Most people know me as a geek, this hermit guy with the shaggy beard who putters about in a set of camo crocs and a headset.
I find that ironic, actually, I am a geek to pay the bills, what I do and really not who I am. I am more about what I like to do – write appalling poetry, sketching / painting / doodling or playing in the kitchen in a headset listening to music.
Music is a big part of my life, and me, and certain songs not only bring back people but paint a picture in my mind of actual events, seriously precise to my surprise. And the images are persistent, each time I hear the song again. So onwards to a lyrical list of songs that bring back certain people and events. Family and friends will probably know the events, for anyone else reading this hopefully it will spark a ‘Yeah I do that too!’ and you will start your own list – let me know!
Ok, so this morning I was in the kitchen making a batch of waffles for Sam’s breakfast (I make 16 at a time and freeze them) when Mike and The Mechanics came on the radio. It made me pause dead, in mid stir and think back. At this time of year I miss my Dad most, I wish that he had met Sam. As much like me as Sam is, he reminds me of Dad – even more.
The Lyrical List
- Mike + The Mechanics – The Living Years: The last phone call with my Dad, getting a chance to say ‘I Love You’ and hear it back. The next day he was gone.
- Foreigner – I Want To Know What Love Is: Driving back to Canada, a bit dead inside and wondering where the van was going to take me.
- James Blunt – You’re Beautiful: Beacon Hill Park, Jazz playing, sitting on the grass with friends (also reminds me when I hear Jeff Lorber).
- James Taylor – Fire and Rain: My first ‘shattering’, I distinctly remember how cold the kitchen table felt… and the silence.
- Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares To You: My second ‘shattering’, out of the blue, was also the day Washkaneesh sat beside me and reminded me how much more could be ahead, as painful as it would be.
- Chris Isaak – Wicked World: Sitting at my desk realizing it was time to go home, more a deadening like all the feeling was draining out of my body.
- Golden Earring – Radar Love: The Celica, a bazillion miles an hour, radio cranked and JR singing at the top of his lungs. Good times!
- Warren Zevon – Werewolves of London: The first night of The Bear & Rabbit show, Sweetwater Inn, El Gala Egypt. Who knew you could put together a whole disco setup from ‘acquired’ equipment and WD1?
- Foreigner – I’ve Been Waiting For A Girl Like You: Vancouver Airport, 2003, after all the months, finally, as expected, and better!
- Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb: Kaleidoscope of images and colours, when David Gilmour hits the guitar solo Washkaneesh whispers in my ear “Let it go!”. Thank you my brother!