Songs That Hit You (Below The Buckle)

[Greenman]

We all must have at some point in our lives a film that played a major part in growing up and coping with being a teenager or just older. What is yours?

Mine for what it is worth would be "The Breakfast Club" and "St Elmo's Fire," which dealt with both teenage angst whilst a group of disperate underachievers came together in a long day of detention AND the other one featured 6 ex-pupils who were trying to come to terms with being older and maybe not coping as well as they thought. Both films were a break from the typical teen comedies and were actually intelligent. It made me think about my future and about longing for the past, but really trying to cope with the present and looking forward to the future.
After all, as the late comedian Tony Hancock was told by Sid James when trying to organise a reunion party of his old army pals-and they turn out to have changed from the people he once knew- "told you it was a mistake before, what's done is done, never try to recapture the past"
One must be content with ones memories says Tony, how true that is.

As for songs, well anything that evokes memories of the 1980's which whilst politically was bloody awful was in fact a great time to be a teenager from 1980-1984. Songs I remember were Paul Young's "Wherever I Lay My Hat(Thats My Home) and The Police's "Message in a Bottle"
First one recalls my friend trying to burn his girlfriends' shoe(don't ask ) and the second around 1979/80 when I had just started my 2nd year at big school.

[bawjaws]

for me it's Drive from The Car's Heartbeat City album. Had the tape in the car and used to play it on the way home from hospital after visiting to see our first born daughter(they kept them in longer back then). When our son was born it was The Eurythmics's Miracle of Love .. sometimes had to wipe a wee tear out my eyes..(must have got some grit in it)

[blondifan]

For me the first was either Max Merrit's "Slipping Away", or Golden Earring's "The Song is Over"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBPfidKmMas

Both incredibly sad songs that remind me of my first loves end.
(Hey, I was a teenager!)

Then there was "Stupid Girl" by Garbage which reminds me of the last time I got seriously involved.

[imtrying]

A few years ago I had my heart broken. I listened to "Layla and other assorted love songs" by Derek and the Dominoes every day for two months straight. On a happier note, "Tattoo You" by the Stones and Pink Floyd's "The Wall" remind of the summer of '81 when I spent a week in Ensenada with my best friend.

[FlyStrat]

The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" always broke my heart.
On other far side, Judas Priest's "Electric Eye" pushes my heartbeats to te maximum.

[Greenman]

Don't forget this is also for films that had an impact too as well as music.

[graftzig]

Musically, there are many songs that come to my mind:
"Bravado" and "The Pass" by Rush being a major inspiration for quitting school and becoming a performer.
I don't listen to these too often nowadays, because I get swept away emotionally.
Whenever I hear "Trademark" by Erik Johnson, I feel that everything will work out right.

Movies, hmm, I'm more of a reader myself...

[bl0wfish]

Seeing Star Wars for the first time did it for me

[brianwp]

Had a period of shaky life during the mid eighties where the instrumental "I Think it's Going to Work out Fine", on the "Bop Till You Drop" album by Ry Cooder was a real comfort to me, as the title implies, and rightfully so. Beautiful song.

[Greenman]

Some great replies here people, keep em coming remember its more about films but songs are good too.