Desert Island Discs: All Kinds Of Everything III

This post is for my husband – it’s our 16th wedding anniversary today.

Many years ago, when CDs were still a thing, I created a compilation CD for you, which I titled “All Kinds Of Everything”, for which I selected a dozen or so tracks that held some special thought or memory for me towards you. I wrote a little booklet explaining why I’d selected each track. We often listened to it in the car.

Several years later I produced a sequel, which I titled “All Kinds Of Everything: Singstar Edition”. This one has our favourite tracks that we used to love to sing in that PlayStation game.

CDs haven’t really been a the thing for a few years now; everything is mp3s and playlists, which aren’t the same as a mix tape or CD.

Then I thought of the Radio 4 show “Desert Island Discs” and thought maybe I could do a blog post for you using YouTube videos … so I started thinking of other music that could say something of how I feel about you.

Here it is!

1. I Do, I Do, I Do

As we entered the chapel on our wedding day, Charpentier’s prelude played… also known as the Eurovision theme.

Our wedding day was a marvellous event; almost all of friends and family were there. Dad created a video, which is now full of sadness as well as happiness. Sometimes I watch it to see mum reading, or laugh at nan’s inappropriate comments, or see the beautiful grandchildren – or just to look at you and remember how handsome you were in that kilt … and what an idiot I was for wanting us to wear the same stuff!

Despite all the people, it was a day celebrating our partnership and our love.

At the end of the ceremony, ABBA played us out …

2. I Say A Little Prayer For You

When you and I first got together, we watched two films on our first two dates on your tiny TV. I am no longer certain which we watched first (it was either “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”, or “Muriel’s Wedding”).

I remember you saying how moved you were by the relationship between Tic and his son, how you hoped that when you eventually came out to your own son that he would ask “do you have a boyfriend?”. My heart breaks when I think of how that relationship ended and the grief that the breakup has caused you over the years.

“Priscilla” has remained important to us both though. We have seen the musical more times than I can remember – and we have dragged up for it twice! I was told to remove my wig on one occasion because it was so tall!

3. Reach Out And Touch

When I produced the first “All Kinds Of Everything” CD, I choose the Steps version of “Chain Reaction”, since we have always both been fans of Steps; the track was chosen over all the other Steps tracks because it was also a Diana Ross song … and you have touched the hand of that particular goddess!

I have chosen “Reach Out And Touch” to remember the hand that has touched yours …

4. Big Brother theme

You have always a much bigger fan of reality TV than I have ever been. The second season of Big Brother grabbed our attention like no other: there were a couple of out gay guys.

This was the year that the lovely, dippy, and sadly departed Jade Goode and Bryan Dowling were in the final – I can still remember the surprise and elation when Bryan won! He was the first out gay slightly camp and perfectly normal person had won a public vote on telly. I was so moved that I phoned my mum. She was in bed, but she understood why it was important.

5. Come What May (from Moulan Rouge)

We went to see this at the old ABC cinema in Clifton in Bristol. I thought you would hate it because of the crazy way the film starts (you don’t much like comedy films), but you laughed and loved it. The film remained a favourite with us both, although we haven’t seen it for many years.

I have picked “Come What May” because of the terrible difficulties I have put you through and the doubts and uncertainty I have put into your mind and heart. I do love you so very much, and “come what may, I will love you until my dying day”.

6. Don’t Tell Mama (from Caberet)

For one of my mum’s birthdays, we took her to London to see Will Young in Caberet. Both you and mum liked Will a lot. He is rather cute, after all.

The show was fabulous, although mum did find Will’s version of Em Cee rather – gross! He dribbled and was generally quite disturbing!

I remember mum’s shock at how much you were prepared to pay for underwear when we took into Prowler!

We took our time getting back to Victoria Coach Station and missed our bus. The only one we could get terminated at Bath. Fortunately, dad picked us up from there, so we all got home safely in the end.

Mum loved you very much, and for many years she called us “her boys”.

However, rather than pick a Will Young number from Caberet, I’ve picked a Judi Dench number – she’s a favourite of yours – and of course, in the stage show there is a song which isn’t in the film which is somehow more appropriate to the memories this post describes …

7. Story Of A Heart

As I mentioned earlier, we both love Steps and have followed them the whole time we’ve been together. For a while your son and us were all lovers of the group. Even in such fun music there is sorrow for you.

We saw Steps live at the O2 – an excellent show!

I have picked this number because it is what I am afraid of for us …

8. The Wind Beneath My Wings

Sometimes, I can have a puppy dog energy – I get all excited – especially in strange situations and with new people. Overstimulated and I gabble and talk. Of course, I will eventually crash: being social does drain me.

You are very shy – especially in groups – and especially when you don’t know people.

Having this bouncing chatting idiot sucking all the attention up can make it even harder for you to get noticed and be heard. You have such a rich, if often sad, stories to tell and I deny you the opportunity in my exuberance.

Somehow, you’ve always been in my background. I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’m a big personality, but I really don’t give you chance to shine. Is no wonder that you feel like part of the support act, and never the main number.

There are so many lyrics from this song that I can apply to my relationship with you.

Sorry for putting the whole song there – almost every line applies!

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Did I ever tell you you're my hero?
You're everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,
thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.