I originally did this post on my Genealogy site due to a weekly meme that another blogger creates on Saturdays, but I thought it was a good post to get people to think about their answers. I won't make you go visit my site to read it, since it's not that exciting unless you're into family history research, though I'm not stopping you.
1. What is your all-time favorite song? Yep, number 1. It's hard to choose sometimes. If you made your favorite all-time Top 40 music selections, what would be #1?
2. Tell us about it. Why is it a favorite? Do you have special memories attached to this song?
My favorite song of all-time is a pretty simple choice. It's something I have thought about in the past. It seems I'm constantly trying to figure out my favorite musicians and songs. Overall, it's a tough thing to choose, but my Top 1 or 2 are usually pretty well cemented. My taste in music is probably a lot heavier than most of the genealogy community, but even though my favorite band is pretty heavy, the song is not.
My all-time favorite song is “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica. Metallica has been my favorite band since I started to enjoy music. I remember listening to them on my older brother's cassette tapes in the 1980s (Master of Puppets.) When I came into my own, musically, at about 11 or 12, it was some of the first music I bought.
Now, I know what you're thinking. Metallica? So this must be some heavy metal song about worshiping the devil or something, right? Not even close. Due to the fact that Metallica has very few songs mentioning the devil and none of those actually say anything about worshiping him, that's unlikely. “Nothing Else Matters” is actually a very slow and melodic song. According to Wikipedia, “some say it meant that “no matter how far” away he [singer, James Hetfield] was, he was still “so close” with the heart.”
I originally enjoyed the song because I liked how it sounded and I liked the lyrics. It felt like it had a lot of emotion behind it. When I heard it on the radio in April of 1999, the song gained new meaning. I was sitting in my father's truck on a chilly, rainy April morning outside of St. Francis-Borgia church in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. I was waiting for my grandfather's funeral procession and the song came on the radio. I felt I was holding my emotions pretty steady for most of the day, but that song seemed to force me to let it all out.
I bet some of you would even enjoy the song. I even have a link that will allow you to listen to it, so you can make your own assessment. Who knows? Maybe you'll even like it. Listen to it here.
So, what is your all-time favorite song and why?
You may hate it because it’s not YOUR version, so to speak, but I knew the version of that song done by Apocalyptica before I knew the original, and Apo’s version still sets my skin to gooseflesh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbTozgoj9OQ
As to my very favourite song ever … I gotta do some thinking, but honestly, the one I just linked is up there.
OOh, that is a tough question. One I certainly am struggling to find an answer for. I have a lot of songs I like, but trying to pick an all-time favorite… hmmm.
Well, in mulling over that question, the song that keeps coming to mind is “Serenity” by Godsmack. I enjoy the melody and drums of the song and often am in need of serenity myself. That song has certainly calmed me on numerous occasions.
Fitting, I suppose, considering the type of work I do and the fact that I want that tattooed on my back. 😉
But, the OTHER song that keeps coming to mind is “Summertime Blues” (I know The Who has a version, as does Alan Jackson, but I honestly don’t know who sings the original anymore.)
“Summertime Blues” has fond memories of my father and I dancing to that song when I was little.
@CC – Oh I really like Apocalyptica’s version as well (and believe Sideshow does too, but I’ll let him answer you). 🙂
I really did like when Metallica incorporated the orchestra. I may love heavy music, but I also appreciate other forms as well, especially classical.
@CC Yes, I love that version, too. I love all the versions I’ve heard. From Apocalyptica to Metallica’s “Elevator Version” to the cover by Joe Lynn and others to the Harptallica cover.