For as long as I can remember I have tried to surround myself with music. In doing so I have created a lot of musical memories -- events in my life that have songs associated with them. Just a few notes of a particular song can launch me back to a moment in time that, then, seemed to stand still.
One song literally haunts me. The live version of "Freebird" by Lynard Skynard. The first time I ever heard this song was at the 1979 funeral of my 18 year old brother. I still remember the look of shock on the faces of several relatives as the record scratched and popped through a seemingly endless song. That funeral smell coupled with the sounds of classmates sobbing and that song echoing off the walls of a standing room only funeral home. I know that logically sound cannot echo off the walls of a space packed with people and flowers but I swear, on that cold, rainy day in April, it did. That song fits my brother to a T. He was restless and wreckless.
If I had to pick one song that summed me up, it would be this one (click to hear): "Wildflower" as sung by Skylark.
The song that describes me currently is (click to see lyrics) "Walking Away from the Edge" by Journey. It's off their Red 13 album and performed by Steve Augeri. (As soon as I figure out how to add music I own to this blog I will upload it.)
During my first pregnancy 18 years ago I listened to Elton John's Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on a cassette tape. By the time my son was born I had worn the tape out. I loved the whole album but one song in particular stands out (click to see lyrics): "The Greatest Discovery".
Six months into my last pregnancy I went in to pre-term labor and spent a week in the hospital. By.my.self. I had a television on the wall and a radio built in to the railing of my hospital bed to keep me company. Most of the time the radio played elevator music but every now and again a song would play with a voice that mesmerized me. I knew I had heard the voice before but I couldn't place it. It wasn't until after I left the hospital that I figured out who it was. Steve Perry of Journey (Album: Trial by Fire) and the song was (click to see lyrics) "When You Love a Woman". (I am a diehard Journey/Steve Perry fan.)
One song literally haunts me. The live version of "Freebird" by Lynard Skynard. The first time I ever heard this song was at the 1979 funeral of my 18 year old brother. I still remember the look of shock on the faces of several relatives as the record scratched and popped through a seemingly endless song. That funeral smell coupled with the sounds of classmates sobbing and that song echoing off the walls of a standing room only funeral home. I know that logically sound cannot echo off the walls of a space packed with people and flowers but I swear, on that cold, rainy day in April, it did. That song fits my brother to a T. He was restless and wreckless.
If I had to pick one song that summed me up, it would be this one (click to hear): "Wildflower" as sung by Skylark.
The song that describes me currently is (click to see lyrics) "Walking Away from the Edge" by Journey. It's off their Red 13 album and performed by Steve Augeri. (As soon as I figure out how to add music I own to this blog I will upload it.)
During my first pregnancy 18 years ago I listened to Elton John's Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on a cassette tape. By the time my son was born I had worn the tape out. I loved the whole album but one song in particular stands out (click to see lyrics): "The Greatest Discovery".
Six months into my last pregnancy I went in to pre-term labor and spent a week in the hospital. By.my.self. I had a television on the wall and a radio built in to the railing of my hospital bed to keep me company. Most of the time the radio played elevator music but every now and again a song would play with a voice that mesmerized me. I knew I had heard the voice before but I couldn't place it. It wasn't until after I left the hospital that I figured out who it was. Steve Perry of Journey (Album: Trial by Fire) and the song was (click to see lyrics) "When You Love a Woman". (I am a diehard Journey/Steve Perry fan.)
2 comments:
Just saw Journey a few months back. Sure, no Steve Perry, but the guy who DID sing was incredible. It was nice to be there and listen to the music of my youth. Every song reminded me of something. Better still...I went with my 19 year old daughter. It was a great experience.
CP.
We all have those songs, ones that provoke stronger feelings then a photograph would, both good and bad memories... just play the good ones hun, only the good ones.
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