Music
Just Me and my Music on a Deserted Island
The 10 songs that would carry me through until the passing ship arrives to take me away.
My most loyal readers (thanks to all 12 of you) will know that I love to write about music and read other people’s opinions and takes on songs, albums and bands that I love. Interestingly, depending on your point of view, a series I have written called “You Need to Hear This Song”, which has now reached its 19th instalment, also provides me with the least traffic of all my articles.
No matter.
If there is a song in my head on a given day, I feel a need to write about it. I want to put into words the context in which it was made, a bit about the creators, the role the song has played (or continues to play in my life), and what I think makes it such a great song. These don’t necessarily represent my favourite songs of all time, but they do have a serious impact when I do hear them. I don’t know…is it too much to say that they transport me to another place and time?
No, it isn’t.
Here is the latest in this series, should you have the time and / or inclination to understand what I am talking about. The predecessor of each article is linked at the bottom of the latest and if you really get into it, you can take yourself all the way down the rabbit hole to the very first one from a few months ago.
Lately, I’ve noticed a few articles based on the prompt of the songs you would want with you on a desert island, should you have the (mis)fortune of finding yourself on one. I’m going to put my oar in here. Getting the tunes that mean the most to you to a concise list is not a new idea, but it is a worthwhile exercise.
My man, Kevin Alexander has it down to a science already
I think I would be ok on a desert island — for a day or two anyway. Coconuts and spear fishing would provide the sustenance. A natural spring would give me water. It would be warm, but there would be an afternoon shower to even it all out. Without social media, I would have nothing but time to contemplate life, read the ten books I had the foresight to pack with me (another article), and indulge in the same ten songs over and over.
I would never get sick of them, and I say that because I haven’t so far. But maybe that’s because there are other songs to fill in the blanks when they aren’t on. I guess we’ll see.
As I said, I only plan on being on this island a day though. And these are the songs I would want to take me from sun up to sun down, on that particular day.
Here then, with only a bit more ado, and linked live where possible for the full energy of the song, are my Ten Desert Island Music must haves:
Heroes / David Bowie / “Heroes” (1977). Was he still playing the The Thin White Duke character at that point? Either way, his sojourn in Berlin sees him at his absolutely late 70s high water mark, with this evocative song of love and escape. The linked video has him in Berlin again, in 2002, once again at the height of his powers. He did have a few more of these moments than the average artist. “We can beat them, forever and ever”
Forever / the Charlatans / Us and Us Only (2000). A building bass line, a swirling Wurlitzer and a Tim Burgess vocal of love and longing by the 2nd longest serving and surviving act from Manchester. 10 years in and just getting going at that point. “I know my star, I know my star, is a brighter star, a brighter star, forever be in your arms”
Born of Frustration / James / Seven (1992). One from the only Manchester band to live longer than the Charlatans. Still in their early days here, but Tim Booth and company are hitting their stride recording the soaring hope of the time. “I’m living in the weirdest dream where nothing is the way it seems, where no one’s who the need to be, where nothing seems that real to me”
Bittersweet Symphony / the Verve / Urban Hymns (1997). For my money, the greatest rock song ever written. The opening strings put me directly in arriving in Prague in the dead of winter of 1997 in the middle of my first European solo trip. The record store I stepped into in Prague welcomed me with this song and the video mesmerised me. For a moment, the freezing cold was gone and this song warmed me. “I’ll take you down the only road I’ve ever been down”
Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’ / the Rolling Stones / Sticky Fingers (1971). A bit of greasy early 70s rock and roll thrown in from Mick and Keef. And Charlie. And Bill. But it’s actually Mick Taylor playing the lead guitar in this winding, bluesy riff laden number of them at the height of their drug addled powers. “Help me baby, ain’t no stranger”
Your Silent Face / New Order / Power, Corruption and Lies (1983). A simpler tune and a more human voice than Bernard Sumner, we will never hear. “A thought that never changes, remains a stupid lie”
Motorcycle Drive By / Third Eye Blind / Third Eye Blind (1997). A tightly crafted story about going cross country (or around the world) in search of something that you knew wasn’t what you wanted as soon as you found it. If we haven’t been in the position of the protagonist at some point in our lives, it’s still not too late. “Summertime and the wind is blowing outside in lower Chelsea and I don’t know what I’m doing in this city”
Slave to the Wage / Placebo / Black Market Music (2000). The millenial tension of Brian Molko’s lyrics that may even make more sense today. Futuristic melodic angsty chord driven rock, way ahead of its time. “It’s a race, a race for rats to try”
Rocks / Primal Scream / Give Out But Don’t Give Up (1994). Just in case a booze cruise boat passes by and you want to have something to play for them when they come ashore. Throw on this Stonesy foot stomper and they might never leave. “Ain’t no use in praying, that’s the way it’s staying, baby”
Teardrop / Massive Attack / Mezzanine (1998). Mercifully, they did leave, the party is over and the sun is about to go down. When you are off the island and home again, this will be the one you listen to when you get there, before bed. Or now, when you are all by yourself again. “Love, love is a verb, love is a doing word”
There it is. What a great day on my little island. As soon as I publish, I will doubtless think of 100 other song entries I should have put here.
I really do hope that you like what you have just read. If you want unlimited access to thousands of writers, consider a subscription to Medium. It will set you back $5 a month and if you use this link, then I get a slice of that. Maybe we can use the proceeds so you can come to the island, with more music.
