The "Our Song" Phenomenon in Popular Culture

"Music is Magic"

 

By Doug Boilesen, 2004

This 1945 magazine advertisement for the Crosley Radio-Phonograph is an example of how songs can become attached to an event, a place, or a person because of a significant memory. When that special song is part of a shared experience it's often designated as an "Our Song."

The emotions attached to a memory triggered by a song are relative to how an individual remembers its context and significance. Hearing an "Out Song" and its associated response is therefore unique. But an "Our Song" is also unique since the other member of the "our" is also remembering and experiencing special memories because of that song.

"This is "Our Tune...Remember?"

 

 

This "Our Song" phenomenon presents two questions to readers of this article. First, do you have an Our Song? And if so, how special is it, i.e., is it number 1 on your playlist, or is it another memory triggered by hearing the music like the theme song of a favorite movie or TV show with its own associations?

Either way an "Our Song" supports the theme and phrase that "music is magic."

 

"...melodies will linger to stir priceless memories of the time, the place, and the friends who helped you celebrate."

 

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.

 

Our Song, Taylor Swift.

 

"These Were Our Songs -- The Early '40s" 7 Record Set, Reader's Digest Collector's Edition. RCA RB4-084.


"They're Playing Our Song", Reader's Digest 7 Record, Box Set LPs.


Jack Jones "Our Song," Kapp Records, LP, Stereo, 1966.



Little Anthony "Our Song" / Take Me Back, DCP Records, 45 RPM, 1965.



Al Hirt "They're Playing Our Song, RCA Dynagroove Stereo LSP-3492, 1966.


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).

 

An "Our Song" as a "Proustian trigger that sets you adrift on memory bliss."

"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).

 

 

Courtesy of Bob Zahn (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