Do you have a theme song?

I do. By default, mine is "Layla" by Eric Clapton (the "Unplugged" version). Partly because I enjoy hearing such a talented musician singing my name, but mostly because I like to imagine all the men I walk by getting down on their knees as I pass.

It's the song you'd love to hear being played as you enter the room announcing your presence — the one where you hear the few opening chords and it just screams out to every fun-loving part of you.

Except for a misguided two-year period in the sixth and seventh grades when I attempted to play the violin (all I would really do is make sure my bow was going in the same direction as everyone else's, but it didn't touch the strings — I was awful and way too squeaky!), I haven't had much interaction with music.

Appreciation, absolutely.

But except for family karaoke sessions, the shower or my car, you will never ever hear me sing. Because I'm horrible.

But that doesn't stop me from dancing. And the perfect song will always make me want to.

I've perfected the walk-dance, brought out when I'm walking anywhere with my trusty iPod Nano and can boogie on down the street, with disguised arm and hand motions that punctuate certain lyrics that I think drivers can't see but they probably do.

I love how music touched upon every aspect of my growth as a person.

New Kids on the Block in elementary school, SWV in intermediate school, Dance Hall Crashers in high school, Dashboard Confessional in college — every significant part of my life includes a soundtrack.

I can still hear a song — what do you think about when you hear, "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams? — and immediately be transported to a time when life was a lot less complex.

Whether you're groaning or glowing in your memory, I'm sure it still brings a smile to your face now.

The importance of finding that one song for an immediate boost can be immeasurable. So I decided to pick a theme song for myself. One all-encompassing, shake-off-the-bad-vibes, get-ready-to-have-a-good-time song.

Mine, obviously, was an easy choice. How can you pass by lyrics like these: "Layla, you've got me on my knees, Layla. I'm begging darling please, Layla."

Wrong spelling aside — and the fact that Clapton supposedly wrote the song for his best friend's wife — it's still worthy of being the song I chose, simply because it makes me smile.

And I can play it for my grandma without guilt.

How you pick yours is up to you. Whether it's the melody or the lyrics, it's completely your decision. It just has to mean something to you.

Smile-worthy optional, but always advisable. If you need help, I'll throw in some arm motions for free.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.