Some Song Saved My Life Tonight
As I've written about in a few prior entries, the next (October) edition of Soundtrack is going to be centered around the listener-suggested theme "Don't Bring Me Down". This would be the "call out" entry for songs.
One of the things I've tried to do with each theme is to follow both the obvious and the less obvious path. For example, when we did (and I use "we" because the play list for any show is created by your input) "Americana BBQ" there was a little bit of the obvious -- Johnny Cash, John Mellencamp, etc -- but also some stuff that, while wholly American music, was a little more under the radar (Los Lobos, Ani Difranco, The Hold Steady). With a theme like "Don't Bring Me Down" there are certainly a lot of avenues open to upbeat, lyrically positive songs that just have that "feel good" vibe to them. But I also think there is a lot of room for quieter songs or even "sad" songs that, for whatever reason, make you or I -- as individuals -- feel better upon hearing them.
To me, this theme really gets back to one of my original premises or "missions statements" about what I want the show to be: An exploration of the ties between music and memory. And it has been my experience that at least one reason a song gets labeled in my mind as "uplifting" or that makes me feel happy, pumped up, silly, or just improves my overall mood or outlook is because I have a memory tied to it. And I suspect that experience is not unique but, rather, very common. So I definitely want to capture that.
So here are some general questions that I hope will inspire you to throw some song suggestions into the mix. Please feel free to add any story or anecdote you'd like to go with the song. (And please note that I reserve the right to "relay" that story within the finished show.)
1. What song(s) have the magical power to improve your mood or just make you feel very good every time you hear them?
2. There are a few albums in my personal experience that became 'old friends', by virtue of them being a soundtrack to the good times, bad times (you know I had my share), etc. that life throws our way. I'm sure you have some too. What are some of those albums and, with that, please suggest a track or two from said album that you like the most?
3. In my musical gray matter there are songs I call "Mountain Top" songs: Music that, had I just climbed to the top of the world, I'd want to sing down to the masses. Have you got any songs like that?
4. Let's go with a modern twist: Say you're working out with an i-Pod on shuffle. What song(s) make your blood flow and/or give you a second wind, pick me up, etc.?
5. Is there a song that you love which, to you, lifts your spirit but, either musically or lyrically (or both) wouldn't be described as "upbeat" or "poppy", etc.? In other words, what "non-obvious" songs would you personally file under "Don't Bring Me Down"?
6. I asked this last Sunday but I'll repeat it: If you had to karaoke just one time in your life before you die, what song do you want to sing? Bonus: What karaoke song would you want to duet with someone on? Who is that person and what duet song?
And, of course, feel free to suggest any song you want that fits the theme.
Gracias in advance.
J
One of the things I've tried to do with each theme is to follow both the obvious and the less obvious path. For example, when we did (and I use "we" because the play list for any show is created by your input) "Americana BBQ" there was a little bit of the obvious -- Johnny Cash, John Mellencamp, etc -- but also some stuff that, while wholly American music, was a little more under the radar (Los Lobos, Ani Difranco, The Hold Steady). With a theme like "Don't Bring Me Down" there are certainly a lot of avenues open to upbeat, lyrically positive songs that just have that "feel good" vibe to them. But I also think there is a lot of room for quieter songs or even "sad" songs that, for whatever reason, make you or I -- as individuals -- feel better upon hearing them.
To me, this theme really gets back to one of my original premises or "missions statements" about what I want the show to be: An exploration of the ties between music and memory. And it has been my experience that at least one reason a song gets labeled in my mind as "uplifting" or that makes me feel happy, pumped up, silly, or just improves my overall mood or outlook is because I have a memory tied to it. And I suspect that experience is not unique but, rather, very common. So I definitely want to capture that.
So here are some general questions that I hope will inspire you to throw some song suggestions into the mix. Please feel free to add any story or anecdote you'd like to go with the song. (And please note that I reserve the right to "relay" that story within the finished show.)
1. What song(s) have the magical power to improve your mood or just make you feel very good every time you hear them?
2. There are a few albums in my personal experience that became 'old friends', by virtue of them being a soundtrack to the good times, bad times (you know I had my share), etc. that life throws our way. I'm sure you have some too. What are some of those albums and, with that, please suggest a track or two from said album that you like the most?
3. In my musical gray matter there are songs I call "Mountain Top" songs: Music that, had I just climbed to the top of the world, I'd want to sing down to the masses. Have you got any songs like that?
4. Let's go with a modern twist: Say you're working out with an i-Pod on shuffle. What song(s) make your blood flow and/or give you a second wind, pick me up, etc.?
5. Is there a song that you love which, to you, lifts your spirit but, either musically or lyrically (or both) wouldn't be described as "upbeat" or "poppy", etc.? In other words, what "non-obvious" songs would you personally file under "Don't Bring Me Down"?
6. I asked this last Sunday but I'll repeat it: If you had to karaoke just one time in your life before you die, what song do you want to sing? Bonus: What karaoke song would you want to duet with someone on? Who is that person and what duet song?
And, of course, feel free to suggest any song you want that fits the theme.
Gracias in advance.
J