3 songs that remind me of my dad

This is how I’ll remember my dad. A cup of tea in hand and always sitting on his bum. When Father’s Day came around this year, I wasn’t quite sure how I would feel. My dad passed away from cancer last year, and Father’s Day was the last ‘first event/anniversary/important date’ without him after getting through a 21st birthday and my sister’s 16th.

When the writer’s suggestions popped up on my Facebook timeline, our Music Editor Lorna’s suggestion jumped out at me – ‘Top songs that remind you of your dad’. The same day I had been sitting in work when ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder started to play. Instantly I was reminded of the times I’d shared with my dad, dancing around the living room or singing as loud as we could in the car.

Bob Marley once said, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” Music is a tremendously powerful thing. Despite the terrible pain of losing someone close to me, I found comfort in hearing a song that we both loved and used to sing in my little Toyota Yaris.

So instead of moping this Father’s Day, I listened to the songs that reminded me of my dad and made me feel happy.

Superstition: Stevie Wonder

At school I took GCSE music. As was tradition we used to have a summer concert at the end of each term to showcase our ‘talents’ – of which mine was singing. There were two music classes and we would each choose a song to perform. While my group opted for ‘Numb’ by Linkin Park, the other group chose the soulful, upbeat ‘Superstition.’ To say I was jealous was an understatement. Not that there’s anything wrong with Linkin Park, I may add. The singer of the other group was known for being the confident singer that the whole school choir envied. I didn’t really have a chance. The day came and my parents came along to watch. “Go on Bex, you’ll smash it,” my dad said to me. And indeed I did ‘smash it.’ The other girl? Let’s just say it really wasn’t her song. From that point every time my dad and I took a car journey together we would crank up ‘Superstition’ and impersonate the poor girl. I personally think our rendition was far better.

Supermassive Black Hole: Muse

To say I am a Muse fan is a gross understatement (As I think this article proves). My dad used to tease me all the time and say that they sounded like Coldplay. To clarify: I cannot stand Coldplay. In 2012 we got tickets to go and see Muse at the 02. I went with my boyfriend of the time and my dad went with my sister. We didn’t manage to get seats next to each other, but we could see each other as we were in adjacent sections. My best memory of the gig wasn’t seeing Muse, but turning to look at my dad when ‘Supermassive Black Hole’ came on and seeing him completely rocking out. An almost bald forty-something man having the time of his life? I don’t think there’s anything better.

Boogie Wonderland: Earth, Wind and Fire

As morbid as it sounds this was the last song to be played at my dad’s funeral. While some may think of this as bad taste, it pretty much summed my dad up. Full of humour, completely innapropriate, but most of all – fun. My first ever memory of dancing with my dad was to this song in our living room at my old house. I remember him putting it on full blast and doing the dad dance. Yes, this is a recognised dance. Much like the waltz, but standing still, and moving your arms around a little bit. My first love affair with music was soul and funk, and although I’ve transitioned to good ol’ rock there will always be a place in my heart for a little bit of Earth, Wind and Fire.