As Americans, we like to put historical events in context by using music. If a record is broken or a major change occurs, the media likes to put the length of time in perspective. Many times, this will happen by reporting that (insert random song here) was the #1 song in the country when Barack Obama entered the White House or (insert another random song here) was the #1 song in the country the last time the Connecticut women’s basketball team lost a game.

Staffers for these news outlets used to actually have to research music charts to get the correct data. Now there is a website that does it instantly!

For a good time, I would suggest visiting http://playback.fm/birthday-song or just click here. If you want to see what was the #1 song in the country on the day you were born just type in your birth date. Within seconds you will have the song accompanied with its music video.

For tonight’s blog post, I want to bring to light the songs that reigned supreme in the United States during some of the defining moments of my life. To make sure I don’t get off too easy, I will also add a sentence or two of personal observation (much like I did when I wrote about the defining songs of my years a couple years ago). Okay, get the jukebox fired up!

Milestone: Day I was born
Date: October 8, 1986
Song: “Stuck With You”
Artist: Huey Lewis and The News
Observation: Watched this music video at home via our Apple TV and laughed out loud while shaking my head at the crazy decade I was born in.

Milestone: I become a big brother!
Date: September 23, 1989
Song: “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You”
Artist: Milli Vanilli
Observation: Today we have fake news, back when Glen was born we had fake artists.

Milestone: I become a teenager
Date: October 8, 1999
Song: “Unpretty”
Artist: TLC
Observation: Despite the best efforts of T-Boz, Left Eye, and Chilli they never convinced me I was anything else besides an awkward looking goofball.

Milestone: I get my driver’s license
Date: May 10, 2003
Song: “Get Busy”
Artist: Sean Paul
Observation: Believe me, there was never the desire nor the chance to “Get Busy” in my 1989 Nissan Sentra.

Milestone: I graduate from high school
Date: June 10, 2005
Song: “We Belong Together”
Artist: Mariah Carey
Observation: Now why wasn’t this the theme of our 10 year high school reunion?

Milestone: I graduate from college
Date: May 16, 2009
Song: “Boom Boom Pow”
Artist: Black Eyed Peas
Observation: Boom Boom I AM A COLLEGE GRADUATE!!

Milestone: I move from Missoula to Myrtle Beach
Date: April 24, 2014
Song: “Happy”
Artist: Pharrell
Observation: Although super excited for my new adventure, I wasn’t exactly “happy” when I had to say goodbye to my mom in the hotel parking lot that morning.

Milestone: I meet Sidney
Date: May 16, 2014
Song: “Happy”
Artist: Pharrell
Observation: Same song as above, although this time a true happy feeling.

Milestone: I marry Sidney
Date: June 11, 2016
Song: “One Dance”
Artist: Drake
Observation: We shared several dances at the reception, but our first one was to “How Long Will I Love You” by Ellie Goulding.

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The next big milestone will be the birth of our daughter. If she was born today, that means the song would be “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran, something that Sidney and I could definitely live with. Will the song stay #1? I like our chances. Don’t Blink.