Do you remember your first?

A commonly asked question in many music artist interviews is. 


What was the first Single you bought? 


I'm sure that many make up an answer to look cool and suave as truthfully they do not remember exactly what it was. It is as if that one moment in life is something that defines you as a person or effects your taste in music. 


I whole heartedly believe it does not. 


I cannot remember mine.
I do not recall saving for days to buy it or what the cover looked like.  I remember as a child owning a small box of many 5inch single records and playing them on a small red record player that I adored.
I remember lusting after Kylie and Jason at the age of 5 but at the same time I had posters of New Kids on the Block and Michael Jackson on my wall. 


The first song that i fell in love with according to my Mum was Aha's "Take on Me" Released in November 1985 when I was 2 years old. I loved it. (Still do) I was a toddler so i did not purchase this single myself. Does that Count?


There are many singles I bought in my childhood and Teen years that I still love. I do remember scamming my dinner money (Sorry Mum) each day in order to buy my new favourite at the weekend. But which was my first? 


I grew up in the 90s when boy band central had a hold on the music industry. I had floor to ceiling posters of Take That and bordering on obsession kept the diet coke bottle that i drank from with a note saying 'I drank this while watching Mark Owen'. It was my first live concert and I was 9 and I am in no way ashamed to admit it. As it was my first taste of live music it think I wanted to preserve it for as long as possible. So with the benefit of hindsight I believe it was more than likely the first single I bought by myself with my own money was more than likely a Take That single and it most definitely was on cassette tape. Now that the band have had a comeback 20 years later. I wonder if it is in the loft and if it is worth any money?


As I said this first single purchase does not define me. It did not mean that I was destined to forever more like only boy bands. We grow up, we change As do the bands and artists we love. It all becomes memories we hold on to. They are only immortal in the music that is left. We can still listen to them as our own guilty pleasures. Which leaves us revelling in those times spent with friends of - Do you remember this band?, this song?, this one hit wonder that still gets played at parties. Which inevitably results in an onslaught of YouTube videos being played trying to out band each other. Or as I do when hearing a blast form the past, Shout TUNE! at the top of my voice.

If storyline is the heart could soundtrack be the soul?

I have been involved in theatre since the age of 11. In this time I have seen many interesting ways that music plays a part in different productions. 
From instruments being played live on stage, a recorded track being used to having to source the correct song without infringing copyright laws. It proves that a show does not have to be in the "Musical" genre to have music play an important part. 


The picture above shows some of the secret workings that are happening in my work at the moment. These old pianos are being de-constructed to make new instruments and music for a forthcoming production of 'King Lear'. Which to some is considered the greatest of Shakespeare's work. Having walked past the beautiful collection of keys and strings for weeks it made me think, So my question is this. 


How much does music add to a story? 


Music in television for me can make a show. It is through this that I have discovered many bands that have never had any marketing or breakout in the UK. Film, TV and Stage soundtracks make up a lot of my music collection. Some I play for background music as i potter around. Others to "Crank it up to 11" and think yes I could be a character in that show. It is this avenue that proves how pivotal music can be to a show and vice-versa. An example of this is the band Snow Patrol who were relatively unsuccessful in America till their track 'Chasing Cars' featured in a 'Greys Anatomy' episode. Also I love the fact that shows like that of Fox Network Hit 'Glee' can introduce an entire new generation to bands like Fleetwood Mac.  

The most downloaded song originally released in the pre-digital era is 'Don't stop believing' by Journey which since its original release in 1981 has been featured in 7 TV Shows, 8 films and even Hillary Clinton borrowed the track for a campaign video. Some say over used. I say its a testament to how popular culture influences the music industry. You may not remember what dialogue was being said at the time but you will remember what song was played. 

It was only 44 years prior to Journeys hit release that the first commercially issued film OST (Original Sound Track) was released. This was the sound recording of Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. It is possibly thanks to Mr Walt that my love for soundtracks first formed. As a 7 year old girl who really wanted to live 'Under the Sea' and to this day has many Disney songs in her music library. Well who wouldn't find it easier to commute to work in the morning with Hakuna matata playing in your ears?

 So next time you are watching a bad film or even an episode of your favourite serial drama take a moment to see beneath the story. Turn up the volume a little and listen to the background music. It may just be a song from a Killer Soundtrack.

My Brain is a Jukebox. Everyday I dance to its many tunes.

Music has always been a massive part of my life. My parents never influenced me on particular genres, I just danced along to whatever they placed on the record player. This could be anything from The Rolling Stones to Barbara Streisand or B.B King to Bananarama. All and all the extensive LP collection my parents owned was like a pick and mix selection from the music industry. I learnt to respect that everyone has their own individual choice and taste in music. My Dad owned a record shop when i was little so i think that the smell of Vinyl is in my blood. I seen first hand the transition of Media. Records were replaced by Cassettes and then cassettes by Compact discs. 

Now nearly a quarter of a century on from those shop memories the digital download has further taken over. It was only last night as my boyfriend sat playing song intro after intro that i realised how much music my brain contains. He was making me guess each tune. Like the old television show testing how long it took me. If I didn't know the name of the song then I did know the opening Lyric. If I failed on the opening, I could give the chorus. Failing only a few times to my disappointment. It was this realisation that made me write this post.

I sadly admit that we do not own any vinyl (Sorry Dad). However I cannot ever see the day coming that I scrap my CD collection. Even with all its embarrassment hidden on the bottom shelf. Secretly I feel I need to teach my son that songs did not just appear with a click of a button. As I reach my late 20's (SHHH!) I only hope that I continue to find new and different music. If not I always have my internal Jukebox to delve into.