One might think that this is a strange selection for my Song of the Year. But those that know me will understand that it’s a perfect choice.
When I started to think about my favourite song of the year, I considered what criteria I should use – should it be one of the songs featured as ‘song of the month’, should it have been a popular hit known by all, could it be an album track? All these thoughts went through my head. I finally decided to pick the song that has given me the most pleasure – because that what’s music is all about. It’s the pleasure I experience when I hear a great song for the first time or for the hundredth time – it’s the thrill of hearing the first few bars – that feeling of deep joy.
There were a number of contenders, no space to mention them all here but they include ‘Time Flies’ by Porcupine Tree, ‘Waiting for the Sun’ by Siena Root, Method Acting by Dave Rawlings amongst others. However, it was the simplicity, the groove, the mash-up and the memories that finally made me decide on Kid Rock.
The song was released in 2008 (I only discovered this year) as the third single from his ninth studio album Rock N Roll Jesus and is based on Warren Zevon’s ‘Werewolves of London’ and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Sweet Home Alabama’. I’m not a fan of Kid Rock – disliking the hype, attitude and marketing but this song has a groovy riff, great guitar solo and lovely backing choir – it pays respectful homage to two great songs and narrates what must have a defining period of his life. The deciding factor was, however, the memories that this song has for me.
I have been very fortunate to have experienced a great 2009 – happy and healthy, surrounded still by my gorgeous wife and pups; enjoying and more importantly appreciating life in Doha. This song is the song that we played and played and played and danced to and sang to whenever we went camping – and I will always remember and cherish the memories of friends and family dancing and singing this song ‘round the bonfire on a deserted beach somewhere in North Qatar. It is these memories that made this my song of the year.
Note to Laughing Dog – you are correct I would not have selected this track for your Song of the Year.
But it obviously has wonderful memories for you and your family which can mean so much. My song of the year now has to be God Bless the Child after re-discovering it on your music mix.
Hi Ken – yes musical memories are so important to me and I have many. Strangely a lot of them involve Shaking Stevens as my dear wife was/is a big fan; meaning during our courting days we spent countless hours dancing (and other things) to his music!!
What musical memories can you share?
Well lets be glad that Mrs Dog’s influence hasn’t stretched too far yet, or that, as far as I am aware, Shaky hasn’t released anything for a few years.
Whilst I agree that memories have a big part to play in selecting a song of the year, for me anyway, it wouldn’t have been this one. I hardly ever play radio and don’t watch too much TV so I have only heard this song a few times in the pub. I have to admit that whenever it came on it coincided nicely with time to nip outside for a smoke. I found it irritating, catchy in the way that measles or gonorrhea is.
I don’t know that I could pick a song of any year, mainly because i don’t really know what particular year any song was released in. If pushed, I would have to go for either Siena Root’s Different Realities or maybe something from Dream Theater’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings.
Hey MR SP how you doing good to see you back where you been man
I just love this song, love the video hate Kid Rock what a w******r
My song of the year must be Papillon by The Editors
Hi SA, I haven’t really been away. For most people Christmas means holidays and a couple of weeks of lazing around gorging themselves. For me it means six weeks of constant work which doesn’t really end until the beginning of January.
That doesn’t really bother me as I have never been really big on the Christmas carry on, far too commercialised for me and it gives me the opportunity to earn a bit of extra cash to lay aside for my real love, travelling (and buying even more music).
I have been popping in and out and keeping an eye on the conversations but no time for posting and even less for listening to music. Time to catch up now though!
Hey Mr SP looking forward to your rants but you may have some competion from Mrs LZ (see her views on videos)