# What Song Did You Instantly Love? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 18, 2007, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528 "2007-06-18T23:54:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/61 "2007-06-20T01:55:16Z")
Almost all of these songs were my first exposure to the artists, so they really made an impact and summed up everything I love about them to this day. The Strokes - “Last Nite” (so refreshingly good that I had to pull over and just soak it all up.) White Stripes - “Fell in Love With a Girl” Amy Winehouse - “You Know I’m No Good” Portishead - “Sour Times (Nobody Loves Me)” Poe - “Haunted” New Pornographers - “The Laws Have Changed” Rilo Kiley - “I Never” The Smiths - “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” Raveonettes - “Attack of the Ghost Riders” Dick Dale - “Miserlou” (from the _Pulp Fiction_ soundtrack, like so many others) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/62 "2007-06-20T01:59:25Z")
_Bad_. by U2 ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/63 "2007-06-20T02:11:09Z")
Most recently, “U + Ur Hand” by P!nk. Though I detest the way the title is spelled - it would certainly be as good with proper spelling. Also somewhat recently: Hurt by Christina Aguilera Because of You by Kelly Clarkson Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson ---
**Author:** ![Gnomadic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ee59a6/32.png) [@Gnomadic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gnomadic)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/64 "2007-06-20T03:00:44Z")
I was in a good friend’s car one day when he played a song for me. I couldn’t believe how much I loved it. I rushed out and bought the CD and loved every single song. It touched me. I’ve listened to it hundreds of times. Two years later I slipped that CD into his coffin after he was killed by a drunk driver. I miss him greatly and cry every time I hear this song. [Do You Realize?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tRXO9Q8LkY) ---
**Author:** ![Gnomadic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ee59a6/32.png) [@Gnomadic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gnomadic)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/65 "2007-06-20T03:23:40Z")
So I don’t depress everyone reading this thread let me add a couple of songs that would get me up dancing if I actually did that sort of thing. 🙂 [What is Love?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsCXZczTQXo) and [I Just Can’t Get You Out of My Head](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k88a_3NSZQQ) ---
**Author:** ![UKCatGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a88e57/32.png) [@UKCatGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UKCatGirl)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/66 "2007-06-20T04:31:40Z")
Oooh, I have one from just the other day! [Nothing Better To Do](http://youtube.com/watch?v=xhQHkPSHZRw) by Leann Rimes. The video’s great too. I was surprised by how much I loved the song when I first heard it because most of her songs take time to grow on me, but I wanted to get up and dance as soon as I heard this one. Also, Cupid’s Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes. I heard it first after it had been out for awhile and most of its heavy radio play was over, so I watched it on youtube over and over for a couple of weeks. And another, [Gunpowder and Lead](http://youtube.com/watch?v=seoVNo5wMwI) by Miranda Lambert (link to a godawful Sims music video thing on youtube, but just minimize it and listen to the song). It’s not a single, but as soon as I heard her play it live I could not wait for her new cd to come out so I could hear it again on repeat. It’s just a badass song. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/67 "2007-06-20T04:57:25Z")
These are songs I heard on TV, radio, in a store, and was immediately compelled to go out and buy the album, without knowing anything else about the band, or any other songs. (Most of this was before .mp3) “Friend, You’ve Got To Fall” - Husker Du “All I Want” - Toad The Wet Sprocket “Stay As You Are” - Span “Getting Away With It” - Electronic “Don’t Talk To Me About Love” - Altered Images “Crossover” - EPMD “Alcohol” - Brad Paisley “A New England” - Kirsty MacColl ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/68 "2007-06-20T18:26:10Z")
Ramalama (Bang Bang) by Roisin Murphy. Probably helped that the first time I heard it was this performance - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vcZGVfgvPc](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vcZGVfgvPc) Susan ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/69 "2007-06-20T18:32:46Z")
Taxi by Chapin. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/70 "2007-06-20T18:42:36Z")
I don’t care if the lyrics are dumb – the first time I heard Centerfold by the J. Geils Band in college I _loved_ it! Even now, 28 years later (goodness I’m _old_) I still bop a little (OK a lot) when I hear it! Also, Hold My Hand by Hootie and the Blowfish. When Cracked Rear View came out, I thought I’d discovered the best rock ‘n’ roll band since … I don’t know, the Who maybe. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/71 "2007-06-20T19:06:18Z")
[QUOTE=Gnomadic] So I don’t depress everyone reading this thread let me add a couple of songs that would get me up dancing if I actually did that sort of thing. 🙂 [What is Love?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsCXZczTQXo) [/QUOTE] In this vein, “I’ve Got the Power” drags you right in and peps you right up! ---
**Author:** ![Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stark_Raven_Mad)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/72 "2007-06-20T19:41:49Z")
There’s Regina Spektor’s [Samson](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p62rfWxs6a8) (Youtube). Something like 109 plays on my iPod. Oh yes. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/73 "2007-06-20T20:02:43Z")
[QUOTE=Gnomadic] [Do You Realize?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tRXO9Q8LkY) [/QUOTE] This was mine too. Such a wonderful song! I had the distinct pleasure of spending some time with Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips, and he talked about this song, and the meaning, and how everyone seems to have a “Do you realize?” story. If you want to check out what he had to say about it, the audio from the interview can be found [here](http://www.bsrlive.com/archives/playlist.php?p=6181) . (My boyfriend and I did the interview when The Lips played at Brown U a couple months ago, his bit about the song is toward the end of the interview.) Another wow moment was hearing [Saturday](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJl_V8VWBwI) by the UK band The Clientele. Blew me away. The vocals and guitar sound like they belong in the '70s but it’s such a modern sound. I just saw them live last weekend and they were even better in person. Some good songs mentioned here. Dramarama! And Mike Doughty is my favorite artist, closely followed by Soul Coughing, but I couldn’t pick just one of his songs. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/74 "2007-06-21T17:19:49Z")
[QUOTE=Ellen Cherry] I don’t care if the lyrics are dumb – the first time I heard Centerfold by the J. Geils Band in college I _loved_ it! Even now, 28 years later (goodness I’m _old_) I still bop a little (OK a lot) when I hear it! Also, Hold My Hand by Hootie and the Blowfish. When Cracked Rear View came out, I thought I’d discovered the best rock ‘n’ roll band since … I don’t know, the Who maybe. [/QUOTE] i’m older and i have three: 😃 ‘garden party,’ by rick nelson, 1972. ‘city of new orleans,’ by arlo guthrie, 1972. ‘amie,’ by pure prairie league, 1975. i sing along at top volume every time wklr here in indianapolis plays those songs. ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/75 "2007-06-21T17:31:23Z")
**"Hate me"** by Blue october it just hooked me good. ---
**Author:** ![denquixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/76 "2007-06-21T21:35:53Z")
I put the average age here at about 23 based on the answers here one Elvis, one Bob Seger, one George Harrison, some random 70’s but basically 90% are people I have never even heard of. If Ellen Cherry is old as a J.Geils fan I am prehistoric. My vote: Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/77 "2007-06-21T22:23:15Z")
[QUOTE=dennis gallagher] I put the average age here at about 23 based on the answers here one Elvis, one Bob Seger, one George Harrison, some random 70’s but basically 90% are people I have never even heard of. [/QUOTE] It’s worse than you think: a lot of these bands are from the 80s & 90s, so the average age is probably at least 30. ---
**Author:** ![JimOfAllTrades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@JimOfAllTrades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimOfAllTrades)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/78 "2007-06-22T00:08:03Z")
There have been a few over the years, in no particular order: _ **City of New Orleans** _ by Arlo Guthrie _ **Unchain My Heart** _ by Joe Cocker _ **None of Us Are Free** _ by Solomon Burke _ **Hurricane** _ by Bob Dylan _ **Night Moves** _ by Bob Seger _ **Dream Lover** _ by Bobby Darin _ **Time in A Bottle** _ by Jim Croce _ **The Future** _ by Leonard Cohen _ **Bat Out of Hell** _ by Meatloaf _ **Somebody To Love** _ by Queen _ **Send Me On My Way** _ by Rusted Root _ **Put Your Lights On** _ by Santana (the whole Supernatural album is great!) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/79 "2007-06-22T01:03:43Z")
[QUOTE=RJKUgly] _ **Somebody To Love** _ by Queen [/QUOTE] That’s another one of mine! Except that I’ve still never heard the original by Queen. The version that hooked me was the recent cover by Brittany Murphy from the _Happy Feet_ soundtrack. Girl can SING! Who knew? ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528/80 "2007-06-22T01:20:17Z")
_The Mummer’s Dance_ by Loreena McKennitt is the one that sprang to mind. She had me before she even opened her mouth to sing, and the breathy vocals sealed the deal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-did-you-instantly-love/408528.md?page=5)