The original idea for this came to me whilst driving to Birmingham for a Microsoft conference. Not that it’s important you know that – but it’s perhaps the first and only free plug I’ll ever give the “evil empire”. You want the date – Thursday 29thMay, 1997. I had decided to get a different tape to put in the cassette player for the journey, and had chosen one with REO Speedwagon, Rainbow and Chicago on it. I’d been expecting to blast myself up the M50. There were all the expected rock tunes, but also a couple which I’d forgotten were on the tape, which when they came on made me go all mushy. So the idea of “Two Sides of Dad” was born as I thought, perhaps it might be nice for me to prepare a tape of music that has some meaning to me (and I hope you), with a narrative of why – track by track. In the original version of this produced for Gail on her 21st Birthday there was no Queen, no Crosby, Stills and Nash, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen; no Who, ELO, Beatles, Elton John, Phil Collins (!!) etc. etc.
Now re-visited, just after completing the Ruby Wedding Playlist, I’ve added a Side Three and Four, these being virtual sides, as I don’t need to worry about cassette tapes any more :-).
Unfortunately Spotify hasn’t got the rights to certain artists – Pink Floyd or John Lennon – so substitutes are provided.
Side One – “The Rocker”
Back on the Road Again – REO Speedwagon.
Not a well known track this one, and the group probably even less well known coming from the West Coast of the USA but still going strong, I believe. Same vintage as Fleetwood Mac – now there’s group also missing from the list too. Still this one is chosen for two reasons. The first is that it reminds me of Doncaster, and in particular of the drive to Epworth that I did so many times after you’d been born. I first heard the track on a Bob Harris show coming back after taking your Grandad and Grandma back home when they’d been baby-sitting for us. The long straight road with the dykes on either side, and this blasting rock song. I went out immediately to find the record and bought an album which has got lots of other good songs on it but this one is just the best by miles – the guitar solos are fantastic and at top volume just take you over. Incredible. As with most songs on this side – the words are not important or evocative, its the music and beat that’s important and a really good blaster to get us going.
You keep me Hanging On – Vanilla Fudge.
Now here’s a weird one. Why chose this. Well, it’s got some strange credentials too. In my album collection it also is a bit unique for being a track I went looking for, and in the end bought an album with loads of other songs which are really great – probably my best “collection” album – I’ll show it to you someday. Anyway this one is selected for the following reasons. Firstly I hate the Supremes – they were so sugary, and sweet and when their original version of this came out I couldn’t stand it. Then a group came to Aberystwyth to the old Students’ Union (which was a church hall not much bigger than the one in Melbourne Road – or so it seems now) and played this version of the song. I thought it was a joke, but then found out it was a cover of this track. The build is fantastic, the haunting organ, the repetitive nature of the beat, the feeling in the vocals and the powerful insistence of the harmonies and the fade out all make this a really memorable track and the first of the slow rock builders that made it big.
Deserted Cities of the Heart – Cream.
I’ve got no idea what the words mean on this one at all, in fact I can’t even remember listening to them. The reason for its selection is quite simple – no confusion – it’s just simply Eric Clapton at his best. The guitar breaks must be played at really high volume and then you can also hear Ginger Baker’s drumming coming through with his unique double footed bass drum playing coming through strongly. All led by Jack Bruce’s vocals. Incredible. I’ve got the goose pimples coming through as I type as it’s come to the first break. Hope you like it – this wouldbe one of my favourites of all time.
Brown Sugar – Rolling Stones.
Which Stones track do you chose. Well, probably not this one if you’re politically correct – but what the …. This has to be the Stones at their best. Again it’s the beat, the guitar of Richards as he drags across the strings in the rather unique ways he plays, and then there’s the sax. In front of all this, Mick is posing and strutting and of course yours truly did his best as well – it’s a great one to dance to – just try and imagine me in my prime!
Since you’ve been gone – Rainbow.
Rainbow qualify because I think they’re underated and because they are the successors to Deep Purple, founders of the heavy rock that I came to like so much. This one is just representative of so many of their tracks. It is not meaningful in any particular way, although I do remember singing this quite a lot as I drove to High Melton whilst on my way to work. It’s just a good track and has all the elements of its genre.
Connection – Montrose.
We come back to the slow builders again with this one. It’s goose pimples time again. Some of the most effective heavy rock tracks are ones that are kept really simple and which rely on mood and timing. This is actually a Richards/Jagger song but I can’t ever remember hearing the Stones playing it. I probably don’t want to hear that version now – since this is the version I know. I know nothing about Montrose, so this is really a one-song band as far as I’m concerned. Little things about this song get me, the single scraped guitar cords, the drum rolls and pauses, the pleading of the vocalist, all of which you can hear because there is no wall of sound. Like all of these tracks however – high volume is essential, not an option.
Let’s stick together – Bryan Ferry.
This has to be my favourite dance song of all time. Poor mum gives me a pleading look every time it starts, because she knows I’ll want to dance, but she also knows she doesn’t need to be with me on the floor whilst it’s playing. The thing just takes me over. The words are quite good as well.
Learning to Fly – Pink Floyd.
The first of two Floyd tracks – this one just because at this moment, it’s my favourite song of all time. Everything about life is wrapped-up in this song. The words are so hopeful and yet desperate, but out of it all is the expectation that success will come in the end. And then there’s Tim Renshaw with his little guitar bits, which show that Floyd is not just Gilmour. This is one for my “memorial” service. I’ve often thought of hearing this from my coffin (played on high quality equipment of course, not just a cassette player) with the ones in the know realising that I will have finally “learnt to fly”.
The Spotify track is from The Australian Pink Floyd Show at the Hammersmith Apollo, a Floyd tribute band that I’ve seen a few times in Cardiff.
Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd (from Pulse).
Well, this one is of course chosen for its connection with the Earls Court concert. It was one of the most memorable evenings of my life, and it was good that you were able to be there to enjoy it with me. Again it’s the guitar that makes this track – but this time it is Gilmour that wrings the last inch out of the fretboard as it screams at you in an insisting and wailing way. There’s real pain in this song, and you are meant to feel it. But at the end I think there’s hope and this is of course symbolised by the crystal ball of light and when you get to that part of the track you can actually here the gasp from the audience as it explodes open and the light floods out. This is the best of the slow builders, because the mood is actually lifted by the guitar, somehow it moves from being somewhat melancholy to be hopeful and then exciting so that you are completely taken over and left totally drained at the end. It’s difficult to think of more to say except you’re left “comfortably numb”.
The Spotify track is from the Live at Knebworth album, not Pulse … unfortunately.
Side Two – “The Reflective”
Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty.
I wasn’t sure which side to put this one, but in the end I thought I’d put it here as a transition from the other heavy side. This is melodic and such a contrast from Floyd etc. It’s famous of course for the sax solos. Gerry Rafferty is really an artist to listen to much more seriously as he comes from a folk tradition, so the words are usually worth listening to as well. However, it’s the sax that most people remember. This is a Doncaster track again and as with many of them I remember putting this on whilst I was on my own with you, when mum had gone back to do her little bit of teaching at High Melton, and I was teaching you binary arithmetic. I hadn’t noticed until I did this exercise just how many albums I bought in Doncaster – most of them still in playable condition.
Amercian Pie – Don Maclean.
It’s often said that this was an anthem for a generation. Well, it’s probably that and more. A lot has been written about the “meaning” of this song, more probably than any other, and I’m not expert enough to do any interpretation of my own, but what it does do is remind me of youth and lots of things like that. The song is written in memory of Buddy Holly, and I suppose intermingles the feeling of loss at his premature passing with the loss of so many to the war in Vietnam. Although we were so much on the margins in Britain and not so closely connected with the protest movements that sprung up at that time, the hippy culture and the flower power that emerged, it was still easy to ally your feelings with what was going on and realise that government could get things terribly wrong, and that it was the ordinary person that paid the penalty – either through loss of life or limb, or through being derided for being a patriot, or alternatively a non-patriotic and drop-out – a truly lose-lose situation. So this song has lots of meaning wrapped up in it, but also perhaps lots of associations as well. By the way, mum and I managed to get to Sheffield City Hall to see Don Maclean, so there’s another association for you! Perhaps “Things will only get better” will be remembered for a similar reason!
Imagine – John Lennon.
The theme of loss and yet hope is continued with this one. The simplicity of this song, but yet the strength of the message has I don’t think ever been surpassed in a popular song. At times I’m troubled by the possible non-Christian implications of the words, but I think the overall meaning of the song overweighs that difficulty, as you can’t mistake the sincerity. When Lennon was shot it seemed as if the whole world had gone mad. He had really screwed up his life, and a lot of other peoples lives as well. He had retreated to New York, re-assessed his life and had just emerged as a new force – a gentler and more reflective person – and then he was gone. A lot of us were troubled and depressed at his passing, but this song lives on to remind us all of the essential John Lennon, who was challenging, thoughtful and provoking in all he did or said.
The Spotify track is from a “tribute” artist – The Sounds of John Lennon.
Mamunia – Paul McCartney and Wings.
I dare say you expected this one, and of course it pairs well with Imagine, so this is the Beatles contribution to this tape. You know the story behind this one, but I’ll retell it just for posterity. Your arrival was not plain sailing, but when it happened, it was a wonderful experience. The sun was shining brilliantly as I left the hospital, and all I could do was hum this song, with tears running down my face in a mixture of compete excitement, relief, wonder and amazement that I had become a father. In that context, the words which I couldn’t remember at the time are of obvious significance as well and thus this has very much become associated in my mind with you – it’s your song!
You’ve got a friend – James Taylor.
As I get older, this is the voice I wish I’d had. The depth and feeling in the brown mellow tones come across with every word he sings. And he writes the songs as well!! Take the opportunity of listening to the version of this song on the “Squibnocket” video tape and you will see how his voice has improved with age – something that ought to happen to everyone, in everything! The reason for chosing this one is really rather obvious, and the words say it all. For all of you, “You’ve got a friend” – but I know you realise that.
Bridge over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel.
This one follows on from the previous one in many ways, but the real significance is in the association with mum, who liked this a lot at about the time we first started going out with each other. The popularity of this song does not detract from the meaning that’s in the words, so perhaps you can identify with it as well, and span the generations with a beautiful song, beautifully (and hauntingly) sung.
Hard to say I’m sorry – Chicago.
You might not believe this, but this is the song that generated the tape. This song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. It makes me think that every relationship needs a “sorry song”, after all we all need to say sorry once in a while for hurting someone we love. This one’s mine, and although I suppose I ought to keep that private, I just wanted to share a lovely song with you – no doubt you’ve got a sorry song as well, but if not, I know one day you’ll find one – you can borrow this one for the moment, if you like!
Up where we belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warne.
This is my love song! What a wonderful song, full of spirit, hope, full-blooded passion, expectation, fear, recognition and everything that makes sharing a life with someone else so real and fulfilling. It’s fortunate that mum likes this one as well, so it is meaningful for her as well, I believe. It’s difficult to imagine chosing a Joe Cocker track that is not a belter, but the rawness of his voice in contrast with the velvet tones of Jennifer Warne is an immediate match. Great stuff, it’s making feel all mushy just typing.
Whiter Shade of Pale – Annie Lennox.
Not the version that mum would have chosen, but it is a song she really likes. The story of wanting this at our wedding is well known to you of course, but I don’t suppose we were unique in that respect. What I can’t remember is whether it was actually played – you’ll have to ask mum for that information (perhaps you could advise me after the event – I don’t like to seem so feeble in my memory). This version by Annie Lennox, I think, is really powerful and provides the added bonus of allowing the inclusion of her on to this tape, as sole representative of female singers – not well represented in my collection, I’m afraid.
Theme from Harry’s Game – Clannad.
Perhaps a surprise this one, but then I’m on an Irish trip at the moment and this track is one that is haunting and deeply moving – almost spiritual. I know it’s a popular track and you hear it nearly every exhibition or public place in Ireland – but populism shouldn’t be a reason for exclusion. It brings back wonderful memories of 1997, a lovely holiday in Ireland with mum. Thanks so much for assisting us in having that break, it did us the world of good.
Side Three – “Discoveries”
Side Four – “Old and new friends … re-visited”