This is in response to a challenge on Facebook by my daughter Rosanna.

Birth

When I was a young lad, my mother used to sing this song all the time. When I saw Doris Day sing it in the movie “The Man Who Knew Too Much”, I thought she was my mom. That feeling stuck with me for years. What I like about “Que Sera Sera” is that it is good advice: what will be, will be.

Back in the Day

My very first 45 rpm record was this one by Ferrante and Teicher. I was crazy about movies, and “Lawrence of Arabia” really touched something in me. Over the years, I have collected a lot of music from the movies, and will probably do so for my whole life.

Fight

I could have chosen any number of good songs for this one, including the Rolling Stones’ “Get Off My Cloud” and Deep Purple’s “Child in Time”. Instead, I’m going back to a time in my teens when my frustrations about relationships boiled over a couple of times. The Ugly Ducklings were a Canadian group based in Toronto. “Baby, you’re what I need: Nothin’!”

Love

Again, I could have chosen from a plethora of songs, especially from my teens, but this one is special because it encapsulated my “Summer (The First Time)”. Bobby Goldsboro is not my favourite singer, but I love this song.

Guilty Pleasure

Who could ever have guessed that classical music would figure in my life? I went to see Virgil Fox play at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver in the late 70’s. When he played the “Toccata and Fugue in D minor” (by J.S. Bach), I was blown away. My Miller cousins will know where this interest comes from.

Death

It would be interesting to have this set of songs played at my funeral. Originally written by John and (mostly) Paul (of The Beatles), this version by Phil Collins takes the drum solo to new heights. “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End” was the fitting end of the Beatles, and my hope is that those that are left behind will take comfort in the words.