Music and memories are intertwined
It’s so powerful when songs are able to pull you instantly into a memory
What music means to me.
Happy, sad, fearful or joyous, music transcends all emotions and time. It’s there at the best of times and the worst of times. It can immediately transform a mood or elicit a feeling, it can rile you up, calm you down, and even open the floodgates to emotions you didn’t even know you were experiencing. It can transport you to a memory or a certain time in your life within a matter of seconds with the opening bars of music or words.
I was recently watching an old Top of the Pops from 1994 ( a music show that ran on the BBC weekly from 1964 until 2006) and it made me think about how much music is tied up with our memories. Even though I would of only been 5 years old at the time when this particular show originally aired, the songs were immediately recognisable and I found myself humming along to the tunes and even remembering some of the dance moves, which me smile.
I may not of been old enough at the time to remember the first release of the songs but they punctuated my childhood and so watching this episode made me think about all of my memories that involve music. I decided to write some of these down to try and articulate how particular songs accent phases in our lives. These songs instantly bring me back to specific moments or memories. It also made me realise how cyclical music is. I had so many songs that I eventually settled on ten, although this list could have easily gone on forever. They cover a wide expanse of time and different stages in my life.
My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion - Dry ice, Panda Pops, 50p bags of sweets and cheap crisps at a school disco. Putting glitter on my face, wearing purple velvet trousers and butterfly clips in my hair (the height of disco fashion)! The always awkward end of the school disco night, where all the ‘couples’ would slow dance to this song ( I still can’t listen to the song today without cringing or thinking about how I used to run to the girl’s bathroom at school to avoid this)
Oh, Pretty Women - Roy Orbison - This song is imprinted on my brain as it belongs to the first certificate 15 film I ever watched, Pretty Women. Whenever I hear this song it also reminds me of running excitedly into the Beverly Wiltshire Hotel in 2015 to get a selfie (I don’t think the reception staff quite knew what hit them! haha)
Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode - This song reminds me of freezing on a beach at an *ahem* underage drinking birthday party. One of many in those heady teenage days, I’m certain everyone has a song that reminds them of their teenage escapades.
Like a Prayer - Madonna - Iconic and powerful. Every time I hear it I want to sing along, at home, in the car or even at work. It reminds me of moments past and present, and it also reminds me of when me and my friend had arranged a Teen Talent contest and decided to dance to this song as our entry… (which went down as well as you can imagine!)
Hurt -Johnny Cash - Deep breaths and crying listening to this song, it always seems to appear when I need to release negative emotions and it really gets to me every time. If you’ve never listened to it just do - you can feel the raw emotion radiating from it. It always matched the level of pain I was feeling at the time.
Mystify -INXS - My go to song to dance in the living room / kitchen / bedroom / car after a long day or when I just need to dance out my feelings from the day. The opening bars of the piano… *chefs kiss*
The Power Of Love - Frankie goes to Hollywood - Christmas and my parents. A special song, full of memories past and present that are intertwined with my family forever.
High Hopes - Panic at the Disco - Blasting this out when I felt lost in 2018 or in fact anytime when I felt lost. You’ve got to have high hopes even when it all seems impossible.
The Grease Megamix - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John - I danced to this song many a time at a childhood party and most recently at my friends wedding, where we recreated our childhood dance moves, much like when Jenna and Matt dance to Thriller in 13 going on 30, there was a bit of apprehension at the start but we were fully committed by the end! I think her guests were rather amused at our efforts. The circle of my life represented in a song.
Spice Up Your Life - The Spice Girls - The absolute thrill when the Spice Girls movie came out, I think I watched it over 10 times at the Cinema, had it on VHS and I now own the DVD. Posters, body spray, CD’s and seeing them in concert when they originally reunited - pure bliss. This song represents many a joyous time.
Even as I was writing these down, I was taken right back to the moments these memories happened. It’s so powerful how some things are able to pull you in so easily into a memory and how songs that mean so much to you can reappear in your life when you need them the most.
I also find that some music seems to come along just when you need it and sometimes one song can completely encapsulate where you are in your life. When Miley Cyrus’s song Flowers came out I found my self playing it on repeat, the words really resonated with me. I interpreted her lyrics to my situation ( which I believe a great song can allow you to do) and it made me realise that I needed to be there for myself first. To allow myself to love and care about me before I could be present, support and allow love from those around me.
I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours
Say things you don't understand
I can take myself dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than you can…
I can’t imagine my life without music as it has always been there. Music unlocks my creativity and emotion, it means a lot to me and I am so glad that I have so many memories attached to songs. I can’t wait to create memories with new songs and see where my musical journey will take me.
“Where words fail, music speaks.” - Hans Christian Anderson
Do you have any songs or music that means something to you?
Do you have a specific memory that is attached to a song? Is there a song or a piece of music that makes you feel happy or sad? I would love to know!