Senses and memory

I heard a song today that really took me back to my days of "making the drag" in Abernathy in the 60's. What senses can transport you to a day long past? The smell of fresh corn brings back memories of shucking and silking bushels of corn on the carport when I was a kid. The scent of carnations reminds me of my grandparent's funerals when I was little. Avon's Hawaiian Ginger fragrance reminds me of a date one summer in college. The taste of a Harvey Wallbanger with Galliano liqueur brings back memories of my early married days, living in a cool apartment in Altura Towers. More than anything though, sound in the form of music can take me back.

There have been studies that link increased learning/memory to music. That is how I taught my granddaughter her phone number when she was a tiny girl...by putting the number to a tune. She in turn taught her little sis the phone number via the same melody. Context -dependent-memory has been studied and music has been found to be an important contextual factor. (http://www.alamomusic.com/threads.htm)

So think back...what song transports you back to junior high, high school or college? For me, my introduction to pop music in Jr. High centers around Petula Clark's Downtown (1965) and I Know a Place.

In High School there was a lot more variety but I'd say that the song I heard today, Wedding Bell Blues by the 5th Dimension, can transport me back. I remember "making the drag" and listening to that song, feeling lonely and wondering if I'd ever get married. The songs from my college days were many but one key tune (ha) was Melanie's I've got a Brand New Pair of Roller Skates.

So what song transports you to where? Leave a comment if you have a song or a few that transport you.