I Love That Song
Been thinking about music lately. I am, or was, quite the audiophile growing up. My record (yes, LP’s) collection at one time was over 650 albums (vinyl) and over 260 CD’s. I’m down to CD’s now, as my sister kindly took the albums off of my hands when we moved. NukeMom wasn’t crazy about having 6 scrap-wood crates of albums in the living room, and I sure as heck didn’t want to move them cross country. The fact that our Labrador puppy ate about 40 of them didn’t help either.
One day I came home and Phoebe had gotten into the “K’s”. I alphabetized my collection. Anyway, not only did she skip over Kenny G and Krokus, but she decimated my Kiss collection. I had them all. Well, up until Unmasked and all of that post make-up stuff. Why couldn’t she spend some time in the “new” crate where I kept purchases waiting to be catalogued and crated? There were some tasty cut-outs in there.
I knew the words to most every song. It didn’t matter if I liked it or not, I just knew them. Never mind the fact that sometimes I’d come to the realization that I had been singing the wrong lyrics. Sometimes for decades. Here is a link to check out before you embarrass yourself at the next family bar-b-que. I also knew which side of the album each song was on, the order in which it appeared, who wrote it, who produced it, each member of the band, what instrument they played and sometimes, even the label. Label’s were huge in the 50′s and 60′s. ”Please welcome Apple recording artists, The Beatles!” Producers used to be a big thing as well. Most people have at least heard of Alan Parsons of The Alan Parsons Project, but few people know that he worked on Abbey Road and Let It Be for The Beatles and produced Dark Side Of The Moon for Pink Floyd. That was the kind of stuff that I would remember. I usually didn’t seek the information out, either; most times it just stuck in my head.
Thinking about my music collection lately has led me back to memories of growing up. Most of them are good ones, some, not so much. Either way, music was always there for me. Just like me I’m sure you can remember what song was playing when you got your first kiss. You probably remember the first album or CD you bought. Surely you remember your first concert.
Music was, is, and always will be, the one constant in our lives. Each song is like a photograph; it documents an exact moment in time the first time it really catches your ear. Each and every time you hear that song going forward, it’s like pulling out an old photo album and reminiscing. Like photographs, songs can change in meaning and sentiment over the years. The song that you and your boyfriend or girlfriend considered “your song” will certainly lose it’s luster once the relationship ends. I imagine their photographs would meet a similar fate, being relegated to a bottom drawer, or a box in an attic, unopened until years later. You pull it out, dust it off and it’s like looking at it (or hearing it) again for the first time.
The memories, good or bad, flood back into your conscience, and for that one instant; you’re 17 again. Or 25, or happy, or sad. You remember vividly where you were, what you were doing…the significance of it all. In that moment you reassess, maybe even confirm a decision you made a long time ago. One that you thought was right at the time, but were never quite sure. The now opened box answering questions from so long ago; and there you sit thinking; Man, I used to love that song.
Audubon Ron
I am Iron man…I saw the movie on DVD, but for me, I kept thinking through the movie about my 8 trach in my Cutlass blasting I AM IRON MAN. Don’t get me started on Iron Butterfly.
(NukeDad) I knew a guy in High School that would call the rock station to request “In A Gadda Da Vida”, and if they played the short version he would call them back relentlessly until they played the whole thing. Eventually he’d just call and say; “HEY! IT’S HAL!” and they’d say; “We’ll put all 17 minutes of it on right after the top of the hour break”.
Nov 09, 2008 @ 1:04 am
Mr Lady
They say smell is the strongest memory triggering sense, but I totally think it’s hearing. Also, I knew all that stuff about Alan Parsons. Because I am a nerd. Also, 60.
(NukeDad) 60? 60 what; pounds? Wait, I forgot; you’re in Canada, 60 Kg? Just kiddin’, you are a nerd, though…possibly bigger than me.
Nov 09, 2008 @ 1:08 am
Weaselmomma
Glass House was my first 8 track. It was a hand-me-down from my oldest brother.
(NukeDad) Oooh, Good one! We had Venus and Mars on 8-track.
Weaselmommas last blog post..Who Would Like To Soil Themselves?
Nov 09, 2008 @ 5:32 am
Melisa
I haven’t had my first kiss yet, but when I do, I hope that “Electric Avenue” is playing.
ha ha
You are totally right though, seriously. Music takes me back all the time. Like, whenever I hear Barry Manilow I remember how, when I was 8 and taking ballet lessons, I was supposed to choreograph (in advance) my own little dance for a parent night at the dance studio. Being the procrastinator that I (still) am, I didn’t choreograph a damn thing. When my teacher put on the “Mandy” record, I totally did a spontaneous, solo, 3 1/2 minute ballet dance and the parents all watched me with their mouths hanging open. I realized during my fourth or fifth clumsy spin across the studio that they were less impressed and more horrified. Not sure if it was my crappy dance or my astonishing choice of music.
(NukeDad) Ha! Sounds like me in Cub Scouts when my unpainted, almost still square soap box derby racer finished (are you ready?) Dead Last.
Melisas last blog post..Have Your People E-mail My People; We’ll Do Lunch!
Nov 09, 2008 @ 9:41 am
Xbox4NappyRash
I totally hear you.
When I was 20 I had my ENTIRE music collection stolen in a break in.
All except the longpigs’ album ‘the sun is often out’ which I found under an over turned chair.
The police later asked me was there anything unusual in the collection that might identify it to anyone being approached to buy them.
When I listed a few of the more ececltic items he looked at me, smirked, and said ‘those were presents, right?’.
Prick.
(NukeDad) He probably had his Bay City Rollers tape cued up in the cruiser.
Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post..Notes from a post surgical desert
Nov 09, 2008 @ 11:07 am
tom
Had to get rid of all my collections – very sore point still – but hearing one of those old songs that I’ve totally forgotten about (like anything by “Asia” – who my buddy and I considered the greatest group ever to grace the halls of rock & roll) always brings me right back to the late 70′s, and thoughts of how my life is still unwritten, stretching out into forever.
(NukeDad) Sore point with me a little as well. You said the “A” word. I love(d) Asia; the first real “Supergroup”. Seems they had a thing about “eyes”, don’t you think? 1/2 their songs had Eye in the title.
toms last blog post..Wishful Thinking
Nov 09, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
Momo Fali
So true! I have great music memories (especially from the 70′s and 80′s), but REO Speedwagon and I don’t mix. BAD memories of my cousins trying to get me to drink whiskey (I was EIGHT). Music is so powerful, that a certain Dave Matthews CD makes me nauseous when I listen to it, because I listened to it every day when I was pregnant and often puking my guts out.
(NukeDad) Ooh, that doesn’t sound like any fun. Dave’s acting is what usually makes me nauseous. Sippin’ whiskey at 8? What were they thinking?? Everyone knows you start 8 year olds on beer, you don’t give them whiskey until they’re at least 9 or 10.
Nov 09, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
Mike
Who doesn’t remember the song that they lost their virginity to. Sad to say mine was “Baby Come Back” by Player. Man, I’m dating myself….
(NukeDad) Ha Ha, that song is selling Swiffer floor mops now, isn’t it? You know the bass player from Player stars as “Ridge” on The Bold and The Beautiful. Yet another useless trivia tidbit from your Uncle Nuke!
P.S. Were you; “wearing a mask of false bravado?”
Mikes last blog post..Holidays With The Ex?
Nov 09, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
Kim
I was totally going to do a post like this.. now I can just lift yours and change the names..you won’t mind will you??
And now I have electric avenue running through my brain thanks to Melisa.. grrr..
(NukeDad) Ah, Eddie Grant. You have permission to lift at your leisure.
Kims last blog post..Four years, 47 Days
Nov 11, 2008 @ 1:16 am
Tito
Your are so right. I can think of a song from 30 years ago and remember exactly where I was when I heard it. For example, I’ll never forget having basketball practice in high school while cranking Van Halen’s Runnin’ With the Devil.
By the way, if you want to hear some funny misheard lyrics, check out http://www.kissthisguy.com. You’ll find some songs you haven’t thought of in years.
(NukeDad) Sounds like we’re about the same age; Van Halen’s 1st album came out my freshman year. I love Kiss this guy! I link to it in this post.
Dec 07, 2008 @ 10:48 pm