Last year I joined a fabulous group of women for a global writing challenge—Gail from Is This Mutton (UK) Deb from Deb’sWorld (Australia), Jill from Grown Up Glamour, Mary Katherine from MK’s Adventures in Style (USA), Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper (UK), Australian blogger Sue Loncaric from Women Living Well After 50, Leslie Clingan from Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After and Marsha from Marsha In The Middle. On the third Thursday of every month we’ll respond to the prompt “Tell Us About XXX” which could cover any subject matter. It could be a blog post with opinions or memories; a poem, photos, anything at all. Last month, the challenge was Personal Style and was prompted by Sue. This month, I chose the fun prompt of… Musical Influences.
Music has been a big part of my life since I was a kid. When I was younger, I was obsessed with Madonna. I had this scrapbook filled with anything related to her. But when my family moved to Portugal, it got harder to keep up with her. Still, her songs from the ‘Like a Virgin’ album were stuck in my head. I knew every lyric. Nowadays, I’d probably forget half of them if I tried singing along, blame it on the hormones! But back then, Madonna was everything to me—her songs, her style, her attitude—she shaped my early years in ways I can still feel today.
Back in my day of listening to Madonna, I had her albums on tape (it’s also how I would record from the radio!), then we had CDs which eventually we got rid of because everything went online. Now we listen via Spotify (occasionally YouTube if we want to watch the video). It’s fascinating how technology has transformed the way we experience music, from physical records, tapes and CDs to the convenience of streaming platforms like Spotify.
As I grew older, my tastes shifted. In Portugal, my parents played Motown hits by the pool, so Billy Ocean and other Motown legends became the soundtrack to my preteen years (if I hear Billy Ocean’s album Love Zone now, it really takes me back). Then came my teens, and it was all about rock. Def Leppard, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses—they were my jam. Getting ready to go out with friends meant blasting rock ballads and feeling invincible. But once we hit the clubs, it was a whole different scene. We danced to everything from Heavy D and the Boyz to Black Box, Betty Boo and EMF.
One song in particular, ‘Fantasy’ by Black Box, holds a special place in my heart. It’s the song that led me to meet Michael, my husband of 26 years. Whenever it played, I couldn’t help but hit the dance floor, and it was during one of those moments that he noticed me amidst the swirling lights and dry ice. Apparently he told his best friend that “I was making him go all hot and cold” lol. Little did I know that that dance would be the beginning of our lifelong journey together.
Our musical journey has been diverse, spanning various genres and styles. We’ve explored everything from country tunes on CMT to smooth jazz and calming Celtic tunes during dinner parties. But beyond just enjoyment, music often plays a crucial role in my creative process.
When I write, music can be my guiding force, especially when I’m delving into the dark, atmospheric realms of urban fantasy, the right soundtrack really sets the scene for me. It helps me tap into the emotions and imagery that bring my stories to life. For urban fantasy, I lean towards dark, atmospheric scores like those found in movie soundtracks such as ‘Edward Scissorhands’ or ‘Practical Magic.’ These compositions add depth to the otherworldly settings I create. In essence, music isn’t just background noise—it can be an integral part of my writing process, shaping the tone and atmosphere of my stories. Having said that, there are other times when I require absolute silence lol!
As I reflect on my musical influences, it’s clear that I’ve been influenced by a huge array of genres over the years. From the catchy pop tunes of Madonna to the gritty rock anthems of Alice Cooper and the smooth jazz melodies of Stacey Kent, my tastes have gone through a diverse musical landscape. With each new genre, I’ve discovered something unique and inspiring, shaping my musical identity in unexpected ways.
From the rebellious spirit of rock to the soulful rhythms of Motown, each genre has left its mark on me, contributing to the eclectic mix of influences that define my personal musical palette. I’m always looking forward to discovering new songs and artists. And in today’s digital age, the emergence of AI in music production adds another layer to this ever-evolving landscape. Music evolves just like life does. As I continue to explore new sounds and artists, I approach the journey with open ears and a sense of adventure, ready to embrace whatever comes my way.
Now let’s find out how the other fabulous women in the group have been influenced by music…
Gail from Is This Mutton was transfixed one day in 1971 by the star who became her icon. Since then there have been other dalliances, and she has even switched to a different type of music. But she still remains true to the Prettiest Star. Link: https://www.isthismutton.com
Debbie goes back in time to her teenage self, rediscovers some favourites from watching Countdown on TV and realises she was very naive when it comes to song lyrics! www.debs-world.com
Marsha grew up when AM radio reigned supreme. Elvis would be crooning in the background along with Tom Jones and even a little Frank Sinatra. As music changed from the crooners to rock to heavy metal to hip hop, Marsha’s tastes changed, too. Or, did they? You’ll have to read her post to discover the answer! https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Jill found this an interesting prompt as she is not sure she actually has any Musical Influences, so she simply looks at music she’s enjoyed. Grown Up Glamour
Penny recalls how pop music was very much part of her life as a teenager and tells us about her musical influences, which were mostly on television. But she reveals that music now does not really feature in her life. Frugal Fashion Shopper
