Stranded Away With Music
8 songs I’ll take with me on a desert island
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I was challenged by Susan Wheelock to share the songs I will take with me on a desert island. I thought it would be a great little list to write… until I started to overthink it.
Susan’s definition of a desert island resembles a nice vacation — and one with good music! My idea of being stranded away is closer to falling in love with a ball. Hopefully, you’ll know what I mean.
So, what music to bring, if it has to only be 8 songs for the rest of my life, or at least until I’m saved. Do I want meaningful songs that will remind me of people and places I love? Do I want happy songs for when I will be down? Or do I want to cheat the system and only choose long classical music pieces so that at least I have an hour of music with me?
I’ve decided to do a bit of the first two. Songs I love that make me feel something. Something I can dance on or belt out with no care about the neighbors, because if there were some it wouldn’t be deserted.
Here goes:
1 — Allez Reste by Boulevard des Airs & Vianney
I wanted a little French with me and this song is about the time that passes. The title means “come on stay” and the chorus can be translated to “come on, stay. Just stay a little longer, you and I getting old together”. The mistake is intentional and is part of the charm of the song.
Boulevard des Airs is a French group and Vianney is a French singer. If you are into French music, you should check them out.
2 — Beyond The Sea by Bobby Darin
This one seemed fun to add to a desert island playlist. I think it’s self explanatory. Stuck on an island, I would finally learn it by heart and start singing the correct lyrics. It will also be nice to have that bridge to listen to and enjoy the instruments.
Something you might not know is that the original version is French! La Mer is the original song, by Charles Trenet. Unlike Beyond The Sea, La Mer is a celebration of the sea. The orchestration is quite different too, both to enjoy without moderation.
3 — Die Happy by DREAMERS
This song doesn’t hold any specific meaning for me, I just like it. It makes me want to dance when I hear it. I suppose there are worst things than wanting to die happy stranded on an island.
4 — High Low by The Unlikely Candidates
Ah, there they are again. I discovered the group at the beginning of the year and they quickly become one of my favorite bands. It was hard to choose between High Low and Novocaine, I love both songs so much. But … High Low is more appropriate for the theme. Plus, I believe so many people can relate to the lyrics.
5 — Invisible String by Taylor Swift
I had to have Taylor Swift on the playlist. Picking the song was yet another dilemma, but Invisible String is a happy song about how things turn out for the best even if we can’t see the signs.
6 — The Last Goodbye by Billy Boyd
Well, this one breaks me every time so it would definitely be for the days without when I want to cry and sing at the same time.
More seriously, to this day, I believe it is one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard. Maybe it’s because I love the Lord Of The Rings movies, but beyond that, it’s hard not to feel a thing. A song about home, old friends, and letting go …
7 — Following The Sun by SUPER-HI & Neeka
I don’t know a single thing about that song besides the fact that I love it. It belongs in my top 5. It always makes me happy and makes me want to sing. I need it after the previous song!
8 — More Than A Feeling by Boston
I was planning on having another song as the last one, but I can’t help it. I will always sing this song as loud as possible with no care in the world.
Songs that almost made the list and that you should listen to if you have the chance because they are good:
- By Way Of The Sea — Israel Cannan
- Freedom — Jordan Hart (plus a beautiful heartbreaking and heartwarming video clip that didn’t make me cry at all)
- Headphones — I’m From Barcelona
- If We Never Met — John K
- My Type — Saint Motel
- Only Time Can Help Us — Daniel Docherty (another very cool video, and this time it’s happy!)
Check out Susan’s picks. I’d love to know which songs EllenEastwood would put on her desert island playlist!
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