Songbook

What does Bruce Springsteen, Nelly Furtado, Rod Stewart, Ani DiFranco, Ben Folds Five, The Velvelettes, and The Avalanches have to do with each other?  Well, Nick Hornby (an English writer) shares why these bands/singers influenced him over the ages in his book Songbook.  This book was suggested by an RA based on a class he took as a prerequisite for his music business program.  Hornby’s book presents thirty-one short essays, each one delves into a song that plays some integral role in his life.  For example, he wishes that he lost his virginity to the song “Samba Pa Ti,” an instrumental, rather than to Rod Stewart’s Smiler album.  Each essay shares a bit about the popularity of the time and how it influenced the record business.  His diverse review of songs and connections to his own life growing up demonstrates just how impactful music is in our society.  It is the universal language that cuts socio-economic barriers, language differences, and career tracks.  This is a must read for those music aficionados who just can’t get enough historical contexts and impacts on our society.  In many ways it was a blast to the past for me as Hornby is in the same age range as myself and many of the songs he referred to in the book were the same songs I listened to growing up.  Amazing how a song can bring you back to a moment.  I can still see Tammy Griswold standing in front of the TV screaming “Steve Perry” when MTV played “When the Lights Go Down in the City” or Melissa Osborne smiling every time the Police sang “Every Breath You Take” or John Church going crazy when the "Beat Goes On" by the Kings played.  For the songs I love, I hear it and I remember a context for it.  Great concept and certainly will make you create a listing of “those songs” for you after reading it.