This is the 26th challenge in a weekly series from GeneaBloggers called 52 weeks of personal genealogy and history, suggested by Amy Coffin, that invite genealogists to record memories and insights about their own lives for future descendants. Week 26 – Songs.
The No.1 song here in the UK when I was born was Frankie Laine singing “I Believe”. In the USA the No.1 song was “The Doggie in The Window” by Patti Page.
Neither of them are in my record / CD collection.
The first singles I remember buying were The Beatles “I Feel Fine” / “She’s A Woman” and Brian Poole & The Tremeloes “The Three Bells”.
So from the early sixties I started taking an interest in music. In my teenage years I didn’t have a particularly favourite band although I bought quite a few records by the Bee Gees so their songs feature among my favourites of the time.
My interest in listening to music has continued to this day and my CD collection is really quite eclectic. However for the last eighteen years or so our house has been dominated by the music and songs of The Boss – Bruce Springsteen.
That obsession with The Boss has also influenced other music we buy and listen to. Sometimes it’s because Bruce has mentioned them as someone he likes; sometimes it’s an artist who he has played with Bruce in the early days (and even now); and if does a guest spot on someone’s album then we would buy that.
I know that some people have songs that evoke particular memories for them – that isn’t the case for me. For example Jayne and I didn’t have a special song that we danced to when we got married – that’s probably because we didn’t have a dance when we got married – hmm.
I also listen to songs differently to Jayne. She focuses on the lyrics whereas for me it’s the melody that grabs me.
I really can’t imagine not being able to listen to music. If I had to choose between getting rid of the TV or CD player then it would definitely be the TV.
The way we buy songs in our house hasn’t changed over the years. We don’t download very many songs at all. We like to go to the music store and browse the CD’s. For us having the physical CD is part of the attraction. Jayne avidly reads the lyrics and all the other words – the thanks, the production info and who the other musicians were.
So to round off the post here’s a list of my top 20 songs (in no particular order)
| Song | Artist |
| Something In The Air | Thunderclap Newman |
| I’ve Gotta Get A Message to You | Bee Gees |
| Days | The Kinks |
| Back In Your Arms | Bruce Springsteen |
| He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother | The Hollies |
| From The Underworld | The Herd |
| Please Stay | Warren Zevon |
| Atlantic City | Bruce Springsteen |
| Farewell Is A Lonely Sound | Jimmy Ruffin |
| All The Way Home | Southside Johnny |
| Lady Of The Night | Donna Summer |
| Desperado | The Eagles |
| The Rising | Bruce Springsteen |
| Saved By The Bell | Robin Gibb |
| When A Man Loves A Woman | Percy Sledge |
| Keep Me In Your Heart | Warren Zevon |
| Drive All Night | Bruce Springsteen |
| Wild Horses | Rolling Stones |
| I’d Rather Go Blind | Fleetwood Mac |
| Crimson and Clover | Tommy James and The Shondells |
Now if I did this list again next week it may well be different – I can already think of other songs that I would put in – maybe it should be a top 50…100…150.
you don't choose your family 