17/11/17: The music of my week
Hey everyone, I bring good news in the form of more music! As Australia faces both scorching sunshine and spirited storms, let me take you on a musical journey through the spirit of summer (sorry Brits) and the love of sheer escapism. Also, I will be giving a couple of 80’s film recommendations!
“Something Changed” by Pulp
“Where would I be now if we’d never met. Would I be singing this song to someone else instead I dunno. But like you said, something changed.”
“Something Changed” is a very down to earth love song and encapsulates the emotion of “oh thank goodness I met you”. You know the drill: all the little workings of a day or moment all conspire to make something happen, and you really feel that there are other forces at play. Pulp was one of the major bands during the 90’s Britpop era, and their music became distinctive for their dark and witty lyrics. I would also check out the iconic “Common People” and “Disco 2000”. Check out “Something Changed” below:
“Holiday Road” by Lindsey Buckingham
LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM. FLEETWOOD MAC. NICE! Anybody who loves the National Lampoon’s Vacation films will be well acquainted with this song. The screenplay for National Lampoon’s Vacation (and the majority of its four sequels) was written by John Hughes, so you know the films are going to be fun and enjoyable. I would especially recommend National Lampoon’s European Vacation and Christmas Vacation. Check out the trailer for the first film in the series here – it is hilarious and very cheeky! Also, Chevy Chase for the win! “Holiday Road” perfectly presents the fun and playful attitude of these movies, and they would be incomplete without it. It truly is an underrated road trip song!
“The Boys of Summer” and “Taking You Home” by Don Henley
“I don’t understand what happened to our love. But baby, I’m gonna get you back. I’m gonna show you what I’m made of.”
What is this? Two songs by the same artist in the same list?! Don Henley makes a return on the weekly favourites list with the summery “The Boys of Summer.” Much like Bryan Adam’s “Summer of 69”, the song is a celebration of young love and the sadness of lost youth upon the act of growing up.
“And this love, is like nothing I have never known. Take my hand, love. I’m taking you home.”
In fact, if you love the music of Bryan Adams and wish to further explore music of this kind, then I would recommend further exploring the solo work of Don Henley. He also perfectly encapsulates that beautiful strand of Rock. “Taking You Home” is no exception, as it truly pulls on the heartstrings. It is a lovely mellow song to sink into during a nice evening. I am particularly a fan of his voice. How wonderful. <3
“Mexico” and “Carolina in My Mind” by James Taylor
“Woh, Mexico. It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low. Moon’s so bright, like to light up the night, make everything all right.”
James Taylor is another legendary artist on this week’s list, and he will also feature twice. His music is that wonderful. The buoyant and jovial rhythm of “Mexico” tells of the dream: a stellar night out in a Mexican town. This brilliant song really captures the feeling of good times on holiday, or times that you wish you had! Check out a 1979 performance of the song below.
“Still I’m on the dark side of the moon. And it seems like it goes on like this forever. You must forgive me, if I’m up and gone to Carolina in my mind.”
Renowned as one of Taylor’s most praised songs, “Carolina in My Mind” is an ode to getting lost and yearning for home. It has become an official anthem for both the University of North Carolina and the state as a whole. It is an absolutely beautiful song for its lovely melodies and the soft voice of James Taylor. Yet, it is also fragile and sensitive. He developed the song while stranded in Ibiza with Karin, a Swedish girl he had just met. The song’s lyric “holy host of others standing around me” was inspired by the company Taylor had while recording, that of The Beatles, who were recording at the same studio. Paul McCartney and George Harrison even performed on the song with bass guitar and backing vocals respectively. Check out a wonderful performance of the song below:
“Arthur’s Theme (Best You Can Do)” by Christopher Cross
“If you get caught between the Moon and New York City, the best that you can do, the best that you can do is fall in love.”
“Arthur’s Theme” is an ode to escapism and getting lost in the magic of it all. This stellar theme to the 1981 film Arthur is both magical and perfectly encompassing of the sweet film it was made for. The tender voice of Christopher Cross and the mellow 80’s sound help to make this song the ultimate evening track. “Arthur’s Theme” even won the Grammy and Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1981, and deservingly so! Arthur (1981) is a stellar film starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli about a spoilt millionaire who risks being cut off from his family’s wealth after falling for a working-class girl from Queens. Christopher Cross partnered with Burt Bacharach for the film’s soundtrack, and the product was sheer magic. For the trailer of Arthur, click here.
That’s it guys, I hope you enjoyed this week’s selection! For last week’s post, click here.
Until next week,
From Sophia with Love x
P.S. Next week, there will be some new music reviews up on the site including Morrissey’s Low in High School & the eagerly-anticipated Who Built the Moon? by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Stay tuned!
