Along with our letters, we also publish “Flashback Fives”—a list of five moments when each writer fell in love with a song, album, artist, genre, et al. This list was submitted by Daniel from Columbia, PA.
The Allman Brothers Band
Brothers & Sisters
“Wasted Words”
I owe this introduction, and a mound of thanks, to my parents. Best lyrics have ambiguity that can be applied to multiple subjects. Amorphous, brilliant, priceless.
“Weekday soap-box speciality, you know what I’m talkin’ ’bout now,
By the way, this song’s for you, sincerely, me.”
The Stray Cats
Rant N’ Rave
“Rebels Rule”
This was on one of my first cassette mixes. Dialed through FM, adjusted an antenna before that to receive it. Heart-warming, familiar rumble at the beginning for me.
“You look like something that the cat dragged in,
Yeah well you look something off an assembly line”
Cap’n Jazz
Analphabetapolothology
“Little League”
Sometimes friends turn you onto some wonderful things. Word play is a fascinating thing that delightfully rings my ears. I was scribbling lyrics on walls and tables when I first heard this.
“We live in quick flips, slips, tips, and taps,
To snap us outta these statue traps”
Ryan Adams
Gold
“New York, New York”
Every once and again things have a way of playing out in a timely fashion. At their most misunderstood—bittersweet and better when reflected upon. Rolling with punches, wounds, hard places. Music.
“Had myself a lover who was finer than gold,
But I’ve broken up and busted up since”
Lord Huron
Lonesome Dreams
“Ends Of The Earth”
Standing in heat, thinking about anxiety, things big and small. An air can blow over you so comforting, you slip away. I found serenity, a place in the shade, kicked my feet up.
“Out there’s a land that time don’t command,
Wanna be the first to arrive”
Life has a way of marking people and having its way with them. These opening tracks, music, lyrics, experiences, make me love everything more. Cheers to all involved.
Love Letters to Rock n Roll 