“When I find myself in times of trouble,” wrote Paul McCartney, “mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom, let it be.” My mother wasn’t called Mary and, unfortunately, she shuffled off her mortal coil over 25 years ago, so she is not exactly in the ideal place from which to impart wisdom. When I find myself in times of trouble, which sadly has happened a great deal in 2025, I reach for my music. I am no expert in what it is that is within music that we can relate to, but the fact that we do is truly a blessing.
I am currently reading a brilliant book called Maybe I’m Amazed – yes, another reference to Macca – by the writer and broadcaster John Harris. The sub-header is ‘A story of love and connection in ten songs‘. It’s all about John’s son James who is on the autistic spectrum. This is what Nicky Wire of the Manic Street Preachers says about it: “Every page breaks your heart then repairs it with love, compassion and the magical power of music.” Caitlin Moran adds to the theme: “This book contains magic.” And it does.
The death of two close friends this year and now the heartbreaking death of my beloved sister-in-law Jenifer Darbellay in the Vancouver drive-killings sees me reaching for the music.
I don’t have a grief-ready playlist to hand so I tend to go for random songs that I find lift my spirits. First, as always, is Love Is The Answer by Todd Rundgren. I’ll probably get sued by some publisher or other, but fuck it: I love this song. And it has to be Todd’s version, the one highlighted above. He sings:
Mother Divine’s precious kiss
Brings with love the light of wisdom
And the gift of eternal freedom
To waves and I both travel by
(… and the nature of man…)
And that makes all the difference to me
(Krishna…)
