Reminiscing again. Maybe it’s the cooler weather…chili on the stove…fire in the fireplace. Whatever it is, this former DJ has tunes in his head that are revolving around hearth and home.
I remember working at a “free-form” radio station many years ago. “Free-form,” I think, meant the jocks worked for “free” snacks and concert tickets but maintained total control over the “form” of what they played. One of my DJ “trademarks” back then was putting songs together in thematic sets. I would mix together tunes (regardless of genre) that told the tale of whatever theme I was chasing. (Clearly, there’s not much demand for such a thing on terrestrial radio these days.)
So, right there on my La-Z-Boy surrounded by the creature comforts of home, I started to think. What cool songs would I be stringing together today to reflect “house and home?” Lots of discoveries here to enjoy. Put your feet up for a few minutes.
I’d ease into my theme with a standard from Cole Porter…maybe Nina Simone or Benny Goodman performing “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To.” “You’d be so nice to come home to…you’d be so nice by the fire.” Yea…I got the fire going.
Let’s follow that up with something fun…maybe “Our House” by the English ska band Madness, or Pete Seeger doing “Little Boxes.” (The latter song is a bit sanctimonious, but fans of the TV series “Weeds” on Showtime will know it well.) How ‘bout the official state song of Kansas leading into “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros?
John Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses” could be next, followed by the funky “The House That Jack Built” by Aretha Franklin, or a seasonal favorite like Kenny Loggins’s “Celebrate Me Home.”
I think that song could lead into the wonderful sentiment of “Home Again” by Carole King. And then, of course, Graham Nash’s charming homage to his brief affair with Joni Mitchell…“with two cats in the yard.” “Our House” has it all: “flowers in the vase”; a fireplace; a “cozy room.” A delightfully evocative capper to our foray into musical real estate.
What “house and home” songs would be in your set list?
By Tom Gongaware (General Sales Manager, Triangle Region)
My college roommate played the grooves off "Ain't It Good To Be Back Home Again?" by John Denver, so I'd have to add that. And "Our House," the '80s tune by Madness that became a Maxwell House commercial. And how about the Beach Boys' "In My Room?"
November 11th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Tom, you're making me long for a quiet snowy eve. Though I am (a mere) 47 years old, I love a good long evening of the old classics...Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and my favorite, Nat King Cole. And Nina Simone has a KILLER version of "Feeling Good". I try to always give as personalized a closing gift as I can. Several months ago I had a middle aged couple who were sort of homebodies. Along with a gift certificate for a nice dinner (that they could get as take out if they liked), I gave them a bottle of their favorite beverage and a CD I had compiled of great classics. They called me one evening during the summer to tell me what a fabulous evening they were having sitting on the porch, sipping a little libation and enjoying truly classic tunes.
November 13th, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Creative idea, Tracy. Great way to make your clients feel "at home!"
November 14th, 2011 at 9:10 am
"2000 Light Years from Home' Rolling Stones Love that Mellotron.
November 18th, 2011 at 12:42 pm