Exploring the Hidden Corners of My Music Collection

Music, in its diverse forms, can be a powerful expression of individuality. One of the most fascinating aspects of music is how it can reveal surprising facets of a person that those around us might not know. In this article, we delve into a few of the songs I secretly love, which might surprise some of the people who know me.

Bob Dylan - Positively 4th Street

Bob Dylan, the legendary singer-songwriter, has a treasure trove of songs that can capture complex emotions with raw honesty. Positively 4th Street is one such song. It’s a poignant and biting critique of the people who say they are your friends but distance themselves when you need them the most. The chorus, 'You’ve got a lotta nerve to say you are my friend / When I was down you just stood there grinnin’ / You’ve got a lotta nerve to say you got a helping hand to lend / You just want to be on the side that’s winnin’,' is especially revealing. I play this song and a few of my friends are taken aback by my vocal rendition, which is both teeming with frustration and toxic defiance. It’s my favorite ‘fuck-you’ song.

A Mix of Genres and Styles

My taste in music is eclectic. I don’t subscribe to being too cool for certain genres. My favorite bands often fall into the hard rock and progressive rock categories, but I equally enjoy John Denver’s gentle melodies, Fred Astaire’s Broadway show tunes, Fats Domino’s chamber music, Irish bands like The Dubliners, and the timeless classics of Neil Diamond. These genres, along with niche and less mainstream music, are all part of my unique musical tapestry.

O Fortuna - Carmina Burana

One of my favorite pieces of music that falls outside the typical genres is O Fortuna from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Written in 1936, this work has become iconic, especially as the theme music for films like ‘Excalibur.’ While I’m not a fan of Lou Reed, his song ‘Sally Can’t Dance’ features a snippet of this piece. Even though I don’t particularly enjoy Lou Reed’s work, it’s impossible not to be captivated by his song ‘Take a Walk on the Wild Side’: ‘Hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.’

Sir Mix-A-Lot - I Check My Bank

My small collection is not limited to classical and rock music. I Check My Bank, from the Trespass soundtrack, is a standout piece of hip-hop that resonates with me. The song’s powerful mantra in the chorus, “Word to the Tipper: rap won’t fall / Word to the bourgeois: fk all y’all,” is a statement that cuts through layers of societal expectations and barriers. It’s a song that speaks to my own experiences and beliefs. Tipper Gore, the wife of Al Gore who co-founded the Parents Music Resource Center in 1985, is referred to in the lyrics as a reference to those who try to police content. Reflecting on how rap music and its derivatives have only grown in influence 30 years after her efforts, the song carries a prescient edge.

A Timeless Gospel Classic

Another song that surprised even me is Oh Death by Charley Patton and Bertha Lee. This old-time gospel song, with its haunting melody and lyrics, is a piece of music that carries deep spiritual and existential weight. Despite not being particularly religious, it’s a tune that tugs at the heartstrings and evokes a profound sense of longing and acceptance. For a non-believer like me, its power lies in its ability to articulate feelings that go beyond mere religion: a universal human response to the unknown and the inevitable. I find it impossible to resist this song whenever it’s played.

Conclusion

Music is a deeply personal choice that can reveal much about a person’s inner world. The songs I’ve shared are a testament to the unexpected corners of my musical tastes. From Bob Dylan’s biting lyrics to Charley Patton’s spiritual anthem, each song tells a different story about me. If you know me, you’ll find these choices surprising, but that’s the beauty of music: it has the power to surprise, provoke, and reconnect us on a deeper level.