Marion Coleman’s Playlist
Fly Me to The Moon – Frank Sinatra
I remember this song from the album playing in our house on our brand-new Philips portable record player. They were all the rage at the time and very trendy, so we thought we were the bees’ knees. We only had a few records to start with so, the ones we had were played over and over again. My parents were huge Frank Sinatra fans and even though I was only small, I really loved this album with its big band sound. It cheers me up every time I hear this song – it’s so uplifting and timeless.
You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes
This song reminds me of when I used to go out dancing with my sister and friends. It was probably one of the first songs I remember dancing to. I remember queuing to get into the club and the feeling of anticipation and excitement of seeing the empty dance floor all lit up, just waiting for the DJ to start the music and for the dancing to begin. It was the highlight of our week. I loved all the Motown and Northern Soul Classics and still have a’ bob’ round the kitchen if I hear one on the radio.
Chan Chan – Buena Visita Social Club
I lived in South America for 10 years in my twenties and was introduced to a whole range of Latin music like, Salsa, Merengue and Cumbia. I was totally hooked on the rhythms and especially the dancing, which I practiced as much as could. There are so many great songs to choose from my time there, but this song and its opening chords always takes me back to Cuba and Havana where you can hear music being played on nearly every street corner. I was lucky enough to see Buena Vista Social Club when they were on tour in England in 2005 – an amazing group of Cuban gentlemen, many of whom were in their 70’s or 80’s when they recorded this album.
Wind Serenade in B Flat Major K 361 – Mozart
My husband introduced me to classical music and opera when we first started going out together. One of his favourite composers is Mozart, who he will often listen to when unstacking and stacking the dishwasher, but I am not sure why. Although, I am not quite as passionate about all classical music as he is, this piece is one of my favourites. I find it haunting and melancholic, but strangely peaceful and relaxing. It reminds me of chilled out, lazy Sunday mornings with a cup of coffee and the Sunday papers and no plans to do very much that day.
Kiss Me Goodnight Sargent Major – George Formby
This WW2 song reminds me of my dad and the later years he spent with me after his diagnosis of dementia. We had a whole selection of songs for various occasions that he would sing, or we would sing together. Songs from his war years were his favourites – from Vera Lynn’s We’ll meet again, to In the Mood by Glen Miller. His old army songs always brought on a smile and put a twinkle in his eyes. This one we would often sing together around bedtime, usually preceded by a verse of “Show me the way to go home, I’m tired and I want to go to bed” followed by my dad’s rendition of this one.
