For those unfamiliar, Desert Island Discs is a show on English radio that asks actors, celebrities, musicians and politicians the classical question, if you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you?
The idea is that you are a castaway on a desert island. The show predates modern musical conventions, so the basic rules are you have eight records with you containing eight songs. Potentially, these are the only music you'll listen to for the rest of your life, so you need to choose carefully. Take some time to explain your choices as well, as they probably have great meaning. If you can find one, some links might be nice too.
You're also allowed to take one book with you. In order to inspire more original choices, the island already assumes that present on the island already is a copy of the Bible (or other book of religious or spiritual meaning) and the Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
Finally, you can choose one inanimate luxury to take with you that cannot have any survival or rescue value.
So to review, post in the topic with you:
- Eight song choices [*]One book (not counting The Bible or The Complete Works of William Shakespeare) [*]One inanimate luxury with no survival or rescue value. [*]Explain your choices.
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I suppose I should go first what with this being my idea and all.
Srol's Desert Island Discs
1. The 1812 Overture
Composed by: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performed by: The London Symphony Orchestra
The 1812 Overture has always been one of my favorite classical pieces ever since my school orchestra performed it in high school. I love how the different movements play out the battle between Napoleon and the Russians, and given how long it is, I think it would help me from getting too bored.
2. This Side
Composed by: Sean Watkins
Performed by: Nickel Creek
Nickel Creek has been them most important band in my life by a longshot for the last 8 years. This song isn't their best, but it's one that has always helped me look on the bright side of my bad days. I'd imagine being by myself on a deserted island, I'd have plenty of those.
3. Life on Mars
Composed and performed by: David Bowie
I think it's a foregone conclusion I would need some Bowie on the island, so no deep reason here. Just my favorite Bowie song.
4. One Day More
Composed by: Claude-Michel Schönberg
Performed by: The cast of Les Miserables
If I could bring one entire album, it would be the soundtrack to Les Miserables, which in my combination is the perfect musical. Upon reflection though, this might not be the best choice as it will always be "One Day More" on the island. Still, it seemed to me to be the one song representative of Les Miserables as a whole, so I picked it and I'm sticking to it.
5. The Waltz of Roosevelt
Composed and performed by: Virginia Coalition
I can see myself, stretched out in the beach under the sun with my fingers outstretched, pretending there was a piano there, and that I was a much better piano player than I am. Then the Others come out of the forest and shoot me.
6. Born to Run
Composed by: Bruce Springsteen
Performed by: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
The quintessential Springsteen song. It contains all his other songs within it, so it's like getting The Complete Works of Bruce Springsteen in one 4 minute package.
7. Nature Boy
Composed by: eden ahbez
Performed by: Nat "King" Cole
One of my favorite songs by the classic crooners, not only does Nat have a beautiful voice, but I love envisioning the possibilities of this song, different stories behind it.
8. Mack the Knife
Composed by:
Performed by: Bobby Darin
This performance of Mack the Knife was my grandfather's favorite, and during his life he would start singing it at even the slightest invitation. Forget the fact that Bobby Darin could swing like a tire, the song always makes me think of my grandfather in a smiley sort of way.
Book: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
This was a tough one, but when I think about books that I've kept with me over the years, that I've read repetively, this one keeps coming up. Not to mention on the island, I'll have no shortage of time to write, when I'm not being chased by polar bears.
Luxury: A full-service bar
This way I will never have to ask, "Why is the rum gone?"
Anyway, that's enough for me. Please, others post.
1.God Only Knows
Written and composed by Brian Wilson, performed by The Beach Boys
This song is my favorite song of all time. It describes a kind of loving feeling anyone human, whether they have or have ever found anyone on this Earth to love, or not, has felt some time in their life.
2.Source Tags & Codes
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
This is from by far my favorite album, the last track in fact. It closes up the whole feeling of listening to it, and if there was one whole album I could bring, it would be this; I'm sure of it. This song has the kind of feeling that I can only describe as having your final epic moment of thought in the passenger's seat. I saw ...Trail of Dead a couple years ago in Philly and it was the most spectacular thing I'd ever seen in my life, down to the very last moment around 1 in the morning where they finally finished breaking every single piece of equipment on stage.
3.The 1812 Overture
Tchaikovsky
I hate to be a copycat, but this is also my favorite orchestral piece, for many of the same reasons. What there is to say has already been said.
4.Sleep: (this is only the first half of the song)
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
I knew there would have to be a GY!BE song on here, but it was really hard to pick which one. They're all so rich, especially this one. Antennas to Heaven and East Hastings would have also been good picks, but I'll stick with Sleep. The string parts are what always get me. If I ever wanted to have nightmares on the desert island, or something to remind me of my own mortality, I would choose this because of its emotion.
5. Here Comes The Sun
The Beatles
Everyone needs a little bit of the sun to brighten up their day. In the midst of all the minor-y, sad sounding songs I happen to enjoy the most, I pick this Beatles classic to brighten up all those sad feelings of stranded loneliness.
6. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
The Four Tops
Motown music reminds me of my youth, as strangely, it was one of the only things I used to like to listen to. This is probably my favorite, and one of the most iconic songs of this time.
7. Thule
The Album Leaf
For some reason, Jimmy LaValle's music has always been there to help me. I once had a really bad night where I had gone on sort of a rampage, and someone I know and love had to turn this song on for me, the only thing able to calm me down. Something about this music just chills me to my core. Not sure why this song above all others, it is just one of the nicest I could think of. The live recording somewhat does it justice but not quite...
8. Motion Picture Soundtrack
Radiohead
It was between this one or How to Disappear Completely. Obvious reasons... mostly the kind of emotion it brings. It's completely breathtaking. It will serve as a reminder to love all the people I've lost.
Book: Ulysses
Written by James Joyce
This was tough... But I could not think of a more rich story I've ever read in my life. It seems like one sees something new every single time he or she reads it, although to be honest I've only read this hulking thing one and a half times. I'm sure that being stranded on a desert island would free up some time to give it another read or two.
Luxury:
A guitar. If I ever tire of my choices, I can just make my own damn music.
1. Fool in the Rain- Led Zeppelin
-Definitely my favorite song of all time. No matter how many times I listen to it, I never grow tired of it.
2. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood- Santa Esmeralda
3. Better Place To Be- Harry Chapin
4. Trying To Stop Your Leaving- Dierks Bentley
5. Simple Man- Lynyrd Skynyrd
6. Fighting for My Love- Nil Lara
7. Don't Stop Me Now- Queen
Book: To Kill A Mockingbird
-Thinking of Mrs Dubose would help me through it all. GO DOWN FIGHTING
Luxury Item: Box of Legos
-Seriously, I might not need the book! ....... I could also see myself carrying on conversations with the mini figures... It would be like Cast Away, but sadder.
1.Take on Me, by aha.
-Why not?
2.Burning Down the House, by the talking heads.
-So as to remind me not to set the island on fire.
3. Hearts on Fire, Hammerfall
-Incase I have to fight off the natives this would make a good soundtrack.
4. Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Will Smith and Quincy Jones.
-Incase one of the said natives is named omar this will remind me to try and pick a fight with him in the hopes I'll have to move in with my aunty and uncle in Bel Air.
5. Highway to the Dangerzone.
-Why not?
Book
The SAS survival manual or whatever it is called for obvious reasons
Item.
-one of those handcrank laptops so I can play games on it. I doubt that there is a wifi hotspot on the island.
For some reason I completely forgot to answer this until now. Ah well here goes...
Songs
1. "Africa" by Toto
Written by: David Paich, Jeff Porcaro
My favourite song ever, no other justification needed. I'd probably play this during the evening/night since it seems to suit that time of day to me.
2. "Hemispheres (Cygnus X1 Book II)" by Rush
Written by Neil Peart
18 minutes long, so it'd kill some time quite nicely, also I do not like 2112 so this Rush epic it is.
3. "Both Sides of the Story" by Phil Collins
Written by Phil Collins
Yeah Mr Collins had to show his face somewhere. I sort of like downbeat songs like this for some reason. Makes you think.
4. "Gloria" By Laura Branigan
Written by Umberto Tozzi and Giancarlo Bigazzi
The Quintessential Laura Branigan song for me. Gotta have some female vocals in the list somewhere.
5. "Thick as a brick" By Jethro Tull
Written by Ian Anderson
38 minutes long this one. Kills time and might be fun trying to learn all the lyrics.
6. "Old medley (Dance on a Volcano/Lamb Lies Down on Broadway/The Musical Box/Firth of Fifth/I Know What I Like...)" By Genesis
Written by Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, Steve Hackett and Peter Gabriel.
The 19 minute medley Genesis played during there 1992 "The way we walk" tour. Sums up most of the Genesis songs I need really.
7. "Sailing" by Christopher Cross
Written by Christopher Cross.
Lying back on a smooth, cool evening with this song playing in the background would be heaven.
8. "The Free Electric Band" by Albert Hammond
Written by Albert Hammond.
I just think this song is pure brilliance in every aspect, impossible not to get along without it.
Book
Tough one. I'd probably take the biggest and most detailed atlas I could find, because I find maps fun for some sad reason.
Luxury
A drum kit. I've always wanted to play drums, and I could play along with the songs I brought. Brilliant.
