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The 'List: Songs That Changed My Life – Part 1

A 'List Compiled Solely by Calvin H. Cherry

By Carlos GonzalezPublished 6 years ago 8 min read
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Hello, one and all.

This is a 'list compiled solely by my good buddy, Calvin Houston Cherry, whom I've affectionately nicknamed "Oates." Enjoy, and there's more coming.

The greatest band ever—hands down! This song was recorded two years before I was born, but I practically heard it right out of the womb. My dad loved The Beatles, and the Red and Blue [Greatest Hits] albums played constantly around the house. Though it is difficult for me to single out one favorite Beatles song, I have always thought that this track is them and George Martin at their best. I love the way it builds, and the orchestral arrangement is brilliant. I believe The Beatles set the standard for my musical taste at an extremely early age. I have been lucky enough to see Paul and Ringo in concert over the years.

My father is a huge John Denver fan, and this song had a profound effect on me. When my mom died giving birth to me, my dad left me with his parents while he finished college and remarried four years later. My grandparents lived down a country road in rural Tennessee, and whenever I hear this song it takes me back to my childhood and reminds me who I am: a simple, southern boy from Tennessee!

Though I faintly remember hearing this song on the radio growing up, it was not until I was on the USS Thorn in 1991 when Richard Burkholder included it to the soundtrack of my life. When I was with him, he played it in constant rotation. In fact, it became a way we greeted one another in person, phone, or email. Rich became the brother that I never had, and we were always together. The words of this song carry deeper meaning now— not in a sexual way, but it defines our friendship and the struggle to maintain it due to separation/distance.

Janice Cherry, my dad’s oldest sister, was born mentally handicapped and required round the clock care and supervision. Because I lived with my father’s parents six years of my life (until I was four and my last two years of high school), Jan became more of a sister to me. She loved music, and when my Aunt Joy bought this 45 single in 1975, it did not stop playing until Jan died January 2009. Because Jan could not communicate beyond a two-year-old, none of us could ever understand the impact of this song made on Jan. I hope one day I can ask her.

This song is from my all-time favorite Disney movie, Pete’s Dragon. This is a song about hope and deliverance and contains all kinds of spiritual symbolism. My childhood was laden with physical, mental, and sexual abuse; and this record helped me get through it. At age 47, it still moves me to this day.

With a play length of 8:56 (the album version, which includes the flock of wah-wahs at the end) is one of the longest rock singles ever! Joe’s long guitar solo is amazing. I spent most of my 20s very bitter about my childhood and stayed drunk a lot of my time on active duty in the Navy. I recall playing this song many times in the car driving around Charleston, SC. It always lightens the mood. How I have managed to keep from getting a speeding ticket while jamming to this song is a miracle. This track always makes me smile and reminds me to count my blessings. No matter the situation at hand, someone always is worse off than you.

The only voice that shows up on this playlist twice! I never gave special notice to this song until I found out Lisa and I were expecting a son of our own. We used to play this to Jacob while he was still in the womb; and while Jacob had colic, this track (and white noise) was about the only way to quiet him. I remember being up at 3:00 AM rocking and singing this song to him. I recall Lisa and I playing "Beautiful Boy" to Jacob when he was around eight, and Jacob got stock still, smiled and perked up. We always replaced the last line with Jacob (as opposed to Sean).

When "Sunglasses at Night" was released earlier, I thought Corey Hart was cool. When "Boy in the Box" was released with this song, I wanted to be Corey Hart! This track is about not giving up no matter what and could probably be the anthem to every troubled teenager. It helped me to see beyond my situation and pain. As an adult, it reminds me that others cannot control your feelings—only you can do that—and to stand your ground, never compromising your beliefs.

INXS is one of my favorite bands. When the KICK album was released in 1987, I wore out the cassette (now I have the remastered 30th anniversary CD, which sounds awesome!). This particular song struck a chord with me because of its powerful message, the beautiful orchestration, and the moving refrain at the end. It is the perfect blend of lyric and music, and Michael Hutchence’s voice puts a ribbon around the entire package. I was lucky enough to see them in concert twice before Michael committed suicide.

This song was popular the time the Navy flew me overseas to live for two years. Though the track was written about Richard’s future wife and life on the road, for me it was about missing home (Grandma, Grandpa, and Jan). I love piano, and this song really spoke to me at the time. I felt very alone with only a phone bridging the gap between Sicily and Tennessee.

More piano. I heard this song for the first time on a video jukebox in a bar in Crete, wondering what the hell I got myself into. It was Christmas day, and the USS Thorn made its first port call on my first six-month deployment. Though I loved traveling, I did not enjoy ship life. I had not befriended Rich yet, so here I was at this bar in a foreign place on Christmas day. And then this song played, and it seemed to identify every feeling and thought that was running through my head. It is a song about prayer and crying out to God when you need direction. This is exactly what I did. Shortly afterwards, Rich came into my life; and less than a year later I got out of active duty and moved to Georgia where I met my future wife.

Though I liked many songs by the Pet Shop Boys over the years ("Domino Dancing" being a top pick), this song sealed my respect for them as being serious artists. This track is powerfully haunting, magnificently orchestrated (yes, even more piano), and is a true testament to anyone who has been in a relationship where another person takes your place. A true powerhouse!

Elton John is my all-time favorite musical artist, and the same goes for my ex-wife, Lisa. When I met her shortly after getting out of active duty in 1992, this song was being played on the radio. It quickly became “our song,” and was the first selection we danced to after becoming Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Cherry. And of course, listen to even more piano!

Lex Cherry, the grandfather that co-raised me, has been the most influential and loved man in my life. When he suffered a stroke in 1995, I remember driving back from the hospital in Nashville and hearing this song for the first time. Its message perfectly illustrated the feeling of the world being suspended when someone you love is dying. You look down upon the world wondering how it can even continue to function while you are grieving. You laugh despairingly at the world while you cry your heart out…but it’s the world we know…

This song was released the year I graduated college and became a father. It is also the year Canada Life announced that it was being sold and my job was in jeopardy. They sent me to Regina, Saskatchewan to basically train the folks that would ultimately replace me. I had never heard of Robbie Williams before, but he was like the #1 male pop entertainer outside of North America. I recall being in the hotel at the end of a full day worth of training and had the TV on their equivalent VH-1 station. This video was playing every hour, and I was immediately pulled in by the (can you guess?)…PIANO! With everything going on in my life at the time, it made me think about what I had to give and where I was in life. It spoke to me regarding my priorities. A very beautiful, powerful emotional song.

Another UK band that blew me away with their Hope & Fears debut album. I include this song because it is about aging, moving beyond the aches and pains life can throw at you, and rediscovering yourself after going through a difficult situation. I was in transition from Canada Life to ZC Sterling when this song was popular, and I recall listening to it in the car driving to and from job interviews (and there were plenty of those!) The melody and Tom Chaplin’s voice are soothing and hopeful. The piano is not too shabby either!

I added this song as a bonus—mainly because this band is probably the greatest to launch from the UK since Keane three years earlier. This is a rather unusual song about spending time with the one you love and the disappointment when it doesn’t go right. It makes you question where you invest your own time and money. Having remarried and switched jobs recently, I have readjusted my own lifestyle to spend more time with God and loved ones as opposed to work and other things. What I like most about this song is the a capella bit at the very end. Priceless!

Next List Pending.

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About the Creator

Carlos Gonzalez

A passionate writer and graphic artist looking to break into the BIG TIME! Short stories, scripts and graphic art are my forte! Brooklyn N.Y. born and raised. Living in Manchester, Connecticut! Working on two novels now!

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