Have you ever overdosed on a particular artist/band/musical genre? Is it possible to rekindle the flame for a particular album you once held so dear? I’m not so sure…
…a particular song can be associated with a particular memory, and in truth, that’s probably what’s making today so enjoyable…
Since I can remember, I’ve always loved listening to music, mainly leaning towards rock/metal (although I love all genres… well, nearly all!).
Most of my friends would recall I spent a large chunk of my youth sporting a white vest, blue jeans, even wearing a fake moustache and buck teeth, all in the aim to look and “sing” like Freddie Mercury. I cringe at the thought now, especially recalling my GCSE music exam – having to record and submit a video rendition of “I Want to Break Free”, where all participants, myself at the helm, re-enacted that video…
I’ve always had a tendency to overdose on a particular band, artist, even a song. As mentioned above, I was (and still am) a huge fan of Queen, particularly their early career. Today, I’m having a somewhat reminiscent day, diving through my music collection, playing albums and tracks from artists who I openly admit I embraced with open arms, who’s music I severely overdosed on.
Some of these songs/albums just don’t do it for me any more. Maybe overplaying them throughout the years has had a negative affect on me, or maybe the songs were just poor in the first place… I don’t know. What I do know, is that I’m sat here, enjoying working through my music collection, asking myself “Did I really buy this!?” or “What was I thinking?!“. The joy of listening to music though, is that a particular song or album can be associated with a particular memory, and in truth, that’s probably what’s making today so enjoyable.
I thought I’d share with you some of the songs in my music collection that caused me to raise an eyebrow at my own musical taste. Yes, I purchased these songs originally and yes, I seriously overdosed on them, but I’m just not sure if I can ever enjoy them in the same way as I once did.
Some are guitar based classics, some aren’t. Regardless, here’s a few tracks that give you an insight into my neurotic love of music. Enjoy?….
OK, so the track below “The King is Half Undressed” is a song I still love and is the sole reason I purchased the album “Bellybutton”. Listening to the album today though, I thoroughly cringed recalling the many hot summer nights of my youth singing into the mirror pretending to be the lead singer. I’m so embarrassed!
Sick. Sick. Sick! OK… so, who didn’t want to be Marty McFly back in the day? And I’m still a fan of “Power of Love”, but playing parts of the album “Fore!” today gave me a serious wake up call to the fact that I won’t be reaching 88mph in a DeLorean any time soon.
Loved hearing this today! In truth, I still like this track, but I couldn’t help cringe at how dated it sounds. I used to love this song so much when I was a kid. Still, an interesting story in the song, but it sounds a bit too “yeee haaaa” for me now. “Woaaahhh Camouflage…“.
Don’t ask. I even learnt the Boo Rap… “If you can’t take the heat, get out the kitchen“… Blimey.
Don’t get wrong, I’m a fan of The Eagles, but this track rots my brain. I overdosed way too much on this song. Sorry!
In my mind, Hendrix is one of, if not the greatest electric guitarist ever. However, this song is just one of many examples of his “Experience” years that I simply struggle to listen to now. Influential and ground-breaking in many ways, I seriously overdosed on Jimi a few years back, so much so his “Band of Gypsy’s” line up is really the only way I like to listen to Hendrix these days. It’s a shame, maybe one day I’ll grow to like his earlier material again. I hope so.
I listened to this and almost died at the thought that I own it. I much prefer their early career… “White Rabbit”!
Andrew Latimer is a great guitarist, no doubt. He even cries when he plays. This track is one that I literally used to adore, and I still do in many ways. Good melody, but that flute does my head in!
Er…. yes I own some Cliff. I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post that one of my earliest memories is having “Rock n Roll Juvenile” thrust into my hand as an early birthday present. Some of Cliff’s tunes, should be pushed off a cliff. Just saying.
I’m a shameless Smallville fan, but this song is almost as cheesy as Babybel.
Awesome haircut. I almost deleted this off my MP3 player today, but decided to keep it at the 11th hour. Weird film too – it used to give me nightmares, with that rabid wolf chasing the kid – freaked me for years.
So there you have it, a brief look at some of the songs that I played today. I cringe at the thought that I was completely obsessed by them, and for some of the songs above, I hope I can embrace them again at some point in the future. I think I may need another 15 year hiatus before that can happen though.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
“I Know Kung Fu…”
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Thoughts on the BBC TV series “I’m in a Rock ‘n’ Roll Band!”
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Sam is passionate about talking all things guitar related and started GuitarJar.co.uk to help encourage all guitarists in their guitar playing journey.
12:36:45 am
Great article! I’d completely forgotten Camouflage! Fantastic!
I love cringe-worthy music. I make no apologies for being a former member of the Transvision Vamp fan club. And much as I love Led Zep, Planty is right to cringe at his lyrics.
But even I would draw the line at Starship. Ms. Slick deserves a slap for that. At least you didn’t link to We Built This City…