I just love chain letters. They make me break out in hives. They make me want to run screaming into the street and punch a passing stranger. They make me want to sever my internet connection – with a blunt knife. They make me want to reply and ask “do you really think Bill Gates gives a toss what you do with this e-mail??” and other words not suitable for a family blog.
But then along comes a chain letter that is masquerading as a meme and doesn’t threaten me with seven years of excessive nose-hair growth and the fleas of a thousand camels in my armpits if I fail to send it to 900 of my closest and soon-to-be-ex friends. And it’s about music. And it came from Anthony in the form of a game of musical tag – so who am I to refuse?? Right then, here goes:
1. Total amount of music files on your computer?
Don’t laugh – ONE! I’m such a Luddite. I do have a fair sized vinyl collection in storage though…. The one song I have on the PC is by a South African alternative band called “The Awakening” and an old boyfriend sent it to me. After dating me in my Goth phase for three years, he waited until we had been split up for like twelve years before discovering his inner Goth. It’s a funny old world.
2. Last CD you bought?
The Scissor Sisters. I saw them play support act for Duran Duran (yes, really them, all five of them. Don’t laugh – I though I was going to marry John Taylor for most of high school) at Wembley Arena this summer and their live act rocks! CD’s not half bad.
3. What is the song you last listened to before reading this message?
Either “Aaj Mera Jee Kardaa” from the fabulous Monsoon Wedding soundtrack or You’re Wondering Now by The Specials – 2-tone music, can’t beat it. I was listening to both CD’s last night so it could have been either.
4. Five songs you often listen to or which mean a lot to you?
Tough competition here. Most of my CD collection is in storage back home, so I was mentally going through them to make the final cut.
Insomnia – Faithless. If I ever feel down all I have to do is play this for an instant pick-me-up. Reminds me of when Bron and I were single and clubbing and were totally convinced that we were invincible. I just have to hear the intro and I can see strobes and waving hands and smell the dry ice… “I can’t get no sleep!”
Say Hello, Wave Goobye – Soft Cell. Teenage angst made flesh. This was the soundtrack to much of my first year at university. Nobody had heard of any Soft Cell song outside of the ubiquitous Tainted Love, so this added immensely to my musical street cred. “Standing in the door of the Pink Flamingo, crying in the rain”
A Lover Sings – Billy Bragg. This was a tough choice – there is so much Billy Bragg to choose from. “A New England” was the obvious choice for remembering when you were in fact 21. But this song has such wonderful lyrics and recalls both the excitement of a relationship’s beginning and the bitter-sweetness of discovering that it’s not going to be like in the movies. “You and I are victims of a love that lost a lot in the translation”
This Corrosion – Sisters of Mercy. The most deliciously over-produced, drama-queeny Goth song ever. A huge choir, guitars, drums and Andrew Eldritch’s unmistakeable vocals. I put it on and I’m 20 again. Oh yes, and it’s a damn fine piece of stomping music to dance to as well. For the more serious Sisters fan, I’d recommend Lucretia instead. “I got nothing to say I ain’t said before, I bled all I can don’t wanna bleed no more”
The entire Time album – ELO. A “concept” album that to me represents the pinnacle of the Jeff Lynne sound. From the opening speech by a robot-ish voice (“I have a message from another time”) to the end, it’s just great song after great song. I listened to it every day for months when I was dumped by a boyfriend (not the reborn Goth!) and remember driving to the Grahamstown High Court, an hour from where I lived, with this on the car stereo and every single song seemed to have a relevant message. But most of it was so up-tempo that you didn’t get all weepy – rather, you felt a whole lot better. “Though you ride on the wheels of tomorrow, you still wander the fields of your sorrow”
5. Who are you going to pass this on to and why?
Ronni – because I imagine she has an eclectic and extensive music collection and I’d love to hear about it!
Martina – because she often writes about music she’s listening to and I’m sure she’d enjoy doing it.
Sally – because I have no idea what music she likes and I’m nosey!
Won’t be offended if any of you don’t want to – I know you’re all busy etc etc. But if you choose not to, keep a close eye on your nose-hair growth 😉