Music – its one of those things that most of us have in our daily life in one way or another. Whether you listen to your iPod on the morning train, have a radio playing in the background of your office at work, or have your iTunes running while you are working at the computer, it’s rare that music isn’t deeply instilled into one’s life. I find when I hear a familiar tune, a memory is sparked of when I heard it through my travels, and I’m instantly teleported to a different country, reliving that time in my life. It’s such a great experience. So here’s my list of top songs that spark memories within me, from around the globe.
“Zombie” – Cranberries
This song takes me back to Bangkok and Cambodia from late 2011. It was our first morning in Bangkok after we’d landed, me and my friend Jimmy were walking around the local streets as we were waiting for a tour. As we neared the end of one particular street we saw a group of 5 or 6 Thai people, sitting out on the street, eating breakfast and singing. It wasn’t until we got closer that we realised they were singing ‘Zombie’ by the Cranberries – in broken English, but we still understood the song.
A few days later we met up with a group as we travelled through Cambodia, and shared the story with them, which inspired one of the tour members to sing it at karaoke in Siem Reap.
Now whenever I hear the song, or someone references it, those 2 memories pop into my head, making me smile.
A temple within Wat Po, Bangkok
“On the Floor” – Jennifer Lopez
I know what you are thinking… ‘Really Wez? J-Lo? You listen to J-Lo? I used to have respect for you.’ Allow me to explain and at least gain a tiny bit of respect back.
I was in Cork, Ireland, visiting a few friends of mine, on my round the world trip of 2010. It was my last night in Cork, and my mate and I decided to have a big last hurrah before I continued on my travels, so we went out that night. At one of the clubs we were having a few drinks and dancing at, a song/beat came on, and it stuck with me. Now I think it was before J-Lo’s song came out, so I think the DJ was playing the song that J-Lo’s song is sampled off, but I can’t be certain.
That backing song sparks memories of fun times in Ireland, dancing, drinking with my mate (Aussies and Irish as drinking buddies are never a good mix), causing mischief throughout the night, and also calling mutual friends back in Australia at 4am (Ireland time). It was a very fun night.
Old Fort Wall near Cork, Ireland
“Like a G6″ – Far East Movement
I know I know, another song you wouldn’t think I’d be listening to. But this one teleports me to Hawaii, 2010. I had my Mustang convertible as my hire car, had the top down, radio cranking, and was just cruising around the island of O’ahu. This song had just been released, so I think I must have heard it on the radio about 8 times within 2 days.
Now I admit, I dont really like the last 2 songs that I listed, but I think they are made bearable when I hear them, just because of the great memories attached with them.
Sunset over Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Hamish & Andy Podcast
This technically isn’t a song, and for most non-Australians, you won’t even know who Hamish & Andy are. They are radio hosts back in Australia, and I find them hilarious. The podcast is of their daily afternoon show (well now it’s only once a week).
When I was in Scotland, I jumped in the car, put my iPod and headphones on, and drove around Loch Ness, famous for Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. I was in my own little world all day, checking out the amazing scenery, stopping to take photos to add to my collection, spending as long as I wanted in places, and driving whichever direction took my fancy at the time, all with the sounds and humour of home playing in my ears.
View from the top of a mountain in Scotland
Music has the power to bring up memories of almost forgotten times and places, and I’m glad these songs remind me of such good times and destinations.
Thanks to Deej from The World of Deej for tagging me in this music inspired post.
I’m passing the torch on, and tagging Cailin O’Neil from Travel Yourself, Steve from Qi Ranger, Mike from The Art of Backpacking, Steph from Twenty-Something Travel, Liz from L’appel Du Vide, and Kate from Adventurous Kate to tell us what memories are stirred up for them by music.
What music brings back memories for you?
Wez loves taking landscape and travel photographs, and sharing these as inspiration to travel. He has a goal to visit every Hard Rock Cafe in the world and have a shot in each of them. He can also eat nearly anything, and will try most things at least once.
Tagged as:
Bangkok,
hawaii,
ireland,
memories,
music,
scotland
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Clearly you just wanted to dig yourself a hole didn’t you.
Then again Whenever Wherever by Shakira or When We Dance by Sting reminds me of Barcelona when I went with school. There were dance classes in the courtyard some days and they always played Whenever Wherever. My friend Mike introduced me to Sting – okay so I was already aware of some of his music but Mike played me the whole of Ten Summoners Tales and When We Dance is just glued to my brain as part of that trip.
Amsterdam – I just keep singing “Tulips from Amsterdam” there was a song that we heard like everywhere but it was a Dutch band I think so I didn’t remember it that well.
Haha yeah it seems that way, but that’s alright, I can take the slack. But it’s true, those are my most remembered songs.
Sting is alright, Shakira…well now I have that song stuck in my head, which is quite unfortunate. They sound like good memories to have connected to those songs though.