Stephen CollinsWe've been watching episodes of the ABC's Take 5, hosted by Zan Rowe, as an after-dinner entertainment. I find them terribly interesting, especially when the artist is very open and clear about the meaning of the songs for them.
I've been wracking my brain to come up with five tracks that I would offer up, and I just can’t; I listen to a lot of music, but very little on deep repeat, or that's anything other than musical enjoyment for me.
The are *two* tracks I can say move me, though:
1. Nightwish’s “The Greatest Show On Earth” from their 2015 album “Endless Forms Most Beautiful”. It's a 24-minute epic tracing the history of the universe from the Big Bang to the decline of humanity and that which comes after. It's typical Nightwish storytelling at its most incredible with Tuomas Holopainen and Marko Hietala's composition supported by the entire band, and Floor Jansen's powerful vocals reciting the tale. Do yourself a favour and watch the live performance as the closing encore at Tampere in 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJepbPuqNU4
2. Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman performing “Fast Car” at the 2024 Grammys. Combs has covered this song for many years, and looks up to Chapman as one of his inspirations. It's clear in the video who admires who; Combs is giddy with excitement at being there with his hero. Further, Chapman's voice has lost nothing in the more than 30 years since the song was a worldwide hit for her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEqb6xbeuCo
The point being here, what songs are in your Take 5? Introduce me to some new stuff Elephant People!
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