Introducing M is for Mondays...and Music: Musical Memory Ciara's Ride It

So, I've been wanting to do this for awhile. Mondays from here on out are going to be devoted to all things music. Primarily, I am going to share, what I call "musical memories." I have written many times here on G+N about how strongly I associate certain memories with certain pieces of music, and now I am going to attempt to catalogue those stories. (Rob Sheffield is a genius at this, and has two fantastic books to prove it). However, to keep things open ended, I will also use this series of posts to share music, gush about artists that I like, etc, etc. I hope that you enjoy!

Musical Memory: Ciara's - Ride It

Cambridge, Massachusetts. Fall 2009

My friend Amberlee, or "Ambo" as I like to call her (shown right, above), moved down to Cambridge in the fall of 2009 to attend grad school. Amberlee is one of my most interesting friends to be sure. She grew up here in New Hampshire with a gaggle of biological and adopted siblings in a huge, friendly, glorious commune of a family. She pursued modern dance in college, and has earned approximately one million certifications for teaching both yoga and Pilates. She is worldly and kind, possessing an earth mama-ish big heart. Ambo is the kind of friend that you can talk to in a time of crisis, and she will listen (and listen, and listen and listen) then offer some wise token of sound judgement. In short, she is a gem.

I was still living in Boston, when Ambo moved down, and was thrilled that suddenly she was just a short T-ride away.

Allison and I went to make our maiden voyage to Amberlee's new place, which had all of the charms of a Boston/Cambridge apartment; Old. Cozy. Crazy layout. HOT.

We settled in to chat, and after awhile for some reason our conversation turned towards Ciara.

Amberlee: Have you seen Ciara's Ride It video?
Me: No
Amberlee: Oh my God, we're watching it right now! You have to see what she can do with her ass.

Watch we did. And OH MY what Ciara could do with her ass! (Particularly 3:35, 3:57, ESPECIALLY 4:00 and 4:26)

That when the two of us - earth mama Ambo, and me the whitest white girl alive knelt down on the floor of Ambo's apartment to attempt to copy Ciara's fantastical ass isolations. If we came close at all, we certainly couldn't do it with a sexy face on, and kept collapsing into a fit of hysterics - while Allison looked on, also laughing, and shaking her head.

I shamelessly dance my fool head off to Ride It all the time. (I might know the choreography to the whole "1 o' clock, 2 o ' clock..." section). I still can't isolate my cheeks like that, (though not for lack of trying), but Ride It will always remind me of Amberlee, cracking up on her living room floor and how lucky I am to have such great and silly friends.