Music is my time machine
It would be great to have Doc Brown show up in a Delorean and take me from place to place - and time to time. Since that's never going to happen I have the next best thing: Music.
A co-worker was listening to Dire Straits yesterday and I was instantly transported to 1985. It wasn't a fuzzy 1985. It was extremely vivid. My Mom just picked up her new 1985 Pontiac 6000 STO and we were driving it home. Of course, 'Money for Nothing' was playing on the cassette.
A few weeks ago I was rocking to Springsteen's 'Rosalita'. My original destination was Madison; however I had already been transported to my parent's boat on Rock Lake. We were slowly trolling under the rail bridge before entering the lake. It was a hot day, the sun was intense, and I felt every bit of it.
On the way home from work I was flipping through XM radio and stopped on Huey Lewis. 'I Want A New Drug' was on and I instantly ended up at the 4-H Fair. The sounds and smells of the midway hit me. I was AT the fair.
Finally, anytime a Queen song plays I head back to Christmas circa 1980. Santa brought me my first albums -- The Stones 'Tattoo You' and Queen's 'Greatest Hits'.
Listening to new music is wonderful and I know the time machine will be activated eventually down the road on the new ones. Will anyone be playing Lady Gaga in 20 years so my time machine will take me back to 2011?
Do you have vivid memories when you hear certain songs. What songs power the flux capacitor in your time machine?
Steve Knox was born, raised and landed back in Janesville. He encourages you to participate as he writes on Janesville and beyond as this Generation X guy supports his Janesville mission, global vision. Steve is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Jun 13, 2011 at 11:57 a.m.
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I forgot to mention witless, too.
Jun 13, 2011 at 11:50 a.m.
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JK Holman: callit..... is chronic with the lowbrow insults.
Jun 11, 2011 at 12:11 a.m.
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Bob Welch Ebony Eyes...
And "Dream Weaver" at Prom in '77.
And the best one... "Ariel" by Dean Friedman.
Jun 10, 2011 at 9:02 p.m.
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No memories I can share in a public forum but there always seemed to be a radio in the background somewhere.
Jun 10, 2011 at 6 p.m.
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Hearing Bye,Bye Miss American Pie reminds me of hanging out at a friends garage in the winter..He was a cool guy....I remember him saying "Hey Goosehead,how ya doin'". AHH, the good old days!
Jun 10, 2011 at 5:22 p.m.
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Paul Anka, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, 7th or 8th grade, Swing Lobby
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:50 p.m.
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Anything by the Bangles brings back fond memories of 1986, my band opened the show for them at the Winnebago County Fair.
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:18 p.m.
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Yes there are songs that place each and everyone of us in some place or another, but the one thing that gives me my fondest memories is Sundays watching Wide world of sports with my father That opening Collage of videos and announcers voice will be something I always will remember.
Jun 10, 2011 at 4:14 p.m.
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Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It" takes me back to the roller rink.
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:40 p.m.
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The other day my daughter said that I just had to listen to this new song---It was Journey! Still good stuff.Saw them at alpine valley way back when.
Jun 10, 2011 at 3:09 p.m.
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I used to work on the air at WGEZ back in the 60's. The music they are playing now as oldies were new releases. We all love music and memories.
Jun 10, 2011 at 2:32 p.m.
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Any and all of Motown music. The greatest American performers ever!
Jun 10, 2011 at 2:22 p.m.
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Are you sure you weren't "In the Navy" Frank?
Jun 10, 2011 at 2:21 p.m.
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Made me think of past 4H-Fair occurances, like when I was mistaken for a reporter and was taken to interview England Dan and John Ford Coley (They were late, never got the interviw but I had questions and a cassette tape ready.) But the most memorable was Chuck Berry Unplugged after he lost power yet kept playing. Maybe there should be a "That 70's Radio Show".
Jun 10, 2011 at 1:42 p.m.
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Barry White's "Can't Get Enough of Your Love Baby" brings me back to basic training, Lackland AFB, 1974.
Jun 10, 2011 at 1:08 p.m.
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What popped into my head first made me laugh. The DeFranco Family's "Heartbeat is a Love Beat"...reminds me of fighting the milk machine in the high school cafeteria and sharing a cheese sandwich with my best friend as we yakked and yakked. :)
Jun 10, 2011 at 10:43 a.m.
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It happens all the time to me.
For example, American Pie takes me vividy to the kitchen of the farm house I lived in as a youngster on a cold fall Saturday, 1971.
Jun 10, 2011 at 10:08 a.m.
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Music is how our culture reconnects with the past. When I hear songs from the 30's and 40's, it reminds me of my parents. Songs of the 60's/70's remind me of high school and Viet Nam. Occasionally a song will take me back to a place and time I'd long forgotten. Music indeed transcends all ages and walks of life.
Jun 10, 2011 at 9:24 a.m.
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"Music's what I need to keep my sanity." -- 311
Jun 10, 2011 at 9:03 a.m.
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Somewhere Over The Rainbow! It takes me back to the early sixties when they showed The Wizard of Oz around Christmas time. Dad and Mom were still alive and my sisters were still there. Brings tears but happiness for the childhood I knew.
Jun 10, 2011 at 8:58 a.m.
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Yes- When I hear Mr Mr I recall seeing them live with Belinda Carlile opening for them at Summerfest.
I cannot think of exact things right now w/o a time machine playing !)
I know exactly what you mean though.
Jun 10, 2011 at 8:50 a.m.
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If you really want to go back in time, check out WGEZ 1490 AM in Beloit. They play oldies from the 50's, 60's, 70's, and some 80's! They've been doing that for a few years. Not a big radio station, but I love the music! One of my favorites!
Jun 10, 2011 at 7:38 a.m.
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Mcarthur Park. And Somewhere Out There. Remind me of the times I had with my sister when she was still alive. Bitter sweet.
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