This is my most loved topic and I should not have any trouble writing on this. But I would not take this as lightly as it would seem, because the picture in my memory is just a little smudged. And will take some digging into the dirt, because I have hid the memories of SV, not wanting to take the hurt with the fun. Nevertheless I will do it because I am beginning to deal with the past. I have decided that I will rate the best ever of the 5 eras of my life, and by doing that I would actually be looking at the 5 most loved songs. Let me begin:
#1 – I’ll Fly Away
I can still hear the song play in my head, “Some bright morning, when this life is over”, on the grand old record player. I was just 5 years old and I was getting to terms with the sudden change in my life. I was uprooted from the safe haven of my parents‟ and planted in a dormitory. And this song played every morning. I woke up to the music and for some strange reason this was sweet to me, I loved it. There is no other music apart from the songs in the gramophone record player that I remember in the first 3 years of my life at school. The lyrics meant little to me, neither does it now, but the music rings in my soul.
#2 – Joyful Joyful
And then I moved on to the school choir. This was another lease of life and a temporary release from the captivity of being in boarding school. As we were preparing for Christmas and the choir was choosing its list, Edison sir came up with this song “Joyful Joyful” saying that it was a very tough song and much practice was needed. The very first time I heard it I loved it. We sang in 2 parts at the Christmas function, as the second presentation. I loved the music and the rhythm. Other memories that come with this song is the sheer pleasure of singing next to the girls. At the Christmas function they were dressed in their very best. The Christmas celebration lifted my mood and I felt so romantic. Of the more ecstatic moments of my school life, the singing of the song and the Christmas season feeling is the best.
#3 – “Welcome to the Jungle” – Guns and Roses
This was the period of my life when I was opening up to the world of music. I was in class VII and moving into the senior boys dormitory was like being set free in the music world. Suddenly we were listening to music by Guns and Roses, Bon Jovi and Scorpion. There were quite a few favorites at that time, “Bed of roses” and “heaven isn‟t too far away” being special. But nothing could beat “Welcome to the jungle”. We used to miss our breakfast to be there to listen to the song. Memories associated with this song are that we had two gangs in our batch. One gang was seen as “Bon Jovi” fans and the other “Gun n Roses” fans. But it was more than just that, we had enmity in our hearts. We were probably influenced by the Nicky Cruz movie, I don‟t know. If there is something I regret about the last four years of my time in SV, it is clearly the lost love. What a waste of time, I wish we could go back and live the days again, do away the gangs and make friends again.
#4 – “Where Did you Sleep Last Night” – Nirvana
And then I moved on to 11th and 12th and then college. Those were the days where I lost my innocence. All through those 5 years, I loved Nirvana. That band is probably the most listened to in my entire life. I idolized Kurt Cobain. My only ambition then was to go and visit his grave. He was the world‟s greatest genius. I listened to an endless world of music, from Michael Learns to Rock to trash metal, from alternative music to country, from instrumental music like the sitar of Pandit Ravi Shankar to Led Zeppelin. You name it and I was listening to it. But by no far stretch of imagine, I loved Nirvana the best. I had every single collection of theirs. I got unreleased albums from the west. I had very expensive posters of Nirvana and the band. I had it hung in every part of my room and closet. I was gone mad. I imitated his hair style and his guitar, his clothes, his music, his attitude. Name it. I would die for him, not even my girlfriend. But in all of that madness I could not imagine why he had to die? Why did he do drugs? I could not connect with him in the level of his erratic life. Well I had spent all my pocket money in buying the custom made guitar. Of all my favorites with Nirvana, I have been possibly most drawn to Kurt Cobain by the song “Where did you sleep last night”, one of my all time top 5 favorite songs.
#5 – “King of Glory” – Third Day
This period of my life is from 1999 to 2009. I had just graduated from Madras Christian College and I was not at peace with my life. The Lord healed me or I would have committed suicide. In 1999, the Lord healed my spirit and that year I was called to his ministry. And dramatically I took a different route to life and music. Let me explain this very clearly, that I did not take a different route because Nirvana was bad music, my taste for music just changed. I continued to listen to Nirvana, alternative music and I still do, but because of the nature of my work and life, I consciously changed tracks. I was looking for wild music that was Christian. I came into contact with DC talk, and then Darlene Z., then Rebecca St James, Michael W. Smith and Chris Tomlin. Looking for something more alternative, I got into Casting Crowns, Planetshakers, Jeremy Camp, Delirious, Jars of Clay and of course Third Day. And I was stuck to Third day. Today, I find satisfaction and calm in today‟s Christian alternative music. I prefer them over the crazy life of my youth. I might be in some way be shielding myself from the pain of my youth by keeping away the memories that the “Nirvana kind of music” brings. By unanimous choice “King of Glory” by Third day is amongst the Top5 all time favorites.
Today, of all the music that I actually listen to, Santali Folk songs, the kind that is sung in church, is most often. I sing it and enjoy it. The top 5 songs I have listed are treasures in my heart that conceal fond memories. I want to conclude by quoting the famous quote “Why should the devil have all the good music?” All music is good and God given. But Christians have given the best music to the devil and his friends. We have to use it to fulfill two purposes, for pleasure and praise of God. Music is medicine to the soul and it can bring glory to God, think about it?