Editors Note: It has been a long time since I published one of my typical music-themed posts. There is a reason for that. A little over a year ago I was offered some very strong encouragement from my eldest daughter to create my autobiography. Initially I balked at the idea because I didn’t really believe my seemingly ordinary, grounded life warranted being put down in words. But, in her own firm yet quiet manner, my daughter convinced me that even if no one else in the world would care about who I was and how I had lived my life, she would care. So, as obnoxious as it may be to say aloud, for the past six to eight months, I have been busily typing away at my life story. I still have a way to go before it is ready to hand over to my daughter (and anyone else who may be interested) but things are slowly coming together and, as it turns out, my life has had more twists and turns than I thought so maybe it will be a more interesting read that I dared hope when I first started out. In any case, that project has been taking up my time. I apologize to any of you who have missed my music posts. I have not turned my back on music or the Arts, in general. In fact, although I have been tapping away behind the scenes in “Draft-mode”, I have still been checking out what my favourite artists and bands have been up to in person or via video. I have read several music-related books, too, that I hope to share with all of you in the weeks and months to come. For today, I thought that I would dip my toes back into familiar waters by sharing a fun little song that has had me really pondering the state of our world and my reaction to all that is going on. That song is “Let’s Dance To Joy Division” by a band out of England called The Wombats. So, pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable. Welcome back to my blog. It is nice to be back.
As I type these words, I do so in an empty house. That is an unusual occurrence for me because it is summer time here in my hometown of Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. During the summer, all of the members of my family are living here in my house with my wife and me. Both daughters are here. I love when our house if full of life and activity. That is when it feels most like a home. But for the very first time since school ended at the end of June, I find myself at home all by myself. Everyone else is out and about for the day. I am finding the silence almost intoxicating. Now don’t get me wrong. I love everyone in my family and would trade my laptop for their company every single time, which I have been doing for the past month and a bit since everyone has been home. But, I have missed spending time with my golden-hued laptop in the morning so today’s reunion feels somewhat overdue and certainly, welcome.
In the time since summer holidays began we, as a family, have been on the road quite a bit attending concerts, sporting events and visiting universities all throughout the province in preparation for my youngest daughter to begin applying to post secondary schools in the fall. It seems like it was only a few short years ago that I welcomed the adventures that our family road trips brought. But now, in my sixties, those same adventures leave me thirsting for calm and the quiet that comes not being in motion so much. The rhythm and flow of our summer routines is such that many evenings I opt to let my family claim the television while I retreat to the world that exists under my headphones. I find my private oasis at the end of a couch and tune out the world around me and tune into the world of music. Sometimes, while I am in my own little world, the state of life in the real world crosses over and invades my personal space and gives me pause for thought. One such example of this can be found in the song “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” by The Wombats.
The Wombats are a band out of Liverpool, England. They formed in 2003, bursting onto the national music scene in the Uk with an album entitled A Guide To Love, Loss and Desperation. Like many artists and bands, the origins of many of their songs came from real life experiences. In the case of the song “Let’s Dance to Joy Division”, the story was that one night lead singer Matthew Murphy found himself in a local pub not far from coming time. He may have had a pint or two or three by the time the in-house DJ played the song “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by the legendary band Joy Division. *(You can read about Joy Division and “Love Will Tear Us Apart” here). That song chronicles the breakup of the marriage of Joy Division’s lead singer Ian Curtis. Not long after the song was written…and, just prior to the launch of a world tour that was primed to launch Joy Division into the world music stratosphere…Ian Curtis committed suicide. The song “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is a fairly peppy song despite of the sadness of its’ lyrics. So it wasn’t that great of a surprise that The Wombats lead singer Matthew Murphy found himself on a table near closing time, dancing away to “Love Will Tear Us Apart” with a young lady who, like him, had enjoyed a pint or two or three herself. The story of that drunken revelry stayed within Matthew Murphy’s mind. With each retelling of his escapades to friends, family and bandmates, Murphy kept coming back to the irony of having such a happy, carefree experience while dancing to a song so steeped in sorrow and loss. Eventually, the idea of turning his personal story into a song became obvious and “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” was born. “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” is The Wombats signature song. When it was released in 2007, it won an award from the New Music Express magazine for Best Floor Filler song of the Year. In the tradition of songs like “Dancing Queen” by Abba, “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” is a fun-filled ditty that celebrates the cathartic release of dancing in public without a care in the world for the lyrics of the song in question or the state of affairs of the world around you at that moment in time. The Wombats remain a touring band to this day. Those who attend their concerts all say that they are a great live party band and that “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” always gets everyone out of their seats and onto the dance floor whenever it is played.
And so this summer I have found myself tucked into softness of pillows on a sofa, headphones on, listening to a song like “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” while scrolling through social media. In the posts that I see while listening, I come across scenes of weddings in Kviv, people and puppies being rescued from the rubble of collapsed buildings in Venezuela days after the terrible earthquakes there, the bravery and selflessness of Mexican firefighters helping to save people and homes throughout Canada as wildfires erupt seemingly everywhere all at once and so much more. In these times of struggle and strife throughout the world, there are still moments of beauty and compassion and charity and love that shine through. It seems crazy to find joy in this world of ours but it is there, all around us, just waiting to be discovered. Allowing ourselves to be happy without guilt is a key component to our mental and emotional wellbeing. It is still ok to be happy. It really is. I say that, not as an excuse to ignore the problems or injustices of the world. It remains important to stand up and speak out and campaign for positive change in our society. However, the steady staccato of negativity that is constantly fed to us online can weigh you down with despair if you let it. As outrageous as everything is at times, I cannot exist in a bubble of anger. My mental health will not allow it. Despite my concerns about the future, I need to balance those out with examples of kindnesses given and courageous acts taken and love expressed through hugs and kisses and the beauty of children and the optimism with which they view the world. Sometimes I just need to dance to Joy Division and enjoy this gift of life I have been granted. You do, too. It is ok to do so. Don’t feel ashamed to still have fun.
I can’t imagine that I will have the house to myself again until everyone goes back to school four weeks from now. That is ok, too. I love my family and am blessed to live the life that I do. I wouldn’t trade their company for a million music posts. Until such time as opportunity reveals itself again, I will happily drive those I love to any manner of locations and back home again. I may be getting older and my ability to drive all night is diminishing but I will be there for those I love whenever they need me. The quiet times will come soon enough. So, until I see you all again in September, I will peck away at my autobiography behind the scenes and supplement that with time spent under headphones on a comfy couch while those I love end their days with laughter and companionship not far from where I sit. In our own unique ways, we are all dancing to Joy Division as a family. And we are happy…all together.
The link to the video for the song “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” by The Wombats can be found here. ***The lyrics version can be found here.
The link to the official website for The Wombats can be found here.
The link to the official website for New Music Express Magazine can be found here.
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