“Music. What is it good for? Why do you seek it?”
Journalist Christopher Hislop, skilled chronicler of the large and vibrant music scene here in my neck of the woods, poses those questions to everyone he interviews for his weekly column, 5 Spot. (5 Spot appears in EDGE, the “Everything Arts & Entertainment From The Seacoast To The Tri-City Region” magazine that arrives with my Thursday edition of Foster’s Daily Democrat.)
My answer to those questions would be, as you might imagine, not short. A part of it however, would simply be: “Music is the best caffeine.”
Not all music, of course, but a distinct selection of creations and performances that I find to be deliciously intoxicating, undeniably invigorating and unapologetically addictive.
Thus, sixstrstories’ newest category: Some Kind Of Smelling Salts.
Ta da!
The title comes from “Recovery,” a song by Frank Turner.
I started listening to Frank Turner after his song “The Way I Tend To Be” burst from my radio one day back in 2013. Soon after, I picked up a copy of his then-newest and highly recommended album, Tape Deck Heart. (Yes, I actually went to a brick-and-mortar music store and purchased the CD!) “Recovery” was the first song on the disc.
Oh, my.
The line, “Some kind of smelling salts,” culminates the song’s second verse and occurs at the 1:12 mark in the recording.
Listen.
No, really. You’ve got to listen to this.
See what I mean?
“Recovery” was recorded by Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls.
- Frank Turner – Words & Music, Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
- Tarrant Anderson – Bass & Backing Vocals
- Ben Lloyd – Electric Guitar & Backing Vocals
- Matt Nasir – Keyboards & Backing Vocals
- Nigel Powell – Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals
- and Rich Costey – Electric Guitar (Mr. Costey also produced, recorded and mixed the track.)
So, Some Kind Of Smelling Salts is going to feature songs from my personal playlist of musical stimulants & audio caffeine delivery systems. Listening not for the faint of heart.
Stay tuned!
Do you have music that gets your motor running? Lights a fire in your engine room?
That always takes you higher? Makes you jump a little lighter?
That doesn’t just make you want to shout, but throw your hands up and shout?
That puts the whop in your bop ba looma?
If so, please let me know.
sixstr stories 
I heard The Way I Tend To Be- back when you did- and liked it a lot- will have to dig a little deeper into his music.
You definitely should! Besides “Tape Deck Heart,” try “Last Minutes & Lost Evenings.” Thanks for the comment.
I like it sixstr… nice clean, bouncy and full of energy.
So glad you enjoyed it, badfinger. Thanks for listening and sending your comment!
The music with the highest caffeine content…in my library…Motown. No doubt about it. For example: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Dancing in the Street,” “ABC” just to name a few. However, there are some exceptions and a few songs that muscle their way on to my list. “Mony Mony” by Tommy James & the Shondells is one. “Somebody to Love” (Jefferson Airplane) is another. So many to choose from. No need for smelling salts with a playlist like this!
Great post sixstrstories!
Excellent suggestions! Thanks for sending. Imagine the dance party…!