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| {lovely photo via} |
One of my fondest memories about growing up in Jordan was experiencing the music scene. Sure, I was an overly emotional pre-teen with more mood swings than a playground swing set, and I was drawn to heartbreak songs {cue Jewel} because I thought it was the only type of music I could relate to after my blond 7th grade crush shattered my heart in the thorn bush field across the street from the corner store after school one day.
The eclectic mix of musical genres in Amman in the 90’s introduced young people, and even younger people like myself, to an assortment of styles that helped formed their identities as young adults. It seemed like everyone was a rock, grunge, hip-hop, pop, techno, soft rock loving fanatic all in one. A mix tape stolen from my older sister’s dresser (who was in her teenage prime in the 90’s, mind you) could have everything from The Smashing Pumpkins to Dr. Dre, to Oasis and The Fugees on it. The 90’s were some of the best times for music, and I think the youth in Amman captured it quite well.
The Cranberries exploded onto the music scene when I lived in Amman. Cafe lounging, hookah smoking teens, including myself, who tagged along with my older sisters, would discuss the No Need to Argue album in great lengths. My sisters, cousin and I would record the music videos on VHS tapes from friends’ houses who were lucky enough to get the American MTV Channel so we can watch the videos over and over again. I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel nostalgic when I listen to these songs. As crazy as this may sound, I won’t put some of my favorite Cranberries songs on my iPod because I don’t want to get sick of them. I want to capture the memory in it’s entirety every time I hit play.
