If you were to create a soundtrack of your life, to record your musical memories, what songs would you choose?
I’ve been turning this thought over in my mind over the past few weeks, and have come up with quite a few songs which have particular meaning to me. Although in the coming months, I bet I think of heaps more and think “Darn! Why didn’t I include *this* one!” … always the way isn’t it!
My Top Musical Memories
“What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong – This was one of my Mum’s favourite songs. When I was a little girl, she used to have the radio on while she did the ironing and she loved this song. I still think of her whenever I hear it. I just checked now and apparently it was released in 1967 – the same year I was born! Maybe that’s why it was one of her favourites π ?
“Fernando” by ABBA – Forever associated with my Grade 6 Camp in my memories. We made up silly lyrics about camp, to the tune of Fernando.
“Please Don’t Go” by KC and the Sunshine Band – Skating at the roller rink in my high school years.
“IOU” by Freeez – Played by the DJ at my senior formal. Mind you, til I looked it up just now I thought it was called “AEIOU” …
“Material Girl” by Madonna – My next door neighbour would blast this at top volume on the weekends, so it reminds me of doing my makeup and hair, getting ready to go out on a Saturday night!
“Lady in Red” by Chris De Burgh – This song reminds me of my Grad Ball, when I finished teacher’s college – even though I was single, and wore lavender, not red!
“Midnight Blue“ by Lou Gramm – When I was working in the public service (the office where I met the hubster) and we got bored, we would get on the phone and “Dial a Hit”. This one was a hit in 1987.
“Is This Love“ by WhitesnakeΒ – If I were to list all of the songs that the hubster and I think of as “our song” from before we got married, it would take pages. So I’ll settle for this one, and anything by Rick Astley.
“Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship – It wasn’t even the song for our bridal waltz (“Suddenly” by Billy Ocean was), but for some reason, this little number by Starship is the one I remember as our wedding song.
“All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow – I used to sing this dancing around the house with Mr 22 on my hip when he was tiny, only I would change the lyrics to “All he wants to do, is have some fun …”
Thomas Tank Engine theme music (without lyrics) – Mr 22 loved to watch Thomas when he was little, so when I was feeling morning sick with Miss 19, I would bung on a Thomas video to keep him amused. To this day, the theme music makes me feel a bit nauseous!
“Song 2” by Blur – I’ve thought of this as Miss 19’s song, ever since she was a bub, especially the “Woo hoo!” bits, because her whole approach to life has always been a bit woo hoo!
“Dancing in the Moonlight” by Toploader and S Club 7 “Don’t Stop Movin‘” – Travelling around Australia in our caravan in 2001.
“Good Time” by Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen – This song, like many from 2012, reminds me of when I was made redundant – in a good way! Working from home I actually got to listen to the radio for the first time in years π .
It seems I particularly identify with the songs of the 80’s as my musical memories, perhaps because they take me back to the days of being young and (mostly) carefree.
What era best encapsulates your musical memories – or are there any particular songs that really stand out?!
Linking with Kylie Purtell for IBOT.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
Loving these photos of you! As for music, it depends on my mood. I love so many songs and so many genres. But if all else fails, or I just can’t decide, anything Prince or INXS usually works for me.
Janet Camilleri says
Oh yes, INXS reminds me of my flatting years before hubster and I got married – especially the album Kick!
Jodi Gibson says
Oh such great memories. I love a trip down memory lane accompanied by the perfect soundtrack. Ill have to think on this one though, too many songs, too many memories!!!
Janet Camilleri says
I must confess – it’s taken me weeks to come up with this list!
Rachel says
Wow that is a great playlist! It’s amazing the way that music can take you back to a time and place, with just a few notes :).
Janet Camilleri says
I know right? They say fragrance does the same, but I’m more of a music gal myself π
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says
Being born in the same year as you a lot of your songs also resonated with me!
Janet Camilleri says
What a great year 1967 was!!!
Raych says
Love your play list. I’ve blogged about the soundtrack of my life and I still select weekly theme songs. This week though, I’m more exhausted than normal and I’m not feeling very musical.
Perhaps… Life is a highway… I want to ride it all night all.
Janet Camilleri says
I will have to go and search out your soundtrack of your life post π PS hubster sings a very naughty version of Life is a Highway. Substitute “wife” for “life” …
Min@WriteoftheMiddle says
Gosh you’ve got a good memory. I remember all the songs you mentioned but not what I was doing at the time. Though I do remember lots of songs that were played at my 15th birthday party like: “I Got You” – Split Enz, Plastic Bertrand’s “Ca Plane Pour Moi”, Supertramp’s “Logical Song” … and many more!! π
Janet Camilleri says
Oh yes, all classics. Still love me a bit of Supertramp!!!
Seana Smith says
A girl of the 80s here too… Kate bush would have to be there, but my signature tune for me has to be The Proclaimers 500 Miles…. I think I still have 500 Miles to go too!
Janet Camilleri says
Hooray for the 80’s!!!!
Julia says
I absolutely LOVE this post. It’s got me thinking about all the songs that bring back memories too! Xxx
Janet Camilleri says
Hmm I’m guessing “Don’t Stop Moving” will be on yours with our made up lyrics … oh and Blue (da ba dee da) song too!
Natalie @ Our Parallel Connection says
You have given me some ideas for a party on Friday night. Doing the play list as we speak. Love the pictures – especially the hair.
Janet Camilleri says
Ooo it wouldn’t be an 80s party by any chance would it? Haha big hair don’t care!
Denise says
Love the photos and the songs. This was my era too. Nothing’s going to stop us now – that brings back a lot of memories along with anything by Madonna or Prince:-)
Janet Camilleri says
Yes, Madonna definitely. When I first met the hubster he had a big poster of her behind his bedroom door!
Kathy Marris says
Fabulous music list and even more fabulous memories. Music does remind you of certain important events in your life. I remember loving anything by The Beatles or Led Zeppelin, back in the seventies! That was the music of my teens!
Janet Camilleri says
I remember singing “We all live in a yellow submarine” with the choir in primary school – and trying to play “Yesterday” on the piano LOL
Melissa @ All Around Oz says
Driving Wheels by Jimmy Barnes as hubby has always been a truck driver and A Night to Remember by Bryan Adams was one of our songs when we first started dating and then at our wedding.
Janet Camilleri says
I’m partial to a bit of Bryan Adams and Cold Chisel myself – let’s hear it for the 80’s!
Sammy says
I love this idea! I also love Starship π
We built this city is me and lovebugs song believe it or not π Theres a cute memory of me when we first dating jumping on my bed singing along at the top of my lungs to the vinyl and him just smiling at me being silly π
Gotta love music, it’s such an important part of life!
Sammy | Bargainbaglady.com XX
Janet Camilleri says
LOL reminds me of our 10th wedding anniversary, we booked into a posh hotel with not one but 2 massive Queen (or was it King?) sized beds, and proceeded to jump on them like a pair of kids π
Robyna | the Mummy and the Minx says
Whenever I hear any 90s music I tend to believe that it was the best era for great tunes. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, REM – they take me back.
Janet Camilleri says
I have a theory that the songs of your youth (ie 12-25) are the ones that you identify with throughout your life. So I’m guessing you’re a good 10 years younger than me. Actually I’m cheating, I know it was your 38th birthday last week – happy birthday!!! π
Kit says
I am a 71 baby so many of your songs I know. Some that stick out for me are headbanging with my mum at my debutante ball to Meatloaf Bat Out of Hell. Anything from the 80’s will be fine, INXS, Chisel, Hunnas (& Collectors), Paul Kelly, don’t mind a bit of AC/DC or Gunnas as well. I don’t mind some of the songs off Delta’s new album either!
Janet Camilleri says
Oh yes, big fan of INXS, Chisel, and Acca Dacca too π we grew up in a great music era!
Beth | AlmostPosh.com says
I recently did the 80s and 90s musical challenges on Facebook (pick a song a day for 7 days and explain why it’s important to you), you’ve inspired me to think about turning it into a blog post!
Janet Camilleri says
I look forward to reading it Beth!
Leisa Prowd says
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!
I should blog about this too…
Mine would possibly include…..
The Kimba (remember that cartoon?) opening theme song
My Little Angel – by William Shakespeare – I LOVED that song as a little girl.
Fox On The Run by The Sweet – my Grade 3 teacher used to let us play records in the classroom and I remember this one the most. Still my most favorite song as it reminds me of happy times.
Drive – The Cars. Reminds me of the end of HSC in 84.
Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna. I was 19, unmarried and pregnant and Madonna releases this right at the time. She wrote it for me, I’m sure! Still get teary when I hear it….and that queasy feeling of morning sickness!
Pop Singer – John Mellencamp – my little girl would sing this when she was 2.
And, like you, the Thomas The Tank Engine (no lyrics) theme song…….and Rugrats, Lift Off, Raggy Dolls……on repeat….day after day after day for yeeeeeeeears!
Janet Camilleri says
Do it! Yes definitely remember Kimba the White Lion, it was one of my faves too. I don’t remember My Little Angel but thank you for reminding me of Fox on the Run π . As for Papa Don’t Preach, I sing this to my cat with the following lyrics, as she has a papasan chair on her cat patio which is her fave bed: “Papasan chair, Fleur Bee likes to sleep, Papasan Chair, Fleur Bee wants to keep, Coz she’s made up her mind, she loves her papasan chair now, she’s got a papasan chair now, ooo…. ” Yes I’m a dag …