By Maki
This week’s topic started off relatively slowly and gathered pace as the weekend went on. Much like many of the songs that make up this list, it was a “builder” where things start of relatively inauspiciously or at least quietly and then, before you know it, you’re caught up in a swirl of emotions and feelings that hit you a lot harder than you were expecting. The hairs on your arms, the back of your neck or wherever, stand on end and a shiver runs down your spine. At times it’ll be because these musicians are wily folk and they know which heartstring to tug and when: other times because he music or the words strike a chord with you and others still because you have just heard something you weren’t expecting to hear and you are stopped in your tracks.
That seems a lot to ask of a song. But, judging by your response, there is a lot of music out there that does just that.
Is it the bell tolling at the beginning, the harp, or the piano? All of these elements in the opening bars let us know we’re in for something special and they’re all valid reasons but for me the way Videogames was used in Misfits made it unforgettable. Shivers run up and down my spine every time.
Tragedy and goosebumps seem to go hand in hand. Ghosteen is heart-wrenching and beautiful.
When I first came to live in Spain, I was amazed at how much people could really love songs and artists without having even the slightest idea what they were singing about. I have since realized that the power of music and the beauty of the human voice are such that we don’t always need to understand in order to be moved. That’s the case here. Bebin has my nerve ends tingling and I haven’t a clue what it’s about. But it doesn’t matter.
We don’t need to understand the words to be moved and I’d also add that we don’t have to share the belief to be transfixed and entranced by the sheer beauty of the music it inspires. It’s often said that the devil has the best tunes, but I reckon that god is pretty happy with some of the stuff that’s slung his way. Mozart’s Ave Verum transports me back to the Abbey Church of my boarding school days and brings back mixed but powerful feelings. Marian Anderson’s performance of Bach’s Erbarme dich, mein Gott from the St. Matthew Passion is sublime.
And so, back to the earthly delights and who better to remind us of them than the old scoundrel Jacques Brel? La Chanson des Vieux Amants doesn’t put a foot wrong musically or lyrically and maybe tingles places the previous couple of pieces would have been ashamed to tread.
Sometimes all you need is a Portuguese guitar and melancholy voice. The fado is a genre that the goosebump seems to have been invented for. Our Landlord admitted to playing the guru on this one. I really can’t see how anyone could have left Fado Loucura off any list inspired by last week’s thread, so we’ll let him off, shan’t we?
I mentioned in the blog that there were times when a song would cosh me from behind, catching me completely unawares, and asked if anyone had had the same experience. I wasn’t expecting said experience to include David Essex, truth be told, but ParaMhor’s description of how Rock On stopped him in his tracks was exactly what I meant.
One thing I enjoyed this week was that some of our contributors were a little more forthcoming in the way they described the effects the music they nominate has on them. Sinead really does let her inner beast loose on Troy.
And to end, a Departure and Farewell. Not that I’m going anywhere, it’s just a nice way to end a list I hope you will all enjoy. I apologise in advance for leaving out so many deserving songs.
The A-List Playlist:
Lana del Rey – Videogames
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds – Ghosteen
Sevdaliza – Bebin
Mozart – Ave Verum
Marian Anderson – Ebarme dicht, mein Gott (Bach)
Jacques Brel – La Chanson des Vieux Amants
Ana Moura – Fado Loucura
David Essex – Rock On
Sinéad O’Connor – Troy
Hem – Departure and Farewell
The B-List Playlist:
The Pretenders – Back on the Chain Gang
The Clash – Complete Control
FKA Twigs – Cellophane
The Congos – Children Crying
Lucy Dacus – Nightshift
The Grimethorpe Colliery Band – Danny Boy
Collage - Kodu Kaugel
Propaganda – Duel
Kathleen Battle & Wynton Marsalis - Baroque Duet - Let the Bright Seraphim
The Stranglers - Waltzinblack
Guru’s Wildcard Pick:
Macy Gray – Creep
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Chills and thrills: songs that give you goosebumps. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Fancy a turn behind the pumps at The Song Bar? Care to choose a playlist from songs nominated and write something about it? Then feel free to contact The Song Bar here, or try the usual email address. Also please follow us social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: