My personal “Desert Island Discs”

Inspired by the “Desert Island Discs” series on BBC Radio4, I decided to make my own list to celebrate my transition to this new phase of my life.

In my life, I put the passion for music first ever, placing it right at the top of everything I cherish and enjoy. The melodies and rhythms have always filled my soul with joy and inspiration, driving my creativity and shaping my experiences. So, selecting only ten records is not easy; let’s say it’s “almost impossible” for someone like me who feels a deep emotional connection to countless albums that have left a mark. However, embracing the spirit of the game, I put myself completely involved in this challenge, carefully considering each choice with nostalgia and excitement. After much deliberation, here are my Ten records that I cannot imagine living without, along with my three beloved books that would accompany me on my “Desert Island,” each of them a treasure that tells stories as rich and meaningful as the songs I adore.

Disc One: Remain in Light – Talking Heads

The record that encloses everything that had been in rock music before and everything that came next, creating a timeless masterpiece that transcends generations. The perfect record, with its intricate melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, resonates with listeners on multiple levels. Released 40 years ago, it remains the record I most listen to every year, evoking nostalgia while simultaneously feeling fresh and relevant. Each spin of the album reveals new layers and emotions that keep drawing me back to it, and I already know that no other record will surpass this masterpiece in its ability to capture the essence of what rock music can truly offer. It stands as a cultural landmark, influencing countless artists and shaping the landscape of modern music in ways that are still felt today.

My track from this album, “House in Motion“

I’m walking a line
I’m thinking about empty motion
I’m walking a line
Just barely enough to be living

Talking Heads

Disc TWO: Kid A – Radiohead

Like the “talking heads”, Radiohead wanted to try to close and open an era with this record come out in 2000. With the release of Kid A, the new millennium officially opened, and everybody followed them, eagerly anticipating the innovative direction they would take. This album marked a significant departure from their previous work, blending electronic sounds with more traditional rock elements, which left listeners both intrigued and challenged. Radiohead’s willingness to experiment reflected the zeitgeist of the time, capturing the anxieties and hopes of a generation stepping into a new technological age, and solidifying their status as pioneers in the music industry. As their sound evolved, so did the expectations of their fans, which put Radiohead at the forefront of musical innovation for years to come.

My track from the album: “How to disappear Completely“

I walk through walls
I float down the Liffey
I’m not here
This isn’t happening

Radiohead

Disc Three: Blood on the Tracks – Bob Dylan

Maybe I’d take at least three more records secretly to my Desert Island, but if the controls were strict at the border, I’d probably choose this record. The main motivation is two songs: “Simple Twist of Fate” and “If you see her, say hello”. These tracks resonate deeply with me, as they capture the essence of longing and nostalgia, evoking memories of cherished moments. The way the lyrics intertwine with haunting melodies creates an emotional landscape that I never tire of exploring. Every time I listen, I discover something new, a hidden nuance that reminds me of the complexities of love and loss. On that isolated island, with nothing but the sound of waves and the whispers of the wind, these songs would provide a profound soundtrack for reflection and contemplation, making them an invaluable part of my collection.

My track from the album: “Simple Twist of Fate“

A saxophone someplace far off played as she was walkin’ by the arcade
As the light bust through a beat-up shade where he was wakin’ up
She dropped a coin into the cup of the blind man at the gate
And forgot about a simple twist of fate

Bob Dylan

Disc Four: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust – David Bowie

As with Dylan, but also for others, I would try to sneak other Bowie albums to my Desert Island as well, but I choose this because it is a masterpiece and because I always associate it with a dear friend of mine who many years ago failed to move forward and decided to leave the stage of life. This friend, whose spirit was vibrant and whose laughter filled the room, loved Bowie and this record, in particular, resonated deeply with him. We spent countless evenings discussing the profound lyrics and the innovative sounds that Bowie brought into the world, often getting lost in conversations about how music has the power to heal and connect us. It was through this album that we formed our shared memories, each track sparking moments of joy and introspection. Therefore, its significance transcends mere musical appreciation; it is a poignant reminder of our friendship and serves as a tribute to his enduring love for Bowie’s artistry.

My track from this album : “It Ain’t easy“

When you climb to the top of the mountain
Look out over the sea
Think about the places perhaps, where a young man could be
Then you jump back down to the rooftops
Look out over the town
Think about all of the strange things circulating ‘round

David Bowie

Disc Five: An American Prayer – Jim Morrison & The Doors

The record transformed my perception of music from mere sound to a form of poetry, significantly changing how I listen to it.

My track from this Album: “The Ghost Song“

Choose the day, and choose the sign of your day, 
The day’s divinity, first thing you see. 

Jim Morrison

 

Disc Six: The Unforgettable Fire – U2 

U2’s  most serious and mature record. For me, U2 ends up with Zooropa, what came next, including concerts, are from a different band, almost impossible that they are the same ones who in the 80s had bewitched millions of young people like me and hung from Bono’s words like a new God who you never said “no”.

My track from this Album: “The Unforgettable Fire – Live -“

Stay this time, stay tonight in a lie.
Ever after is a long time.
And if you save your love, save it all, save it all
Don’t push me too far, don’t push me too far.
Tonight, tonight.

U2

Disc Seven: The Nighfly – Donald Fagen

The perfect night record. It reminds me that I used to talk on the radio and I particularly loved doing it  at night. Eight small masterpieces, connecting jazz and rock like no other record before and no one else after. From the cover to every single song, create a unique atmosphere. everything is perfect on this record.

My track from this album : “Maxine”

While the world is slepping
We meet at Lincoln Mall
Talk about life the meaning of it all
Try to make sense of the suburban sprawl
Try to hang on Maxine

Donald Fagen

Disc Eight: Sandinista – The Clash

A triple album is not only a cunning to have more music with myself in isolation, but this record has so many reasons to be with me that expressing them all would take away all the space available to me. I will just say: represent very well my twenties.

My track from this album: “something About England”

They say immigrants steal the hubcaps
Of the respected gentlemen
They say it would be wine an’ roses
If England were for Englishmen again

The Clash

Disc Nine: Revolver – The Beatles

This record is here because ‘it always makes me imagine what the 60s were like. I was born in 1960 but obviously I have a childhood memory of that period and for me Revolver is the easiest and fastest way to capture its moods and atmospheres that I didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy completely.

My track from this album: “Tomorrow Never Knows”

Love is all and love is everyone
It is knowing, it is knowing
And ignorance and hate mourn the dead

The Beatles

Disc Ten: Closing Time – Tom Waits

I like the personal story of Tom Waits. His difficulties in being an artist trying in the best of “American ways” have not only shaped his unique musical style but also provided an insight into the struggles that many artists face in a society that often prioritizes commercial success over artistic expression. Closing Time, his debut album, serves as a captivating window into this journey, vividly representing the smoke that shrouds dimly lit corners of bars, the heavily alcoholic drinks that fuel heartfelt conversations, and the flickering lights that embody the nightlife of an obscure America. Through evocative lyrics and his gravelly voice, Waits portrays a world where dreams and disillusionment coexist, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the raw essence of his experiences.

I thought that being on a Desert Island pollution is non-existent and then this record may be the right way to get me back at that places that for sure I will miss it.

My track from this album: “Virginia Avenue”

There’s got to be some place
That’s better than this
This life i’m leading’s driving me insane
And let me tell you i’m dreaming…

Tom Waits

For the books, I have to choose four and then, let’s see…

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