I recently asked followers - people with dementia, their care partners & allies, to share their favourite love songs and say what they mean to them. About 20 responded, so this CST activities page is for their and everyone's enjoyment.
I have laid it out in the format of a Top 20 'Our Tune' Love Songs Playlist. Lyric video links are included, so you can run the session like a Karaoke party and ask members to individually or collectively sing along.
The idea comes from Simon Bates Radio 1 'Our Tune' daily slot, which ran throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Ask members if anyone remembers listening to this?
STARTING SONG. 'Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet', Henry Salomon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K_w0M8nbMI This was used as the theme tune for the long running 'Our Tune' feature.
There were also a few albums released to celebrate some of the best songs played.
If you wish, you could ask members to name their favourite DJ?
And to name these other famous DJ?
Right, let's get to it.
Our first song is the Beatles’ 'Long and Winding Road'. Joyce & Peter Baker - "I chose this because when I was first dating Joyce (nearly 48 yrs ago) I had a 4 mile walk down country lanes to get to her college. (And back!)
Original version without lyrics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR4HjTH_fTM
Cover version with lyrics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIHEuYfDypg
Our next song is Elvis Presley's 'Can't Help Falling In Love'. Tim & Jane Nicholls - "A classic tune, so often heard on the shores of Porthcawl in the autumn."
Liz Beavan also chose this song. "I'm not sure why, but it just reminds me of my youth and hope of falling in love. LOL."
Helen & David Whyment's tune is Elton John’s 'Your Song'. - "We used to watch Elton live in Bristol before he was famous. David always sings this song to me. Another song is 'All Right Now'. We met on a month long expedition to Norway and spent the last few days in Bergen. We used to dance to this in the outdoor concert area where a group played. This was 1970.
Willy Gilder's song is Nilsson's ’Without You’ - "It always reminds me of tearful goodbyes on Birmingham New Street Station to my then girl friend."
Our 'Monday's Moments' group song is a variation on Perry Como's 'Magic Moments'.
Mondays Moments when are hearts are caring
Mondays Moments memories we been sharing
We'll never forget the day that we met it was on a Monday
Our group is so great and we all can new friendship and stories
Mondays Moments when are hearts are caring
Mondays Moments filled with love ❤
'Monday's Moments' meet on a Monday - that's where the Monday came from, and we are in the hub above the 'Moments Cafe' downstairs - that's how we got 'Moments'. A member of the group sang 'Magic Moments' and we all agreed to use it as our song. We changed some words and that's how we got our group name. We are in Plymouth and are part of 'Memory Matters South West'. x Debbie Bending
Melissa Fazackerley's choice is The Proclaimers ‘I would walk 500 miles’. She says, "Love is the little things - waking up with someone, havering together… ."
Joanna Phillips chooses 'Nobody Does It Better' by Carly Simon. - "I married a James Bond fan and it was our first dance at our wedding reception!"
Julie Parsons' choice is ‘Three Times A Lady’ by The Commodores - "I have such lovely memories of the last dance at the local disco in the late 70s and the time I met my husband."
Lesley Barton chooses good old 10 CC 'I’m Not In Love' - "I think very much like Liz Beaven it was a song of my youth and I always danced to it at disco's with the latest boyfriend!!!!"
Next is a song I was not familiar with. It is chosen by Laura Walker and is 'First Day of My Life' by Bright Eyes. - "It was my first dance song on my wedding day. Second marriage, the real deal!! 😆 "
Our next song is Roberta Flack's 'The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face'. Kate Smith says, "This…. Gets me every time! Such purity, first time I heard it I was 17, I cried so hard I thought it was so beautiful."
Next Jacky Webbe chooses 'For Sentimental Reasons' by Nat King Cole - "It's such a beautiful song. I just love to sing it to my hubby x"
Julie Armstrong's choice is Bette Midler's 'Wind Beneath My Wings' - "It was our wedding song for the first dance."
Si O'Donovan chooses 'God Only Knows' by The Beach Boys - "It was our song at our Civil Partnership in 2006. We have been together since 1986, so it was a lovely celebration of our time together. We then married proper in 2014 when equal marriage finally passed into UK law."
Karen Warlow's choice is 'Save The Best For Last' by Vanessa Williams - "It reminds me of the break up of all break ups! 🙄"
Tim sent in another song. 'You And Me Always', by The Wannadies - "Our fist dance!"
And finally, 'The Sunshine Club's' choice is 'It Must Be Love' by Madness. Thanks Helen, that's a great song to end with.
