Day 07 - A Song that Reminds You of Somewhere

This entry a part of the 30 Day Song Challenge

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Moses
Patty Griffin
Living with Ghosts
(Released May 1996)

Patty Griffin’s Living with Ghosts is a fantastic album. It is brimming with simplicity, rawness, and artistry. Not bad at all for one’s debut album! I remember reading somewhere that Patty wasn’t satisfied with this record or something in that connection but this was such a brilliant album that “A&M executives were so impressed with this raw display of talent that they snatched up the [demo] tape and threw it, unaltered, into the marketplace.” (Source: allmusic)

As I mentioned in a previous entry, my playlists are based on the period I found about the songs therein so there is definitely a song that reminds me of the significant places I’ve been. But I chose Patty Griffin’s Moses because I listened to this song plenty of times during a time when my younger, more stupid self experienced a lot of firsts. Actually, two songs by two Griffins paint a picture of this era: this one by Patty Griffin, and New Day by Griffin House but I’m reserving a future entry for the latter.

It was in the first quarter of 2006 that I chanced upon this Patty Griffin song. During this time, I had quit my first job (first resignation) and was recruited as an UPCAT reviewer two weeks later (first time to teach). In April 2006 it was my first time to go to Bicol — the first time The Job sent me somewhere and my first time to travel alone. And since we’re talking places, it was my first time to fall in love with one — Naga City.

Whenever this song comes on I remember the two days and two nights I spent in this place. I remember walking the peaceful streets on my first night searching for a convenience store where I could buy crisps and Coke. I remember Bigg’s Diner. I remember my cramped room at the Golden Leaf Hotel, which I loved nonetheless because it was the first time I ever stayed at a hotel, alone. I remember taking pictures with my malfunctioning Nokia 3650. 

I remember repeatedly listening to this song during the long cross-region and cross-province road trips on my silver Creative Zen Micro, my first MP3 player and the first significant item I purchased with my first savings from my first job.

It’s true, you never forget your firsts.