Jemma Galbraith’s Playlist
You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
As soon as I hear the opening bars of this song it instantly transports me into the back seat of the car with my two younger brothers, squeezed in amongst everything but the kitchen sink and using our pillows as instruments as we played and sung along (most likely drove my parents crazy) on long road trips to holiday in France.
Super Trouper – ABBA
My little girl has just turned 5 and become obsessed with the movie Mamma Mia, singing her way through the day and, although she can give a pretty good rendition of all of the tracks, this is one of her favourites. Hearing her sing it takes me back to nights out as a teenager singing and dancing with old friends, not a worry in the world. I see the same careless abandon in her when she’s singing and dancing and it’s a great reminder to enjoy music and to always dance like no-ones watching.
Forever – CHVRCHES
This is one of my favourite songs from a favourite band. Their songs remind me of a recent house move which was one of those big turning points in life, a period of major change. I listened to their albums on repeat again and again as I packed up the house and already they take me back to how I felt in those moments, apprehensive about getting everything I needed to done but excited about the future and what the changes may bring.
Greatest Day – Take That
This song reminds me of a very special friend who passed away a few years ago. I’ll never forget singing along to this with her at the last concert we were at together. It triggers mixed emotions, but mostly takes me back to the feeling in that moment dancing together, all hot and sweaty. The confetti from the paper canons sticking to us, singing our hearts out as close to the band as we could get with the music vibrating up through our feet – very special times.
Fairytale of New York – The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl
I love this song, it brings back memories of getting ready to go out at uni before we all went our separate ways heading home for the holidays. We were all in the Christmas spirit, making the most of our time together and excited to see where the night took us… the magic of Christmas!
