If you play me hits from the Top 40 Songs of 1972, I will break into tears. 

I recently had the unique opportunity to clean out my parents' condo when they moved into a senior community. They were pack rats, and the surprises that turned up were impressive. For example, my high school diploma, which I had never seen, had been preserved in pristine condition for these 40 years since I graduated. But that was just the beginning. Soon I was holding a small envelope labeled "Baby Teeth". It went on and on...

The contents of the piano bench brought an almost physical wave of deja vu as I recalled the lessons I took from Mrs. Greep in 1969 at age 7. I'm amazed to have found the beginner method books in which she wrote simple concepts for me to remember: "a half note equals 2 quarter notes". More deja vu.

Throughout my life I've always had "The Complete Works of Scott Joplin" on my bookshelf. I memorized the first two measures of "The Maple Leaf Rag". The piano bench contained two books of simplified Joplin piano arrangements. This interest in ragtime began when I saw the movie "The Sting" first run in 1973. I was 11. 

Apparently I had a brief, long-forgotten interest in the music of Burt Bacharach. I have the sheet music to "Do You Know the Way to San Jose". The memory slowly comes into focus. I must have purchased it at the local music store after hearing it on the radio. 

Over the years I have become increasingly interested in the history of my interest in music. I meditate about the transistor radio (with a single earbud) I got when I was 10. I listened to Larry Lujack and Dick Biondi (who is still kicking 50 years down the road). I also remember having a promotional poster from WIND radio which purported to list the Top 1,000 Songs of all time. And now, after years of searching, I have found a copy online. Life is good.