1001 Songs Challenge #516: Lost in Music (1979)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post every day (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be… legendary!

 

Sister Sledge – Lost in Music (1979)

The US is too enticing to leave just now, dear reader, so we’re leaving Indiana today and heading over to Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Formed in 1971 Sister Sledge were a group made up of four sisters – Debbie, Joni, Kathy and Kim Sledge. When we join the quartet of sisters in 1979 it is with the release of their third album, We Are Family, but instead of going for the title track, 1001 Songs have stunned everyone by instead favouring another song entitled Lost in Music. Me confused! 

Lost in Music sees Sister Sledge sing about chasing our dreams and fantasies. In this case, the dream in question is music. We hear how the sisters are not content with being nailed down by a 9 to 5 job. They have fallen for the charm of music and long to pursue this as their path. They wish for the chance to be on stage and sing for adoring fans. There is no way back. They are “lost in music”, so deeply entwined in the allure of melody that they can not and will not go back to the lives they once knew. It doesn’t sound like anything is going to stop them either. 

I have heard of Sister Sledge and, like many people, am very familiar with the title track to this album, We Are Family. It was refreshing to hear an alternative song instead of the obvious choice. The subject matter is one many of us can relate to, the desire to pursue an ideal life in whatever our passion may be. Many do chase the dream but many fail in their search. Life is never always kind to each and every one of us. Sister Sledge did not fail, with this album proving to be a huge success for them and they remain active to this day.

 

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Doors – The End (1967)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

Rod Stewart – Maggie May (1971)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way (1977)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (1978)

The Police – Roxanne (1978)