What gets you?

If there is one thing I have in common with my father, being a lover of music is it.  Ever since I was young, music littered our home.  The stereo played; morning, noon and night.  My dad had a collection of cassette tapes to rival any other music enthusiast.

I have many memories but one of my favourites is that of our first family road trip abroad.  We only crossed the waters to France and stayed in Brittany.  It didn’t matter to me that we didn’t voyage far, for this was an adventure that I hadn’t experienced before.  What accompanied our travels were the sounds of the Mamas and Papas, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles.  This music had a profound effect on that particular reflection as I don’t recall that holiday without hearing those songs.

My first CDs were those of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Tina Turner and Simon and Garfunkle.  Name me any child this day in age who would ask for those artists in their Christmas stocking?

I’ve obviously gone through the teenage years enjoying the usual pop culture of the day.  Who doesn’t love getting all nostalgic strutting their stuff to Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time or doing the moves to Backstreet Boys’ Quit Playing Games with my Heart.  All era’s and generations had them.  My first pop concert was a Boyzone tour that my Aunty took me to at the age of 13.  My daughter (11) is going to her first gig in July.  Her band of choice; Little Mix.  Hmm, maybe I need to dust off one of my old Spice Girls albums.

I’ve been to a number of festivals and some of the artists I have seen are unbelievable. If you have never been to a music festival, it is something you must, must, do before you die.  The variety of music it opens you up to is just incredible.  I’ve been lucky enough to see Guns and Roses, Pulp, Muse, Kasabian, Linkin Park, Avenged Sevenfold, Seasick Steve, Foo Fighters, Paramore, The Cure, Florence and the Machine, Bon Jovi, Biffy Clyro, System of a Down and Tenacious D to name a few.

Not only did my dad have a substantial influence but my late grandparents originated from Dublin and I can’t help but feel a sense of Irish pride at the opening instrumental to Whiskey in the Jar, whether it be the Dubliners, Thin Lizzy or Metallica version.

Me and my husband walked out of the church after getting hitched to ELO’s Mr Bluesky (tune).  Our first dance was to Mumford and Sons’ I Will Wait and I danced with my dad to Bob Dylan’s Forever Young.  One of our wedding hymns was I danced in the morning, a song we sang at my nans funeral and we sadly said goodbye to my granddad with Dean Martins’ That’s Amore.  Unfortunately my grandparents didn’t get to see me walk down the aisle but I remember them with love and lyrics.

I find that music has a voodoo magic.  Different genres accommodate all moods.  It cures all ills and all it takes is that initial introduction to a song.  Laying down the gauntlet; I challenge you to name any mood or feeling and I bet I could counter with a song that would dissipate or enhance that state of mind.

There are just too many artists and bands; I can’t name them all in this one post.  I certainly cant leave however without mentioning some of the greats: Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, David Bowie.  Can you imagine the electricity Freddie Mercury commanded at Wembley in 1986 on Queens Magic Tour?

Music has become a backdrop to my very being.  It might not always be at the forefront but it is always there.  Music runs through my veins and I thank my dad for this.  Subjection to an eclectic range has allowed me to have an appreciation for such diversity.  I just cant help it, I cant help being drawn in.  Not only do I get music but music gets me!!

Credits: Special thanks to Led Zeppelin, Mariah Carey, Carpenters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Michael, Arcade Fire, U2, Bloc Party, Elton John, Dire Straits, Eric Clapton, Fugees, Johnny Cash, The Jam, Leonard Cohen, Luther Vandross, Meatloaf, Nirvana, Eminem, Phil Collins, R.E.M, Royal Blood, Arcade Fire, The Temptations, Blackstreet, Prince, Madonna, the White Stripes and of course Jimi Hendrix.

(Bugger, list seems to be growing)