10 records – music from my life
Dear Reader
Today I break from my normal summary of music psychology papers to share a personal musical blog.
I was recently contacted by Reel Connections, a Community Interest Company that uses film, music and the creative arts to connect people, groups and communities across Norfolk and the South East of the UK. They asked me to take part in a Music On My Mind Podcast, available on their website. As part of the podcast preparations they said…
It would be good to have a list of 10 songs that have been a part of your life. Maybe some that inspired you as a young person and then some that you turn to as an adult. Music that sustains you. Also perhaps music that inspired your career choice. Feel free to throw in a couple of tracks that you just randomly love.
This request was reminiscent of Desert Island Discs, the long running BBC Radio 4 show, where guests prepare a list of 8 tracks that they would want if stranded on a desert island. Just about every programme features the same complaint from the guest – the task of choosing 8 tracks is very difficult. I now know how they feel.
Luckily I was asked to focus on pop/rock tracks for my Reel Connections list, which saved a lot of digging around. Having said that, I insisted on one piece of classical music – any list of my personal music that doesn’t feature Beethoven would belie my soul.
So here is my list of tracks with a little reasoning behind each choice. They are not in any definitive order – they represent only the order in which they came to my mind.
- (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
This is my favourite song. Throughout life I have turned to the soulful tones of Otis Redding when I want to wrap myself in the beauty of the human voice. If I need to calm down from any situation, to remind myself of the simplicity of life, then I will sit and listen to this track. Just sit. And breathe. Listen to the opening bass line and the crashing waves. Imagery, stillness and calm.
2. God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
I agree with Paul McCartney, this is the best love ballad ever written. Apart from the glory of the lyrics and the enigmatic charm of the classic Beach Boys sound, cascading balanced harmonies and intricate orchestration, this is a Brian Wilson masterpiece. His is not my all-time favourite singing voice, but it reaches the four corners of my heart. This song reminds me of my husband.
3. In My Life – The Beatles
My boys – I adore them. All of them, though I am a John Lennon girl at heart so I must have his voice in my list. In his last major interview, Lennon described this track as “a remembrance of friends and lovers of the past.” I defy anyone to listen to the song and not be transported back in time through their life. What a wonderful gift to leave the world.
4. Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer
This song was released in 1997 when I was 15 years old. This record is the soundtrack for a long & warm summer when I ran through the rapeseed oil fields at the back of my village with my best friend. I miss the 90s vibe of this record. There was a silent, steady electricity that we took for granted, in the air. We thought it would last forever.
5. I Can’t Stop Loving You – Ray Charles
As chronicled in my book, You Are The Music, this is my heartbreak song. He walked away and my heart shattered into a thousand pieces, tearing me apart at the seams. I cried whilst playing this song on repeat. I needed to feel the pain and this track cradled me as I wept. These days, many years later, it inspires me to believe that I have survived and matured, though the vulnerability of my youth remains within me.
6. Be My Baby – The Ronettes
By this point you may be thinking my song list is a little … before my time. I grew up in the 80s/90s so why is so much of the music from the 60s/70s? That would be my father. I grew up in a single parent household where my Dad’s record collection ruled the airwaves. I rarely heard anything else until my teenage years. I’m not sorry at all – I adore these tracks. This one especially reminds me of Dad. He used to sing it to me and we danced to this track on my wedding day.
7. Key to My Kingdom – B. B. King
I wish I could find a live version of this track where you could see B.B performing. Here is a link to him performing at his best. Any list of mine needs the golden sound of his blues guitar, the closest you will ever get to hearing an instrument cry. This song speaks to the importance of simple love and tenderness over position, power or riches.
8. Hotel California – Eagles
If you had not guessed, my main instrument is guitar so I have a weakness for beautiful 6 string sounds. In such a mind as mine you will find, sitting happily, the duelling sounds of Don Felder and Joe Walsh. Watch the synchronicity, the ease, the musical conversation and jokes. The lyrics are a delight – one of the first set that I learnt by heart (the very first was American Pie, an act of love) but the guitar melodies are what make this track.
9. Follow Your Arrow – Kacey Musgraves
I must include a track that touches on my affinity for Country/ Pop music. Kacey is a talented performer, I have had the joy of seeing her live. She reminds me of Dolly Parton with her easy elegance, friendly style, voice, and fiery personality. The lyrics to this song are all about openness and understanding. The track reminds me of my 3 siblings. We share a liking for this kind of music and anything that represents open arms speaks to me of their presence.
10. Fidelio Concerto for Piano and Orchestra no. 3 in C Minor Op. 37 – Ludwig van Beethoven (in particular the second movement from about 17 mins on in this video)
All of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos are good, but this is my all time favourite; the form is perfect, the music sweeps effortlessly between power, drama, melancholy, rage, humour, peace, longing. This one has it all. So simple, so sublime but yet so evocative. It leaves me speechless, which is exactly what I need at times. I always come back to this piece of music to remember what makes us human and that as a species we are capable of truly wonderful things.
