for him. I’m very vocal about me not having plans to get married but if he’s the man I’ll marry, yes, I’ll walk down the aisle and spend my forever with him—Apple and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ happily ever after.

Trigger line: “…you are the only one I’ll ever give forever to…”

7. In my life by Patti Austin

I used to call this “the song for all spinsters a.k.a the matandang dalaga song” because this is the favorite song of my titas who never got married (they never fail to sing it during family videoke parties) but it also never fails to touch me especially now that after all I’ve worked hard for, someone is still missing in my life. He is still missing in my life. Warning: Queen Hotness’ road to spinsterhood. The Virgin Queen of the new millennium?

Trigger line: “…still there’s no me and you here in my life…”

6. Going Crazy by Natalie

Natalie used to be a cheerleader for the Houston Rockets before she had her own album. Since she released this single, I’ve loved her songs ever since. Most of them are upbeat girly songs but this song is a bit slow. This is on repeat mode every time I miss him.

Trigger line: “… i’d rather have you here with me, right next to me…”

5. I’ll Be There by the Jackson 5

As mentioned earlier, this is my most favorite Jacko song and I’ll not only sing it to him but to all the important people in the world.

Trigger line: “...i’ll be there to protect you with an unselfish love that respects you…”

4. Pictures of You by the Cure

My older cousins love the Cure so I learned to love them too. When you grow up listening to certain artists all your formative years, you’ll really love them. Aside from that, I love their song writing style—very poetic—just the way I always like it.

Trigger line: “…there was nothing in the world that i ever wanted more than to feel you deep in my heart…”

3. Breakdown by Mariah Carey

This song hits the spot. It’s for those who pretend they’re fine without someone but at the end of the day, they just breakdown. It’s so me! Every waking day of my life I drag myself through the day pretending I’m the happiest person in the world but I’m not. I really am not because he’s not with me.

Trigger line: “… i’m going through extremes to prove i’m fine without you… i wear my disguise til i go home at night and turn down all the lights then i break down and cry…”

2. Love Song by the Cure

Try listening to 311’s version of this song. It’s one of the best remakes for me—they did justice to the Cure’s version. 311’s version is part of the soundtrack of 50 First Dates (is this the right Adam Sandler movie?) but the Cure’s version is more special to me since it is part of my childhood.

Trigger line: “…however far away, i will always love you….”

1. Thank God I Found You by Mariah Carey, Joe and 98 degrees

Do I need to explain why this song topped my list? Can I hire a historian who would document all the relationships I’ve had and relate it to this song? This song is all about thanking the Father because after all I’ve been through, I finally found my One.

Trigger line: “… you brought the sunlight completing my whole life i’m overwhelmed with gratitude my baby i’m so thankful i found you…”

That’s it. I just realized after months of being stagnant, I finally had the passion to write again. This may be the result of not having the chance to say to the intended person what I really feel so now I find fulfillment in writing about it. Talk about contentment…