Radio Won't Even Play My Jam

The purchase of your first album is a significant moment as it is the beginning of your journey through the world of music.  A first step in recognising the bands and artists that connect with you and the music which evokes all kinds of emotion.  

For years I was accustomed to receiving the famous NOW compilations for Birthdays and Christmases which I shamelessly enjoyed listening to.  This was pretty much the only music that I owned.  Looking back on this I realise how tragic this was.  My musical journey began in 2000 when I was 10 years old.  I remember watching an endless amount of music videos on MTV when Eminem’s ‘The Way I am’ came on.  It was like nothing I had ever heard before.  The anger and passion that resonated from the song immediately connected with me.  I was taken in by the dark and visceral lyrics that Eminem voiced.  The looped piano and sound of church bells heightened the impact of the song.  This was different to anything that I listened to previously as it was real and very powerful.  At that moment I immediately wanted to listen to more of Eminem’s music.  I decided that I would buy the Marshall Mathers LP with some help from my mum as I was only 10 years old.  I don’t think at the time she was aware of what she was buying for me but I was definitely not going to enlighten her.  Maybe it made my conservative self feel rebellious.  Maybe it was a response to the years of exposure to the glorious pop extravaganza of the NOW compilations. 

That moment of buying your first album and listening to it for the first time is something special.  At the time I never really thought about it like that but now I realise that it was very important.  It essentially opened the door to hip hop music for me.  It is also an album which I still love to listen to and in my opinion it is a masterpiece. From provocative songs like Criminal and Amityville to the commercial juggernauts of Stan and The Real Slim Shady it welcomed everyone to the sinister world of Marshall Mathers.

The Way I am is a song which brings back the memory of purchasing my first album.  An important moment for me.  16 years on and it still sounds better than ever.

One of a Kind

Grandparents play a vital role in our lives.  They provide a structure and a core set of values to our life as well as a love that is unrivalled.  They are there when your parents need a time out from you and are always on your side. 

The first song in my soundtrack is Frankie Laine’s ‘Rawhide’ which brings back memories of when I spent time with my Grandad Raymond Smith or ‘Granda’ as he was better known as.  Being at a young age when he unfortunately passed away means that I don’t have as many memories as I would have wished for. 

When I listen to this song it immediately takes me back to the Sunday mornings we would spend together.  This would be the result of staying over the night before.  I would be awakened by the ringing of a bell which signalled that breakfast was ready.  While having breakfast I remember that we always watched the reruns of the TV show Rawhide on Channel 4.  This was an American Western starring Clint Eastwood to which Frankie Laine’s ‘Rawhide’ was the theme song to.  When I listen to this song it reminds me of the quality time that we spent together on those Sunday mornings.  We would finish watching Rawhide then we would pretend wrestle and have a few rounds of boxing before the football came on.  I would always win.  Sundays were a day when all of the family got together which was special.  That song just stuck with me because the only time I have heard the song was on the TV show.  Everytime I listen to it now, it takes me right back to those Sunday mornings when it was just me and my Granda.

He was a great man who had time for anyone. Even though I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked with him, the time that I did I will never forget.  Rawhide represents that special time that we had together. 

My Granda Smith was one of a kind. Someone you wish all of your friends got to meet.  

Do you have a song that brings back significant memories from your life?

If so then please feel free to share.  This can be as personal or impersonal as you wish.

You can also share your songs and memories on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/memorablemovie

Be Happy

#memorablemovie

The Beginning

Hello everyone, my name is Martin Smith and I am 26 years old.  After much deliberation I have decided to start this blog series based on an idea I’ve had for a while.   Since I can remember I have always had music in my life, as I’m sure most people have.  It’s an art form which evokes all kinds of emotions and over recent years I have been fascinated with the power of music and the impact it can have on people.  In particular I have been interested in its connection with memories.  As I peruse through my iTunes, CD collection or Spotify playlists I am met with songs that instantly bring back memories of a specific time and place or significant people in my life.  This can be anything from a loved one to a first gig, holiday, road trip or family event.  These songs have sentimental value attached to them as they are linked to these autobiographical memories.  I have always thought of these moments like scenes from a movie and it is this train of thought which has led me to the title of this blog.

A soundtrack to a movie can be very important.  I am sure everyone is aware of Quinten Tarantino’s gift of compiling a set of songs which enhance the impact of the scenes in which they are placed in.  Similar to the way in which our memories associate songs with different aspects of our lives.  We all know songs that define important movies.  I would like to create a space in which we can share the songs which are important to our own movies.  A compilation of songs which soundtrack our own lives.

‘Soundtrack to a Memorable Movie’ will be a series of blog posts which will feature songs which have significant moments connected to them from my own life.  

I will post the first song in my soundtrack along with the video and the memory which is attached to this.  The aim is to generate a playlist of 10 songs accompanied by 10 memories to create our own unique movie soundtrack.  These songs will be added to my YouTube channel and shared through Facebook and Twitter.  Once the soundtrack is completed I will post a final Spotify playlist.

I would ask if everyone could get involved and share their memories as much as possible through this and other social media platforms.  We live in a world where it is easy to criticise music and other peoples music tastes.  I want this blog series to celebrate music and its ability to impact on everyone differently.  It will also reveal a very eclectic mix of music and can be as personal as you wish it to be. 

#mymemorablemovie