Desert Island Discs with TBkWrm

Music evokes emotions and memories in all of us.  It can stir up the urge to flee a room if the piece of music evokes bad memories. It can get us bouncing up and down as we enjoy ourselves or it can relax us. Following on from Damian and Damianista, it’s my turn to do Desert Island Discs.

Song 1 – ‘It’s my life’ by Bon Jovi

This song is Charlie Crews. It is loud and outspoken as he is. It demands your attention. Charlie Crews loses 12 years of his life through wrongful imprisonment for the triple homicide of his best friend, his (best friend’s) wife and one of the couple’s children.  Constance Griffiths eventually arrived on the scene several years into his sentence to take up his case. She manages to have his conviction quashed and Charlie once again walks the streets of LA as a free man…and a Detective of the LAPD. Charlie is determined, despite the terms of his release, it should be mentioned, on catching those who actually killed his best friend and family. He leaves everything financial in his life to his right hand former cell mate and accountant, Ted. Charlie faces all of the problems that come with the fact that the outside world had moved on, whilst his daily life for 12 years consisted of having the crap beat out of him and not really going anywhere or developing as a person. Laterally, Ted and Constance’s presence in Charlie’s life as he approached the end of his prison hell will have helped him, but Charlie shows the mark prison left on him as he has no problem ruffling the feathers of anyone who gets in his way on the outside. The sort of people that most people would be terrified of defying or facing up to. Charlie quite likes going against what is seen as the natural order.  In fact, the more feathers he ruffles the happier Charlie seems. Though admittedly all those women might help too…

“Like Frankie said, I did it my way.”

Song 2 – ‘Full of Grace’ by Sarah McLachlan

I remarked to Damianista that the last time I was as upset about an on TV couple as I am about Carrie and Brody was when I was 12 years old and the season two finale of Buffy ended so gut wrenchingly. There are actually a few parallels between Buffy and Angel and Carrie and Brody if you take the time to think about it. Obviously the nature of the shows are vastly different. On remembering the season two finale of Buffy, I also happened to remember the song that plays at the end of it. ‘Full of Grace’ by Sara McLachlan. It is such a hauntingly sad song it actually makes you want to weep listening to it, especially thinking about how we said goodbye to Brody. The song fits Carrie and Brody every bit as much as it did Buffy and Angel.

“I know I could love you much better than this”.

Song 3 – ‘I just can’t wait to be King’ by Elton John and Tim Rice

You might ask how a song from a children’s movie has any relevance to King Henry Viii and the seriousness of his actions. This is one of my favourite songs from childhood. I remember being very upset in the cinema when Mustafa died.  Needless to say I still get upset about it and this is still one of my favourite songs.  Of course now I am older I can easily appreciate Zazu’s point of view in the song. The words warn of the disastrous possibility of a childish Simba with power.  Henry is childish and a man with power which he combines with childish whims is a very dangerous prospect, as King Henry ultimately proved and as Damian so brilliantly portrayed. Henry is easily led, but woe betide you if you are on the wrong side when he suddenly changes direction. He wants and he wants it now and when Henry wants Anne’s head chopped off just because he can, Cromwell must make it happen.

‘I’m gonna be a mighty King, so enemies beware.’

Song 4 – ‘MMmBop’ by Hanson

On a research mission I recently stumbled across an interview from a couple of years ago (at the height of Damian’s Homeland/Brody fame) with Damian and Helen. Damian spoke of his relationship with his son and how his little boy confessed to missing him when he’s not there and it is such a heartbreakingly sweet story. It reminded me of a time in my youth when I was separated from someone I love very much. There is quite an age gap between me and my elder sibling, such that when I was only eight off he went to college in a different City. This did not sit well with me. One of my parents’ friends drove us up to help him get settled in, but that night we drove back home and I cried the whole way back. I felt his absence in the house and in daily life very much. However, he had made me a present to listen to. A compilation tape with our favourite songs on it and listen to it I did.

“You have so many relationships in this life. Only one or two will last. You go through all the pain and strife. Then you turn your back and they’re gone so fast. Oh Yeah. They’re gone so fast. So hold on the ones who really care. In the end they’ll be the only ones there.”

Song 5 – ‘Don’t stop me now’ by Queen

What to say about Paul from Friends and Crocodiles? Paul has a big personality and the house to match. He has big dreams and plenty of ideas, but lacks the ability to coherently organise his life at all. He is known as a great host of great parties and has many colourful people in his life. Paul likes to enjoy himself and not really think too far ahead.

“Tonight I’m gonna have myself a real good time”. Judging by one scene he certainly did and if you want a good time pick up the phone and call Paul.

Song 6 – ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ by Bonnie Tyler

Mark Rose is a school teacher and a happily married man with a son. All is rosy in the household or so he thinks. His wife becoming bored and frustrated with their life, takes an interest in Mark’s brother. Naturally, as the season progresses this causes strife and heartbreak. Damian is wonderful as poor Mark across season 1, from the beginning with him being totally oblivious to his departure in the last episode as the reality hits home.

‘Once upon a time I was falling in love, but now I’m only falling apart.’

Song 7 – ‘You can get it if you really want’ by Jimmy Cliff

We can’t let a Desert Island Discs based around characters Damian has played (or will play) pass by without mentioning Elvis in some way, however indirectly the mention may be. A few years ago there was an excellent TV programme on called Blackpool. It was the story of a man Ripley Holden who basically seemed to think he was Elvis too. Indeed Blackpool started to Viva Las Vegas. Ripley would eventually crash and burn, alienating himself from his family and friends in the process. Time will tell whether or not our Bobby does the same. In the meantime, as we (im)patiently await the arrival of Billions and, going on what we know of Bobby so far, I have decided his song is absolutely perfect for him.

“Rome was not built in a day.”

Song 8 – ‘Two sides to every story’ by 5ive

Negativity and sensational headlines are something that people in the public eye apparently just have to accept.  That is a suggestion I always feel the need to rail against. You can often find that a lot of headlines actually bear no resemblance to the article they are attached to, or the subject matter of discussion.   There are two sides to every story.

“There’s more to me than what you see on TV screens is make believe.”

Favourite Book – It has to be Pride and Prejudice.

It is a classic. I cannot say how many times I have read the bit where Elizabeth is reading Mr Darcy’s letter and her feelings towards him start to change. It is the hopeless romantic in me. It never gets old. I always feels as though I am reading that bit for the first time and there is the urge to cheer and punch the air in delight. Finally!

Luxury item – I am a red head and a pale Scot. I burn very easily. I figure that I could use the pages of my book as a makeshift fan if need be and therefore my luxury item has to be a Sombrero in which I would sneak some sun cream…believe me, I need it.

Favourite track – Don’t stop me now. We be rocking to Queen on this Island.

Damian Character – Similarly to Damianista, I love Brody, but I couldn’t take him to the Island. This Island needs someone a bit more cheery. Someone adventurous who likes a good party. It has to be Paul from Friends and Crocodiles.