Music Makes Memories

The brain is a wonderful thing. A simple song or smell can evoke a range of memories and images within seconds!

The other day I was listening to an amazing playlist that I had put together (modest much?!) and I was met with a rush of memories that made me smile to myself as I sang along. It got me thinking about the songs that bring the most vivid memories for me, and I wanted to share them with you guys in the hopes you’ll do the same!

The song that started it all was this one:

I’m a huge Empire Records fan, and those of you who have seen the movie may remember that this song plays at the very end, while they’re all dancing on the roof of the store. But, to be honest, it’s actually not the movie that this song reminds me of. Whenever I hear it, I instead go back in time about 10 years ago when I was a poor student living in Dunedin. My flatmates were my best friends and we used to have great parties at our place every weekend. A couple of our friends were really into making up party playlists and it turned into a bit of a competition. This song was a favourite of all of ours and was one we played a lot. It reminds me of being young and carefree, and the lyrics really speak to that time in my life where my biggest worry was passing my assignments and finding money for alcohol!

Another song that takes me back to my student days is this one:

We used to sing this at least twice every Saturday night before heading into town. We actually felt like we couldn’t leave the house until we had belted this out at the top of our lungs, we loved it that much. It was also a time in my life were I was on-again/off-again with a dude and the album now reminds me of him and I couldn’t listen to it for ages after we broke up. Sad times.

Now to wind the clock back even further – I’m talking 20-odd years ago – is this classic:

Every summer when I was growing up, we used to camp at Bannockburn, in Central Otago. This was back in the days when John Farnham was in his element and our Mums thought he was a spunk. We were taught the moves for this song, and to this day my Mum insists we dance along whenever it comes on the radio!

A more recent flashback from two years ago is this amazing track:

I love this song. So much. It reminds me of one of the most independent times in my life, when I was living in Christchurch – I had a car with a decent sound system and was able to drive myself wherever I pleased. I mostly drove alone and had the best car concerts ever! I’m talking speakers at full blast and me singing like no-one was watching/listening. Even if they totally were. Whatevs.

So, now it’s your turn – what songs take you back in time and why?!

Related articles

• Where Is The Cast Of “Empire Records” Now? (buzzfeed.com)

 

Even Rocky Had a Montage

Okay so I don’t even know where the past month has gone.  I would like to say that I have a really great reason for not posting for like a whole month, but I really don’t.  And I have totally been loving a few new things every week, but I just haven’t gotten around to posting about them.  And now the moment has totally passed.  Lame, right?

You may have even thought I had given up on this here blog.  But I’m still around, and I still have lots to tell you about, so if you’ll forgive me and if we can still be friends, then please read on.

So I spent the past week at home with my family.  It was wonderful and busy and crazy and fun all at the same time.  I got to catch up with a few good friends and cuddle a few cute babies.  I had the family cat climb under the covers with me each night, and I even managed to beat my sister at Singstar twice!

I thought I would get back into the blogging spirit by sharing a photo montage of my week at home!  You’re Welcome.

On Tuesday my two sisters, my Mum and I went to Buster Crabb for lunch.  So delicious!

Bagel, Cream Cheese, Bacon, Spinach, Egg and Hollandaise Sauce! OMG

That night while driving into town to pick my sister up from work, I spotted a rabbit sitting on the side of the road!  On driving back past to go home, we saw he was still there, so we picked him up (he didn’t even flinch) and took him home to check him over.  He was so placid and sweet and very cute.  Probably very scared, too.  We found some bite marks on his back and because he was a wild one, we took him back where he belongs.  I checked on him the next day and he was gone!

I Totally Named him Benji in my Head.

On Wednesday, I went to visit a good friend who I hadn’t seen in nearly two years.  She has the cutest baby boy, and the sweetest little puppy, who ran straight for me and loved every second of attention I gave him.

My Friend Baxter.

That night Mum and I went to visit my sisters while they were working (one at a nightclub and one at a tavern).  We had cocktails and dessert – so good.

Love the Lights!

On Friday my Mum, sisters and I drove to Central Otago to visit some good friends, a new baby and enjoy a good road trip sing along!

Beautiful Cromwell

We had the most amazing Thai dinner of my life in Frankton, and because my youngest sister somehow managed to blow a fuse in the car, we had no music for the drive home!

My Rice Was Totally in the Shape of a Teddy Bear!!

Saturday night was family bowling night!  I was terrible.  But it was a fun night, and we haven’t all hung out like that in the longest time.  The game ended with an epic battle between my brother and step-dad for the title of Winner!

Who Doesn’t Love Bowling Shoes?!

It was a great week, and as much as I was sad to leave, I am so happy I got to spend so much time with everyone.