TV Shows, Songs and Movies That Mean A Lot To Me

Throughout my [thus far, short] life, there have been a fair few movies, TV shows and songs than either remind me of a specific point in my life, good or bad, and make me all nostalgic; or just mean a lot to me. This list comprises a fair few of them - mostly those I can remember. :) I'm a very representative, and even nostalgic, person - most everything in my life can be represented by media of some kind - so no jokes asking how the hell Bob Geldof reminds me of February evenings, he just does! (Read on if you're confused..) Most recent first. This will always be a work in progress, as I recall new memories (Ha, that sounds so odd..) and obvioously as time passes by more and more nostalgia and "memorabilia" will occur. Explanations are a work in progress.

2005

Frasier On a whim, I purchased S1 of this show on Boxing Day last year, and settled down to watch the first episode at 23:35, December 31, 2004. After taking a break for the new year fireworks at midnight, I finished disc 1 - 5 more episodes - before I finally went to slee, which I had not planned to do. I was amazed I'd missed out on such a really great show - no, not great, and all-time fantastic sitcom. 4 months on, I own the first four seasons on DVD, and no matter what watching the first season always does, and will always, remind me of entering 2005. It's a comedy, yes, but the emotional side shines just as much as the fantastic acting and writing on display throughout.

Forrest Gump Another DVD I purchased Boxing Day last year was this, after hearty recommendations from both my parents and friends. It was on offer, so I thought 'why not?'. After watching it, I was gobsmacked. The film had brought me to laughter and to tears, I had empathised with characters, I had heard a story that everyone can enjoy. I had to immediately bump it into my #2 position on my top 20 films. This film will always remind me of entering '05, and along with Frasier, has been pretty much a representation of my viewing this year - I've watched it four times already.

The Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays My favourite song of the year so far, Geldof's performance of this on the Live Aid DVD is very powerful, but the studio version is just as good. I first downloaded it on a cold February evening - and you guessed it - this will remind me of that eveing forever more! The lyrics are on a basic level, so true with everybody, but the whole song comes into its own when you learn about the song's history with a high school mass shooting.. it's almost humourous, yet so sad, too.

Tony Christie - Avenues and Alleyways Reminds me of journeys in the car, when my mum plays his greatest hits.. I usually have my walkman playing - REM, Radiohead, Queen - but when this track comes on I pause my player - this has a lovely chorus and the lyrics are very nice.

Radiohead - No Surprises Reminds me of falling asleep - it was my "sleep music" for a while - it's so gorgeous; it reminds me of expressing powerful emotions in a calm manner, I find it almost ironic and/or bitterly sarcastic ("This is.. my final bellyache//with no alarms and no surprises, please"). I know that's not the intention of the lyrics, but it's how I like to imagine it.

2004

Friends - S1
Friends - S2 and 3
3rd Rock From The Sun
Ant & Dec, chicken & chips, peach flavoured water
The Shawshank Redemption
REM - Aftermath
White Plains - When You Are A King
Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer
Gary Glitter - Another Rock'n'Roll Christmas
Travis - Turn
Roger Whittaker - Streets Of London
Oasis - Whatever

2003

Family Guy
King Of The Hill
Breakdown
They Might Be Giants
Julian Lennon - Saltwater
REM - At My Most Beautiful
REM - What's The Frequency Kenneth?
Elvis Costello - Oliver's Army
Tom Petty - The Waiting

2002

Judge Judy
Father Ted
Diff'rent Strokes
Misery
Gareth Gates - Anyone Of Us
Oasis - Stop Crying Your Heart Out
Supertramp - The Logical Song
"The Simpsons: Beyond Forever" book

2001

Hey Arnold
Queen
OPM - Heaven Is A Halfpipe
REM - Imitation Of Life
Diff'rent Strokes - Theme tune
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2

2000

The Simpsons. Again.
Nickelodeon
To Grandmother's House We Go
Val Doonican
Bee Gees - You Win Again
Meat Loaf - You Took The Words..

1999

The Simpsons
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
UK pop music
Bryan Adams - Cloud Number Nine
Crash Bandicoot 2

1998

Quiz shows and O'Malleys crisps
Good Burger
The Pogues - A Fairytale Of New York

1997

Rugrats
Big Break
Matilda
Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody

1996 and prior

Only Fools and Horses
Live and Kicking
Barney and Friends
Playdays
Elton John
Abba
Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy