Dare to be an atavist. Dare to delve into the past and dig-up the crap you listened to when you were younger, or perhaps still listen to if you're like me. I listen because it's all part of "memory music" that gets the brain sparking and spewing in different ways.
There is something about reliving a time in your life that is pleasant. Revisiting a certain era or moment can be either fulfilling or not. I chose songs to list below that I pray are satisfying in that either you have resolved the issues presented within the songs or you laugh at how pissed off you were at the time you heard them and are glad you have moved on now. Whatever the case, I hope you enjoy these songs as much as i enjoyed digging a few of them up for this list.
"I Wanna Know What Love Is" by Foreigner: The sentimental rock ballad likely has more to do with getting laid than it does with the lyrics. Hey, that does not discount it from being a song that is perhaps good to sing along to when you’re on a really long roadtrip and all you can tune in is a station that plays such music. I also don’t think it is a song about “just getting laid.” I actually take the lyrics more seriously than that.
Call me me crazy; I actually like rock ballads. I admit, I owned this album and I liked “Double Vision” and I also liked “Urgent.” On a personal note, the song reminds me of going sleigh-riding with my younger brother down a very steep hill because I had this song playing on the Walkman at the time (no iPods then) and it was a crystalline palace outside with the trees frozen and the branches like ice crystals with the sun refracting off of them. Perhaps this is why the song appeals to me. Like so many things, it has more to do with memory than the thing itself and it comes to represent more.
"Knowing Me, Knowing You" by Abba: Most people write Abba off and I can see why. Most of their stuff really isn't that great. But this song in particular is a good break up song and the lyrics fit “…we just have to face it this time we’re through.” It sounds reasonable and friendly enough but there is a bit of a bite to the song that strikes me and that frankly, I like, the same way I like "Marianne Faithful."
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
Queermo or not, I've always loved 'Hungry like a wolf' and the video too.
2 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
hey Mat,
don't get me wrong. I actually have the song on my iPod, so i'm a fan, i just still find it funny, albeit a pleasant trip down memory lane. I don't think it's every going to be anything beyond pop, but who said it had to be.... it's a great memory song and if it's memorable this long after the fact, that says a lot right there....
; )
sade
3 - Steve
Hey, Sadi,
I know all of the songs except for Boz Scaggs, though I know he was a fave of my sister's back in the 70's.
'Hungry Like The Wolf' is an old fave of mine too, reminds me of the beginnings of the music video era, I used to watch a TV show called 'Friday Night Videos' as a kid, they used to play that video alot. I have most of their albums including 'Rio', and their most recent 'Red Carpet Massacre' (2007).
Re. Glen Campbell, my mother used to own his 'Rhinestone Cowboy' record when I was a kid, probably about the only country album I ever listened to from beginning to end lol. Your song of his is still played on BBC Radio 2 every week on one the radio shows there apparently.
I've always liked ABBA, even when it wasn't cool to like them in the late 80's but though some of their songs are corny to be sure, the one you chose, is one of my faves of theirs.
I've always loved that Foreigner song, overplayed though it was at the time.
So funny you should mention Carly Simon, I just downloaded that song on New Year's Eve as one of 30 that I got for Christmas, along with 3 other James Bond themes ('The World Is Not Enough' by Garbage, 'Die Another Day' by Madonna & 'For Your Eyes Only' by Sheena Easton). I've actually liked most of the James Bond themes with a few exceptions, and I think I have all my faves from the franchise now.
4 - Steve
Hey Sadi,
I just discovered that Paul Weller's 1993 album 'Wild Wood' is now out in a deluxe edition with about 28 extra tracks on it!!! You can check it out at the allmusic.com website.
Hope you had a nice January,
Steve.
5 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
whoa! Steve, thanks for the info...i must have that... that rocketh.
btw, a new list is up
new new new new
visit if you feel like it. Not sure if it's up yet, but it should be soon. I just did it this morning, so look for it if you feel like it.... you'll prob know some stuff on it and if not, i've uploaded to
Tant Mieux List of the Moment
so you can read and comment if the spirit moves you and listen as well... ; )
6 - Steve
Great, Sadi,
I will definitely check out the new List.
Steve.
7 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
cool - we'll jump over there and i'll see you. If you don't know the stuff, take a listen at tant mieux first under The List of the Moment and then you can comment better probably... i've uploaded most of the songs and will upload more by request, of course....