Memories of the Phonograph
The
"Our Song" Phenomenon in Popular Culture
By Doug Boilesen, 2004
This 1945 magazine advertisement for
the Crosley Radio-Phonograph is an example of the idea that a song
can become
attached to an event, or a place, or a significant memory. When
that special song is part of a shared experience it is often designated
as an "Our Song."
The emotions
attached to a memory triggered by a song are relative to how an
individual remembers its significance. Hearing the music and an
associated response is therefore unique. But when it's an "Our
Song" there is an expectation that the other person is also
remembering, and experiencing, those same significant memories.
"This is "Our Tune...Remember?"
The open question
for this gallery is if you have an "Our Song" is it
number 1 on your playlist? Or is it another memory, albeit special,
triggered by hearing the music like the theme song of a favorite
movie or TV show with its own associations? Either way it seems
evidence that "music is magic."
"melodies
will linger to stir priceless memories of the time"
When it's just "you
two" and you're listening to the song that first brought you
together..." Columbia Phonographs, 1960
This CD cover for
the three CD set by TIME LIFE
"They're Playing Our Song" featuring 36 hits by various
artists playing "great romantic standards."
THEY'RE PLAYING
OUR SONG - Original Cast LP
Music and lyrics by Marvin
Hamlisch, Carole Bayer Sager. Original Cast stars Robert Klein and
Lucie Arnaz. Casablanca NBLP7141 stereo 12" LP record album. Released
1979.
READER'S DIGEST
" These Were Our Songs- The Early '40's " 7 Record Set. Collector's
Edition. RCA RB4-084
READERS DIGEST
"They're Playing Our Song", 7 Record Box Set 33 LP
Jack Jones "Our Song"
LP KAPP Stereo 1966
Little Anthony 45 RPM
"Our Song" / Take Me Back 1965
Al Hirt "They're
Playing Our Song" 1966 RCA Dynagroove Stereo LSP-3492
Jan Garber Orchestra
They're Playing Our Song Decca 74543 Stereo Vinyl LP Record
The World of Jughead,
1963
1967 United Airlines: Our
Song, Take Me Along Print Ad
Jughead's "Our Song,"
August 1968
Our Song by Jordanna
Fraiberg, Publication Year: 2013 ISBN: 9781595142689
Play Our Song Again
by Lynsey Stevens - Harlequin #2488 (Paperback, 1982)
Our Song - DVD courtesy
MGM 2000
Copyright 2016 Griffyn
Ink (Kindle edition)
"Music is conventionally
regarded as the soundtrack to a life: the favorite song as commemoration,
a Proustian trigger that sets you adrift on memory bliss." -
p. 102, Retromania: Pop Culture's Addiction to Its Own Past,
by Simon Reynolds, Faber and Faber, Inc. ©2011
Source: The New Yorker
by Peter C. Vey (Available
for giclee purchase)
An "Our Song"
by Chris Wildt - This image and many other Our Song cartoons are available
from Cartoonstock.com
"Something"
(and the Our Song phenomenon)
Lincoln
Journal, Gary Trudeau, 1994
"That's it! That's
our Song!" October 2 1999, Lincoln Journal
Phonographia
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