Today’s tag is a bit out of the ordinary… it asks me to reflect not only on books but music as well and, through those topics, reflect on my life in general! I’m stealing the Desert Island Discs tag from Joana @ Bookneeders, but adapting it somewhat to better reflect the original Desert Island Discs radio program.
I’ve never listened to the program – which, as far as I know, is broadcast in the UK but not here – but the concept behind it sounds cool. Basically, guests are asked to list eight albums, one book, and a inanimate luxury item that must be “of no use in escaping the island or allowing communication from outside,” according to Wikipedia. Additionally, guests are automatically provided the complete works of Shakespeare* and the Bible or another appropriate religious/philosophical text.
*I love Shakespeare, don’t get me wrong, but isn’t it a little presumptuous to include something from your own culture as though Western lit is the only canon you should draw from? I’ll never pass up the opportunity to roast the British for thinking that their biggest contribution to the world is anything other than the invention of, um, I don’t know, COLONIZATION?
When I found this tag, it asked the blogger to list five albums, buuuut that change didn’t make any sense to me so I’m booting the number of albums back up to the original eight!
Enjoy!
the albums.
In no particular order:
Citrine (EP) – Hayley Kiyoko
This album is sunshine and light and warmth to me. More happy wlw tunes in 2k18, please, Hayley? These songs are honestly SO reassuring + affirming to hear and always make me picture a happy future with my wife and two cats and some cute succulents all living in a lil house!
Listen here.
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars – David Bowie
Quite possibly my favorite album of all time. My dad raised me on Bowie’s music, so it reminds me of our relationship and I imagine it will continue to do so long after he’s gone. Ziggy Stardust may not contain my fave Bowie song, “Ashes to Ashes,” but I just had to include it here because every second of every track is intimately familiar to me; I’ve listened to it that often. At just under forty minutes, it really is the perfect length for listening without becoming bored or distracted while still offering enough variety among the songs.
Listen here.
Blue Neighbourhood – Troye Sivan
Sitting alone in my room at 3 AM listening to Blue Neighbourhood with tears dripping down my cheeks is like?? Mlm/wlw solidarity, right????? This is SUCH a lovely album for those times when you don’t really know how you feel and need the music to tell you: It’s got upbeat songs, melancholy songs, and everything in between.
Listen here.
Hozier – Hozier
His music just makes me feel… warm, I guess? Vulnerable. Even the more upbeat tracks on this self-titled album make me feel a little sad. And thoughtful. He’s only six years older than me and it’s like what am I even doing with my life?
Listen here.
Pan’s Labyrinth soundtrack – Javier Navarrete
Gorgeous and sad, this film score brings to mind the eeriest, most twisted of fairy tales. I’ve seen the movie enough times that each track brings to mind a specific scene. I love the lullaby melody that runs through it all. It’s a brutal, terrifying movie, but I like to think it taught me a lot about what it means to be curious, loyal, and brave.
Listen here.
Interstellar soundtrack – Hans Zimmer
Intensely lonely and urgent, that’s how I’d describe this. One of my friends once described it as “sad music about being stranded in another place and time, far away from your home, via science fiction means.” This is an album that both lulls you to sleep and explodes into the most dangerous emotion.
What is it with me and sad film scores?
Listen here.
This Side of Paradise (EP) – Hayley Kiyoko
“Girls Like Girls” is literally life-changing. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly three years since I first heard it. I love the entire EP, but this song is especially near and dear to me because it brings a feeling of such inner peace.
Listen here.
Greatest Hits I – Queen
Of all the music my parents raised me on, this album features prominently in my earliest musical memories. The ultimate road trip music, no? I was so tickled to find it mentioned in Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens as the album any cassette tape (how quaint!) left in a car for more than two weeks inexplicably transforms into. Because of course: What else could it be?
Listen here.
the book.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and choose a book that isn’t my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE, but is ONE of my favorites. Because, let’s face it, my favorite – The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily Danforth – is pretty dang depressing. Beautiful, but definitely depressing.
And that’s not really what I should be reading while all alone on an island, now is it?
E. Lockhart’s The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, on the other hand, is much more suited to my island adventure. Sure, it has serious parts too, but there’s a wonderful streak of humor and feminine badassery running through it all. And what a great spirit of exploration! Frankie has such a take-charge-and-give-no-shits-about-what-others-think attitude.
the item.
Oh, this is a hard one… I think I’ll choose a camera? Like, a really nice one with all sorts of lens and filters and shit. If I’m going to be stranded on an island with only some music and a few books, I may as well fill the rest of my overly-abundant free time by making art.
This better be a big island or I’ll soon run out of subjects for my photos.
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I’m tagging:
- whimsywriter3 @ Rambling Writer
- Kate @ The Magic Violinist
- Boquinha & Dr. Mark @ Sushi and Pizza
- Holly @ Nut Free Nerd
- Mahima @ The Controversies
- Orphu @ A Mirror Made of Words
- Evi @ Adventuring Through Pages
- Eve @ Twist in the Taile
- Alicia @ A Kernel of Nonsense
- Alli @ Eclectic Alli
- Emily @ Loony Literate
- Elm @ Just Call Me Elm Or Something
- Em @ Yellow’s The Word
- Alex @ Alexandrina Brant
- Matt @ The Little Engine That Couldn’t
- Thomas @ The Quiet Voice
- Shanti & Shar @ Virtually Read
And as always, feel free to participate whether or not I tagged you. (Or ignore this tag, if you so choose.)
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What would you take with you to a desert island? Why?
Musings From Neville's Navel 