BBC journalist Justin Webb’s recent article in his Radio Times column “Viewpoint” struck a chord with the Record Press author.

In his column Justin wrote that his daughter was experimenting with the new Apple Music service and asked him which song he would like to hear. He immediately said “Ripples” by Genesis, which on hearing it immediately transported him back to 1976 and being in the third year at his Quaker boarding school. He will always associate the song with learning of his grandmother’s death. Apparently as he walked back from the payphone outside the headmaster’s office, where he had learned of her passing, he heard the Genesis song wafting from a nearby common room……..”Sail away, away…..Ripples never come back…..Gone to the other side……” For the full lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/ripples-lyrics-genesis.html

How apposite and apt that Justin Webb should have heard that song at the very moment he learned of his granny’s death, because the song is all about a woman ageing and lamenting the loss of her youth and good looks and eventually dying. Not an uplifting song by any means, but a very poignant one.

A deceased grandmother apart, “Ripples” by Genesis evokes similar memories for me. I associate it with my years boarding at a public school circa 1976-1980, when I would play the song over and over again in my study after prep or whilst wiling away a Sunday afternoon. And like Justin Webb and his school chums, I too thought it the best track on the Genesis album “A Trick Of The Tail”………And I still stand by that!! Unlike Justin, I had not forgotten the song in the intervening years and always list it as one of my favourite songs, Genesis or otherwise. In fact I have a copy of the vinyl single in my collection – a bit of a collector’s item because it was released on an unusual and rare mauve Charisma record label……. But now I’m exposing myself as a complete vinyl junkie and music anorak!!

Ultimately Justin Webb sums it up perfectly and succinctly with this statement……..

“And we all know about the power of music. Like smell, music can transport you back to a long-forgotten moment”

That’s why in 2010, I launched the MyFirstRecord.co.uk website, in order to help others to celebrate the influence, magic and pleasure that vinyl singles have brought to all our lives over the years. MyFirstRecord offers you the opportunity to immortalise a favourite song as the Perfect Personalised Present for those special gifting occasions for family members and friends.

A framed 7″ vinyl single of your choice with engraved plaque creates a unique, personalised gift for a special occasion i.e. a landmark birthday ( No1 on the day of birth ), landmark wedding anniversary or wedding ( Bride & Groom’s wedding first dance song ), Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!  ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

If you’ve never heard “Ripples” by Genesis, check it out……… https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=genesis+ripples+you+tube&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=jibCVeG5JMTT7AaFsLXQCQ