I've done it.

I love music.

In a way, that's a really stupid statement. Who doesn't love music? I have never come across anyone who doesn't like some kind of music.

Let's be real. Music makes us dance, makes us cry, makes us sing along, or makes us laugh. It improves our day, pumps us up for something, helps us relate, and gets us through work-outs. For some people, music enhances life. For others, music is life.

I love music. Really love it. As a child, I thought I'd be a world-famous singer. I got in trouble for singing all the time. I took piano lessons for a number of years. I played percussion in band. I took choir until college, then refused to try out for a group because I convinced myself I wouldn't make it. I still regret that.

However, the way I love music seems to differ from a lot of people. Most people love music for the lyrics. They analyze lyrics, relate to them, find them clever (especially in the case of rap music). Some people love songs because they believe the artist is describing exactly how they've felt at one point or another.

Don't get me wrong. I do, too. John Mayer has the uncanny ability to read my mind, then put my thoughts into infinitely more eloquent words than I ever could. However, the real reason I love music is the music itself.

When I hear a song for the first time, I don't even hear the words. I hear the layers. I hear the bass, the beat, the melody on top. I hear the harmonies and create my own. I love songs with complexity, catchy beats, melodies that build, and impressive instrumentals. I can sing along with a song, have all the words memorized, and still have no idea what I'm saying when I sing it. In fact, some of my favorite songs aren't even in English or don't have lyrics at all.

So, in my unlimited free time, I came up with what I think are my Top Ten Favorite Songs.

Before I share them with you, please keep the following things in mind:

- My list of favorite songs changes all the time.
- My list of favorite songs is VERY different from my list of current favorite songs. Perhaps I will share that sometime.
- A few of the songs on my list aren't complex at all. I still love them.
- I am positive that I missed a couple that should be on here. Oops.
- These are not in order.

1. "Imagine" by John Lennon - This is probably my favorite song ever written. Incredibly simple music with a hard-hitting, emotional message. John Lennon at his best.

2. "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band - For years, I hated myself for loving my favorite band's most popular song. I wanted to claim an obscure DMB song as my favorite in a pathetic attempt to seem like a "hardcore" fan. Then, I realized something. "Crash" is DMB's most popular song because it's phenomenal. The music, which starts out quiet, soft, and repetitive, is gorgeous and the song slowly, gently builds like a wave into a chill-inducing, tremendous finale. I lose myself to the music every single time I hear it.

3. "Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones - This song makes me cry. Plain and simple. Completely contradicting myself, the lyrics really resonate with me and when you couple them with that music, I'm sobbing.

4. "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd - In high school, I put this song on repeat to help me sleep. It's simultaneously soothing and sexy. That guitar riff at the end? You don't need to be intoxicated to enjoy that.

5. "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye - Speaking of sexy... Marvin Gaye defined swag. So soulful it hurts. If a guy turned this on and danced with me, I'm his. Forever.

6. "Baba O'Riley (Teenage Wasteland)" by The Who - Another incredible build-up. The first time I heard the piano drop on the electronic intro music was one of the most mind-blowing musical moments of my life.

7. "Because" by The Beatles - Harmonies until I die. Again, the lyrics mystify me, but I don't care. It's haunting and beautiful - with or without the background music.

8. "Con Te Partiro" by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman - Another beautiful song. I can't separate this song from my image of the gorgeous Bellagio fountains. Italian makes for some beautiful sound combinations. Do I even need to mention the talent of Andrea Bocelli? He might be the voice of God himself.

9. "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie - The unmistakable bass line (thanks a lot, Vanilla Ice) paired with the piano and beat? Then, add in the majesty of Freddie Mercury and the creepiness of David Bowie? Classic. I get the chills every single time I hear, "This is our last dance. This is ourselves under pressure," at the end.

10. "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve - I had a really hard time narrowing this list down to ten songs, but eventually decided this song made the cut. I've always loved music, but this song seemed to find me at the perfect time in my adolescence. Again, it's the layers. The violin on the beat with the melody. So poetic and so true.

So, what is YOUR favorite song? If you can't choose one, I'd love to hear five. ;)

Top 5 Friday!

I've skipped a few, but it's time for Top 5 Friday!

With all of the recent football craziness, baseball season underway, and Swimming Worlds and Nationals, I have completely immersed myself in sports lately. So, I've decided to list my...

Top 5 Favorite Sports Movies

1. The Sandlot - No question. This was my favorite movie growing up and I have every line memorized. Even still, it has a wonderful way of taking me back to my childhood. Plus, I had a huge crush on Yeah-Yeah.

2. Friday Night Lights - The most realistic movie I've ever seen about high school football. The book was phenomenal - it does such a great job of capturing the devotion and nearly-religious following a good team can inspire in a town without much else.

3. Rudy - I know it's cliche. Sorry I'm not sorry. Everyone loves an underdog. Inspirational true story of hard work and dedication. Bonus perk? A young Vince Vaughn stars as Notre Dame's quarterback.

4. Remember the Titans - Can you tell I love football? Another amazing true story that proves that the bonds created on a team can withstand any adversity.

5. Happy Gilmore - Does this count? Either way, Adam Sandler at his best.

Runners-up: Miracle, The Mighty Ducks (and D2), A League of Their Own, Space Jam, Dodgeball

Confession: I've never seen Field of Dreams...or Hoosiers.

What's your favorite sports movie? I know I missed a ton.

Top 5 Friday!

Confession: I love ice cream. Too much. In fact, I've even said that I could give up every food and drink, except for Dr. Pepper, bread, and ice cream.

So, in honor of National Ice Cream Day on Sunday (which I will definitely be celebrating - guilt-free), I've decided to list my...

Top 5 Favorite Ice Cream Flavors

1. Blue Ice Cream - I cannot even describe how delicious this is. I think it's supposed to be blueberry, but it doesn't really taste like it. They only sell it at King's Island and a local ice cream place called Whip-ty Do. So, if you're ever in town, I will take you there. You won't regret it.

2. Pumpkin - UDF sells delicious pumpkin ice cream. Unfortunately, it's seasonal. The first time I buy it in the fall is like Christmas morning.

3. Blue Moo Cookie Dough - Another UDF favorite.

4. Cookies and Cream - Delicious Oreo goodness.

5. Strawberry - Favorite refreshing stand-by.

Runners-up: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Mint Chocolate Chip, French Vanilla, Blue Bunny Red Velvet Cake, Graeter's Black Raspberry Chip

Leave your favorites in the comments or in your own blog!

For those in the Cincinnati area, hometown favorite Graeter's is selling single-scoop cones for $1.41 on Sunday! Enjoy!

Round 2.

Top 5 Funniest Stand-Up Comedians

1. Dave Chappelle - He has been my favorite since high school. I even saw him perform live. I miss his show and keep hoping he will make an epic return.

2. Ricky Gervais - Horribly offensive, yet amazingly hilarious. Also happens to be the creators of one of my favorite shows ever.

3. Daniel Tosh - I saw him in Cincinnati last year and he did not disappoint. Also has an amazing TV show and is a future slice of man meat.

4. Bill Maher- It doesn't hurt that our political views are the same. I've also seen him live and he's incredibly smart. New material all the time, so he never gets old.

5. Kevin Hart - His stand-up special in Cleveland absolutely kills me. Check it out.

I've decided that I will allow myself to list up to five runners-up every week, so my next five comedians are Norm MacDonald, Nick Swardson, Jon Stewart, Neal Brennan, and Chelsea Handler.

They say it's your birthday.

As of today, I have officially had my new blog for one year! I can't even express how much blogging has meant to me in one of the most emotionally challenging years of my life. It has been cathartic, it lets me vent, it helps me figure out my feelings, and, of course, rave endlessly about celebrities.

However, the most wonderful part of blogging has been the incredible network of friends I've made. Whether it is feedback from my real life friends or the wonderful new ones I've made (especially you, Julie!), I can't thank everyone enough. This blog has brought me laughter, encouragement, and positive feedback that will always hold a special place in my heart. I love you all and here's to many more years!

In honor of the one-year mark, I have decided to introduce a new weekly segment. Once a week, I will make a top five list (not in order). Ideally, I would love for other bloggers to do the same (or readers can leave their lists in the comments). So, going along with this entry's title, I will name my...

Top 5 Beatles Songs

1. Something - Beautiful stuff from the often understated George.

2. Eleanor Rigby - Haunting chorus that I find myself humming more than any other song.

3. In My Life - Perhaps the most accurate description of memories ever written. I really, really love John Lennon.

4. Blackbird - So beautiful. Lyrics and acoustic guitar. I also loved the Glee version.

5. All You Need is Love - My life motto. I believe this whole-heartedly.

It pains me not to mention "A Day in the Life," "Yesterday," "Come Together," "Here Comes the Sun," and "I am the Walrus." Oops. Is that cheating?