Ray Leach
Music has a profound impact on who we are, and who we become. Here are 10 songs that I believe played a key part in moulding the person I am today.
‘Ring of Fire’ – Johnny Cash
This classic was my favourite as a kid. Embarrassingly, there is video footage of me singing this banger to myself in my room.
‘Love You’ – The Free Design
Growing up, we had The Big Chill on CD and I have vivid memories of being in the car driving through the countryside to school and singing ‘Love You’ at the top of my lungs.
‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ – Bob Dylan
This song brings my family together. It was played at my uncle’s funeral and will forever remind me of that oddly peaceful day.
‘Tubular Bells Pt. I’ – Mike Oldfield
My dad told me the story of his father listening to vinyl for the first time in his life. My dad, then a teenager, put headphones on his dad, and blasted this wicked and unusual orchestral masterpiece. I’m sure it blew his mind, and brought them together. This was the age of acid in the late 60s, so I can only imagine the joy this brought my dad.
‘Mellow Yellow’ – Donovan
Once my brother introduced me to Donovan, there was no stopping me. ‘Mellow Yellow’ has such a unique sound and was the start of my love for psychedelic 60s folk.
‘I Feel The Earth Move’ – Carole King
Another childhood favourite of mine was Carole King. This may be due to a very limited selection of CDs we had in the car, but regardless, her album Tapestry is engrained on my brain forever.
‘Unluck’ – James Blake
My mum’s love for James Blake meant that I listened to his 2011 album over and over again. His voice just melts into your brain. He continues to make incredibly moving, soft music.
‘Holding On’ – The Beauty Room
This sweet 2000s tune was one that my mum and I would belt together, particularly the end line, “holding onto Ray”!
‘Heartbeats’ – José González
Running around in the countryside as a kid, this song was a fundamental background song that was stuck in my head. It still moves me to this day.
‘Melissa’ – Allman Brothers Band
The romance in this song reminds me of my parents as a young couple, pre-children. They’ve sung this together many times over the years.
