Someone asked me recently to write a post for them about a song of my choice and the story or memory association that comes with it. I listen to a lot of music and the challenge of narrowing it to one finite track and putting into words the story that accompanies it has been incredibly difficult. Why I am complicating this for myself I am not sure, although I am pretty good at making almost anything complicated.
There are thousands of songs and thousands of stories that come with them. Not just stories either, they are snatches of colour and scents and the way the light was making long shadows across a wall, the taste of the wine in my throat. All these things come together for me in listening to music. My love of soul and blues comes from watching my Dad as little girl and his ability to lose himself in it. There's a lot of John Lee Hooker that brings immediately to mind the strong scent of wood and engine oil that Dad always carried about him.
And then there is the music I can't listen to anymore because it makes me go back to particular moments, music that makes me turn around and leave a room because I can't let that story unfold in my mind. This happened to me recently in a supermarket when over the fuzzy PA a song started to play that made me abandon my trolley right there in the midst of busy shoppers and walk out the door. Self-preservation.
So the search continues for something that I can share.
PS I thought I would share these photos with you of the hot air balloons we saw recently. I had to be dragged kicking and screaming to this event but was instantly smitten by the muted 1950's colours of the balloons.
Hope you have a gorgeous weekend, wherever you are. xx
Music can be intense for me too, it can make me ecstatic, make me cry, it has made me vomit. My parents and sisters are the same. Somehow I am married to someone who just doesn't get these intense feelings from music at all. Weird I say.
Posted by: Kate | March 15, 2012 at 10:20 PM
Love the supermarket description.
Posted by: Vanessa | March 19, 2012 at 09:58 AM
Beautiful post. Music can be so evocative of details in our past. The other night I put together a mixed collection of 80's and 90's hits. It was quite strange just what memories surfaced while I was listening. They take us to another time and place.
Posted by: Tania | March 19, 2012 at 10:34 AM
I also love the supermarket moment here. I know this feeling but it could be music or a sound or a scent. For me a moment in a film often does this by evoking some recognition and that's melodrama!! Melos is the music that adds to, enhances, heightens, underscores the drama! Just like life. I really like this post!
Posted by: Sally | March 19, 2012 at 08:04 PM
It is lovely to read about you starting the process. I have to admit while I've been asking everyone to submit a song, I've found it impossible to pick as well. I'm the same - there are songs I just can't hear anymore, because even after so much time I just go to water. I love idea about the memories of colour and scents...the idea of the project was really how music can immediately take you back to a point in time. Like magic. Can't wait to see what you end up choosing.
Posted by: Karin | March 25, 2012 at 10:20 AM