At Cottage Church, we're having a community group night where everyone brings along their favourite song to share and listen to. It's so, so difficult, I've been thinking about it for 2 weeks, but even so, am finding it hard to narrow it down.
Today I realised that the reason i'm finding it so hard is because each song brings a memory, most of which are associated with people and moments I love. Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" will always be a song that reminds me of my mum. Anything by Johnny Cash or Brooke Fraser is my sister (except Albertine, which is Aimee, for irrational reasons i'm still a little embarrassed to admit). Jimi Hendrix's "Red House" is Erin, same with anything by Sarah Mclachlan or Joni Mitchell. The Shins "New Slang" is India on the train, staring out of the side door to the speeding world outside. The Smith's are Tara and Richard. Anything by The Beatles is shared by Lou and Mike, as well as Ellie and Em. Anything Disney is Sarah, Carole King and Fleetwood Mac remind me of my dad. Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" is my earlier years, when I wanted it at my funeral, despite the words not meaning anything to me except for the tiny dancer having a 'pirate smile'.
Each of these songs and their corresponding memories are way too hard to narrow down as it feels like i'm betraying the memories by picking a favourite memory. It really made me appreciate music and the way it connects people. By listening to a song I love, I honour that person and that memory. Here's to you.
So, out of a) not being able to choose a song and b) preferring to have far too many favourites, instead i'm choosing a random Brooke Fraser song, not a favourite, but a good one to share, to shamelessly promote NZ music and a songwrite I love and respect. I think it's a good compromise.
Today I realised that the reason i'm finding it so hard is because each song brings a memory, most of which are associated with people and moments I love. Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" will always be a song that reminds me of my mum. Anything by Johnny Cash or Brooke Fraser is my sister (except Albertine, which is Aimee, for irrational reasons i'm still a little embarrassed to admit). Jimi Hendrix's "Red House" is Erin, same with anything by Sarah Mclachlan or Joni Mitchell. The Shins "New Slang" is India on the train, staring out of the side door to the speeding world outside. The Smith's are Tara and Richard. Anything by The Beatles is shared by Lou and Mike, as well as Ellie and Em. Anything Disney is Sarah, Carole King and Fleetwood Mac remind me of my dad. Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" is my earlier years, when I wanted it at my funeral, despite the words not meaning anything to me except for the tiny dancer having a 'pirate smile'.
Each of these songs and their corresponding memories are way too hard to narrow down as it feels like i'm betraying the memories by picking a favourite memory. It really made me appreciate music and the way it connects people. By listening to a song I love, I honour that person and that memory. Here's to you.
So, out of a) not being able to choose a song and b) preferring to have far too many favourites, instead i'm choosing a random Brooke Fraser song, not a favourite, but a good one to share, to shamelessly promote NZ music and a songwrite I love and respect. I think it's a good compromise.
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