Are you really best friends if you don’t share music with each other? I know through my own experience that one of the most intimate ways to connect with another human being is through their music taste. When it comes down to it, music is a form of expression whether you’re the creator or the enjoyer. As it turns out, exchanging artists, songs, and playlists isn’t a practice exclusive to the younger generation. I’m sure a lot of us have parents or relatives that exchanged CDs, tapes, and even handwritten recommendations to their loved ones. That’s where my Aunt Shanon and her best friend Joy come in.
My Aunt Shanon and Joy have been friends for decades and it comes as no surprise that their bond, unbreakable as it is, extended into their music taste as well. My Aunt told me that they made a habit of sending each other one song a day to add to their repertoire of tunes. When I told her I was working with SCAD Radio and producing content for our website, she was thrilled to share some of her favorites with me and even included a couple of Joy’s as well. So, I put together a little list of some of the most notable recs.
- Little Red Rooster by Howlin’ Wolf
According to my Aunt, this is one of the very first songs they ever shared. The song was composed and written by Willie Dixon and was recorded in 1961 by Howlin’ Wolf. The bluesy, mellow tune combined with the emotive vocals combine for a music experience that practically travels you back in time. Not to mention, the symbol of the rooster being one that brings peace to the barnyard, I’m pretty sure I could kick back and relax to “Little Red Rooster.”
- Little Red Rooster by The Rolling Stones
You guessed it, when my folks like something they really like it and that applies to their music taste as well. Joy and Shanon loved “Little Red Rooster”, they sought it out from another artist. Possibly one of the most popular covers of Willie Dixon’s original song, The Rolling Stones breathe new life into the delivery. Their vocals, smoother and more equipped to cater to the UK masses, is what made “Little Red Rooster” one of the only true blues songs to top charts there.
- You Make My Dreams (Come True) by Hall & Oates
Shanon heard this song in a restaurant and sent it my way, challenging me not to dance around. Here is where we shift gears from Joy and Shanon’s connection through music to a passed-down tradition to connect my Aunt and me despite the several states between us. What better way to express one’s love and appreciation than sending them a song that makes them smile? Hall & Oates follow through and I believe Joy would have just been happy to know music is bonding generations together.
- Jump (For My Love) by The Pointer Sisters
Shanon sent this funky, fun beat to me during a much-needed time for a pick-me-up. The 80s pop sound makes me nostalgic for an era I was never a part of and isn’t that one of the best things about music? The stunning vocals and catchy, dance-worthy instrumentals had me enamored from the very first listen and managed to make me feel “joy”ful when I needed it the most. Probably my personal favorite on the list, I have to give my earnest recommendation.
- Hit The Road Jack! By Ray Charles
A familiar favorite to everyone, at least if you have a matriarch-dominated family like mine, Hit The Road Jack! has all of the sass and storytelling every good song needs. The male and female vocals have a unique, dynamic back-and-forth that makes for an entertaining listen. Shanon sent this after reading a previous SCAD Radio article–A Valentine’s Day Special: My Top 5 Love and Break-Up Songs–and claimed this to be her break-up song of choice. Once again, she solidified the unity of people through shared experiences and shared songs.
One thing about these recommendations to note is that it’s not about who offered them to who. Some were between Joy and my Aunt Shanon, others between my Aunt and me, but the intention of feeling closer to your loved ones is universal. So, make a habit of sending your friends songs, albums, artists, or full-blown playlists. Trust me, they’ll appreciate it. Carry on their tradition and spread a little Joy.
