The 30 Day Music Challenge

I happened upon a tweet from Nickie O’Hara @nickieohara, a great follow on Twitter, on the 30 day music challenge she is doing on her website http://www.iamtypecast.com For 30 days there are prompts for your choice of music. I have an eclectic music taste and personally am always revising my Desert Island Discs so this seemed an ideal challenge. Whilst I will add a music choice on a daily(ish) basis, I did think on my choices over my holiday and have a few suggestions for each day, except numbers 23,26,27 and 30. I will stick to the same post and edit daily as required. I hope you enjoy my music, for me music has a very personal and emotional link so I’ve tried to jot a few words for each choice.

Postscript, I still cannot decide on a few songs so these will be updated when inspiration shines.

A song with a colour in the title.
So for my first song a little adaptation of the theme as my song has not one colour in the title but the word colour, I hope that I’m allowed this little cheat for such a good song. I’ve chosen Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours released in 1986 as its a song I listened to as a teenager and made me realise that you need to be true to yourself and allow yourself to be who you are. As a teenager, I needed to hear those lyrics and still think this is a beautiful song.
A song with a number in the title – Noah and the Whale, 5 Years Time.
You Tube are not allowing me to embed the official video, so here are the lyrics only. This song means so much to me, firstly and simply I love the song but it has a poignant story behind it too. The song was in the charts and played on the radio throughout August 2008, the worst month of my life where after many scans, tests, consultant appointments, monitoring and incredible medical care I sadly lost a baby during pregnancy. Our baby was conceived after many rounds of IVF and despite further treatments I never conceived again. This song was a bit of an anthem for me, I had to believe that in 5 years time things would be better and we would have our family. I’m happy to say our story has a happy ending as we adopted our son and daughter in 2011 and this song remains one of my favourite songs of all time.
A song that reminds you of summertime. Booker T and the MGs – Soul Limbo
This is the song of summer for me, the theme tune of Test Match Special, it conjurs up sunny afternoons, green fields, afternoon tea, birds and red buses all with a Caribbean vibe. Even if you are not a cricket fan, TMS is a brilliant listen. I like this song so much its also my phone ring tone!
A song that reminds you of someone you would rather forget. No Doubt – Don’t Speak
There is no one in my life whom I would wish to forget, whilst some have hurt me there are always good times to remember and I prefer to focus on the positive. This song was my heart break song from my first grown up relationship. It doesn’t make me sad just determined and strong.
A song that needs to be played loud. Bon Jovi – Living On A Prayer
Jon Bon Jovi is my secret crush and the Slippery When Wet album was one of my first ever albums. Bon Jovi are the best band I have ever seen live (Wembley June 1995) and this song just needs to be played loud and proud.
A song that makes you want to dance. Abba – Dancing Queen
This is the song to get me on the dance floor. I make no apology that it is the song which has always made me sing, smile and dance whether that be on the dance floor, in my kitchen or steering wheel dancing in my car. I love Dancing Queen and the happy feelings and memories it brings.
A song to drive to. John Miles – Music
I have no idea how this choice came about, its a song that I like and is perfect for driving to as it builds up to a crescendo of music. One of my guilty pleasures is being on my own in my car and driving along with my music up loud and singing.
A song about drugs or alcohol. The Verve – The Drugs Don’t Work.
Its difficult to put into words sometimes how music makes you feel and there is something hauntingly beautiful about this song.
A song that makes you happy. Morecambe and Wise – Bring me Sunshine
So many songs make me happy, music has the ability to take me back to a place and time and songs can have so many happy memories that its impossible to single out the definitive happy song. I’ve chosen Morecambe and Wise as its always been a favourite when I’m leading assemblies and its a happy time for me singing, signing and dancing with my SEN pupils at school.
A song that makes you sad. Blur and Francoise Sagan – La Comedie.
I am not emotional and don’t do soppy love songs, yet there is something about this song which makes me sad and mournful.
A song that you never get tired of. A-ha- Hunting High and Low.
A-ha were my first pop crush, Mags was my favourite and their posters adorned my bedroom walls in my early teenage years. They were also the first band I saw live in concert. This song just seems timeless and again would make my Desert Island Discs edit!
A song from your pre-teen years. The Kids from Fame – High Fidelity
I’m sure I’m not the only primary school pupil who would watch the Kids from Fame on a Thursday night after Top of The Pops and then go into school the next day and practice the songs and dances.
One of your favourite 70s songs. Earth, Wind, Fire – September
To me the 70s are disco and the challenge was to choose just one song to sum up the era, there are a number of EWF songs I would choose but as my daughter loves this too (its on the Trolls soundtrack!) , I’ve chosen it for the two of us.
A song that you would love played at your wedding. Stevie Wonder – For Once in My Life
Whilst I love other peoples’ weddings, the thought of being centre of attention and having a big, white wedding filled me with terror so Mr S and I had a small wedding in Italy which suited us perfectly. If we had ever had a reception this would have been the perfect song for us.
A song that is a cover by another artist. Ewan McGregor – Your song
I love this song but am not keen on the original by Elton John. I like the big song feel of this version and often play it very loud on runs. It comes from Moulin Rouge, a film I’m yet to see.
One of your favourite classical songs. Beethoven – Ode to Joy
To me this is the song of Europe, I was born the year we entered the EEC and feel proud to have been a member of the EU community, I’m still upset over the Brexit referendum but this song shows such joy, its beautiful and uplifting.
A song that you would sing as duet on karaoke. Elton John and Kiki Dee Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.
This is just a pop classic, one of those perfect pop songs and would be quite easy to see on karaoke, lots of whooos etc..
A song from the year you were born. Slade – Merry Xmas Everyone
From 1973, I have chosen the Christmas number 1 as this song always me happy and excited about Christmas, who doesn’t smile when they here Noddy Holden sing its chriiiistmasss
A song that makes you think about life. The Beatles In my Life
This song says it all for me, reminding you of loved ones and different stages of your life. It is again in my Desert Island Discs choices
A song that has many meanings to you.
A favourite song with a person’s name in the title. Hue and Cry Looking for Linda
I appreciate lyrics in songs and there are some beautiful lines in this song in which you create the narrative of the story.
A song that makes you move forward. Queen Don’t Stop Me Now
This has always been a favourite running song and anthem, who can’t fail to feel motivated when they hear the lines.
A song that you think everyone should listen to. Louis Armstrong What a Wonderful World.
Because it is …
A song by a band that you wish were still together. The Beatles Here Comes the Sun
I could have chosen so many songs for this entry, but as soon as I hear this I’m taken to warm, sunny days, its such a feel good song.
A song by an artist no longer alive. David Bowie Life On Mars
This is another artist for whom I could have chosen so many songs. Of all the celebrity deaths in 2016, this was the one I felt shock and sadness for, Bowie’s music was exceptional.
A song that makes you want to fall in love. Audrey Hepburn / Henry Mancini Moon Rover
There are some songs you can’t explain why you love them so much. This was on a compilation album I had as a teenager, I loved the 1950s love songs, it also featured in the classic Breakfast at Tiffanys and was in my favourite episode of Sex and the City. I would love a man I loved to twirl me around on a dance floor in a swirly dress to this song, I can’t imagine Mr S ever doing this so it will remain as a little dream.
A song that breaks your heart.
A song by an artist whose voice you love. Adele When we were young
Adele is the songwriter and singer of this generation, so sublimely talented.
A song you remember from your childhood. Meatloaf – Heaven Can Wait
Its strange how memories take you, I always remember how much my parents loved Meatloaf’s Bat out of Hell and any song from the album takes me back to my childhood.
A song that reminds you of yourself.