Music has been part of my life since I can remember, though I was raised on a pretty strict diet of classical, ‘contemporary Christian music‘, and children’s songs circa the 50’s. From that (actually, no, I absolutely cannot bring myself to label classical music ‘spartan’) auspicious start, I was introduced to pop/rock as a tween, and never looked back.
My appetite for music expanded, grew voracious, and I greedily channeled all kinds of genres into my ears, taking them in, rolling them around my musical palate, savouring the experience (though occasionally spitting something out with utter disgust and never returning to it again). I refused to refine my tastes, falling as deeply in love with the Beatles as Bach; with Rammstein as Rachmaninov; with Luca Sestak as The Kinks as Paolo Nutini as Aerosmith as Renee Fleming as …you get the idea. Certain parts of my life are utterly anchored to music, and the memories of very specific moments come flooding back in HD (with surround sound) when a particular song plays.
I was delighted, therefore, to be tagged by Lisa Thompson in a ‘Music & Words Award’, which gives me a wonderful opportunity to share some of my experience with music, and how much joy and delight it brings me.
There are rules (aren’t there always?) which I’ll share for propriety’s sake.
- Link back to the person who nominated you
- Answer the questions with words AND music
- Pass the award on to 5 bloggers who inspire you with their posts about music
- Tag your post with #MWA, for Music & Words Award so that we can all find you down the line
- Quote these 5 steps and the award icon in your post. You can display the icon on your sidebar as well.
What does music mean to you?
Music is sanctuary or energy or delight or disappearance. It is an external mirror for my emotions or a projection inwards from outside, bringing a wellspring of new thoughts and feelings. It’s freedom. It’s tethering. It lets me express feelings when I run out of words. It makes me dance. It offers translations for concepts I couldn’t hope to grasp outside of the chords and harmonies.
Particular songs also somehow attach themselves to people who are special to me. Not always, but when they do, it’s WONDERFUL, and every time I hear the piece, I am reminded of the person, and I smile. I have no idea WHY a particular piece might attach (well, not always) but that it happens is enough, and I adore the shimmer of joy and love which floats with the music when I hear one of those special pieces. If you want a sampling, click to find my songs for Hasty, Beth, Kristi, Mandi, Samara, and Ken…actually, even some of their CHILDREN have pieces attached – Mandi’s daughter, and Hasty’s…
I *love* that it’s also happened in reverse, and Mandi has attached a song to me, too ❤
What is your first music-related memory?
I don’t know that I can think of a specific one, but I have some VERY strong memories attached to music. I remember being sung to sleep by my Grandad. I remember hearing his favourite songs on CD when he came over to visit. I remember WonderAunty playing the piano. I remember glorious, soul-shaking organ crescendos as my dad played. I remember the tinny, bad-quality tapes I made and played through my Walkman, having recorded songs from the radio, all filled with clicks and static. I remember the cold and swish and scrape as I ice-skated for the first time, as music bounced off the rink and surrounded me with freezing perfection.
What was the first album you purchased for yourself?
Absolutely NO idea. It took me an embarrassingly long time to realise I could BUY music from the local Woolworths, and bring it home, on tapes at first, then on CDs, and my shelves FILLED with music. Seriously. SO much music. Some of my favourite albums are greatest hits, or collections, but quite often I’ll fall utterly for one song and play it on a loop until it feels as though its been imprinted in my very cells. I remember the first music tape I was given though – it was three covers by Robson and Jerome, and held my first listenings of songs which I still adore:
Unchained Melody – Saturday Night at the Movies – You’ll Never Walk Alone
My favourite album, though…
What was the latest music you purchased? (No online streaming or free downloads, I’m talking about cash here!)
Again…not a clue! It’s been so long since I bought music (thanks, Youtube playlists) but it might have been…no, hang on, I wonder if I can check…Nope. No idea. But I know the most recent album I got (or was sent, maybe):
Which song did you listen to last? (No cheating, come out with the dirty pleasures!)
Now, it depends, because if you just mean the most recent song I listened to (aside from the ones I listened to whilst finding the music to populate this post) then it was THIS, but the one I’ve been wanting to look up and listen to and haven’t yet (because I was writing this post) is a new one, with an important message, delivered in incomparable style. I rather love it.
I’m meant to nominate a bunch of people to continue the trend and do their own MWA post, which…YAY! More music.
Abbie, of Sidereal Catalyst
Gretchen, of Drifting Through My Open Mind
Jesi, of Lunatic Poet
Robert, of Cabbages and Kings (who can ALWAYS think of a music. Always. Always)
Gretchen, of How My Brain Works
So. Enjoy. Play on…
I do like Megan Trainor – I like pop music, but if you asked me to name most singers or the song names -well, I’d be lost. I sing along to the radio and have a great memory for the words, but am useless at naming artists, genres etc. I like songs I can sing to. That’s pretty much my criteria.
I was recently asked to write a regular feature for a music blog, and I had to turn the work away because I wouldn’t be able to do it justice.
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Ohhh bless your boots! Pop music is fun but my ‘era’ tends to be a bit more old-fashioned. Gimme The Kinks over most of the modern stuff, any day!
I’m not good at singing along, but I like to try.
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Oh I never said I was in tune. But I have volume.
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BOO-YAH! Go for it 😀
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I just love your taste in music! I just had a funky fun dance party all over my house thanks to your playlist. 😃❤️🎶
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Heheh AWESOME 😀 (especially love Erasure for that…)
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Oh yes I fell in love with them when I was 15 and never looked back. Such happy, feel good to dance to music. 😃🎶❤️
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The way you speak of how music touches you is truly beautiful, Lizzi. Mathair is a guitarist, my father a drummer as well as my little brother. Both of my uncles are guitarists and we also have a banjo, mandolin and pianist in our family. While I…. just have a loving adoration for music. I play no instruments save for singing when I was much younger but I always felt such an immense connection to music without having an instrument in my hands. Like you, I felt it within the deepest part of my heart and soul. Congratulations on the award.
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Ohhhhhhh I LOVE how much musical talent you have in your family. My dad is a church organist, my mum and WonderAunty could play guitar and piano, and my Grandad could play guitar and banjo. I gave up piano lessons and I’ve taken up and dropped many other instruments without finding the passion to get to a point where I’m any good, but I ADORE music. It means so so much to me 🙂
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I love Meghan Trainor. Love her. Saw you took a little heat about her early on in the comments. But I have your back on this one. Yeah, Meghan Trainor!
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BOO YAH! I like her, and I don’t mind owning up to odd or unconventional music tastes. I think she rocks 🙂
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Hey, Lizzi, is there a way to know who has already been tagged (other than your 5)? Yes, I am to that point — HeHe
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Only by looking around all the other blogs…sorry!
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pretty much what I thought, so I just wen ahead an picked some. HeHe
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Awesome. I have it open in tabs…I’m at my laptop and finally getting there 😀
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music to me is like air, or another sense added on to the 5 senses we already have. You described it perfectly – I do have a crazy-love it- and embarrassing play list – so yes to music and yes to venturing deeper and learning more and listening to more too. 🙂
great post.
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YES! Here’s to crazy, eclectic, maybe embarrassing music which makes our worlds SO MUCH BETTER!
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Music is life.
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I dread to think what life would be like without it!
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Boredom and pent up emotions.
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Awful!
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Indeed.
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I once rewound a song on a cassette tape so many times that the tape ribbon came off and tore. I love how certain songs can take us back to hasppy and even sad times and memories. Love this post!
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Ohhhhhh I’ve done that. It’s so SAD when the song starts getting all warped and wibbly! Which song was it that you loved so much?
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Cryin by Aerosmith. I still love that song lol!
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It’s a great one 🙂
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Megan Trainer makes my son want to claw his ears out.
Confession: Me too.
But seriously though, every time she comes on the radio, he screams and of course it is my motherly duty to turn it up (even though I secretly despise her music).
Music is my lifeline and I’ve learned that if I wear headphones whilst shopping, my anxiety isn’t too bad. I mean, deciding upon which apples is the better of the lot is panic inducing — don’t laugh…these are the things that keep me up at nigh and why I take drugs that could kill a small country….I don’t know where I’m going with this…music…it’s lovely…it’s soul food. Whatever you listen to and makes you feel good and move and smile and shake all that funk out — well damn girl, work it.
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I went walking today, plugged into headphones, and I surprised myself by singing along, not really caring if I came across as a nutter 🙂 It was nice. I’d forgotten how much I like singing.
And LOL to you turning up music you hate just to bug Chunky. You’re a rotter! Niece and Neff like when I do them a ‘party car’ while we’re driving – if there’s a good song which shows up, I’ll crank the volume really high and we all rock out for a while 🙂
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What fun to read (and listen) about your life’s journey through music! I might just enjoy this, though I don’t know how quickly I’ll get it written! And honestly, I haven’t a clue who I’ll tag to join along… Great post here Lizzi darling ❤️
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Heheh YAY! I am so looking forward to reading and hearing YOUR life in music 🙂 It’s such a wonderful way to see into someone’s world (and you can tag AT LEAST Ra and Matticus, right?)
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Good ideas on who to tag!!! This should be interesting!
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Veryvery 🙂
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Music makes the world go round 🙂 This is such a cool blog award.
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Hehe music is AWESOME, and yes, it SO very is! You gonna have a pop at it? I hereby nominate you…
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One of these days, I’ll have a proper author blog and be able to give posts like this a go… I’m all stuffy and businesslike at the present over at Word Bank 😉
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Get yourself a fun little corner soon 🙂
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Music is incredibly powerful and truly the THE universal language for us all. You can learn SO much about a person through their choice of favorite songs, and I’m intrigued by yours! I too, have SO many deep seated emotions attached to songs and memories that go with them. Some really powerful in a good way and some profoundly painful too.
I became a music therapist for this very reason. Music has the power to heal, nourish, and open hearts to pour out the toxic vapors needing to be released. I spent several years witnessing the power it can have to help people in very personal ways, when I was a music therapist in several psychiatric hospitals. It is and always will be a significant piece of all our lives.
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I think more than anything, I love that music can be used to heal. I’d love to hear more about your experiences as a music therapist. It must have been fascinating work, and so rewarding.
Which of my choices intrigues you?
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I love Meghan Trainor. Great choices!
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My parents didn’t have a record player – I’ve only just realised this is a bit odd! I saved up from my Saturday job to buy a radio cassette – endless fun on Sunday nights taping the top 40! I went with the flow as a teen, and my era was the 80’s – so a lot of synth bands! I watched the film Public Enemies the other week – am now obsessed with Otis Taylor; Ten Million Slaves belting out as I type. Of course all this is just a smidge on the tip of the iceberg that is the music I love, and which means something to me. Long live my ipod classic!!!
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My parents had a massive stereo system with silver dials and lots of brushed steel. It had ENORMOUS speakers, and there was a record player, a CD player and two cassette spaces, as well as a radio.
I’ve never had an iPod but I can see why people do. I love my MP3 but it fills up quickly. That said, I don’t *own* most of the music I listen to – I tend to Youtube it. My era was the 90’s, I suppose, but I love the music of the 60’s and 70’s a lot more than 90’s stuff.
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This is awesome, Lizzi!! I love your picks. That coldplay song is utterly addictive. Is that your song? It seems to suit you 🙂 I’m listening to Meghan Traynor. Ah, Beach Boys were a huge part of my childhood as well! LOVE.
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Hi Lisa 😀 I am SO PLEASED I finally did this, but you can see why it took me a while. AND I had to edit songs out *sigh*
Mandi has called me her star for a long time now, and this song (she told me, when she sent it to me) reminds her of me, which I LOVE! And now I love the song as well 🙂
Glad the Beach Boys were a huge part of your childhood. I had to wait to discover them until later on, but I love their sound. Brian Wilson – GENIUS!
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I know, it’s really hard to pick the songs! You did an amazing job and i love all of these. That is so sweet that Mandi has chosen that song for you 🙂 Yes, I LOVE the Beach Boys and totally agree that Brian Wilson is a genius.
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Mandi is amazing, truly. And I cheated with how many songs I added in linked text, I think 😉
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Reblogged this on Her Headache and commented:
Music is universal.
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Ah, mixed tapes.
🙂
The good old days.
Love that Coldplay song.
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Mixed tapes, which gave way to mix CDs (once we had a computer with re-writing capacity) *sigh* They were good old days, but Youtube playlists are awesome and very much my ‘thing’.
I’d never heard the Coldplay song til Mandi sent it in my direcion 🙂
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How fun!! What would we do without music?? It really can change our moods instantly. Love Meghan Trainor!!! I’ll be singing that all night. 🙂
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Heheh its ridiculously catchy. Whoever writes her stuff is a genius because I often find I LOVE one of her songs before I even discover it’s hers!
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Reblogged this on cabbagesandkings524 and commented:
Lizzi taged me on this one – looks like fun
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OH, Lizzi, you have handed me a challenge – this might take a while – So, lets see, if I reblogg this (which i would do anyway) the icon will end up in my image collection – have to copy the rules – OK, I got this.
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BOOM! That’s a good way around it, and HOORAY! 😀
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Love that it’s that one.
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It was instantly that one, and I think it always will be. It was *nearly* stressed out…but it’s not. I can’t force it 😉
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Love love love the Meghan Trainor song!!! So many songs are attached to memories and times in my life. I remember songs I roller skated to. I remember the song that was popular when I had my first boyfriend. I can’t imagine life without music. Perish the thought. Great post Lizzi!!
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Thanks so much Diana! 😀 I can’t remember musics attached to boyfriends (telling?) and Husby and I only ever really ‘had’ one song, because his taste in music was ABSOLUTELY NOT compatible with mine (telling?)
What songs did you roller skate to?
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“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. Roller skating around my best friend’s garage. “Always & Forever” for 1st boyfriend (whose name I can’t remember). The Bay City Rollers sitting in my bedroom listening to the 45 on my record player in 4th grade. My song for my mom, who passed away 7 1/2 years ago, is “Everything I Own” by Bread. I am definitely a child of the late 70’s, early 80’s. I could go on and on, but I’ll spare you 😉
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Ohhhh wonderful wonderful links! Why don’t you do one of these posts? You could nominate other people then, too, and have a nosey around their musical memories 😉
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I don’t have a blog. I live vicariously through yours and others that I love.
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Heheheh that’s fair enough 😉
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Oh…and FRIST!
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BOOM, baby! 😀
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NO has been my earworm for the last freaking week. To the point I catch myself singing it when I’m dreaming and waking and least expecting to find myself humming. It’s driving me crazy, especially since it’s on loop on EVERY RADIO STATION HERE! (okay, that’s an exaggeration…but it is on overkill on all the pop stations.)
I will try to respond. Things haven’t been going well lately but I will try my best.
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Hehehe I woke up with ‘It’s Good to be Alive’ (Andy Grammar?) in my head. Which is another song I put here.
Don’t respond if you can’t and if you’re too busy – OR do what I did, and do it in a month 😉
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