Every morning, I awaken and turn on the radio with one of those newfangled smart speakers connected to my house's Sonos system. I ask it to play some music I like, and it comes up with a set of songs that I may have asked it to play over the time that Alexa and I have had this strange relationship.

So, in this blog, I intend to discuss some music that has actually meant something to me over my almost sixty-five years on this planet.

Youth

I went to school in the seventies but grew up in the sixties. My big sister Christine and her now-husband Don were rock and rollers and did the "jive." They played their records in my mum's "parlour," and I listened to Elvis, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly until the Beatles, PJ Proby, and the Rolling Stones made the hit parade.

My Bother in Law -Don Dolby holding the snooker cue (circa 1970)

By the time I was in secondary school at Evelyn's in the borough of Hillingdon, we had Marc Bolan (T-Rex) and the rise of glam rock. The Glitter band and the now-infamous lead singer conned us all into being in his gang, and Jimmy Saville presented "Top of the Pops," telling us all that he could "fix it." But music continued with the likes of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, and my favourite band became the Moody Blues.

How many can you name?

Teens and Twenty Something

In my service years, disco came into our lives with Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, and ABBA. Sales began to phenomenally take off into the eighties after their 1974 Eurovision win, singing about Waterloo Station?

How many times have you been here?

George Michael’s "Faith" album accompanied me to Canada, and as my kids began to grow up, records and tapes, CDs and mini discs were choices to have a music collection. The money I spent on these things. I could have been a millionaire with the money I spent on music media and audio systems to play it all on too.

Anyone still got any of these ?

30 and 40 and love

Music and Music systems, I must admit, dominated my life outside of work and these years in the Royal Navy would have been be around the years 1986 to 1996, but here are some songs from collection that accompanied me on my trips abroad and through my time as the executive warrant officer at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships from 1997 to 2004 and they still keep me sane today.

  1. "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" by Don McLean (1971) - Inspired by the life of artist Vincent van Gogh, this folk song is known for its emotional depth and storytelling and people still think its about me!
  2. "La Grange" by Z Z Top (1973) - A bluesy rock track with a sultry vibe, how how how how!
  3. "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses (1987) - A classic rock anthem with an iconic guitar riff. An ode to the borth of my children and grandchildren.
  4. "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi (1986) - A rock anthem that became a cultural phenomenon and to my young sister in America, love you Sal!
  5. "Like a Prayer" by Madonna (1989) - A pop hit with a memorable chorus and controversial music video - she is still the sexiest!
  6. "Every Breath You Take" by The Police (1983) - A chart-topping ballad with Sting's distinctive vocals.
  7. "Take On Me" by A-ha (1985) - An iconic synth-pop hit with an unforgettable music video.
  8. "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie (1981) - A collaborative masterpiece with powerful vocals and keeps me sane through the pressures of the work I do.
  9. "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner (1984) - A rock ballad that became a classic love song. I wish I knew, perhaps I do!!
  10. "Stars" by Simply Red (1989) - A soulful and mellow hit from the late '80s - I played this always in my DJ years.

Ok, these songs represent a mix of rock, pop, and other genres that were popular during the late '80s and early '90s, capturing the musical landscape of my age range. But.you know how lucky the youth of today are being able to stream any song they want at the drop of an "Alexa play"…

The Now

How lucky we all are now when we, now getting older, can't remember who sang that song we know but can't exactly recall who sang it and when it was released. Then we simply pull out the "Shazam" app, and it listens and says who it is - who needs a memory!

I am what they call a "baby boomer." If you don't know what that is, a baby boomer refers to a person who was born during the post-World War II baby boom, which occurred between the mid-1940s and the early 1960s. The term "baby boomer" is commonly used to describe individuals born in the demographic post-war boom, a period characterised by a significant increase in birth rates. We "baby boomers" have had a substantial impact on social, economic, and cultural developments as we have progressed through different stages of life, from childhood to adulthood and into retirement.

The specific years that define the baby boomer generation may vary slightly, but it generally includes those born between 1946 and 1964.

So, if you are like me and classed in this way, say "Alexa, Play Boom Radio."

Boom Radio (also Boom Radio UK) is an independent, commercial, national radio station in the United Kingdom. Owned by Boom Radio Ltd, the station is aimed at baby boomers, people like me and the DJs work from home, just like me.

Other readers were born in the eighties and nineties, and so you are not left out - if you were born in the 1980s, you would be referred to as "Generation X."

Some sources may also use terms like "Millennials" for individuals born in the 1980s and the early 1990s, and individuals born in the early 2000s are often referred to as part of Generation Z. Generation Z typically includes those born in the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. Any “Z” people out there, they invariably listen to Capital Radio, and I have read that 58% of those who tune in to Capital are aged between 15-34 and make up the main target audience for the station.

Gen Zs are often characterised by their familiarity and comfort with digital technology, as they have grown up in a world where smartphones, social media, and other digital technologies are prevalent. I know this as I have bought enough things to work with these people, my inherited daughters, my grandchildren even, and as I say, I could have been a millionaire by now if I wasn't so generous by nature.

But all in all, I enjoy music. Without music, life would be boring, and so here is my top ten playlist of songs favoured during my life and intimated through this blog article. - “Alexa, play Vince’s playlist.”

  1. Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet)," which was released in 1957 recorded by Jackie Wilson and probably heard for the first time in our mum”s parlour.
  2. Hey Jude" was released in 1968 and written by Paul McCartney. It topped the charts in multiple countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. The song spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. It became one of The Beatles' best-selling singles and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most enduring songs in popular music history. It was the one of the first songs I learned on the guitar along with “Let it Be”.
  3. "Bohemian Rhapsody" was released in 1975 and written by Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist of Queen. The song is known for its unique structure, blending rock, ballad, and opera elements. It was a chart-topping success in multiple countries and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. "Bohemian Rhapsody" earned critical acclaim for its innovation and artistic ambition. Who hasn’t got this record somewhere in their collection?
  4. “The Secrets That You Keep" is a song by the British glam rock band Mud. It was released as a single in 1975. Mud was a popular glam rock group in the 1970s and had several hit songs during that time such as that great dance we did at the school disco during “Tiger Feet”.
  5. Billie Jean" was released in 1983 as part of Michael Jackson's album "Thriller." The song topped the charts worldwide, including the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. "Billie Jean" is known for its distinctive bassline, memorable lyrics, and Michael Jackson's electrifying performance. The accompanying music video, featuring Jackson's signature moonwalk, also played a crucial role in the song's success. I remember staying up late when MJ announced that a new video called “Thriller” was to be aired on TV - wow !!
  6. True Colors" is a song written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. The most well-known version of the song was performed by Cyndi Lauper, released as a single in 1986 and was the title track of her second album. The song became one of Cyndi Lauper's signature hits, known for its emotive lyrics and powerful vocals. I always had a thing for Cyndi, Debbie and Suzie - the list goes on….
  7. For you Gen Xs, I pick a song that often stands out as iconic and highly successful from the 1990s and that is "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana - actually release in 1991 as the lead single from Nirvana's second album, "Nevermind," "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is often credited with bringing grunge and alternative rock to mainstream attention, I always thought the chorus went “Emma Taylor, can you hear me” - I don’t think so these days 🙁
  8. “Baby One More Time" was the debut single by American pop singer Britney Spears. It was released in 1998 and the song catapulted Britney Spears to international stardom and is widely regarded as one of the most iconic pop songs of the late 1990s. Although it launched Britney Spears into superstardom and influenced the direction of pop music for years to come. Shame it’s her sister who is a so called a “celebrity” now , probably earning the nickname "Jamie Lynn Tears" with her next release probably being “I want to go home” .
  9. As I now work from home and affiliated to a West Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce I suppose I should mention good old Ed Sheeran who was born on February 17, 1991, in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. I think the best songs came about played in our house by the girls especially Catherine and it was with the release of his debut studio album, "+," in 2011. The album included hits like "The A Team" and "Lego House." Whilst our country girl, Rachel went from a “Barbie girl” to Carrie Underwood known for her powerful vocals and success in the genre. One of her notable songs is "Before He Cheats." Released in 2006, and was sung constantly from her bedroom and on the PS 2 “Singster”; again, I could have been a millionaire !
  10. So it brings me to the end of my playlist and I suppose I should mention another British folk and indie rock sound artist often characterized by intricate guitar work and reflective, atmospheric compositions. Yes Craig, it’s Ben Howard, whose debut album, "Every Kingdom," was released in 2011 and received critical acclaim. The album includes popular tracks like "Keep Your Head Up" and "The Wolves."

There are, of course so many music tracks that I love and people I could mention who probably agree with me on the play list chosen above. I hope you are inspired to listen to these songs or say “Alexa play me some music I would like”.

Poem

Of ballads and baby boomers,
Of Fleetwood Mac and that album, “Rumours”.
Living through Beatles tunes and Dylan's times,
“Can’t fight the moonlight” by LeeAn Rimes

Millennials dance to “Britney bitch!”
"Baby One More Time," Darius’s “pop stars” pitch
Now Ed Sheeran strums, a modern sound,
In Albums of “sums”; the £££’s abound

Onto Gen X, with grunge of some kind,
"Smells Like Teen Spirit," Nevermind
Fads and Dads deal with other mess
Justin Bieber and JLS

Now Generation Z, tech-savvy and fun
When Adele arrives, with 21
Rachel a "Barbie Girl," a playful spin,
Meets Craig and Ben Howard where dreams begin.

Through my life, rock, pop, ages, melodies unfold,
Elvis & Buddy, Spandau’s “Gold”
Donny & Cliff still crooning soft
Teresa’s Bay City Rollers, get those scarfs aloft

Whilst my 80s boy, loves 10cc
Johnny Cash and Morrissey
Simon and Garfunkel, turns on “Rock”
No more records, CDs or iPod dock

It Almost time to pick my final three -No Doubt?
One plays you in and the other fades out
“Goodbye my lover”, "Take on me…"
Wake and “Go Go” now, to Sudden Lee-On-Sea!

 

Harmonies Through the Ages: A Musical Tapestry Unraveled in Time