Every female I know has things they secretly do when their respective patners are not home. Some of us might sit with strange smelling foam on our upper lips to get rid of our secret moustache, some might cover their hands in handcream, put on some silly white cotton gloves, and watch bad television.
Personally, when the mood takes me, I put on the saddest songs I own and have a good old wallow. I don’t necessarily have anything to be unhappy about, but I like a nice big cry as much as any person.
I’m terribly soppy, as much as I try and deny it. From a tumble of kittens on an advert to a reunited couple in a bad film, you can be guaranteed I’ll have a little weep. With music, I find it puts into words and sounds the feelings I can’t necessarily vocalise.
Some songs are written so beautifully I defy anyone not to feel moved. A few tracks make me cry for the nicest reasons, like Gerry & The Pacemakers- “Don’t let the sun catch you crying”, because the song always makes me think of my Mum, who used to play it on the long drive back from family holidays. I can still hear the gentle hum of the car and feel my brother falling asleep on my shoulder. Similarly, Queen’s “You’re my Best Friend” will always remind me of my brothers and my Dad, such a gorgeous celebration of love that it is.
I “give” people I know songs. It is my way of identifying them in my head. My friend Ruth will forever be Terry Hall – “Sense”, the song that sums up a friendship in the line “When you’re near, it all makes sense.” I can’t help but feel overwhelmed if I hear Simple Minds- “Don’t you forget about me”. I adore that song, cheesy as it is. It’s a serious contender for first dance at my wedding.
Other songs are heartbreakers. We Are Scientists- “After Hours” is a beautiful song, forever entrenched in my head, with the chorus “This night is winding down, but time means nothing.” A Fine Frenzy – “Almost Lover” is so cleverly written, and I can’t help but start sobbing at the line “Did I make it that easy, to walk right in and out of my life?” Massive Attack- “Protection” is such a stunning, stunning song, despite it romping home at over 7 minutes long I’ve never skipped a second of it. It’s far too magical for that.
Last year, I went with my Mum to see Adele perform in London. She was every bit as wonderful as I thought she would be. There really wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Her incredbily successul songs “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You” were perfect- she really is amazing live. The stand out song for me however is her cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, originally performed by Bonnie Raitt. This song will shatter your heart, so use it carefully.
Music has the power to move me, and it can make your spirits soar but it also has the ability to make them plummet. Love songs are a huge industry because we all have them and like them, even ones we can’t admit to. Me and my partner have a song, as do most couples I know. Ours is The Style Council- “You’re the best thing that ever happened”. Soppy, but perfect.
For me, music has the ability to capture a mood or feeling in a perfect bubble. It’s a preservtion exercise, and simply flicking “play” on a track will catapult you back to a memory long forgotten.
For my money, the saddest song I’ve ever heard is Mark Ronson feat. Boy George and Andrew Wyatt – “Somebody to Love Me”, and the pain-filled line “I don’t want to see you go, I want somebody to love me.” I must add a disclaimer: Don’t listen to this song alone, and watch videos of funny cats afterwards.
