Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Ten Songs That Bring Back Memories (and why...)


I get notifications for Ten on Tuesday, and it always sounds like a good idea at the time. But putting together a list of ten of anything ends up being quite a challenge.

I might be better at a blogging event called "Four if I frickin' feel like it."
I had to do this subject, though: "Ten Songs That Bring Back Memories (and why...)"

In a somewhat chronological order:

1. I Want to Hold Your Hand: This could be one of my earliest musical memories. Thanks to my mom, I met the Beatles.


2. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondelles: This was the first record I could call my very own. Naturally, I listened to it...over and over...



3. The Flintstones Theme Song: At some point in my early childhood, my parents only had black and white TV. But my grandparents, who lived across town, had COLOR TV! My great folks used to drive my sister and me over there, mid-week, to watch our favorite cartoon, which I loved all the more because it had a character named Betty. For some reason, the show was on in the evening, so we were usually put in our jammies before we left. A memory right out of history...



4. Crocodile Rock: This song was covered a lot by bands at the junior high dances I went to. I have good memories of hopping and bopping to it.



5. Stairway to Heaven: This song was also covered by a lot of bands at the aforementioned junior high dances, usually as the last "slow dance." I have bad memories of lurking on the sidelines while it was playing.



6. Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac: No comment.



7. It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine) by R.E.M.: When I was a high school debate coach in Olympia, my students introduced me to R.E.M.. Later, the word got out that "It's the End..." was actually about debate tournaments. Were we ever excited! I remember spending hours with my debate students analyzing the lyrics (which we had to transcribe...no Internet, remember?) to try to prove our theory. A debatable theory which is now all over online R.E.M. forums, of course.



8. Life During Wartime by the Talking Heads: My strongest memories of this song postdate its release by many years; I listened to it obsessively during the first weeks of the current Iraq war. "This ain't no party, this ain't no disco..." It sure ain't.



9. Let Down by Radiohead: The first time I heard this song, I listened to it about twenty times straight. A chemical reaction, I guess.



10: Unchained Melody: Undefined memories.


11 comments:

Melissa said...

Great List!!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Patois42 said...

Oh dear, Crimson and Clover! Crocodile Rock! Definitely Gold Dust Woman!

And I'm thinking, at best, you're two or three years older than me. Want to bet?

Irishcoda said...

You met the Beatles? You met the Beatles? (wild screaming like they did in the early 60s)! That is so cool, enjoyed reading you list and I'm thinking we're close in age because of some of your choices. Have a great week!

Betty Carlson said...

Patois, I'll bet on that but by email! I'll get back to you...

irishcoda, I didn't meet the Beatles, it was just a play on words on their album title "Meet the Beatles" (which was the one that had the song on it.)

Serena said...

Although I don't know the songs you mentioned here, I enjoyed reading your memories that they bring you. :)

Serena
ChatnChill

Unknown said...

A great, eclectic list.

For some reason, the Beatles always make me smile.

Unknown said...

Your memories bring back some memories too. I graduated Jr. High to stairway to heaven.
Does that date me?

WendyB said...

Great list! I'm with you on all of them except I'm the only person in the world who is not a Radiohead fan. But, yeah, the Flintstones song stands out to me too.

Betty Carlson said...

I don't really like all of Radiohead, Wendy. In fact a lot of their songs either put me to sleep or give me a headache-- but I think they have done some masterpieces, like this one.

Paul said...

Let Down/Radiohead: Thanks for reminding me about that track, I hadn't listened to it for quite a while, but I've put it on now, and WOW WOW!!
Some other Radiohead tracks which, for me, have that same amazing hypnotic drive:
1. "You And Whose Army?" on Amnesiac;
2. "Where I End And You Begin" on Hail To The Thief;
3. "Fake Plastic Trees" on The Bends

Betty Carlson said...

Thanks for the suggestions, Paul. As I said above, I don't like all if Radiohead but will try to check out those songs. It sounds like you are a big fan.