This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.
If you take a good look you’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too. You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.
New Year’s Day – U2
I figured that this would be an appropriate song for New Year’s Eve.
I’ve never been much of a U2 fan but their War album remains a favourite. I saw the band at the Perth Entertainment Centre on the last Monday night in September 1984. A couple of things I remember from the night are that it was ear-splittingly loud (I used to go to a lot of very loud concerts back in the eighties but this was so loud it was painful) and that Bono stopped the band halfway through Pride to stop a fight that had broken out in the audience. According to Bono at the time, “No one fights at a U2 concert.”
While the song is almost 34 years old, New Year’s Day just wouldn’t be complete without this one blaring from the stereo.
I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Soundtrack of My Life – New Year’s Day? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.
If you take a good look you’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too. You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.
Aussie Jingle Bells – Bucko & Champs
In a country where Christmas Day is generally somewhere between hot and scorching, it seems odd that we still listen to so many Christmas songs about snow and trying to stay warm in the cold weather. The imagery on Christmas cards, on our decorations and throughout our shopping centres also reflect a frosty Christmas. Nothing could be further from the truth.
That’s why Aussie Jingle Bells by Bucko & Champs has become such a classic down under. It’s a little closer to our experience of the season and the day.
Bucko & Champs is Colin Buchanan and Greg Champion. Aussie Jingle Bells was just one of the many Christmas songs that got an Australian update on their 1996 album, Aussie Christmas with Bucko & Champs.
Aussie Jingle Bells – Bucko & Champs
Dashing through the bush
In a rusty Holden Ute
Kicking up the dust
Esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side
Singing Christmas songs
It’s Summer time and I am in
My singlet, shorts and thongs
Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a scorching summer’s day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute.
Engine’s getting hot
We dodge the kangaroos
The swaggie climbs aboard
He is welcome too
All the family’s there
Sitting by the pool
Christmas day, the Aussie way
By the barbecue!
Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a scorching summer’s day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute.
Come the afternoon
Grandpa has a doze
The kids and uncle Bruce
Are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go
We take the family snap
Pack the car and all shoot through
Before the washing up
Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a scorching summer’s day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute.
(And if you’re not from Australia, it might help you to know that ‘thongs’ are a kind of footwear down here.)
I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?
Do you have a favourite Christmas song? Do you have a favourite artist at Christmas time? I’d love to hear about what you listen to at Christmas time each year.
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Soundtrack of My Life – Aussie Jingle Bells? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.
If you take a good look you’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too. You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.
Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth – Bing Crosby and David Bowie
I’ve got a few hundred Christmas songs on my iPod and they’ve been filling our home and my car with Yuletide cheer … whatever that is. Everyone from Michael Buble to Diana Krall, Bing Crosby, Run DMC, Barry White, The Wiggles, Guy Sebastian, Jimmy Barnes and even Russel Coight, along with many others, are singing about Christmas.
And Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without today’s song. It’s very much part of the soundtrack of my life. I’m not a huge fan of the song Little Drummer Boy but I am a fan of both Bing Crosby and David Bowie so I love hearing their Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth medley around this time every year. The chat at the start of the video is cheesy and somewhat awkward but I just love it. Enjoy.
Bing Crosby was my dad’s favourite singer and Bowie is right up there for me so to have the two of them combined has always been pretty special for me. While Bing passed away back in 1977, this is the first Christmas without David Bowie so there’s something a little bit sadder about the song this year.
I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?
Do you have a favourite Christmas song? Do you have a favourite artist at Christmas time? Does Mariah Carey’s very successful Christmas album get a spin at your place each December?
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Soundtrack of My Life – Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.
If you take a good look you’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too. You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.
Almost Threw It All Away – Charlie Peacock
I’m not one of those people who generally remembers where I was the first time I heard a song … but this song is different. It was early in my radio career back in the late eighties and the Program Manager at the radio station called a few of us into his office. He had just received a cassette sampler of some new music and there was one song he just had to share.
With all the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning, Barry told us we juts had to listen to this song. He hit the play button and for the next six minutes and eleven seconds … we listened.
I don’t know what was happening for anyone else at that point but for me it was like listening to one of your all time favourite songs. It was instantly part of the soundtrack of my life. How could this song feel so familiar and at the same time be so fresh? How could a song grab me so quickly and make such an impact with just one listen?
Back in the day, we’d get sample cassettes, then at some stage get the CD copy, and then record the song from the CD onto a broadcast cartridge to play on-air. Not with this song. Barry wasn’t going to wait for the CD. This song had to be heard and so the cassette copy was recorded direct to cartridge and it was being broadcast later that day.
I still get a chill when I hear this song.
I was driving to work a few days ago with my iPod set to random shuffle. Almost Threw It All Away started playing and the volume immediately went north. I’m sure that most of the cars around me on the freeway were wondering why the ‘old guy in the blue car’ was playing his music so loud.
I can’t guarantee that this song will grip you in the same way that it still grips me, but I do hope you enjoy it.
I remember when you were just a girl
I was a boy in a big man’s world
We had no idea what time would reveal
Little did we know that
Over a million tears had to fall
That is no exageration
‘Cause I’ve counted them all
Every sad and senseless incident
Has been mine to recall
You never gave up, you never gave in
You didn’t say no…I can’t take anymore of this
You never gave up on me, you never gave in
You refused to believe that love had come to and end
I almost threw it all away
Traded truth for a lie, diamonds for clay
Oh I, almost threw it all away
Through some clever thinking and a strong imagination
I could twist the truth into any configuration
And find myself doing things
That I never dreamed I could do
I’ve known the kind of pain
Where you can’t catch your breath
You sayt if this is life
Then please bring me death
Thank God that that wish I made never ever came true
You never gave up, you never gave in
You didn’t say no…I can’t take anymore of this
You never gave up on me, you never gave in
You refused to believe that love had come to an end
True love doesn’t come and go
Here today then gone tomorrow
Doesn’t speak the wicked word
That breaks the heart in two
Doesn’t renegotiate
What it knows is true
Doesn’t give up, give in, throw it all away
I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Soundtrack of My Life – Almost Threw It All Away? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.
If you take a good look you’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too. You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.
How to Make Gravy – Paul Kelly
We’re less than a month from Christmas and so I’ve added a heap of Christmas music into my iPod playlist. I love all the Christmas classics but Paul Kelly’s How to Make Gravy is something special. It’s a heartfelt song that brings many to tears when they hear it each year.
It’s not your usually cheery Christmas song but I think it touches on the reality of the season for many. It’s not always a happy time. Sometimes it’s a reminder of bad choices and fractured relationships.
How to Make Gravy is a four-track EP by Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly and was originally released on 4 November 1996 on White Label Records in Australia. The title track was written by Kelly and earned him a ‘Song of the Year’ nomination at the 1998 Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA) Music Awards.
It tells the story of a newly imprisoned man writing a letter to his brother, in which the prisoner laments that he will be missing the family’s Christmas celebrations. The same character appears in Kelly’s earlier songs, “To Her Door” (1987) and “Love Never Runs on Time” (1994).
The gravy recipe is genuine – Kelly learnt it from his first father-in-law. It was covered by James Reyne on the 2003 tribute album, Stories of Me: A Songwriter’s Tribute to Paul Kelly and on Reyne’s 2005 acoustic album …And the Horse You Rode in On. It has also been covered by David Miles, From Nowhere, Semicolon, Ghostwriters, Karl Broadie and Lawrence Agar. In September 2010, Kelly titled his memoirs, How to Make Gravy. On 29 September 2012 Kelly performed “How to Make Gravy” and “Leaps and Bounds” at the 2012 AFL Grand Final. – Wiki
I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics? Maybe you can let me know about which Christmas songs bring back great memories for you.
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Soundtrack of my Life – How to Make Gravy? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.