Readers recommendMusicReaders recommend: songs about gifts and giving – results
Presents to recognition to devotion, RR’s Fuel wraps up a global playlist of multiple perspectives and emotions inspired by last week’s gift of a topic
Caroline Wheeler’s Birthday Present was a big thing, bigger than others and made entirely from “the skins of dead Jim Morrisons”. It was stitched together by the Jazz Butcher and is the type of nonsensical and surreal gift you dispose of under the cover of darkness. When asked what you did with it, you say you donated it to someone less fortunate. And if they still have that gift, they are indeed unfortunate.
In contrast, Natalie Merchant has received only Kind and Generous gifts. She states that she’s in debt to the giver but surely a true gift is one that’s given without the expectation of reciprocity. Nevertheless, she writes a joyous song to express her gratitude. A similar selfless kindness is found in the song Old Man by Love. In addition to passing on wisdom for the ages, the old man gifts a lucky charm and a book, which only reveal their true value long after he’s gone.
Lucky Jim (aka. Gordon Grahame) is well named because he’s one of the Honeymooners. He’ll receive the flower of his lover as she gives, thus setting his mind and body at ease, taking the poison from his head. In return, he’ll build a craft that will sail his jealousies into eternity as he charts the southern lands – giving.
But what makes a person want to give without any expectation of receiving? Well, Nomad’s Sharon D Clarke is overwhelmed by beauty and that makes her want to give all her love in a passionate display of Devotion. Maybe love given so unconditionally is what Crown Heights Affair sing of in You Gave Me Love as they desire to give in return the richest gift of all.
Stars also sing of love: Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It – no circumspection, no holding back: just give it! X-Press 2 featuring Kurt Wagner also exhort you to Give It. But this giving is about giving recognition, being generous in spirit and tolerating difference, letting others live and having patience: give it a little more time.
Everything You Never Had (We Had It All) by Breach features Andreya Triana paying tribute to her mother because, despite lacking material goods when being raised, Triana’s life felt rich and she didn’t want for anything. Giving unlimited assistance to someone close is also the theme in Reach Out (I’ll Be There), with Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops providing the unreserved emotional support – now that’s my sort of friend. Offering to bear the burden weighing down another – giving freely of oneself – shines through in Rainy Day’s version of I’ll Keep it with Mine; Susanna Hoffs singing words to make the other feel cared for and wanted.
But what of material giving? Koduthathellam Koduthaan by TM Soundararajan asks: “Was the world given to one person or to us all?” He goes on to sing that the moon gives light to everyone and doesn’t differentiate based on prosperity or power. The message of the song is clear: let’s give to one another and share the wealth of the Earth rather than let a minority needlessly hoard it.
Lastly, we turn to music itself and the way it gives. Ripple describes the hope that the thoughts and music contained within the song will generate more music, that it will give to future generations in the same way it has drawn from previous generations. Will that happen? The Grateful Dead don’t know, but they give the gift of song. “Reach out your hand if your cup be empty. If your cup is full may it be again. Let there be songs to fill the air.”
The playlist
The Jazz Butcher – Caroline Wheeler’s Birthday Present
Natalie Merchant – Kind and Generous
Nomad – (I Wanna Give You) Devotion [Soul mix]
Crown Heights Affair – You Gave Me Love
Stars - Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It
X-Press 2 Feat. Kurt Wagner – Give It (Extended Club Mix)
Breach – Everything You Never Had (We Had It All) (ft. Andreya Triana)
Four Tops – Reach Out (I’ll Be There)
Rainy Day – I’ll Keep It With Mine
TM Soundararajan – Koduthathellam Koduthaan
Enjoying this list or want to join in with more? There will be a new and final RR article for this year (...) going live at 8pm UK tonight. Find it here. Happy New Year.
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