Monday, March 10, 2008

Love is Here: Music Meme


I came across a great meme on Geoffrey Philip’s blog. Geoffrey asked selected bloggers to name five songs that they would have in their iPod If they were stranded on a desert island. Now, I’ll admit that this is a very difficult selection process; however, I was able to come up with some old favorites that I can listen to over and over again.

First on my list of songs is, Oh happy Day by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. This is a song that I’ve loved since I was a child. It’s a song that expresses joy and perpetual gratitude to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for washing our sins away -- Oh Happy Day!

Second on my list is the song, Love is Here, a beautiful 70s Soul ballad sung by a group out of Philadelphia called, The Futures. This was also my wedding song. There were only a few people at my wedding who knew the song because the song is over 30 years old. Also, over half of the people attending my wedding were from Africa and the Caribbean. Some of them know American Soul music very well, but Love is Here is a rare gem.



Third on my list is one of my favorite songs of all time, Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding. It’s just a feel good song that I love to sing. My favorite part of the song is the whistling at the end. Yeah, that's everyone's favorite part.




Fourth on my list is by the 70s group, War. The song is called, City, Country, City. It’s an instrumental and a classic in my book. I love the way it starts off with slow, crooning harmonica and tapping bongos.

The Last song on my list is a hip hop classic called, Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force. It just takes me back to when I was a teenager and a self proclaimed B-Boy in the 1980s. Man, I was funky fresh! I had moves that you wouldn’t believe. Now, I can barely turn around too fast without spraining something.


Honorable Mentions:
Any song from Marvin Gayes classic album, What’s Going On and some Brenda Fassie.

Anyway, this concludes my list of songs I would carry with me on a desert island. Now, I just need to purchase an iPod. I know. I’m so behind the times.



19 comments:

Geoffrey Philp said...

Stephen, this is a great list. I sure going to try to get City, Country, City and Love is Here.

Kai said...

thats really cool..

Anonymous said...

Luv the list, I'm going to do the music meme to since I"m sitting here now adding songs to my mp3 player.

Aly Cat 121 said...

you brought me back to my childhood with the Oh Happy Day. I can hear the sistahs singing in the church choir now. *singing* "ohhh happy day, ohhh happy daaay, when Jesus washed, when Jesus waaaaashed" *chuckle*

Fabrizio said...

Ehy B-Stephen!
R U a fan of the Old School? :-D

Totally approve your playlist.

If I have to be added in the cast of Lost, I hope to be with you. So I'll listen to good music!!!

AHAH!!

Fab

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Five? Only five? There are too many songs, from too many countries to choose from. I think I would learn to swim so I can swim away from that island!! And I don't even own an IPod. Yes, I'd learn to swim.

Crankyputz said...

Good picks, though I suspect that Happy Day would get a wee bit annoying when your stranded on a desserted island.

I saw Gregorry Issacs last night...he was sooo good.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Geoffrey-
yes, you will love that song by War. Let me know if you can't find The Futures.

Kai-
Yes, so cool. :)

Choklate-
I'll check to see what you have.

Aly-
yes, I love that song. There are many other old Gospel favs, but that is one of my favorite.

Fab-
Ahh...I knew that you were a soul brother. :)

GG-
Haa haa! I know. I wouldn't want to listen to any music. I'd be busy throwing up smoke signals. :)

Cranky-
I never get tired of that song. :)Cool. I love G. Issacs. That's a smooth brother.

Cergie said...

Bonjour Stephen,

I do like "Oh happy Day" too, of course, however I prefer "swing low sweet charriot", maybe because it is more... slow and swinging, like a sweet lullaby

Stephen, I was tagged and at my turn, if you don't mind, I tagged you. It is not difficult that time, just write a six word memoir, and if you wish to, publish a picture
I posted the tag on my blog Cergipontin :

In Between

See you soon

Chers

Rethabile said...

Yep. put on some Brenda Fassie, bro. And let's jam.

NML/Natalie said...

Wow! You don't own an ipod! Even my ma has one ;-) Great choices of songs. I don't know if I could choose 5!

NML/Natalie said...

ps I tried to email you the other day and I got bounce back!

Stephen A. Bess said...

Cergie- Yes, that's my song. Swing Low is a little past my time though. I will participate in your tag. Perhaps I'll post by Friday.

Rethabile-
Yes, I love Brenda. I watch her old videos on YouTube all the time. Weekend Special!

NML-
I'm pitiful, huh? :)I will get it together this year.

African girl, American world said...

Steve, you're such an old soul. reminds me of my husband...if he could, he would time freeze the 70's...he loves all music from that era with his 35 yr old self.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Mwabi-
That's so true. I love the music of the 60s and 70s. That era of music is so pure to me. Good to see your face.

M. Akamau said...

Stephen,
I don't have an iPod, either. I didn't have cell phone either, until recently. My husband started a new job, and he got a new cell phone/computer/camera/you-name-it(!), and gave me his old cell phone and kept the plan. I only use it to call him, really, when I'm out and about. It's not that I don't like all this new technology -- I do! I could sit for an hour and play on my husbnand's new cell phone/all-in-one, but I'm striving for a simpler life. Don't make me get on my soap box about how the things we THINK make our lives simpler and more convenient really make our lives more complicated and more encumbered (I SAID don't get me started!):) We must be related down the line somewhere...kindred siblings, for sure.

Grace,
Michele

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking of a song by Lou Rawls called "Tobacco Road". I love that song.

:)

Rent Party said...

This is actually the most challenging meme I've ever seen. I'll have to think about it seriously!!!

changeseeker said...

I love this meme, too, Stephen. And it's the kind that won't leave you alone either, I betcha. I'm really feelin' you on "Oh, Happy Day." That might be on my list, as well. Along with which others, I wonder...?

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