Define your life with 3 songs

Hottentot · 03-08-12, 07:58 AM

I've been thinking this for a while now, let's see if it goes anywhere. I happened to remember this funny thread and thought that since we seem to have lots of musical people in the crew, something similar could be done with the songs.

Therefore: define your life with three songs. Not necessarily your favorite songs or ones that you even listen to very often, but three songs that have something (music, lyrics, whatever) that make you think "yeah, that's so familiar."

Mine in no particular order:

. The whole "memento mori" feeling of that song resembles one of my fundamentals, namely that you can be a total bum under the bridge or Barack Freaking Obama, and still one day you will die, be buried like the rest and your headstone will likely look pretty much the same as those of the 1,000 guys next to you. So you might as well laugh at it.

. I'm the "call this guy" of my social circles when someone needs something, but not when someone wants to go and have a drink in a bar. You know, that pleasant guy who just doesn't know how to say "no". Lately (for the last few years) I have started filtering out people who do that, but I just can't get over my nature. That might also be why I do quite a lot of volunteer work, which rarely gets praised, but often is a reward in itself.

. mostly for the laughs, but partly true. I tend to drift from one place to another and rarely form long term contacts. I don't, for example, have any idea what my best childhood friends are doing nowadays, or even most of the guys I went to high school with. After four years of university I know plenty of nice people to hang around with, but I frankly don't think we'll be in much contact after we graduate.

flatsixes · 03-08-12, 08:41 AM

"Our House" (Madness) - Grew up in a big family, surrounded by big families, and have my own big family now. It's like living in a noisy sit-com 24/7, but it's where I'm happiest.

"I've Got the World on a String" (Sinatra) - After 347 years of marriage, I'm still in love with my wife. Luckiest guy I know.

"Redemption Songs" (Marley) - Just because.

Sailor Steve · 03-08-12, 09:57 AM

Oh crud. Only three. My whole life is wrapped up in music. Thirty at least. I've written more than three songs that define my life.

Hottentot · 03-08-12, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Oh crud. Only three. My whole life is wrapped up in music.

Yeah, when I was writing the OP, I actually thought of adding to the end "P.S.: Steve doesn't count", but was afraid you might take it the wrong way.

As long as I can edit my first post, the rules are not set in stone. List away.

MothBalls · 03-08-12, 12:35 PM

CCIP · 03-08-12, 12:37 PM

Well, I might bend the rules a little and post a list of 3 actual English songs, but because I'm me, the vast majority of songs that I hold close and that define me are Russian. So my first attempt is obviously going to be Russian songs

Along with a few lines from semi-functional translations to give you an idea of what the heck that's actually about...

Akvarium - 25 to 10

Quote:

I'm an engineer, for a hundred a month
And more I will never receive
I'm 25, and I still don't know
What it is I want or believe

And it seems to me that there is no cause
To be proud of the things that I've done
But if I could ever choose my own fate,
I would choose the same one

I'm not an engineer in the late-day Soviet society, and I'm a little older now, but other than that, this one is pretty self-explanatory

Still feel that way.

DDT - Born in the USSR ( )

Quote:

At first it was evening, then came I
Yesterday - words and wind, today - into earth
At the old graveyard, where enemies rose from the dead
I understood something, when I got up off the wrong foot

Not a second without a fight, we believe in life and death
Into the eyes of your dog we're not afraid to look
Today it's victory - understand and forgive
There's nothing left for us - but we have plenty to give

Everything about my life is, for better or worse, defined by my growing up in the collapsing Soviet society. It's always an unstraightforward relationship, and as much as it got rid of the terrible and unjust regime, it has also left me permanently nation-less and coloured my thinking about the world - in particular when it comes to certainties of society. So in a weird way, I'm proud to be a living fossil from a lost civilization. It's given me a more pragmatic, more humane view of the world that I treasure.

Ilya Chort - What a Day

Quote:

[Yaaaawn]
The city's all covered in white - hard to get any work done here
Squeezing tight against the heater, I keep it warm with my body
I wait till my friends show show up, set me up with some good stuff
But my friends were struck by laziness - quite the unsuccessful day!

City - hunger, city - wretch; naked butt is on TV...
The telephone's quiet as a corpse, heart is knocking at me now
In my fridge there's not a damn... hang myself?
Nah, couldn't be bothered... [yawn]

This is actually an intro poem that precedes the song, but otherwise... describes exactly how I feel on an average day in this cold season. Lack of energy? Lack of heat? Lack of money to buy food? Don't wanna leave the comfort of my blanket? You bet

Stealhead · 03-08-12, 01:52 PM

Pink: Floyd Learning to Fly

I just like the emotion of the song.

The Clash: Career Opportunities

Because I never really knew what I wanted to in high school for a career so I let the military pick one for me.And who really truly enjoys going to work every day and loves
every aspect of their job?

George Harrison: My Sweet Lord

It matches my religious/spiritual feelings

Cream: Tales of Brave Ulysses

My mother used to tell me ancient Greek, Babylonian and Persian mythology when I was young.

Just three songs is a bit limiting to anyone who is really into music but the OP says that 3 is not set in stone.

Chad · 03-08-12, 04:06 PM

The Kid's Aren't Alright - The Offspring

It explains my High School to a T.

The Anthem, part 2 - Blink 182

Drunken Lullabies - Flogging Molly

What I felt like doing after this stressful last weekend

TLAM Strike · 03-08-12, 04:52 PM

Osmium Steele · 03-09-12, 10:05 AM

Holy Crud, my life has a soundtrack constantly running behind it. I'll pick three highlights.

- Bill Withers

Pretty much my philosophy. Until you give me reason to feel otherwise, "I wish you flowers, sunshine and smiles."

- Joan Jett

I became a Runaways fan in 1978 after seeing them perform in an L.A. parking lot outside some bar. (Long story considering I was 13 and from Iowa) Joan was MY girl.

Fake Friends was released at a huge low point in my life stemming from my becoming persona non grata to almost every friend I had back home. It was all based on envy, lies, and innuendo, but I wasn't around to defend myself, so it spread and became "truth".

Once again, MY girl helped me heal. Seven years later, I got to tell her so in person.

- Orleans

20 years married to my best friend. 'Nuff said.

Harald_Lange · 03-09-12, 10:50 AM

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll - Ian Dury
Truth Hits Everybody - Police
Middledistancerunner - Chicane

03-09-12, 03:56 PM

Great thread.

Amazing Grace, by who ever can sing it.

Man of the world, Peter Green. Best opening line of any song, ever.

Who knows where the time goes, Sandy Denny

Penguin · 03-16-12, 11:37 AM

I second this, great idea for a thread.

I choose these songs - some may not be sfw:

/

Both songs are about staying true to yourself, sticking to your ideals, while not keeping stuck in the past or dogmatic thinking. Basically about the struggle between living in this society and still being able to look at yourself in the mirror.

About the people who left me behind, women who broke my heart, people I lost. A very dark piece, but it also contains a lot of energy.

Götz Alsmann - Ein kleiner Bär mit großen Ohren
This is only a sample of the song, a full version, closer to the original, can be heard . However Götz' version is more groovy.
A song about a little bear with big ears that is his talisman.
As the woman who is crazy enough to be together with me since 11.5 years is certainly a big part of my life, I'll include this. She gave me a little teddy to our first aniversary, which became my talisman, so this is our song. Yes, I am immasculine and kitschy like this!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidslotm

Amazing Grace, by who ever can sing it.

You may also like Mojo Nixon's cover of the song: . I would like this to be the song played at my funeral.

antikristuseke · 03-16-12, 01:46 PM

Steppenwolf - Born to be wild

Iron Maiden – Die With Your Boots On

Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son

Don't quite have the time to write an in depth explanation, but should be fairly self explanatory anyway.

Rockstar · 03-16-12, 03:33 PM

Gloom Despair and Agony On Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1okb5EIo1nw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The Police - Walking On The Moon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxAPmKLWIyA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Happy Happy Joy Joy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXSOD1N5lR4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

.

03-08-12, 07:58 AM	#1
Hottentot Sea Lord Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: My private socialist utopia of Finland Posts: 1,918 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Define your life with 3 songs I've been thinking this for a while now, let's see if it goes anywhere. I happened to remember this funny thread and thought that since we seem to have lots of musical people in the crew, something similar could be done with the songs. Therefore: define your life with three songs. Not necessarily your favorite songs or ones that you even listen to very often, but three songs that have something (music, lyrics, whatever) that make you think "yeah, that's so familiar." Mine in no particular order: . The whole "memento mori" feeling of that song resembles one of my fundamentals, namely that you can be a total bum under the bridge or Barack Freaking Obama, and still one day you will die, be buried like the rest and your headstone will likely look pretty much the same as those of the 1,000 guys next to you. So you might as well laugh at it. . I'm the "call this guy" of my social circles when someone needs something, but not when someone wants to go and have a drink in a bar. You know, that pleasant guy who just doesn't know how to say "no". Lately (for the last few years) I have started filtering out people who do that, but I just can't get over my nature. That might also be why I do quite a lot of volunteer work, which rarely gets praised, but often is a reward in itself. . mostly for the laughs, but partly true. I tend to drift from one place to another and rarely form long term contacts. I don't, for example, have any idea what my best childhood friends are doing nowadays, or even most of the guys I went to high school with. After four years of university I know plenty of nice people to hang around with, but I frankly don't think we'll be in much contact after we graduate. __________________ Хотели как лучше, а получилось как всегда.

03-08-12, 09:57 AM	#3
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Oh crud. Only three. My whole life is wrapped up in music. Thirty at least. I've written more than three songs that define my life. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

03-08-12, 04:06 PM	#8
Chad ACE Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,274 Downloads: 60 Uploads: 0	The Kid's Aren't Alright - The Offspring It explains my High School to a T. The Anthem, part 2 - Blink 182 Drunken Lullabies - Flogging Molly What I felt like doing after this stressful last weekend __________________

03-08-12, 04:52 PM	#9
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	__________________

03-09-12, 10:05 AM	#10
Osmium Steele Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Upper midwest USA Posts: 1,101 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	Holy Crud, my life has a soundtrack constantly running behind it. I'll pick three highlights. - Bill Withers Pretty much my philosophy. Until you give me reason to feel otherwise, "I wish you flowers, sunshine and smiles." - Joan Jett I became a Runaways fan in 1978 after seeing them perform in an L.A. parking lot outside some bar. (Long story considering I was 13 and from Iowa) Joan was MY girl. Fake Friends was released at a huge low point in my life stemming from my becoming persona non grata to almost every friend I had back home. It was all based on envy, lies, and innuendo, but I wasn't around to defend myself, so it spread and became "truth". Once again, MY girl helped me heal. Seven years later, I got to tell her so in person. - Orleans 20 years married to my best friend. 'Nuff said. __________________ In the month of July of the year 1348, between the feasts of St. Benedict and of St. Swithin, a strange thing came upon England... My U297 build thread

03-08-12, 08:41 AM	#2
flatsixes Weps Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 362 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	"Our House" (Madness) - Grew up in a big family, surrounded by big families, and have my own big family now. It's like living in a noisy sit-com 24/7, but it's where I'm happiest. "I've Got the World on a String" (Sinatra) - After 347 years of marriage, I'm still in love with my wife. Luckiest guy I know. "Redemption Songs" (Marley) - Just because.

03-08-12, 12:35 PM	#5
MothBalls Ace of the Deep Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,012 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0

03-08-12, 01:52 PM	#7
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Pink: Floyd Learning to Fly I just like the emotion of the song. The Clash: Career Opportunities Because I never really knew what I wanted to in high school for a career so I let the military pick one for me.And who really truly enjoys going to work every day and loves every aspect of their job? George Harrison: My Sweet Lord It matches my religious/spiritual feelings Cream: Tales of Brave Ulysses My mother used to tell me ancient Greek, Babylonian and Persian mythology when I was young. Just three songs is a bit limiting to anyone who is really into music but the OP says that 3 is not set in stone.

03-09-12, 10:50 AM	#11
Harald_Lange Ensign Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NY Harbour, Periscope depth. Posts: 235 Downloads: 160 Uploads: 0	Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll - Ian Dury Truth Hits Everybody - Police Middledistancerunner - Chicane

03-09-12, 03:56 PM	#12
sidslotm Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Great thread. Amazing Grace, by who ever can sing it. Man of the world, Peter Green. Best opening line of any song, ever. Who knows where the time goes, Sandy Denny

03-16-12, 01:46 PM	#14
antikristuseke Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Estland Posts: 4,330 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Steppenwolf - Born to be wild Iron Maiden – Die With Your Boots On Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son Don't quite have the time to write an in depth explanation, but should be fairly self explanatory anyway.

03-16-12, 03:33 PM	#15
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Gloom Despair and Agony On Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1okb5EIo1nw&feature=youtube_gdata_player The Police - Walking On The Moon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxAPmKLWIyA&feature=youtube_gdata_player Happy Happy Joy Joy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXSOD1N5lR4&feature=youtube_gdata_player . Last edited by Rockstar; 03-16-12 at 04:13 PM.