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Greetings, and welcome to Pacebook! I want to begin our blogging experience by continuing to get to know one another a little bit better. As you have likely noticed, I am drawing on Dr. Who quite a bit for its connection to literature (the ability of books to transport you through time and space, like a TARDIS, for you Whovians). However, the same is probably equally true for all art, especially music. As a musician, I am naturally drawn to the parallels between music and literature, which was actually the focal part of my Master's Thesis (reading the "jazz novel" as a model for more egalitarian communication in a post-national world). Music also seems to have special ties to memory, though, in a way that transcends language, and a simple few bars from a song can trigger very specific memories. So, I want you to think of a song that serves as a TARDIS for you and transports you to another time and place. One song (of many) that functions as a TARDIS for me is "One Tin Soldier" by The Original Castle (and more famously performed by Coven). More accurately, however, it was performed by my dad, and I didn't actually hear the original until years later. It is a protest song that talks about greed and how it corrupts people and is the root cause behind many (if not all) wars. More than that, though, the song tells a story which is delivered quite skillfully and with ample amounts of development and irony. Actually, the song has many parallels to "The Pardoner's Tale" from Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, which we will be looking at later in the year, but of course I didn't know that at the time; I simply enjoyed the melody, the moral, and the complexities of the song. It is the first "favorite song" I remember having, and the first song I recall attempting to write was a very close imitation of "One Tin Soldier." Hearing it now takes me back to sitting at my father's feet in our old house when I was four or five years old, although I don't think the studio version is as good (the flute part is a little cheesy, really). While it's not a song I listen to very often, it does evoke many memories when I do, and it has certainly had a profound influence on me, both as a person and as a lover of stories. If you've never heard it, here is the original by The Original Castle: Now, I want to hear from you. What is a song that takes you back to another time and place? Explain in detail, and include a link to YouTube, so we can all listen to it as well, please. I look forward to hearing your stories!
28 Comments
Johnathon
9/19/2020 06:13:31 pm
The only song I can think of that brings me back to a specific time is the Rodney Atkins rendition of Watching You. The first verse describes a dad and his son after picking up a kids meal from a fast food place. The dad slams the breaks and the kid's drink spills all over his lap. The station my family listened to often was a family friendly country station and this was already one of my favorites. While I was at Wendy's with my mom, I spilt my ice cream cone all over my lap and the station happened to be on the previously described verse of that song.
Dillon
9/20/2020 06:21:09 pm
This song also takes me back to when I was a kid. Not because I spilled anything on myself luckily, but because of the numerous times my family would listen to it on long drives. I also remember it because it implies that a four year old kid cusses, and when I was young I thought that was hilarious.
Blazen
9/20/2020 06:27:00 pm
I’ve never heard this. I do really enjoy the irony in you spilling the ice cream cone on your lap during that same station. Like I said earlier, I’ve never heard this station but I’ll have to sometime in the future.
Aidan
9/20/2020 07:40:46 pm
That song is a banger. I’ve never listened to it until now but I can see how it stays with you. It’s gonna get stuck in my head for sure.
Mackay
9/20/2020 07:40:58 pm
I can also relate to this song. My dad as well as my brother are big into country music. This was a song that was constantly played in our house and on road trips. Bringing back the memories of simpler times. As well as moments when all we wanted to be like our parents, and now we always compare ourselves to those on social media.
Dillon
9/20/2020 06:16:42 pm
One song that takes me back to a memorable and comical moment is “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless. A main line in this song says “Everybody falls sometimes,” and I happened to be running while this was playing. As soon as that specific line played, coincidentally I tripped and fell right on my face. My family was also listening to the song and watched the entire moment play out. Needless to say I was teased and was the reason for many laughs. The song then goes on to say “Gotta have the strength to rise,” so that is exactly what I did, attempting to make it seem as if no incident occurred. Every time I hear this song I remember that unfortunate moment like it happened yesterday.
Blazen
9/20/2020 06:32:00 pm
This is really funny. I can picture a little Dillon just running and eating the dirt. I’ve never heard this song so maybe I should listen to it just to get an even better image of it happening. Thanks for sharing!
Johnathon
9/20/2020 07:15:52 pm
It's interesting that a song that describes our situation better sits with us. This is the same kind of thing that made me remember my song and situation. Perhaps it's a slightly narcissistic feature of being human that we remember things better when they seem to be about us. I can see Hailey making fun of you for this but I'm sure you've found plenty of ways to get even.
Eli
9/20/2020 07:20:12 pm
This is a great song one that I listened to often as a kid, but that memory that you had associated with it is detailed and hilarious.
Blazen
9/20/2020 06:21:58 pm
A song that takes me back to a specific time is Life Is A Highway by Rascal Flats. I remember this song playing on the way home from Yellowstone park with all my family when I was younger. This song played about five times on this one car ride. It also reminds me of when I would watch Cars because their was a scene were this song would play. I remember these times because it was a lot simpler back then compared to how chaotic the world is now.
Dillon
9/20/2020 06:27:47 pm
Great song choice Blazen! I also remember this song off of “Cars” and it’s catchy tune, especially for children. This song made times seem relaxed and simple just as you stated.
Sam
9/20/2020 06:56:07 pm
Every time I hear this song I think of the "Cars" movie. It really takes you back and creates feelings of contentment and happiness. The tune is also just catchy in general and makes it an overall great song choice.
Eli
9/20/2020 07:04:11 pm
I can't remember how many times I have listened to this song but it brings me back to my childhood and watching cars for about the millionth time.
Mackay
9/20/2020 07:43:34 pm
As you mention this song I can only remember the best of times, watching cars, maybe even imagining yourself as Lightning McQueen while you are on the road with your family. There is not a bad memory I can think of when reminded of this song.
Caden Caywood
10/11/2020 01:50:38 pm
This song also reminds me of car rides because of both the radio and repeatedly watching the movie "Cars" on a small movie player. Even now when I hear this song I can picture myself when I was young in the backseat.
Eli
9/20/2020 06:44:45 pm
There are many different songs that bring me back to my childhood while working in the shop with my dad. These songs range from Black Betty by Ram Jam to my favorites like Charlie Daniel's The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Many of these songs had hidden meanings behind them. One that I found very interesting and odd from most types was That Smell by Lynyrd Skynyrd, actually saying how bad smoking is quoting "the smell of death surrounds you". This is a odd thing to support especially during that time.
Sam
9/20/2020 06:52:59 pm
Those are all really good throwbacks. There is definitely something special about listening to the songs our parents have known since their childhoods because it really can give a sense of how drastically music and its meanings have changed over time.
Aidan
9/20/2020 07:38:04 pm
Don’t all songs have hidden meanings behind them?
Sam Cluff
9/20/2020 06:46:45 pm
A song that brings back memories for me is "If Everyone Cared" by Nickelback. The lyrics hint at what actions could be taken to "see the day when nobody died". This has always been a nostalgic song for me because it was one of my mom's favorites when I was younger. I remember going on road trips with my family and my dad would play a CD with this song on it and we would listen to it on repeat because my mom liked the tune and the message so much.
Aidan
9/20/2020 06:54:37 pm
Last summer, me and my cousins Chlo and Dean went up to Goldbug to swim about. Chlo brought a little round pink speaker and was playing some trash so about halfway through the hike I’m like alright pass the aux. She’s like, “the hell you mean it’s Bluetooth.” So I connect to the speaker and play this absolute banger called “I Love It” by Lil Pump and Kanye West. The look of disgust filled her face instantaneous as Lil Pump filled the air with his godly bars. After that song I wasn’t allowed to play music no more which is alright I guess I can vibe to any song just not eighty country songs in a row that gets a bit repetitive. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cwQgjq0mCdE
Johnathon
9/20/2020 07:20:12 pm
Solid choice and an over reaction on her part. I'm sure those gold bars went well with the gold bug vibe. Country music has its time and place but you can only listen to so many songs about beer, girls, and tractors before you need a metaphorical aux change.
Will
9/20/2020 07:59:56 pm
Our world does not deserve this Compositional masterpiece. I can relate to having memories tied of this song. Many in which were like yours, after playing the song I was no longer allowed to play music to my audience.
Mackay
9/20/2020 07:37:48 pm
The song, “Electric pow Wow Drum” by A Tribe Called Red, constantly reminds me of the first moment I played varsity volleyball. It was the first song that played when I ran onto the court. My freshman year I had the opportunity to set for the Lady Savage volleyball team. This was the moment I proved to myself, when I work hard towards my goals I can achieve them. Working throughout the summer to improve my skills to become better than I even thought I could, was a huge goal for me. I wanted a varsity spot and I was not going to give up on it. “Electric Pow Wow Drum” has now been apart of our warmups sense. This song to most has the benefit of getting them ready and excited to play the game, I not only can relate to the excitement but the song has a much deeper meaning when relating it to my high school volleyball experience. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cj3U0z64_m4
Will
9/20/2020 08:01:24 pm
This same exact song reminds me of freshman year, for as it was overplayed all too often. However it is because of this unwanted consistency, that this song will forever have a spot in my mind.
Caden Caywood
10/11/2020 01:54:07 pm
This song also reminds me of freshman year before sports. The seniors that year played it before every game, in every sport.
Will
9/20/2020 07:56:12 pm
There are many Songs that I can pull memories from, however there is one that stands out above all others. This is “Paint it, Black” by The Rolling Stones. In my mind, this song brings me back to our family jam sessions, where we would listen to music while doing the weekend chores. It is in this routine that we would have dance off‘s and sing to our favorite songs, and in almost every memory I recall this song was most prominent. Reflecting on it now, I can enjoy the life before responsibilities and more importantly a life without technology. Where the only conversations you could have were face-to-face, and for some odd reason this past life felt more simplistic than the one we survive in today. https://youtu.be/O4irXQhgMqg
Caden Caywood
10/11/2020 01:46:49 pm
One song that reminds me of a much simpler time in my childhood is "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty. I first heard this song in the movie "Barnyard" when Ben the Cow makes a final stand defending the chicks against the coyotes. Since I watched this movie in the car during many road trips and heard the song repeatedly on a CD, I can always recall being crammed in the back seat of our truck with a small movie player strapped on the headrest in front of me.
Caden Caywood
10/11/2020 01:52:41 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlTJrNJ5lA Leave a Reply. |
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