When I moved to residence for undergrad, this guy on moving day, played the song, No Rain, by Blind Melon, on repeat. Whenever I hear that song, I remember what it was like to have my first taste of independence. Up until that time, I had lived at home with very strict parents and had very limited social experiences. And as I moved into a dorm, I knew that this would all change. I remember finding a grocery store, and buying food my parents had never allowed : Chef Boyardee canned pasta, Sugared Cereal, and bringing it back to my new temporary home, only to discover, that after the first few bites, it was not as good as I had hoped. That was the year that Snoop Dogg released his debut album, and throughout residence, we heard, Gin and Juice and What’s My Name. I had a good friend circle on our floor, and I remember one friend buying me a CD single of Whatta Man, by Salt N Peppa, featuring En Vogue. Such great memories.
When I left to start law school, I took the train. I was looking forward to the law school experience, but nervous on many different levels as well.
My brother, who is 7 years younger, was already a guitar aficionado, and had a love for British Alternative Music. And back in those days, there was no Spotify or playlists – if you wanted to share music, you made the person a mixed tape. And that is what my brother did. He made me 2 mixed tapes to listen to on my train ride to London and for law school. And that is just what I did on that train ride – I listened to the amazing compilation of music that my brother introduced me to – Oasis, Blur, The Verve, Bush – it was all great music. And different from the music I typically listened to. And as the various small towns zoomed by, and home sickness dawned, my brother’s music comforted me. I still have those tapes. That music is still very comforting to me. It still brings me back to the train, every time.
And in my first year of law school, I shared a townhouse with my childhood friend, going to Teacher’s College, her former roommate and a friend of that roommate. Our townhouse was beside a guy one year senior to me in Law School and his friends. This was the year when the Beastie Boys released, Hello Nasty and we heard the track Intergalactic, on repeat, through the walls. I became a fan.
When I was articling, my fellow student shared his Stevie Wonder CD compilation with me, and it was life changing. I had always been a Stevie Wonder fan, but having access to that enormous library of great music, was such a treasured experience.
Throughout my articles and early associate years, I listened to a lot of Jazz and female jazz singers. I remember hearing the song, Stronger Than Me, by Amy Winehouse in 2003 and I was done. I ran to buy her CD and listened to that non stop. I felt that I had discovered a new find and no one I knew, was into her, but that later changed, didn’t it?
And now? Now – I go out of my way to introduce my kids to music that have been such a part of my life.
My kids and I were watching a show and I quickly asked them to identify the classical piece, and one daughter got it – Vivaldi, The Four Seasons – Spring. My heart burst with pride. Classical music has always been a constant for me, through piano, band and choir. Singing Mozart’s Requiem remains one of my favourite singing experiences. I did not have a solo – just part of the ensemble, but the beauty of that composition and the emotions it invokes, is other worldly.
And that’s what I want for my kids – the music associated with great memories. For my husband, that song is September, by Earth, Wind and Fire and because my son’s birthday falls in that month, it just makes the song sweeter for him
I am looking forward to one day hearing the soundtrack for my kids and what songs they associate with special events. The power of music. And I hope mixed into their favourites, are some songs that they associate with me.
But that’s just one Diva’s view.
Diva's View 