by Jade Packer
Occasionally I do a bit of research for this column of mine. This month is not going to be one of those times. Instead I’m going to turn a bit more personal. You see September for me means heading home, which means you guessed it a whole playlist devoted to being homeward bounds or if I run out of those kinds of songs then just songs that have some relevance to home (regardless of how tedious they are!) For all of us though it means returning or arriving at HOL, which has been home to many for over 10 years now. To all the newbies I hope you find it as awesome as those of us who have been wandering these halls for years now. But enough of the rambling, this is a music column so here comes the music.
OK here are some of my favourite songs dealing with home, they are in no particular order because I just don’t roll that way.
• Heather Nova…everything
Have I mentioned how much I love Heather Nova lately? Well I do and I fully admit that I’m bias but when it comes to the idea of travelling and then heading back home then you may as well include all her discography into it.
To narrow it down a bit I will show case a few but really if you don’t know her songs just stop reading this right now go to the tube of you or her website and listen to her music.
• Turn the Compass around
• Home
• Done Drifting
• Walk This World
• Virus of the Mind
Err ok so some of those are slightly off topic…but they are such amazing songs. OK I’ll stop now.
• Caledonia - Paolo Nutini
I've been telling old stories, singing songs that make me think about where i come from and that’s the reason why i seem so far away today
This is not his song, it’s a Scottish folk song written in the 70’ but it was covered by him and so I feel warranted in putting this in as his. Caledonia being the old Latin name for what is now
• The House that built me – Miranda Lambert
If I could just come in, I swear I'll leave, won't take nothing but a memory from the house that built me
Do you ever get stuck on a song, obsessed if you will and just have to keep playing it over and over…well that’s how I was with this song and I’ll admit the moment I hear it I just want to hear it again…and again. Be warned it’s sad but ultimately the idea is positive. Admittedly it is nostalgia personified but it’s so darn good.
• Who says you can’t go home – Bon Jovi w/ Jennifer Nettles
I lived a million miles of memories on that road with every step I take I know that I'm not alone you take the home from the boy, but not the boy from his home
I make no secret of my love for everything that is Sugarland, so the fact that this song should make my list with Sugarland’s female vocalist lending her voice to the mix.
• Singing Me Home – Lady Antebellum
My baby's riding shotgun singin just a little off key; her feet on the dashboard tapping out the back beat
Released last year from their latest album, this song is probably the most recent song on the list, it’s not a powerful song but rather a catchy little ditty. A nice song that lightens a pretty intense playlist.
• Country Roads – John Denver
The radio reminds me of my home far away and drivin down the road I get a feelin that I should have been home yesterday
It was a sad day for music the day John Denver died. This song was first released in 1971 and due to its strong times with West Virginia has been embraced by the US state.
• Red Dirt Road – Brooks and Dunn
We'd turn out the headlights, drive by the moonlight. Talk about what the future might hold, down a red dirt road
I have to say I was torn about this entry. Technically this is a Brooks and Dunn song and their version is very nice and all….but I know it because Sugarland covered it during a tribute concert for the now retired duo. Just like my bias for Heather Nova, as far as I’m concerned Sugarland does anything better….don’t ask me what I will do if Sugarland ever covers Heather Nova or vice versa, but not the point. Either way this is a lovely song about how a certain place can hold so many of your life’s memories.
And that my friends, is that for this month. Due to restrictions the accompanying playlist may not have all the songs I’ve talked about here, I have also included other songs about home just to mix it all up. To all the new first years, welcome home hope you enjoy it here at HOL for those returning, welcome back…now go earn lots of points.