Sometimes you need a good cry. Music is a great catalyst for a good old fashioned eye wash. There are certain songs that, somewhere around the 4th or 5th note, can make me weep like a child. There are many reasons for this; sometimes it’s the memory associated with the song choice. Other songs make me weep because of the sheer beauty of the lyrics or the melody or a combination of both. It surprises me that I will break into a spontaneous cacophony of gut wrenching sobs over songs that I haven’t heard in years or that I have heard so often I should be “over it” by now. So, without further adieu…here’s the list of Amy’s all time great spasmodic sob singles. (in no particular order)
“Imagine” by John Winston Ono Lennon. Do I need to explain my love of all things Lennon? John-o was, is and always shall be my man. Even the Scott Bakula version from an episode of Quantum Leap, had me crying the tears of the gut wrenched. My second most cried out Lennon song? That would be “Beautiful Boy” because I am the mother of a, er…beautiful boy.
The Beatles being my all time favorite group, I must mention the two Fab Four songs most likely to make me need a Kleenex. The absolutely haunting “Julia”, which John penned after the loss of his mum is all the more poignant by the loss of my own beloved mother. Also, it is impossible for me to get through the song “In My Life” without losing it.
If I was to travel in the way back machine, along with Sherman, I think the earliest recorded song on the melancholy mucus hit parade would be “The Way You Look Tonight” from the Fred Astaire film, “Swing Time”. I know it’s been played at more weddings than is fathomable, but it still gets me, right in the heartstrings each and every time. Another golden moldy that rips me is “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, which I think is interesting, since Christmas isn’t my holiday. Judy Garland is so mournful that I want to burst.
When I was little, I remember hearing the song “Both Sides Now” right after my Nana died. For some reason, I got the “clouds illusions” confused with my grandmother’s passing and the two were indelibly linked forever. “Wind Beneath My Wings” is another sure fire devastator, for the power of the lyrics and for my own sentimental attachment to the song.
Three songs that I was introduced to at roughly the same time also melt me whenever I hear them. Richard Thompson’s “Dimming of the Day” is quite possibly my favorite song of all times now and that is saying a lot. It’s haunting and harrowing and just lovely. My beloved Nick Drake has so many songs that act like emotional wrecking balls, but “Time Has Told Me” is the song of this that most does the trick. John Martyn’s “Couldn’t Love You More” makes me cry to a lesser extent. Not long ago, I stumbled upon Chris Bell’s “Look Up”(there is no youtube for this at present. Someone removed it) and Elliot Smith’s “Waltz #2” and the depth of both of these masterpieces is wail inducing. Likewise, for some reason I can’t put my finger on, is the largely lamented “Beautiful” by James Blunt. I think it’s that pseudo “emo” angst producing thought of finding the perfect one and not being able to reach them.
Sometimes, you just need to let the music overtake you..and let is out!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Play Me
I think I have said before that I am firm believer that a musical soundtrack should follow each one of us everywhere we go. The requisite scary music should come on before something awful happens and we should be serenaded with songs of love for those quiet moments. Someone near and dear to me once wrote down what he considered the “Soundtrack of his life” and while that is an undertaking I aspire to one fine day, for right now, I have to settle for snippets of the songs that I used as memory place cards at the banquet table of life. If you find some of my choices schalmtzy, feel free to go suck the proverbial egg. These are the songs of MY life, baby, and that’s just the way it is.
First slow dance- Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird”. 8th grade Christmas Dance. A real genuine boy asked ME to slow dance, which I thought meant he wanted me to eventually bear his children. The year was 1978 and I was wearing an iced blue satin disco dress and a white crocheted granny shawl. The unfortunate lad, Harry Thompson, esq., I am sure did not know that he fueled my adolescent fantasies, inspired by hearing Rod Stewart singing “Tonight’s the Night”. I think to poor Harry, I was just this entertaining girl from class and this was just a dance. I had my first boy/girl birthday party a couple of weeks later, and somehow arranged it with my girlfriends that Harry be the one who played “Seven Minutes in Heaven” with me. I got my first peck kiss outta that one. Alas, our love was not to be…
First OMG make out session- The Knack’s “My Sharona”. I mean, honestly, who wouldn’t want to jump on someone when that song is on? Could Doug Feiger, of blessed memory, have made an anthem more about teen aged humpery? I was 14, but I had told my “date” of the evening that I was 16. Anyone who has known me long enough knows who this boy was, but for fear that he might sue me some day, I prefer to refer to him as “Jeep, the Creep”. He prided himself on his “Russian hands and Roman fingers”. Still, that I can remember that particular evening 31 years later, must account for something.
The “first” time- Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band’s “You’ll Accompany Me”. To be in love like I was the first time made all the difference in the world. I was not a particularly big fan of Mr. Seger, nor am I now. I bought the album for my first love for his birthday that year and that was what we somehow picked to consummate our teen aged obsession. Still, at least the song doesn’t suck, and the memories of that fragile time in my life don’t suck either.
The first time I actually felt “sexy” and knew someone else thought I was too- The Hollies- “Long, Cool Woman in a Black Dress”. I was modeling some such new outfit for an admiring beau, when he put this on the turntable. You know, you strut a bit more with a soundtrack behind you! By the end of the song, I was posing like some cheesed up model out of “Blow Up”, a film I was forced to watch about a jillion times.
One of “those” nights- Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks” (the entire album.) There was a night, a long time ago that I was with someone and this was the background music for the evening. In my mind’s eye, the tracks were seamless and I remember hours passing without break and no words exchanged. I may have conjured up the memories of this night in my head and my memories may be all shadows and light and never more. The other party involved that evening is gone now but obviously this album has stuck with me for a long time. “Slim Slow Slider” is my favorite epic on the album and its title and lyrics fit that night like a glass slipper. To be like that again is something I only dream of now.
A sure fire song to get me going- Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”, possibly the sexiest song in the entire world. I feel like slippery quivering jellied satin when I hear that song. Put that one back to back with “Sexual Healing” and I might even be tempted to date a chicken. M-mm-mm good…….
I do have to admit to memories associated with other songs as well- Mike and the Mechanics “All I Need is a Miracle”, Jim Croce’s “Long Time Ago”, Styx’s “Lady”, Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me”, The Bangles “Eternal Flame”. Fleeting moments with fleeting pop songs and I neither dis the memories or the music. It was what it was at the time.
First slow dance- Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird”. 8th grade Christmas Dance. A real genuine boy asked ME to slow dance, which I thought meant he wanted me to eventually bear his children. The year was 1978 and I was wearing an iced blue satin disco dress and a white crocheted granny shawl. The unfortunate lad, Harry Thompson, esq., I am sure did not know that he fueled my adolescent fantasies, inspired by hearing Rod Stewart singing “Tonight’s the Night”. I think to poor Harry, I was just this entertaining girl from class and this was just a dance. I had my first boy/girl birthday party a couple of weeks later, and somehow arranged it with my girlfriends that Harry be the one who played “Seven Minutes in Heaven” with me. I got my first peck kiss outta that one. Alas, our love was not to be…
First OMG make out session- The Knack’s “My Sharona”. I mean, honestly, who wouldn’t want to jump on someone when that song is on? Could Doug Feiger, of blessed memory, have made an anthem more about teen aged humpery? I was 14, but I had told my “date” of the evening that I was 16. Anyone who has known me long enough knows who this boy was, but for fear that he might sue me some day, I prefer to refer to him as “Jeep, the Creep”. He prided himself on his “Russian hands and Roman fingers”. Still, that I can remember that particular evening 31 years later, must account for something.
The “first” time- Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band’s “You’ll Accompany Me”. To be in love like I was the first time made all the difference in the world. I was not a particularly big fan of Mr. Seger, nor am I now. I bought the album for my first love for his birthday that year and that was what we somehow picked to consummate our teen aged obsession. Still, at least the song doesn’t suck, and the memories of that fragile time in my life don’t suck either.
The first time I actually felt “sexy” and knew someone else thought I was too- The Hollies- “Long, Cool Woman in a Black Dress”. I was modeling some such new outfit for an admiring beau, when he put this on the turntable. You know, you strut a bit more with a soundtrack behind you! By the end of the song, I was posing like some cheesed up model out of “Blow Up”, a film I was forced to watch about a jillion times.
One of “those” nights- Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks” (the entire album.) There was a night, a long time ago that I was with someone and this was the background music for the evening. In my mind’s eye, the tracks were seamless and I remember hours passing without break and no words exchanged. I may have conjured up the memories of this night in my head and my memories may be all shadows and light and never more. The other party involved that evening is gone now but obviously this album has stuck with me for a long time. “Slim Slow Slider” is my favorite epic on the album and its title and lyrics fit that night like a glass slipper. To be like that again is something I only dream of now.
A sure fire song to get me going- Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”, possibly the sexiest song in the entire world. I feel like slippery quivering jellied satin when I hear that song. Put that one back to back with “Sexual Healing” and I might even be tempted to date a chicken. M-mm-mm good…….
I do have to admit to memories associated with other songs as well- Mike and the Mechanics “All I Need is a Miracle”, Jim Croce’s “Long Time Ago”, Styx’s “Lady”, Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me”, The Bangles “Eternal Flame”. Fleeting moments with fleeting pop songs and I neither dis the memories or the music. It was what it was at the time.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Revolution!
So much for my life this past week! My beloved son, the light of my life and all that rot, had to do a biography project for school. Now, being the son of a dyed in the wool music freak, Noah read a biography on the Beatles. Actually, the book he chose, Who Were the Beatles? By Geoff Edgers, was not a bad read. While a tad been sanitized for your protection, since it’s geared for the post pablum/pre Pernod set, obviously facts were checked and that makes me happy. This project did lead to a great deal of interesting revelations however, dealing with media, knowledge and the change in how we do homework in the digital age.
Noah would read and then come to me with a gazillion questions. I do sometimes forget that he was born in the “new millennium” and therefore doesn’t have a frame of reference to many of the music/ideas/ideologies mentioned in this book. Sure, he IS my son and has been exposed to some sort of Beatles rot in every room of the casa, but….. So, now is the time that I sing the praises of You Tube! After each night’s reading, Noah and I went on You Tube, watched and listened. The pre-Beatles as the Quarrymen? Watched that. The Beatles coming to America and visiting mumble mouthed Eddy Sullivan? Watched that. John Lennon being bigger than Jesus? That, too. Beatles as trippy hippies, “Paul is dead”, Let It Be concert? Yeah, yeah, yeah!
I even took a big breath and managed to get through footage of the memorials to my beloved Mr. Lennon, as well as post Beatles solo offerings and the Anthology videos (Free as a Bird/Real Love).
While I am sure that Noah benefitted from all of this Fab Four exposure (the proof in the pudding being whatever grade he gets) I know that I did. While some may dis You Tube, I am happy that in some way, music/film/telly/pop culture history is being archived somewhere for the next generation. No longer is there a case for “fade away and radiate” within the scope of popular accomplishment and I know that makes me glad!
Noah would read and then come to me with a gazillion questions. I do sometimes forget that he was born in the “new millennium” and therefore doesn’t have a frame of reference to many of the music/ideas/ideologies mentioned in this book. Sure, he IS my son and has been exposed to some sort of Beatles rot in every room of the casa, but….. So, now is the time that I sing the praises of You Tube! After each night’s reading, Noah and I went on You Tube, watched and listened. The pre-Beatles as the Quarrymen? Watched that. The Beatles coming to America and visiting mumble mouthed Eddy Sullivan? Watched that. John Lennon being bigger than Jesus? That, too. Beatles as trippy hippies, “Paul is dead”, Let It Be concert? Yeah, yeah, yeah!
I even took a big breath and managed to get through footage of the memorials to my beloved Mr. Lennon, as well as post Beatles solo offerings and the Anthology videos (Free as a Bird/Real Love).
While I am sure that Noah benefitted from all of this Fab Four exposure (the proof in the pudding being whatever grade he gets) I know that I did. While some may dis You Tube, I am happy that in some way, music/film/telly/pop culture history is being archived somewhere for the next generation. No longer is there a case for “fade away and radiate” within the scope of popular accomplishment and I know that makes me glad!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
They Say It's Your Birthday!
So, it’s official. Forty-five years ago this very day, I made my stage debut. Before offering me a hearty chorus of “huzzahs”, please consider other musical talents of note born on January 6. I had to look long and hard, cruising the Internet for at least 3-4 minutes to come up with the names of the aft mentioned rockinrollas….and I am sure you will be as gobsmacked as I was when I found out who shares my natal anniversary.
1967-Peter Loran, vocalist of the band Trixter.
1964-Mark O’Toole, bassist/drummer of the band Frankie Goes to Hollywood
1963-Paul Brindley, bassist of the band The Sundays
1959-Kathy Sledge, vocalist for the group Sister Sledge
After finding these first four names, I wasn’t all that impressed. I mean, it was better than telling people I shared my birthday with the Reverend Sun Yung Moon, founder of the “Moonies”, but still, where were the Rock and Roll genius’ I knew the “self proclaimed Goddess of the Groove” should share her zodiac sign with? MMMM, just wait…here come the heavy hitters…..
1953- Malcolm Young, guitarist for AC/DC.
Now, I will admit, I was a big fan back in the day. I like my music a little more, dare I say it, comfortably numb….which brings me to…
1946- Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd.
OMG! I share my birthday with a right freaking genius! OK, so he went mad and some of his later behavior rivaled Howard Hughes. I mean, don’t we all go a little mad sometimes….
1944- Van McCoy- if you are teetering on the edge of extinction as I am, you will remember, if not Van McCoy’s name, his biggest claim to fame, that all out and out classic disco party song…the Hustle. I am not too proud to admit, much to my friend’s chagrin that I put on my Candies F-me heels and my iced blue Satin disco dress and danced to this song at many a school dance. Ok, so I was 14…..and that excuses me!
1941-Sandy Denny, vocalist of Fairport Convention/Fotheringay. How did I not know that one of my idols shared a birthday with me? How I love Sandy’s soothing voice on the folk rock sounds. If you are familiar with Fairport Convention, which also boasted the talents of my beloved Richard Thompson and lovely Trevor Lucas, who was later part of Fotheringay, you will know that most of their music has a decidedly, imho, folk sound. Sandy’s second band, the very short lived one albumed Fotheringay, was a bit more folk/rock. To me, the album is so good that it hurts!
I can sleep now, knowing that as I near the end of the first day of my 45th year on Earth, I share this date with others who felt the pull of music, perhaps even more so than I do.
1967-Peter Loran, vocalist of the band Trixter.
1964-Mark O’Toole, bassist/drummer of the band Frankie Goes to Hollywood
1963-Paul Brindley, bassist of the band The Sundays
1959-Kathy Sledge, vocalist for the group Sister Sledge
After finding these first four names, I wasn’t all that impressed. I mean, it was better than telling people I shared my birthday with the Reverend Sun Yung Moon, founder of the “Moonies”, but still, where were the Rock and Roll genius’ I knew the “self proclaimed Goddess of the Groove” should share her zodiac sign with? MMMM, just wait…here come the heavy hitters…..
1953- Malcolm Young, guitarist for AC/DC.
Now, I will admit, I was a big fan back in the day. I like my music a little more, dare I say it, comfortably numb….which brings me to…
1946- Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd.
OMG! I share my birthday with a right freaking genius! OK, so he went mad and some of his later behavior rivaled Howard Hughes. I mean, don’t we all go a little mad sometimes….
1944- Van McCoy- if you are teetering on the edge of extinction as I am, you will remember, if not Van McCoy’s name, his biggest claim to fame, that all out and out classic disco party song…the Hustle. I am not too proud to admit, much to my friend’s chagrin that I put on my Candies F-me heels and my iced blue Satin disco dress and danced to this song at many a school dance. Ok, so I was 14…..and that excuses me!
1941-Sandy Denny, vocalist of Fairport Convention/Fotheringay. How did I not know that one of my idols shared a birthday with me? How I love Sandy’s soothing voice on the folk rock sounds. If you are familiar with Fairport Convention, which also boasted the talents of my beloved Richard Thompson and lovely Trevor Lucas, who was later part of Fotheringay, you will know that most of their music has a decidedly, imho, folk sound. Sandy’s second band, the very short lived one albumed Fotheringay, was a bit more folk/rock. To me, the album is so good that it hurts!
I can sleep now, knowing that as I near the end of the first day of my 45th year on Earth, I share this date with others who felt the pull of music, perhaps even more so than I do.
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