Music and Family

 I decided to interview my Dad as he is 58 years old and is from Liverpool and at the time, Music in Liverpool was getting really big so its interesting to hear what he had to say.

Me: What kind of music did you listen to growing up?

Dad:  I grew up listening to a mixture  of rock and pop, The Beatles being a massive influence. Their music was everywhere in Liverpool at the time, and we all felt proud to be from the same city. I also was a big fan  of The Hollies and Gerry and the Pacemakers, who were part of that Merseybeat ( mersey is like what they call liverpool, Merseyside) scene. Besides that, artists like Marvin Gaye and The Supremes were big hits as well. we listened to everything on Radio and vinyl records were our lifelines to music, and I remember spending hours listening on the radio with my parents and brothers .

Me : Which one out of these was your favorite growing up?

Dad: I think its  hard to pick just one, but I’d have to go with The Beatles. Their music was revolutionary at the time, and each album brought something new and exciting that was hardly heard before. Songs like “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Hey Jude” were particularly special to me. They captured a sense of hope and adventure that really resonated with my generation. Plus, seeing them perform on TV was just something we wasnt use to before! Their influence has stayed with me throughout my life as i still listen to them now.

Me: Can you tell me why in more detail?

Dad: Of course i can . The Beatles were more than just a band in my opinion ; they represented a cultural shift. Growing up in Liverpool during the 1960s, their rise felt personal. They brought a sense of pride to our city, showing the world that great music could come from our corner of the UK. Their lyrics often felt like you could relate to it, and I remember feeling a connection to songs like “All You Need Is Love,” which captured the spirit of the times and was a song singimg with my mates that i still remember now. Plus, their charisma and style made them popular with everyone especially the girls. Seeing them on the Ed Sullivan Show was a defining moment; it felt like the beginning of something big, not just in music but in culture as a whole.

Me: You are Obviously a big Liverpool FC Football club supporter, was there any bands or songs that related that you enjoyed?

Dad: Of course I am a Red!! ( Red means a Liverpool supporter ) Being a Liverpool  fan is a big part of my identity. The club's songs and chants create a sense of unity and pride among fans that I love about liverpool . One of the most famous is "You'll Never Walk Alone," which you could say is their anthem. It captures that spirit of solidarity and support, both in football and life. There were also some local bands that celebrated the club. For example, "Liverpool FC: The Song" by the band The Farm became quite popular in the '90s, they use to play at a pub near Anfield ( Liverpool stadium ) called the Ale house, but the roots of football chants go back much further. The atmosphere at Anfield on match days is electric, and those songs make the experience even more special and something I wanted you and your brothers to experience when growing up too

Me: Obviously you stated how the Beatles were one of your favorite bands, but who would you say was your favorite singer growing up?

Dad: Growing up, o my favorite singers was Paul McCartney. His ability  was amazing. Songs like “Maybe I’m Amazed” really showcased hisl talent and songwriting skills. Another singer I admired was Otis Redding. His  voice and emotional delivery in songs like “Try a Little Tenderness” had a profound impact on me as i loved this song and still do now and also its the first song me and your mum listened to together. There was something about the raw power in his singing that just connected with people on a deeper level.

Me; I personally feel like music now is very different compared to when you was younger, why do you think that is?

Dad: You're right; music has changed a lot over the years, and there are a few reasons for that.First, technology has played a massive role. When I was younger, we listened to music on vinyl records, cassettes, and the radio. Now, we have all these apps that allow instant access to an endless library of songs, which changes how artists create and distribute music doesnt it . This shift has obviously led to a focus on singles and viral hits rather than full albums, which were such an important part of the experience back then as it felt like every albums  told  a story .. Genres blend more than ever now i think, and global artists are much more accessible which was hard back when I was younger. . also the cultural context has shifted. The music of the '60s and '70s often reflected social change, political movements, and a sense of rebellion. Today, while there are still important themes in music, the focus can vary widely now, with some artists prioritizing commercial success over social commentary. While I appreciate the creativity and diversity in today’s music, I also cherish the sense of community and the storytelling aspect that characterized the music of my youth. Each era has its own charm, but they feel quite distinct and I personally rather listen to the music back when I was younger.

Me: If you know any bands or artist from kind of my era, Who is your favorite?

Dad:If I had to choose a favorite artist from your era, I'd say comes to mind first. Her powerful voice and emotional depth in songs like “Someone Like You” and “Rolling in the Deep” resonate with so many people and I can see why and . She brings that classic singer-songwriter vibe back to the forefront while appealing to a modern audience which is nice to see as that it what I was use to as i was growing up and also her voice is unbelievable .I also appreciate how she connects with listeners through her lyrics and storytelling, much like the singers from my time. Plus, her ability to blend various genres, from pop to kind of sing along songs , showcases her versatility which is hard to do. It’s nice to see an artist who values authenticity in their music, much like we did back in the day. Do you have any favorites from your era?

Me: Honestly mine changes, I like House music a lot but then am a big fan of country music to now, You started to like some country music that I've showed you, what do you think of it?

Dad: I’m glad you’ve introduced me to some country music to be fair I’ve found that it has a storytelling quality similar to what we had in the past. Songs often tell heartfelt stories about life, love, and hardship, which resonate on a personal level. Artists like Chris Stapleton and Kacey Musgraves have such strong voices and relatable lyrics and they probably are my top 2 but also that luke combs lad you said is decent too.

Me: Ye country music is getting quite popular in England as well now which is pretty cool to see. So last question, You have a choice to listen to only one artist/ band from your era or three artist from this era, who do you pick?

Dad: That’s a tough choice H! If I had to pick just one artist/ bandfrom my era, it would probably be The Beatles. Their music offers such a wide range of styles and emotions, and I could listen to their albums endlessly without getting bored plus their from Liverpool. so am a little bias. If I went with three artists from this era, I’d choose Adele for her powerful storytelling, Ed Sheeran for his catchy  lyrics, and Luke combs for that  country sound and because its newer so i can keep up with the kids generations !. Each brings something unique to the table, and I appreciate how they connect with listeners today which i can appreciate . It’s a good little question , but I think I’d lean toward The Beatles becuae they just one of best bands to ever exist !

Interviewing my dad was quite fun and also funny, this is the first time I've actually seen him type so professionally without using the thumbs-up emoji haha, it was cool to see after so many years he still listens to the music he did growing up but also how he has started to listen to some from my era too. This was a fun task to do and actually taught me stuff about music as well.