For the first time in a long time today is sunny and half way warm where I live. I have the stereo going and am listening to my favorite music while I am posting here on MyLot. I just heard a song from the Cars call Magic and it made me think of a person who was my first love ever. It was his favorite song and we listened to it over and over back when I was in high school. He was killed in a car accident and now when I hear the song it makes me think of him and miss him. This got me to thinking about how much music affects my life and how I tie it into everyday things and events.
When I hear Voodoo Child by Jimmy Hendrix it takes me back to sitting in the top of a military Humvee as we drove along the roads in Saudi Arabia. It was my very first combat mission and we had it playing as we got our gear together before setting out on recon. Then there's the song Never Again by Nickelback which takes me back to my first marriage and if any of you know what the song is about, that is what it reminds me of but not in a bad way, it's more empowering. Run Through The Junge reminds me of looking at my dad's vietnam trunk for the very first time right after joining the Army. And then there's the song Mainstreet by Bob Seeger that reminds me of being in highschool during the summertime and waterskiing with my friends.
Does music do this for anyone else? Do certain songs bring up strong memories for you? What songs are they and why? I'd like to hear what they are.
[question posted by dfinster]
responses and comments:
They most certainly do. I can't hear Bonnie Raitt sing give them something to talk about without remembering the time period when me and mine first hooked up. I hear Joe Walsh Life's been good and I flash back to a bus ride in England with the swim team. I love music for that very reason. Turn on a classic and transport yourself back to another time. [whywiki]
I like that you mentioned London. Warren Zevon's Werewolves of London reminds me of going to see Buckingham Palace. Thanks for the memory.~D [dfinster]
I think I associate songs with both people and events...or things that were done often. I cant hear the song Streets of heaven with out thinking of my baby sister when she was sick with cancer at 9 mo old. I think of my graduation every time i hear Alanis Morrisette - Thank you or Vitamin C - Graduation I think of Band classes or Grad parties when i hear Mony Mony Like Cruising Together by Gweneth Paltrow and ?? i think if my friend Charles. Daddy's hands and Daddys Girl make me think of my dad. [saundyl]
sad but at the same time its a good memory because she survived to be loved by her family :) [saundyl]
I am not old enough to remember "Voodoo Child" but yes, music does bring back memories. I grew up listening to my moms music choices. All country music. Conway Twitty, George Jones, Dolly Pardon, etc.. so now when ever I hear those, it always makes me think of my childhood. [totalcomments_com]
I love the songs i grew up listening to that my mom played on the tapes and records. I definitely have a preference of music that i grew up listening to over the newer things that are coming out now. [saundyl]
Ahhh yes. Even though I am young, there are alot of songs out there that take me to a different place. Behind Blue Eyes remind me of someone who I dated, one of my more serious relationships and it really signifies the reason we broke up. 80's hair band songs remind me of someone I dated as well.. he started me on the 80's stuff. Mellow Yellow by Donovan was one of the first "oldies" songs I liked and I liked it from the OLD NAVY commercials that featured it! Last Kiss by J Frank Wilson was my best friends favorite song when we were little. those are just a few that remind me of people and places. [enchantedleppard]
I love the song Mellow Yellow. [dfinster]
Yeah, music can be pretty powerful. Whenever I hear Bring Me To Life by Evanescence I think of when myself, my mom, and my siblings (4 of them) were living in a terrible (there was mold growing on the windows and parts of the white kitchen floor were pitch black, to give you an idea of how terrible) 2-bedroom apartment next to a couple different gang territories (my mom refused to let anyone go outside unless we were getting in the car to go somewhere). When I hear One More Night by Phil Collins I think of my life between the ages of 4 and 8 (<3 Phil Collins!). And there are loads of other songs that make me think of different times. I like it. I also love music that makes me think (in general), which is one reason why I love trance music (for example, Contemplate The Reason You Exist by Kai Tracid makes me do just that). [marinerteen51]
I've never heard that last song you mentioned but I'd like to check it out. [dfinster]
Oh yes. I have one song that I refuse to listen to, because it was during a bad time of our life. I love Rock n Roll, by Joan Jett. I turn it off when it comes on the radio. Of course since I went to school during the 60's, some of the songs I listen to from that era remind me of the sock hops we use to go to at the local skating rink. Songs like "My baby does the hanky panky", "Hang on Soopy", artist like "Paul Revere and the Raiders", Herman's Hermits. For me those were the days of music. When I met my current husband, almost 28 years ago, music became a major part of my life. He taught me what music was about as we always were listening to it. My dad didn't really allow me to play music at home. SO the music from the 80's always remind me of our relationship in the beginning! Here's to some beautiful music today! [PamE53]
I love 80's hair bands. That's when I was in high school and I love I'm Henry the Eighth by Herman's Hermits. [dfinster]
when i hear songs that i haven't heard for a long time, get goose bumps. It reminds me of the things in the past that i have forgotten. there was this song by hugh grant which is my favorite -way back into love, reminds me of a guy. he has never heard of this song. i gave him an mp3 of it then everytime we'd talk on the phone, he'll play it. we lost contact a few months ago, but everytime i hear the song i think of him. and i do hope everytime he hears it, he'll remember me too. [hey_baby]
I'm sure he thinks of you. [dfinster]
there are a lot of songs that bring up memories...i don't think i could even begin to list them all - many are classic rock songs...like freebird - lots of good memories with that song! Others are from when i was in school with my friends...some are ones my parents listened to or played on the guitar...then there are songs my grandma used to sing... almost every song i listen to has some kind of memory associated it for me!! [vera5d]
I'm the exact same way with music because I listen to so much. Freebird reminds me of the night before I left for basic training. That and Sweet Home Alabama because that's where I trained at. [dfinster]
There are lots of songs that make me think about different people or times in my life when I here them. I of course cannot think of any at the moment. I usually have to hear the song to remember and within a few days of hearing the song I forget again until i hear it again. [lilybug]
Yeah my memories don't ususally pop up until I hear a song too. [dfinster]
Several songs do this for me, dfinster. The Boys of Summer by Don Henly takes me back to certain people and times in my life as do so many other songs. But the one song that always takes me to a particular place quite quickly is The Commodore's, Night Shift. This is the song that was playing the night I realized my grandfather had died. When I heard this song come on, I realized my grandfather must have died. A couple of hours later, I was informed that he had died and it was at the time I had felt his passing. Every time I hear Night Shift, I am transported back to that time. [Transdisc]
That's so sad about your grandpa. [dfinster]
There are always some stuffs that remind me of some unforgetable memories.Songs are one kind of them.Sometimes,songs remind me of the classical movies.for example,take my breath away brings me back to the TopGun. [Miaoping]
of course hench the reason for music, there is always a time in ones life where a moment arrives and something is playing on the radio and everytime you hear it that thought comes back that is a wonderful thing in life [pphdpphd]
Yes completely, it's such a weird feeling though, like a loss I find. It makes me feel a bit hazy, I think it's as i'm getting older i'm starting to miss the things I used to get up to. The Smiths always do this to me and Joy Division. And there is one song that always reminds me of an ex-fling but that kinda makes me smile. [anonymous101]
I have a few like that too,LOL! [dfinster]
Ohhh yes certainly!! Whiter shade of pale..Procol harem..because that is our song...a lot of songs bring back vivid memories of being somewhere ....music can sometimes have the emotional effect on you!!! But i love to put my headphones on and listen to all my faves!!!! It makes you feel wonderful!!! [ruby222]
Whiter Shade Of Pale reminds me of being at the lake with my mom and dad when I was like8 or 9 years old. [dfinster]
My ex and I love Anita Baker 365 days not sure if that's the title. Even though, we have being apart over 10 years every time the song plays I turn up the radio and I think of him. [venshida]
There are many songs that evoke memories for me, but at the moment the most evocative is "Embraceable you" as this song was the one my late Father used to sing to me. I heard this on the radio the other day and cried for ages. Other songs that mean a lot to me are The Mission - Butterfly on a Wheel which always reminds me of my first meeting with my lovely partner. Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze reminds me of the Isle of Wight Festival (I was there) and The Beatles - Day in the Life which was the last track ever played on Radio Caroline before they shut down. [recycledgoth]
The Beatle's, "When I'm 64" always reminds me of dancing in the living room on my dad's feet when I was a little girl. [dfinster]
you know I was going to post the same discussion but you beet me too it lol, well She Loves You by the Beetles bring back singing in the park on the swings at 11 years old with my best friend at the time. Sugar Sugar by the archies was the first song I ever bought Mercy Mercy me by Marvin Gaye was the first time I was ever alone with my first boyfriend. [winterose]
that is okay, there are thousands of ideas out there, but I am lost for a discussion today, I will find something before the day is out I am sure. [winterose]
I have a whole playlist of songs that take me back to certain times in my life. When I was a teenager in the 90s, I listened to bands like Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Extreme (I had a MAJOR crush on Nuno Bettencourt), Slaughter, KISS and Queen. So whenever I listen to them, I remember what it was like to be a young puppy. There are more recent songs that remind me of certain things. There's one called Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's. That was my ex-bf's and my song. I can't listen to it now. :( I mainly listen to the older songs now. They keep me sane in an insane world. lol [PinkFloydFan77]
KISS is one of my favorite bands of all time. Music keeps me sane too although not by much, LOL!~D [dfinster]
Music is such a big part of my life that song remind me of events all the time. For my 15th birthday before I headed overseas for 3 months my bf gave me a CD with 5 songs on it and a piece of paper on which he had written what those 5 songs meant to him about our relationship. I cannot hear any of those songs without thinking of him and how much that meant to me. Whenever I hear the song "Jesse's Girl" it always reminds me of my bf cos his name is Jesse. Certain Hilary Duff songs remind me of sleepovers with my closest girlfriends and the antics that we got up to. And when I hear other songs they just have that mood/feel to them that either reminds me of a really happy moment in my life or a sad one. [amymelissa]
I like Jesse's Girl too. [dfinster]
beyonce ft jay z came out when I got my first girlfriend. every time that song plays I get emo. my second girlfriend the our song was crossfade cold so every time I hear it I sorta turn emo but we are still on good terms so im happy at the same time lol. when I hear pharrel ft kanye west number one it reminds me of when I graduated from high school. when I hear chris browns poppin song it reminds me of my first day of college lol. when I hear dragonforce through the fire and the flames it reminds me of when I got my first guitar and I started shredding. [MrDanger2k8]
Oh i have so many songs that remind me of a certain time, i love that tingly happy feeling i get when a song comes on that brings back good memories..makes me so happy but i seriously have just so many to name. x [yasmin02476]
Yes there are many songs that take me back- or remind me of something or someone in my life – past or present. In my daughters Eyes ~ This ones for the girl--- they make me think of all the great times with my daughter—and all the more to come. 3000 – by the Jonas Brothers reminds me of singing at the dinner table in a restaurant with my daughter and her friends! Anytime I hear a Kenny Chesney song – I go back to his concerts… and the awe and happiness I felt watching him live. Anytime I hear – Crazy- I think of my grandpa--- No he wasn't crazy- he just loved the song. Jack and Diane takes me back to high-school. Bye-Bye Miss American Pie takes me back to being a kid and singing at the top of my lungs riding with my mom in the car. Whip-It takes me back to when I was growing up and cleaning with my mom- we always played that soundtrack. Close you eyes forever- makes me think of a dear friend who has passed by his own will. I love music! Music is uplifting- soothing- energizing- sad- happy… It's something that can set the mood--- change your mood—help you heal--- make you smile! I just love it! [KrisNY]
Close My Eyes Forever gets to me too it reminds me of a good friend I lost about 6 years ago. [dfinster]
That September Day- Alan Jackson [acewings]
That September Day- Alan Jackson 8th of November- Bif & Rich [acewings]
8th of November- Big & Rich [acewings]
yes,i think,admittedly songs can recall our memory.i am a person who is reminiscent.I like to listen old music and songs.every songs for me means special meaning. Now when i listen some music,one will recall me the good memory of student'period.one will let me miss some person.my former classmates,my friends,my lover and so on.I love one song which named"the summer fruit".it's for my frist love though i lose it now,but i also remember the song,the people,the period.I think bring us the unforgetable memory is where the songs's charm to people.It is wonderful and it's the charm of what music takes to us.Do you think so? The old things,events,people are all past,leaving the memory and the songs to remind them. i love to listen music with a couple of tea or coffee.thinking of the past. [moondan]
there is one that reminds me of a special time or should I say one special time in my life and it was George Strait " Our Love is Unconditional [sweetaspie52]
i heard michael jackson"s song "dirty diana" over the radio just yesterday and i remember a friend of mine back then who foolishly slept with another friend"s girlfriend and caught an std ,we called the girl dirty diana then,also the song by rick astley "never gonna give you up" is one song i will never forget,it was a song i usually listened to with my first ever serious girlfriend,we had to part ways because her father said we are still too young at our age to be in love and understand what love is about,i still remember her with all fondness,another is "all lost in love' by new edition,trapped by colonel abrams is another song that reminds me of some other tough times in my life while growing up and finding my feet in life,many songs tend to have varying effects on our lives,oh how i love music? [BYOLA2871]