Here at Gigwise we wanted to discover songs that reminded people of some of their childhood memories. Whether it’s a song that your parents played on repeat, a track that reminds you of your first love or something that your school friends used to play in the classroom, songs from your formative years can shape your entire future music catalogue – whether you realise or not.
We polled readers on Facebook and Twitter, and even asked people in the Gigwise office for their personal song choices and reasons why. We then rounded up some of our favourites below as YouTube videos.
Hopefully they will trigger some of your memories – so if you remember a song that reminds you of your childhood, then feel free to submit your song choice and reasons why.
Giant Digital Staff...
Jason Gregory, Editor, Gigwise - Michael Jackson, 'Billie Jean':
“I had an unhealthy obsession with Michael Jackson as a child (which, in hindsight, is quite ironic). Of all his hits, 'Billie Jean', was the one that made me moonwalk like a mini-him back and forth across my parent's kitchen floor while clutching my mum's fedora on my head. I've still got the VHS recording of Jackson performing live in Bucharest in 1992, and is performance of the song there showed why he was, in my opinion, the greatest performer of all time.”
Holly Frith, Deputy Editor, Gigwise - The Human League, 'Don't You Want Me Baby' :
"The Frith family are an EPIC bunch of people and between my mum's passion for the 80s cheese and my dad's love for Bruce Springsteen i grew up listening to and watching the soundtrack of the 80s from The Breakfast Club to Ferris Bueller's Day Off. ALSO Me and my sister used to put on fashion shows for the Frith bunch and 'Don't You Want Me Baby' was a must on the runway playlist - plus i always wanted to work in a cocktail bar!"
Claire Rutter, Editor, TaleTela - Rick Astley , 'Never Gonna Give You Up':
“It is THE song of my childhood. It was the first album that I was bought and my parents often found me singing my heart out with a hairbrush in front of the mirror. I was only two.”
Alex Winehouse, Editor, Muveez - Fats Domino, 'Ain't That A Shame':
“When I was 9, I really wanted the new Spurs kit. My mum said no, I went into a sulk, she put Fats Domino on and sardonically sang the chorus back to me. Part of me still hasn't got over it...”
Helen Sanders, Editor, Entertainmentwise - Paul Simon, 'You Can Call Me Al':
“Nothing brings back the memory of a childhood car journey like it. 9-years-old, asking 'Are we there yet?' and fighting with my sister over who had breached our back seat, pillow boundary, stopped. For 4-and-a-half minutes at least...”
Deepika Rajani, Deputy Editor, Entertainmentwise - Craig David ft. Artful Dodger, 'Re-wind':
“I remember when it first came out, me and my best friend at school were obseesed with saying re-e-e-wind! lord knows why! haha!”
Gigwise readers on Twitter...
Lincoln Matos (MatosLA) - The Beatles, 'Strawberry Fields Forever':
“Has been a favourite of mine since I was 10, when I heard the ‘Imagine’ OST.”
Harriet Mountford (hattielizzie) – The Clash, 'Bankrobber':
“My dad used to sing it to me in mellow tones, with my name occassionally inserted in. Loved it.”
Helen Weatherhead (Helen_ECW) – OMC, 'How Bizarre' :
“Reminds me of camping in Anglesey. It was played on the radio EVERYDAY! Looking back, it might've been a tape...”
Heather Barron (SuSuSuan) - The Chemical Brothers, 'Hey Girl Hey Boy' :
“Dad is a big fan and used to play them all the time in the car.”
Sarah Daniels (sarahjamber) - Jesus Jones, 'International Bright Young Thing':
“Reminds me of reading smash hits in the garden with my Walkman!”
Gigwise readers on Facebook...
Haris Seferagic - Joe Cocker, 'With A Little Help From My Friends':
"When i was a little kid I used to watch a series and every episode of it would start with this song, and I enjoyed it every time."
