By Ethan Hubbard
They say music shapes all of us, and I believe that to be true to an extent. It can paint a somewhat close picture of you to others and even lead you down pathways in life that might not have appeared if you didn’t listen to Skrillex’s Bangarang in 2012.
I’ve had a rough childhood, then again many have. But I have found that in very strong moments, particular songs have stood out. Some that have led me down paths of self-expression and some that have been there to help as a distraction when needed. This is a rough set of songs that I would say have had significant impacts on my life. I think it paints a somewhat good picture of me and who I am.
To me this also reads like a messed-up-yet-fun time capsule of sorts. If you have the time I would think about and write down songs you remember when you were younger. Note how they made you feel, what was happening at the time you discovered them or a core memory involving that song. You might be surprised how much of your life you can paint with songs and the memories and emotions attached to them.
No.1: Carpel Tunnel of Love – Fall Out Boy (Infinity on High, 2007)
Growing up I had a lot going on in my life and there was a time where I was in a shaky situation as my mum had to be put into Cumberland Hospital. With no one to care for me I was placed into DoCS care for a while. While at one of the few homes I stayed at, one of the kids showed me this song while in the car on our way to a shopping centre. It hooked me and I have been a Fall Out Boy fan ever since.
No.2: Coming Home – Alex Lloyd (Distant Light, 2003)
I remember when the newspaper used to give freebee CDs for promoting artists, in this case the Sunday Telegraph. We got a copy of this EP and while mum enjoyed it for Amazing I sat down to listen to it in full. I ended up really loving the acoustic Coming Home to the point it made me look for the album version.
No.3: Make You Happy – Josh Pyke (Chimneys Afire, 2008)
I found this through a Spicks & Specks episode. It was during a game where they had to remember things from clips of the music video for this song. I ended up loving the whimsy of the video and the warm sound it brought. Followed Josh Pyke ever since.
No.4: Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking her Clothes Off – Panic! At The Disco (A Fever You Cannot Sweat Out, 2004)
I heard this on the radio and really ended up loving it. It didn’t help that I developed crushes on majority of the band so I stayed around and ended up loving their music more so. I was going through a rough school period so this very much made me happy to go home and listen to my CD of it.
No.5: This Heart Attack – Faker (Be The Twilight, 2007)
This song was everywhere at the time. Loved the catchy beat of it and became a staple in my iPod. Used to dream of being in a band too, but the reality is I don’t have the skills and didn’t have the opportunity to gain them growing up so I had to give up on it.
No.6: Always Like This – Bombay Bicycle Club (I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose, 2009)
Genuinely cannot remember how I found these guys, but I know I definitely found them back in 2009. I remember getting their album when it released. Since then I have followed them through the years to the point I finally got to see them live back in 2024. Got to meet Ed Nash (bass), Jamie MacColl (guitar) and Jack Steadman (frontman) and got photos with them also!
No.7: Guilty Pleasure – Cobra Starship (¡Viva La Cobra!, 2007)
Now while I had already been listening to Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco, these guys showed me the sub-culture I really fall into. Scene. Bright coloured hair, Racoon-tail hair pieces, studded belts and layers galore, This band showed me that there was more to Emo than black and red. The music video for Guilty Pleasure had Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy in it as not only did his fellow band member and bass player, Pete Wentz, sign Cobra Starship onto his label Decaydance records, but Stump also helped produce the album this song appears on ¡Viva La Cobra!.
No.8: Yellow – Coldplay (Parachutes, 2000)
My mum really liked this song, She showed me the music video for it on Video Hits back around when it released. She said it was her’s and my song. Unfortunately ruined it years later when I found out it was about Chris Martin’s mother and the fact she had skin cancer. I also got to appear in the Sky Full Of Stars MV back in 2014 when they filmed it all in Newtown, You can see me and my red hair for a split second along with my name in the credits.
No.9: Music Sounds Better With You – Stardust (Music Sound Better With You, 1998)
I have vivid memories of this playing on Video Hits on Channel 10 back in the day. When I listen to it now; I feel like I am transported back into that rundown housing commission living room, sitting in front of that huge Panasonic CRT TV. Life was s…, but music really did fill the much-needed distraction I needed back then.
No.10: Not Alone – Calvin Harris (Ready For The Weekend, 2009)
I used to call this “Night Music” when I was younger as I used to really only hear this at night on stations like 2Day FM and Nova as they did their Friday and Saturday night party hours. I would say this song is what pulled me even more into EDM to which has lead me to branch out and find other artists I have since come to love and enjoy.
Featured image: This guitar/boat was designed specifically for Josh Pyke’s music video. Photo: YouTube