Oh gosh, this was like a walk down the memory lane through my entire childhood as well... from cassettes being rewinded with pencils, to the 80s bands, parents' musical style, dancing on hip-hop while being a student in the US and closing my ears at the lyrics (my most shameful moment is my obsession and often dancing on the song Get Low by Lil Jon - I'll let you remember the lyrics on your own), and all the way to not getting all the hype about TS, although yes, Cruel Summer is quite nice (with limits on quantity).
And yes - what would the 90s be without Fugees?! I saw Lauryn Hill in a concert a few years ago, and loved to sing live the classics.
Oh and here are a few artists I saw live this summer, whom you didn't include here, but I'm pretty sure you like too: Avril Lavigne, Pet Shop Boys!!, Hollow Coves and Xavier Rudd.
Oh Avril Lavigne - I loved her music! And Pet Shop Boys too. It's incredible how music and immediately take us back in time, isn't it? I can't believe you're one of the lucky ones to have seen Lauryn Hill live. I'm quite thrilled about her upcoming concert in London but apparently she has a habit of being late... fingers crossed!
Love this - and all the links. I listened to the Julio Iglesias song - the non music comment - his teeth are so white for 1977! And love the idea of your dad singing as you get more and more car sick
I know! Watching this video I can see why he became the epitome of the Latin Lover back in the late 70s and well until the early 2000s. In Spain we have running jokes about how we’re probably related to him. What’s really hilarious about this video is the conductor saying “Many of us didn’t believe in him, not me at least “ when introducing him 😂
I can’t believe we have bonded over so many things but not over our love for Lauryn Hill! The album came out while I was studying in China and my friend bought it for me and sent it over and it is part of the soundscape of my time at university there. I still listen to it from time to time and surprised I can still remember all the words, even the adlibs! It does make me sad for the demise of albums when I would play the whole thing each time whereas now we create playlists. That being said many albums now seem to be collections of songs instead of albums with a concept and theme running through. But hey maybe I’m wrong, I have never listened to a Taylor Swift album. Are hers actual concepts? Is this why she is so popular?
Wow, this is such a breakthrough! I would have never guessed you like Lauryn Hill! I'm so glad to hear. I'm listening now to The Miseducation in preparation for the concert she's doing at the O2 in October and like you said, after all these years, those lyrics just came back to mind! I've been listening more to her unplugged album (which is also very good) and really hope she gets to sing a few of those songs. Can't believe how defining this album was for so many people! Like you said, artists used to think about the theme they wanted to communicate and it ran through the songs and that was fairly common. I'm not a Taylor Swift expert by any stretch of the imagination but it does seem some of her albums are arranged around a concept, like Reputation or Lover, from the little knowledge I have of her music. Perhaps this is something people have grown out of, which is also possible as the idea of what a music album should be is always evolving.
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is in my top 5 albums I think. I love it and it means a lot to me too. I listened to it for years in different situations. And now I just listen to it as an old friend. And of course Fu-la-la-la!
I really enjoy it when people play me the music they enjoy the most. It says a lot about them and I just find it interesting.
Love that! It was one of those music-defining albums that you think is a bit niche but then I've realised a lot of people really enjoyed and still love. I remember at the time she was one of the biggest musical stars and went on to win 5 Grammys, which was impressive. I've just heard she's coming to London in October for a celebration concert of the release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill with the Fugees. And I agree - music definitely says a lot about people and it's interesting to see what they like listening to.
What a great post and so many awesome tunes here, starting with Beatles. I was also obsessed with the Fugees and Lauryn Hill back in the day, and I loved all the hip-hop songs you mention, plus Gwen Stefani. And some of your current listens - I love the Struts! I love Barns Courtney! Plus, listening to music on your way back from the airport has got to be some kind of official travel ritual. I have a London playlist for that purpose too, and I still listen to it now that I have moved to Brighton.
So glad to hear you’re a Struts fan and a fellow Lauryn Hill admirer! I think for those of us that were teenagers in the late 90s/early 00s hip hop was more broadly played and one could be exposed to music styles that otherwise may not be mainstream in their country of origin. Love that you too have city playlists - They are a game-changer 😁
Oh gosh, this was like a walk down the memory lane through my entire childhood as well... from cassettes being rewinded with pencils, to the 80s bands, parents' musical style, dancing on hip-hop while being a student in the US and closing my ears at the lyrics (my most shameful moment is my obsession and often dancing on the song Get Low by Lil Jon - I'll let you remember the lyrics on your own), and all the way to not getting all the hype about TS, although yes, Cruel Summer is quite nice (with limits on quantity).
And yes - what would the 90s be without Fugees?! I saw Lauryn Hill in a concert a few years ago, and loved to sing live the classics.
Great little musical-themed memoir!
Oh and here are a few artists I saw live this summer, whom you didn't include here, but I'm pretty sure you like too: Avril Lavigne, Pet Shop Boys!!, Hollow Coves and Xavier Rudd.
Oh Avril Lavigne - I loved her music! And Pet Shop Boys too. It's incredible how music and immediately take us back in time, isn't it? I can't believe you're one of the lucky ones to have seen Lauryn Hill live. I'm quite thrilled about her upcoming concert in London but apparently she has a habit of being late... fingers crossed!
Well, I didn't want to influence your excitement but yes, she was annoyingly late...
I'll have to bring snacks then 😅
Love this - and all the links. I listened to the Julio Iglesias song - the non music comment - his teeth are so white for 1977! And love the idea of your dad singing as you get more and more car sick
I know! Watching this video I can see why he became the epitome of the Latin Lover back in the late 70s and well until the early 2000s. In Spain we have running jokes about how we’re probably related to him. What’s really hilarious about this video is the conductor saying “Many of us didn’t believe in him, not me at least “ when introducing him 😂
I can’t believe we have bonded over so many things but not over our love for Lauryn Hill! The album came out while I was studying in China and my friend bought it for me and sent it over and it is part of the soundscape of my time at university there. I still listen to it from time to time and surprised I can still remember all the words, even the adlibs! It does make me sad for the demise of albums when I would play the whole thing each time whereas now we create playlists. That being said many albums now seem to be collections of songs instead of albums with a concept and theme running through. But hey maybe I’m wrong, I have never listened to a Taylor Swift album. Are hers actual concepts? Is this why she is so popular?
Wow, this is such a breakthrough! I would have never guessed you like Lauryn Hill! I'm so glad to hear. I'm listening now to The Miseducation in preparation for the concert she's doing at the O2 in October and like you said, after all these years, those lyrics just came back to mind! I've been listening more to her unplugged album (which is also very good) and really hope she gets to sing a few of those songs. Can't believe how defining this album was for so many people! Like you said, artists used to think about the theme they wanted to communicate and it ran through the songs and that was fairly common. I'm not a Taylor Swift expert by any stretch of the imagination but it does seem some of her albums are arranged around a concept, like Reputation or Lover, from the little knowledge I have of her music. Perhaps this is something people have grown out of, which is also possible as the idea of what a music album should be is always evolving.
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is in my top 5 albums I think. I love it and it means a lot to me too. I listened to it for years in different situations. And now I just listen to it as an old friend. And of course Fu-la-la-la!
I really enjoy it when people play me the music they enjoy the most. It says a lot about them and I just find it interesting.
Love that! It was one of those music-defining albums that you think is a bit niche but then I've realised a lot of people really enjoyed and still love. I remember at the time she was one of the biggest musical stars and went on to win 5 Grammys, which was impressive. I've just heard she's coming to London in October for a celebration concert of the release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill with the Fugees. And I agree - music definitely says a lot about people and it's interesting to see what they like listening to.
What a great post and so many awesome tunes here, starting with Beatles. I was also obsessed with the Fugees and Lauryn Hill back in the day, and I loved all the hip-hop songs you mention, plus Gwen Stefani. And some of your current listens - I love the Struts! I love Barns Courtney! Plus, listening to music on your way back from the airport has got to be some kind of official travel ritual. I have a London playlist for that purpose too, and I still listen to it now that I have moved to Brighton.
So glad to hear you’re a Struts fan and a fellow Lauryn Hill admirer! I think for those of us that were teenagers in the late 90s/early 00s hip hop was more broadly played and one could be exposed to music styles that otherwise may not be mainstream in their country of origin. Love that you too have city playlists - They are a game-changer 😁