Music is one of the most powerful memory triggers out there
and here’s a program of songs that bring back a lot of memories for me.
The
Clash – London Calling: A great song to kick off any set. Fell in love with
this song the first time I heard it on the radio.
The
Beatles – Across the Universe: What should have been the last track on
their last album, this song, which I first heard in grade 9, makes me feel
wistful and optimistic at the same time.
Theme
from “Barney Miller”: I first encountered “Barney Miller” on Canadian cable
channel Prime, which has since flipped formats a couple times. A TV theme you
can truly rock out to!
Green
Day – Hitchin a Ride: I first heard this on-air at my college radio station.
My producer cranked it up. It just so happened one of the teachers was leading
a group of prospective students on a tour of the radio broadcasting department
and entered at that moment to show them the studio. It was serendipitous.
Here’s a sweep of more songs from my ignominious on-air
radio career: Franz
Ferdinand – The Dark of the Matinee; Limp Bizkit – Crushed; Relient K – Be My Escape;
and Beasty Boys – Right Right
Now Now.
Brand
New – Glory Fades: This came out earlier. A well-written song with a great
riff and unique perspective.
Billy
Joel – Captain Jack: First heard this song on a short-lived WBCQ program
whose name I can’t remember. This song really gives a snapshot of the time in
which it was written. Also, as someone who had just finished college, I related
to a lot of the lyrics.
Hal
Kemp – The Gold Digger’s Song (We’re In the Money): Reminds me of standing
outside in the November weather at the school for the blind listening to “Uncle
Ed’s Musical Memories” on WBCQ and developing my obsession with the music of
the twenties.
Buck
65 – Wicked and Weird: Reminds me of listening to CBC Radio Two’s Saturday
night shows during my high school years.
The
Beatles – All Together Now: First heard this song on “Allan Weiner
Worldwide.”
Limp
Bizkit – Almost Over: Reminds me of listening to 95.1 The Nerve Rochester the
summer before I went to college.
Ozomatlei
– Saturday Night: I first heard this on Blind Paul’s “Pan Global Wireless”
on WBCQ during the NHL playoffs in 2004.
DJ
Serious featuring D-Sisive – Popped: This song reminds me of “The Breaks”
on CJLX.
Tom Waites
– In the Neighborhood: One of the first Tom Waites songs I ever heard. I
was hooked.
Moby –
Honey: One morning when I was in grade 10, I turned on the radio and came
across WBER Rochester. I heard this and a couple other songs and my love of
alternative rock began.
Nervous
Norvus – Transfusion: Brings back memories of listening to “Finkleman’s 45s”
with my parents as a child. This would never be allowed on the radio if
written today.
Impending
Doom – There Will be Violence: A terrific song musically and with a message
many need to heed.
Wilf
Carter – The Smoke Went Up the Chimney Just the Same: I remember this from
the show Andrew Younghusband (of “Canada’s Worst Drivers” and “Handymen” fame)
had on CBC in summer 2004. You can really picture this taking place.
The
Black Keys – Next Girl: I’d heard the band’s other hits on the radio but I
found this one through a blog.
Citizen
Cope – Pablo Picasso: This song was played in the late evenings on CBC
during the strike in 2005. One of the most wonderfully bizarre songs I’ve ever
heard. The other thing that was special about the time I first heard this song
was for the first time in 19 years that September, I didn’t have to go back to
school after Labour Day!
Kings
of Leon – The Bucket: Back in 2005, before all the garbage, Kings of Leon
were good.
Louis
Armstrong and His Hot Five – Hotter Than That: I remember this from Ken
Barryhill’s “Old Record Shop” on WWCR.
Barenaked
Ladies – Lovers In a Dangerous Time: This song was playing on the radio as
my parents drove me to the house where I would live on my own.
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