Have you ever wondered what songs might appear on the soundtrack of your life? Albeit a moving target, and not as intensively contemplative as preparing a desert island playlist, I have always found it fun to speculate as to what deep tracks would appear on the playlist that is my life.
If the soundtrack were comparable to a film soundtrack in length, let’s say no longer than 12 songs, it becomes increasingly challenging to select songs for the various eras of my life thus far. I am hoping the some of the best songs are yet to come, but, in retrospect, it is possible to select the first handful of songs that speak of my journey to this point.
Sure there might be a childishly whimsical tune from Sesame Street, or even Early One Morning that catchy opening tune from the Friendly Giant, but beyond the early years, it was in my teens when I truly began to take notice of music; particularly what appealed to me on a personal level. This is where selecting the songs may come down to prioritizing favourite bands; after all, a great album needs variety.
For me, I would need to consider the Beatles, U2, Rush, Police, Big Country, ABBA, B-52s, Weezer, Vivaldi … the list becomes too wieldy and alas … this will not be a box set compilation. I become increasingly mindful of the musical conundrum of finding a playlist that pleases the common denominator of my musical tastes. How can I hone in on a body of work that has a broad appeal in speaking to so many aspects of my life? Over my head, I feel like a gypsy following dreams everywhere. Then, the epiphany comes!
The soundscape to most Saturday mornings in my home, especially when seeking to appease the wide palette of listeners at household gatherings, is a gem of an album that usually leaves no questions asked. Tonight, for the first time in my life, at Rexall Place, I will finally get to hear firsthand tracks from a well-known band whose songs hold me to ties from my youth. That band is Fleetwood Mac!
Many of their songs, with those catchy upbeat melodies, have been the soundscape to numerous events in my life. Selections from 1975-1988 Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits album have never failed to please. With more than 20 million copies sold, I suspect many of you have that delightful green covered CD in your collection. I have been to numerous other concerts, including most of my all-time favourite bands, but I am particularly excited to see this band that may very well, in a landslide vote, get one of their many hits on my soundtrack.
As for your personal soundtrack … you can go your own way, don’t stop! As long as you follow big love and are wary of occasional little lies, you may live to see seven wonders. Regardless if your name is Sara or Rhiannon or Diane, you make loving fun and say you love me when you think about me by sharing the music of your life’s soundtrack with me and others.
Hope you find all the song/album titles! If not, tsk tusk … there may be rumours or at the very least, second hand news. In any case, I will continue my tango in the night by thinking about more songs.
Tim Cusack is an educator, writer and member of the naval reserve.
