1001 Songs Challenge #964: My People (2007)

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!

 

The Presets – My People (2007)

 

 

Following our US/UK collaboration yesterday, we are taking a super long flight all the way down to Australia and we are stopping in Sydney, dear reader. This gorgeous country has been our stop a few times before and today we are sampling electronic and dance music. The Presets were formed in 2003 by Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes. The group’s debut album came in 2005 but we pick up their story in 2007 with the release of their second record, Apocalypso, and from there 1001 Songs have gone with the track, My People. 

In My People, The Presets tackle the very real issue that has been prevalent throughout history – refugees seeking asylum. Australia has been in the headlines in recent years for the controversial treatment of asylum seekers, confined to offshore facilities for processing and – sometimes – kept there for many years. My People is from the perspective of an asylum seeker locked away and hoping for some kind of reprieve. They have come in search of a better life for themselves but found only captivity. There is still some sanctuary though for they are with their people and together a community still remains, love and support are still within reach. 

I was not familiar with The Presets prior to this challenge but was fascinated by the background to My People. I feel empathy when I think of refugees and asylum seekers and it saddens me to see people treated so harshly when all they want is the chance of a better life. My People proved to be a breakthrough for The Presets, as did their award-winning second album. They continue to this day and now have four albums under their belt.

 

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)

Radiohead – Paranoid Android (1997)

Snow Patrol – Run