Many of us can link a certain album to pivotal moments in our lives. Whether it’s the first record you bought with your own money, the chord you first learnt to play on guitar, the song that soundtracked your first kiss, the album that got you those awkward and painful pubescent years or the one that set off light bulbs in your brain and inspired you to take a big leap of faith into the unknown – music is often the catalyst for change in our lives and can even help shape who we become.
In this series, Music Feeds asks artists to reflect on their relationship with music and share with us stories about the effect music has had on their lives.
Jorjee Haman, Creo – Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness On The Edge of Town
Darkness on the Edge of Town,
We met when I was only four years old, and even though I was too young to understand what you were trying to say, I knew it meant something. Your passion, intent, and genuineness shone through. The outpouring of emotion was felt even in my infant chest, so much so it brought me to my knees, begging my mother to buy me a guitar, just so I could try and mimic the way you spoke to me.
It’s funny, as years go by and we grow older, most relationships would consequently flutter apart, but not ours. You’ve always stuck by me, conveniently popping up and guiding me through pivotal moments of my life. Together we screamed “ADAM RAISED A CAIN” in our teenage-angst-fits of rage, whilst you also re-assured me in ‘Promised Land’ that it was ok to dream, even if it does seem childish. Or how about the time I ironically sat in my bedroom (all night) listening to ‘Prove it all Night’ on repeat, trying to learn the guitar solo, note for note, by ear? Almost as a token of respect, there was no cheating, no online tablature, just you, and me, back and forth till I had it perfected and we could play it as a duet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5hfJETcuIU
Nothing speaks to me more than your words in ‘Badlands’; “Talk about a dream. Try to make it real”. These two simple lines have been my mantra – my guiding light whenever my torch has run out of battery.
You continue to be the endless source of inspiration I need to keep pushing on, and for that I am forever grateful. One day I will be old, grey wrinkled and frail, you’ll be speaking to me in my final days, still teaching up until my flame burns out. Your flame on the other hand will never die, forever invincible, sharing your spirit amongst those lucky enough to discover you just like I did.
Jorjee Haman
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Creo’s new single ”Plasticine Mezzanine’ is out today! Check it out below.
