I’ve been lying in bed for the last 30 minutes, trying to fall asleep, but my brain just won’t turn off. Earlier today, I was playing with my spreadsheet of blog ideas, trying to flesh out what Kristie’s Craziness will look like. One thing I know I want to do is share my love of music, but what do I call the series of music posts?

I thought about aging myself and calling it, Mixtape Mondays, but that brings to mind a single popular song from an album, and sometimes I like to listen to the ones that didn’t make the cut. Then I thought I’d just be like everyone else, and make a playlist, but that doesn’t feel right either. Instead I think I’m going to borrow from what my eldest son used to call my iTunes shuffle: Pandora’s Box of Music.

The first album I want to pull out of the vault is Let’s Get It on by Marvin Gaye. I grew up just outside of Detroit, and Motown tunes were some of my mom’s favorites. I can clearly remember her putting this album on the record player and cleaning the house. Don’t worry, there was no sexy maid’s outfit involved in my childhood memories.

On August 28, 1973, Marvin Gaye released his 13th album, Let’s Get It On. It was more than half a decade before I was born, but the album lives on in infamy as the music you listen to when you want to get busy. Here are my favorite tunes from the album.

1. Let’s Get It On: The title track is a classic. Everyone know this song and either has a cliched memory or a funny story that goes with it. It’s those first notes for me that always make me smile and want to move my hips. In our house it usually leads to some sexy cooking and dancing in the kitchen. Life with kids, what can I say?
2. If I Should Die Tonight: This is my fairy tale brain set to soul music. The idea that just knowing someone makes your life feel complete is the epitome of a real life happily ever after.
3. Come Get to This: This song is about the happiness of a lover’s return. It’s my smile song, because I relate to the idea of second chances. My husband and I dated in high school, lost touch and lived our lives for 15+ years, and then reunited as if by fate. Life is better with us together.
4. Distant Lover: There is something beautiful about this song. I love the first soulful notes. Who wouldn’t want to be the woman of his affections? Distant lover, lover (Lover, lover, lover)
   Ooh, so many miles away, ooh
   Heaven knows that I long for you
   Every night, every night and sometimes I yearn through the day
5. You Sure Love to Ball: This is the real sex song of the Let’s Get It On album. There is a sensuality and acceptance of this woman who gasp enjoys sex. It’s a beautiful, freeing song that breaks a lot of the “sex is a religious duty” nonsense I grew up hearing in church as a kid.

I know that the above list is only the singles from the album. Hopefully the next one I decide to share has something more obscure that I love on it. If not, oh well. There is a reason certain songs become chart topping singles.