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Win a £100 Waitrose voucher and a copy of Greatest Hits! **NOW CLOSED**

(605 Posts)
LauraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 16-Mar-18 14:08:03

In our latest competition with Orion, we're giving you the chance to win a £100 Waitrose voucher and a copy of Greatest Hits by number one bestselling author Laura Barnett, a story about the power of reflection and how much our memories mean to us.

If you could choose just 16 moments to define your entire life, what would they be? That’s what Cass Wheeler must do. A musician born in 1950, Cass is now taking one day to select the 16 songs in her repertoire that have meant the most to her.

And behind each song lies a story - from the day her mother abandoned her, to her passionate first love, to the moment she lost everything. The dreams, the failures, the second chances.

So, what are the songs that mean the most to you, and evoke your most precious memories? Perhaps it was the first dance at your wedding, or the song repeated on the radio throughout your first holiday, or the only music that would rock your baby to sleep. Tell us in the comments below for the chance to win an £100 Waitrose voucher and a copy of Greatest Hits! We also have 25 copies of the book for runners-up.

Greatest Hits is published by W&N, an imprint of Orion, and is available online and from all good booksellers.

Please post your entries below by 11am 16 April.

Usual T&Cs apply.

juneski Sun 15-Apr-18 07:51:18

Thin Lizzy - The boys are back in Town always reminds me my teenage years at my Youth Club

jhgillies Sun 15-Apr-18 05:58:04

My favourite song is "Return to Pooh Corner" by Kenny Loggins. It was one of the songs I sang to my kids when they were babies. My son was in NICU because he was a premie and I was so scared... this song came to mind and as I began to sing it to him over and over, it seemed to drown out the loud beeping and buzzing noises and soothed us both. He is 16 now and still asks me to sing it to him.

louisep8260 Sun 15-Apr-18 01:35:20

Modern Love by David Bowie was my wedding song. Reminds me an amazing day

barbarajane22 Sun 15-Apr-18 01:17:09

On the way back from my brothers funeral R Kelly, “if I could turn back the hands of time” was playing on the radio and if I hear it now it always reminds me of him.

TONKATOL Sat 14-Apr-18 23:11:18

I have a few memorable songs :

Just the way you are by Billy Joel - played at our wedding

Angel by Robbie Williams - we were listening to that on the car radio when I called home on the way back from holiday - my brother answered and told me my mum had died whilst I was away - always associate this song with my mum.

Dance with my Father Again by Luther Vandross - this song was popular around the time my step-father died, due in part to the death of Luther Vandross. It is a song I already loved and now associate it with my step-father.

The Way you Are by Bruno Mars - had my first three children in four years, had a gap and then had two miscarriages before my fourth and final child was born in 2006. In 2010 my older children liked this single by Bruno Mars and they played it so often that my youngest, who wasn't 4 at the time, picked it up - it brings up so many strong memories of love for my youngest child, whenever I picture her singing this song. My eldest daughter visited at Easter and we heard the song and were talking about the memories it evokes.

chrissie13 Sat 14-Apr-18 22:18:25

Whiskey in the Jar by Thin Lizzy reminds me of when I saw them live as a teenager, and then again of a trip to Dublin, when it was sung by a tribute band years later

jaizko Sat 14-Apr-18 22:11:36

Bright Eyes by Art Garfunkel from the film Watership Down, as the first words I said to my baby daughter were "Hello bright eyes"

bayview Sat 14-Apr-18 21:55:13

Night Fever by Bee Gees -always remember the great nights I spent clubbing and dancing to this

sydroo Sat 14-Apr-18 21:19:22

Sweet Child O'Mine by Guns n Roses reminds of my second year at college. Everytime I walked into the common room it started playing, now whenever I hear it on the radio, it takes me straight back to the most fun and happy time of my life.

poshpink Sat 14-Apr-18 20:59:25

America - Horse with no name.
Reminds me of my first holiday with 'the girls' - happy times and memories

rocketriffs Sat 14-Apr-18 20:35:01

Donna Summer's MacArthur Park. Evokes many happy events in my life as I play it every time something good happens, so the memories that go with it are plenty.

snowyboots Sat 14-Apr-18 20:23:02

Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel, introduced to me by a dear friend who passed away a few years later, still cry everytime I listen to it,

matphil Sat 14-Apr-18 20:14:36

I like 'slow' songs best, my favourite song with a memory attached is Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson, as my partner always used to sing this when we first met.

grannybiker Sat 14-Apr-18 19:14:17

Monkee's I'm a Believer which I danced to when I first met DH.
Terry Jacks' Seasons in the sun that was playing on the car radio when we were driving for a picnic where I really felt I connected with my Mum after being such a troublesome girl.
Runrig's The Greatest Flame which we played loads when camping in the Highlands.
So may memories in these few songs!

hedgehog5 Sat 14-Apr-18 18:20:32

My first would be the Laughing Policeman ... takes me way back to a song that would always make you smile and happy days with my parents. Second would be Dusty Springfield's I only want to be with you... the whole family would sing this as we loved it. Thirdly anything by Elvis.Fourth: Procul Harum Whiter shade of pale - takes me back to playground duty and school friends when we all agreed immediately what a fab song it was. ... and so many more

Countryfan Sat 14-Apr-18 16:53:09

Tar and Cement
My father was an environmentalist long before the word became common usage and he loved the lyrics in that song.
Dancing Queen
One of the few songs that made everyone in a room get up and dance in the 70s and usually still does even now.
Still Within The Sound of My Voice
Gives me goosebumps every time I hear it and reminds me of my backpacking days and getting into country music, especially anything by Glen Campbell.

sullyandmike Sat 14-Apr-18 15:51:34

Pete and I had been "friends" for a long time, and each had avoided saying how we truly felt......until a car journey when "I cant fight this feeling" by REO Speedwagon came on the radio. We looked at each other, grinned, and just KNEW that this was it.......and it was!!!!

AnneMarie55 Sat 14-Apr-18 15:36:50

The song that really stirs me is 'Have I told you Lately that I Love you' by Van Morrison a track off his Greatest hits album. Many years ago, a few years after my man and I married, we couldn't afford expensive Christmas presents. On Christmas morning opening our presents we found that we had both bought the same cassette tape (hints at our age!) for each other and for this track in particular.

Liz46 Sat 14-Apr-18 14:57:09

I loved Freddie Mercury and was lucky enough to see Queen twice, both times at a lovely old theatre. Freddie was the ultimate showman and I still play the old Queen songs very loudly when my OH is out. I suppose out of all the Queen songs that I love, I would have to choose Bohemian Rhapsody.

nabob Sat 14-Apr-18 14:17:36

Hi, This is so emotive. "I am Woman" is one where I learnt to be strong. "Lady in Red" reminds me of a smoochy dance from years ago. "Dancing Queen" reminds me of my Dad as he always puts it on the CD if he knows I am going around. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

sofieellis Sat 14-Apr-18 12:58:24

There are so many - it's amazing how hearing a song can put you right back there in the moment. I remember singing Que Sera, Sera by Doris Day in the kitchen with my Mum when I was a little girl. She has dementia now, but still loves singing this song. It always makes me smile when I hear it, even though it's a very emotional song.

jot61 Sat 14-Apr-18 12:48:52

So many songs to choose from but if I must then Rise by Gabrielle. It became my theme song for 2001 after my ex left on New Years Day.

greig23 Sat 14-Apr-18 12:23:29

The song for me is Steps- One for Sorrow. it was on in the club when i met my partner, we are still together 14 years later and both love Steps and go to all their concerts

sammii04 Sat 14-Apr-18 11:36:40

Mine is 'Electric Avenue' as I remember listening to it and singing along to it in the car with my mum when I was a child.

moleswife Sat 14-Apr-18 11:19:52

God Only Knows by the Beach Boys - top of the hit parade (does this still exist?) when I met my husband and I have been finding out ever since his death some years ago!
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Paul Simon - when finances were so low we couldn't afford to buy it!
Days by Ray Davis and the Mumfords - an old favourite with a new take introduced to me by my grandson.