I was sitting in my car on New Years Day listening to the radio. As I listened I started to think about how music evokes memories and emotions, how listening to a particular piece can set you up for the day or bring you down. I thought about the songs that get stuck in your head and the ones you wake up singing. I thought about new musical discoveries and old favourites.
I’ve always loved music. From my earliest days I can remember hearing music in the house. My father playing Pink Floyd albums loud enough to drown out other sounds. My mother listening to, the then new, Capital Radio as she did the housework. Watching Top of the Pops on a Thursday night ( and I remember the first time I saw it in colour!) If I hear the right song I’m right back in the moment.
My listening habits have altered over the years. I’m aware of how the ear-splitting sounds I loved in my teens at full volume can now alter my heart rate and mood. I’ve always had a wide-ranging taste, but now I listen to Classical music to help me relax and trusted favourites. I still love musical discoveries but rather than listening to an album featuring a great track over and over, I’ll just re listen to the track I love.
I’ve often thought about keeping some kind of journal or diary, but that commitment to writing down your experiences seemed to onerous. So, as I sat in the car, I thought I can keep a record of the song that captures the day for me. Some days there’ll be more than one and I’ll have to whittle them done to one choice. Some days may not have any (I also appreciate silence). But my year will have many, many musical moments.
