The adrenalin rush of the thunderclap from Icelandic football fans. The guitar intro to Alternative Ulster by Stiff Little Fingers. Kurt Cobain’s anger on the Nirvana anthem Smells Like Teen Spirit.

And what about John Bonhams bombastic drums on When the Levee Breaks ? Sound has a real strength and songs have unforgettable moments. What’s yours ? 

Music has a power to ignite and heal. Rewind to the ’80s. A charity single aimed at raising money for famine relief in Ethiopia. Pop and rock stars of the day including the Durans, Spandau, Quo, Sting, Bono and not forgetting Bananarama crammed into Sarm West studio in London.

Songwriters Bob Geldof and Midge Ure realised they didn’t have a nice little charity single on their hands but a major pop record when George Michael and Boy George laid down their vocal tracks on Do They Know it’s Christmas.

The song raised millions and the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium followed. Bono becoming Bono. Freddy’s Big Night Out. And Geldof salutes ‘The lesson today is how to die’. History was made. The power of music.

The shelves in my local library are full of music related books. Lately I’ve read biographies by Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing and the Russian classical composer, Prokofiev. Complete contrasts ? Prokofiev has his lighter moments but listen to Dance of the Pagan Master. That’s Heavy Metal from way back.

You’ll also find a bit of Prokofiev in Greg Lakes I Believe in Father Christmas. Check out the horse drawn sleigh in Troika. Wonderful sound. What am I saying here ?

Well, not only do we want to listen to music, but read about it and talk about it. That’s the power of music.

Of course, we all have our own tastes and top ten lists. But music is a leveller, and it can be used to sum up our feelings at any given moment.

After the England football team were beaten in the Euro ’96 semi-finals Walk Away by Cast was played on TV over pictures of the manager Terry Venables head down, hands in pockets walking down the touch line knowing this was probably his last match in charge.

In that team Geordies Gazza and Shearer stood tall. But football didn’t come home that day. 

The internet in the late ’90s. Is that when music started to lose its value? I’m not talking about value that rings the till. More of a value that can be considered important. Even cherished.

In interviews guitarist Noel Gallagher talked of Oasis not being the most popular band in the ’90s, but the most important. Blur might have something to say on that one, but they never had quarter of a million at Knebworth.

What is the attraction of music? Some songs have great stories. You’ll have your own favourites like the first records you bought. The songs that marked important moments in your life. The inspiration behind them, who wrote the lyrics and what it means to you.

And finally, your funeral song. Yep, some people have their favourites ready for when they finally check out. Music really is the soundtrack to our lives. From beginning to the end.

Well the music is your special friend. Dance on fire as it intends 

Music is your only friend. Until the end.  (Jim Morrison, When the Music’s Over). 

Gary Alikivi   October 2018.

Recommended:

1980 The Year Metal was Forged on Tyneside   11th Feb. 2018.

Rockin’ All Over the Toon  22nd May 2018.

Rockin’ All Over the Toon Again  14th Sept. 2018.

When the Music’s (not) Over 24th Sept. 2018.

For more Tyneside stories why not subscribe to the ALIKIVI You Tube channel.