FEATURE:
That Single Moment:
The Song That Matters the Most
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We all have that particular song: the ones that means the very most. It may not be the best; it may not be the coolest- that track that stands above the rest. Keen to share my choice- and get opinions from others- let us begin…
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BEING my 400th blog post- my fingers pay testament to that number; how many words have been…
typed- I thought it best to try something collaborative- and share a personal thing. Music is that subject mistress; a domain that seems both personal and universal- where different sounds appeal (to different people). I am always baffled when someone does not share my music tastes; has never heard of (a particular band/artist) - and fails to dislike pretty awful music. My favourtite album is The Bends: Radiohead’s (in my mind) finest moment, remains untouched. The 1995 masterpiece has that perfect balance of emotion and vulnerability- heartbreaking tracks like Bullet Proof… I Wish I Was and Fake Plastic Trees- stunning Rock epics- the title track; My Iron Lung and Just- it has it all. Thom Yorke’s voice is the defining feature: it beings every emotion to life; captivates at every turn- a stunning performance throughout. From the woozy and drunken- the band’s own confession- mess of Planet Telex; High and Dry’s catchy refrains; to Street Spirit (Fade Out)’s haunting finale- an album that never fails to mystify; puts me in a better place. It my favourite album for a number of reasons. The band performances are consistently tight and memorable: they spar and fuse perfectly; back one another up- each track sounds vital and alive. Aside from Yorke’s (timeless, angelic voice) there is an enormous amount of power and emotion: even in the more optimistic moments, you feel somehow seduced and thought-provoked. Above all, The Bends marks a particular moment: in the midst of ‘Britpop’s celebratory regency, Radiohead stood as the outsiders- the band unconcerned with cool and ‘fitting-in’. I can listen to it over and over; it never loses its magic and mystery- and it never will. When it comes to my favourite song, that honour goes to Deacon Blues- from U.S. Jazz-Rock legends Steely Dan. I have dedicated an entire post to that already- so shall not go into too much depth- suffice it to say, that track holds special memories.
Whereas Deacon Blues is my favourite song- and the finest track I have ever heard- it is not the most important one. That track evokes different memories and emotions; it is for a particular time and place- I would not say it is the most important track (from my perspective). So what defines the most important track? I guess it depends, really. For me, it would be the earliest music memory; when it started to reveal its beauty- that moment everything changed. We all have our own perspective and choice; why one songs stands out (above the rest). For me- the choice of most memorable track- would not be classed as ‘obvious’. Tears for Fears are not a band I spend time with; I only have one of their albums (Songs from the Big Chair) - they do not feature in my thoughts much. Their best-known track Everybody Wants to Rule the World has never left my mind. Its sister album- Songs from’- was released in 1985: during its release, that track was all over the airwaves; it struck my young mind hard. At the time of its release, I was a two-year-old: a developing (and very noisy, I have been told) human being- music was a somewhat strange concept. Whilst a lot of tracks- I was born when Thriller was at the top of the charts; New Romantic music was popular- just passed me by; this song just stuck. In the subsequent years- as I was entering toddler-hood/school days- artists like T-Rex, Glenn Miller and The Rolling Stones (would be a common sound around the home); my music upbringing burst into life. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is my earliest music memory, and to me, remains my most important (music experience). Whether in a cot or bed- I have distant memories of hearing the song in that environment- that track brings back memories (memories of nothing, but important none-the-less). At the time- and for many years after- I naively assumed it to be an upbeat song: its composition and chorus is so peppy and effusive, I was being misled. In the same way (some assume Born in the U.S.A.) to be a pro-American song- when it is anything but- I assumed Everybody’ was something rather jolly. Perhaps a celebration of life; big businesses starting to come through- it was 1985, so who knows? Of course, the song relates to war-mongering; everybody wanting to go to war- the chaos and political turmoil of the time. In subsequent/ recent years, not only does the song seem ever-relevant- it becomes more fully-rounded and tangible; in my adult mind. Whilst I am not a huge fan of its sister album; its key moment is a crucial track- it is when music began for me; the day everything changed.
I can’t listen to that intro. without being transported back to the early-‘80s; the safe and care-free childhood- when everything was a lot simpler and less stressful. I love the song- but for different reasons- as it is powerful and evocative; stunningly performed- brimming with urgent caution and meaning. That is the strange thing about music: not only is that song a defining moment; its legacy and importance has shifted slightly- it has taken on a new life. Whilst no track will surpass Deacon Blues- in terms of sheer quality and genius- and no album will beat The Bends- for ticking every box going- nothing rivals Everybody Wants to Rule the World. It is a song that proffers wonderful memories; a revelation that cannot be topped- the first exposure (to the majesty and beauty) of music. Whilst my interpretations (of the track) were misguided and short-sighted- I was an infant, so can be overlooked- it didn’t matter. Everything about it hit me: its cascading composition; those distinct (and beautiful sounding) vocals; the catchy chorus- and those thought-provoking words. Quite a spellbinding and wonderful thing, is music: for some (certain tracks) hold dear memories; for others, it is pure garbage- there will be many who loathe Tears for Fears’ greatest number. That’s okay, and I understand it: I am not a fan of David Bowie and; have little time for Foo Fighters and Biffy Clyro- bands and acts (most people anyway) seem to love. As I said; music is a subjective and personal thing: certain songs/albums/acts affect everyone differently; elicit different reactions- do different things. That’s my story, so what’s yours? It would be fascinating to hear other people’s choices; which songs (mean the most) to them- and exactly why. For me, it is that first musical moment; the beginning of childhood- the realisation of music and its power. 1985 was filled with some interesting and varied music; perhaps another song could have stuck in mind- it could have been pretty interesting. Everybody Wants to Rule the World clearly has that extra something; a distinct power- something that can’t be explained. As I end my gushing and (to some rather dull) story, let me know- which song would you choose? Get in touch (will share it on this blog post) and…
LET everyone know.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST86JM1RPl0&w=420&h=315]