I have successfully downloaded the Willy Wonka soundtrack. Finally. I lost my tape years ago and I remember hiding from my mother because I was so scared she'd yell at me. Every time she'd bring up Willy Wonka, I would laugh unusually loudly and change the subject. I don't know why I have so much memories attached to this musical (Just like I don't know why I have so much memories attached to Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf"), really. I just felt this strong urge to hear all the songs again. Thank you, Soulseek.

On to the memories:

1. My brother would always, always torture me by singing "Cheer up Charlie" and I hated him for it. I thought it was such a horrible song but now that I've listened to it again, I find it really beautiful. Strangely apt, too.

"Pretty soon the sky is gonna clear up, Charlie. Cheer up Charlie dooooo. Cheer up Charlie, just be glad you're youuuu"

2. Singing "Candyman" for hours on end with my mother.

"Who can take tomorrow? Dip it in a dream. Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream. The Candyman? (Willy Wonka can) The Candyman cannnnnnn"

3. Singing "Oompa Loompa" and "I've got a Golden Ticket" with whoever cared to join me.

"With the golden ticket it's a golden day"

4. Getting scared at the part where Wonka sings "Pure Imagination," just because Gene Wilder looked so damn spooky (I almost typed Gene Hackman, haha). He made paradise sound like something out of a horror film. But what do you know, I grew up to realize that the real world is so much spookier.

"There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination"

When I have kids, I am going to bombard them with the things I grew up with, too. If I have to tie them to a chair to watch Annie, Oliver, South Pacific, West Side Story, Sound of Music, Willy Wonka, My Fair Lady, Gigi, and all those movies I can't remember right now, then I will.

I really wish I could watch Willy Wonka right now. Who's got a copy?