Jennifer Hillier

Official release day! Albums that inspire me! And a giveaway!

Jul 5, 2011 | Uncategorized

THE. BOOK. IS. OUT! I’m doing the Carlton dance today! Come on, do it with me! Happy birthday, book!

A while ago, I wrote a post called the The soundtrack of my life (1980-1989). Music has always inspired me (if my book’s title is any indication). One day I’ll do a 90s soundtrack post, but today, let’s talk about ALBUMS.

I still buy albums, but admittedly, not as much as I used to. Thanks to iTunes, I can buy songs individually and create my own playlists.

But remember how back in the day we didn’t have that option? You bought the album, whether you wanted all the songs or not. Actually, you bought lots of albums… and then made yourself a mix tape (which is really the old school term for playlists, right? Ha!).

Here are ten of my most favorite albums ever:

10. Like A Virgin by Madonna

First album I ever bought. I was afraid to show my parents for fear they’d be horrified by Madonna’s cleavage on the cover, so I hid the tape in my underwear drawer.

Favorite song on this album: Dress You Up. I did a gymnastics routine to it in fifth grade. Yes I did.

9. All She Wrote by Chaka Demus & The Pliers

Ah, reggae. Reminds me of college days, summer nights, and going clubbing.

Favorite songs: Murder She Wrote and Tease Me.

8. Back to Black by Amy Winehouse

I packed up my entire life for a move from Toronto to Seattle while listening to this album. I said the f-word a lot (moving to another country is stressful, yo!). Which was okay, because Amy says it a lot, too.

Favorite songs: Rehab and Me and Mr. Jones.

7. Thriller by Michael Jackson

I was 9 years old and at a birthday party when I saw the video for Thriller for the first time, and I thought it was scary as hell.

Favorite songs: Billie Jean (infectious) and Thriller (of course).

6. Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits 1991-2001 by Barenaked Ladies

I know, I’m cheating, because this is a greatest hits album. But they were the first band I ever saw live, and I’ll never forget the energy at the Sky Dome when they played.

Favorite songs: Call and Answer, because it’s so moving, and Be My Yoko Ono, because it makes me laugh.

5. Faith by George Michael

1988, baby! Every song on this album reminds me of school dances, cafeteria food, MuchMusic (Canada’s version of MTV), and guys who play football.

Favorite song: One More Try, because it was soooo angsty.

4. Best of Blondie by Blondie

I’m cheating again, but I didn’t get into Blondie until high school. Bell bottoms had just made a comeback in ’91, as had platform shoes, and yep, you bet teenage me totally rocked them both.

Favorite songs: Heart of Glass (pure disco heaven) and The Tide is High (because it reminds me of my mom).

3. Songs About Jane by Maroon 5

Probably the sexiest album I’ve ever listened to. It doesn’t even pretend not to be sexy. It’s unashamedly and unabashedly sexy.

Favorite song: She Will Be Loved. Because it’s sad and beautiful… and sexy.

2. Purple Rain by Prince

Do I need to explain this one? I didn’t think so.

Favorite song: Purple Rain. Do I need to explain why? I didn’t think so.

1. The Best of Radiohead by Radiohead

Another cheat! But I can’t apologize, because this greatest hits album is SO GOOD. I bought it when it came out in 2008 and listened to it incessantly. And guess which book I started writing that year?

Favorite song: I’m not going to tell you, because you already know it! NAME MY FAVORITE RADIOHEAD SONG in the comments and be entered to win a HARDCOVER of my book!

Also, tell me what albums inspired YOU!


I’m off to New York for ThrillerFest! I’ll be back Tuesday, July 12th, with a winner AND details about the conference. Have a great week!

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