Seven songs and breakfast

I've been tagged (by the talented Mr Bathgate) for another meme, this time about music and the number 7. Have a look at Alistair's blog for the rules. Over a breakfast of chicken, mushrooms and spinach rolled in a crepe and topped with a slightly cheesy tasting Hollandaise sauce ($A12 Beaufort St Merchant), I compiled my list.

First is Dylan and It’s alright ma (I'm only bleeding). I still don’t know exactly what this about, but surely that’s the attraction of much of Dylan’s music. Surly, preaching and beseeching. Listen to it 1000 times and get 1000 different meanings. I could easily have picked two other Dylan songs – Masters of war or The lonesome death of Hattie Carroll.

Second is Kathleen Edwards and Away. I suspect in the months to come I will tire of this. So far I’ve listened to it only a handful of times, and each time the softness, prettiness and frailty of the voice moves me. The youtube clip captures very little of the beauty, indeed she sounds whining and off key.

Third, Stevie Wonder and You are the sunshine of my life. As I get older I seem more prone to bouts of grumpiness and abruptness. The occassional upbeat and life affirming song is an essential counterbalance.

Nick Cave. Into my arms. Is this the greatest (certainly it's the manliest) Australian love song ever?

Johnny Cash, Solitary man. There are many versions of this, but none have the simple power, diction and timing of Cash. I'm also quite partial to the slurred but melodramatic Flesh and Blood.

John Coltrane, Alabama. It's a long time since the darkness of the 15th of September 1963, but this still remains as haunting and evocative as ever.

JS Bach, Goldberg Variations. In the video, Gould is much older and more correctly paced (than in 1955), though reassuringly he is still humming whilst perched on a ridiculously low stool. Though likely to be apocryphal, I find the idea that this was written to ease a man's insomnia very pleasing.

I should now tag seven other people, but I don't like rules or following instructions, so if you have a blog, or just want to leave comments about your seven songs, consider yourself tagged. I'll formalise the process and send this black ball to five people - Barry Soulbrother Fowden, Joe, The Shlog blogger, an Audacious medical student and Barbara.