I wasn't yet 5 years old when Mary Poppins was released, but it made a huge impression on my tiny little mind, body and soul. It set me on the path of music appreciation and love of theatre and dance. It was one of those times when I had a fire lit under me and would not relent until my parents bought me the album. After learning the mechanics of our console "Hi-Fi" record player I would play Chim Chimney/Step In Time over and over again and danced and danced to what I remember the choreography of that scene in the movie to be. I'm quite sure that this song had a direct influence on my becoming a musician.

 

This a great thread! But still a tricky question for me to answer.
It could be any of these moments, but only one has a particular song:
I was in a springy baby chair thing between 1 and 2 years old, and I remember the transition from my vision being all colours and light, to it all becoming physical and focusing on the speaker that was putting the music out which I was listening to and loving. That harsh transition made me cry.
But it was Stevie Wonder, Songs In The Key Of Life album.
So in a way, I didn't "drop everything", but rather became suddenly laden and encumbered with everything!
Then, when I was 5, we went to the theatre and I saw Yul Brynner in The King And I. This changed everything. I was already learning about harmony on a xylophone, but after this I was dancing around in my pyjama bottoms being Yul Brynner. I knew I would be a performer.
When I was 11 I took a whole week to learn every part (bass line, chords, vocal line and harmonies, even drum pattern) of You To Me Are Everything by The Real Thing. I remember it hurt my head a bit.
I woke up the next morning and I could 'see' the arrangement in my mind. I went to my father and said my mind had just opened and I don't know if I can handle it! I asked if what I was seeing and feeling was like drugs!
It's like I pierced the yoke and it all spread out.
But the same year, I heard Weather Report 8:30, the live album.
This really switched me on, and I realised there are no boundaries.
Hope someone finds this an interesting read, just as all your comments are, but sorry I can't really pinpoint a certain song at the moment!

 

I saw a lot of posts here that I remember from childhood.
The last album with Gabriel in Genesis also had a profound effect on me as did 'Wish you were here", "Dark side of the Moon", "Close to the Edge", as a kiddy musicals like Mary Poppins and Sound of Music.....the list is too long to even attempt.
So continuing on from Lamb lies down on Broadway as one small example.....
I remember hearing this for the first time when 01:35 came in getting an amazing feeling... What seemed like a straight-ahead tune turned almost anthemic... the evolution of my early listening years which has evolved yet again since then, as all music should.
ALSO - yes to weather Report, Corea, Jarrett, Parker, Coltrane and all great things in jazz too.

BUT - The song that changed me musically forever when I first heard it

 

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 27, 2020

Yes Mary Poppins´songs and also Disney´s Fantasia with the Bach´s fugue, Stravinsky The Rite of Spring, Mussorsky Night in the Bald Mountain and Beethoven Sixth Symphony. The first rock band that impresses me was The Seeds with their LP Future, a prophetic name, now I see...

 

Made me reconsider how I do vocals

 

,its stayin alive

 

For my relaksation ...

 

Catchy and funny:

 

Last edited: Aug 30, 2020

That's the song I'm trying to write!

 

This made me buy acoustic instruments (strings & percussion) and inspired me to make new music.

 

And many more!!!

 

sugar pie honey bunch...the four tops

 

Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'. The Mahavishnu Orchestra 'From Nothingness to Eternity'. Pink Floyd - too numerous to list em all. And lately Heilung, honoring my Nordic ancestry

 

Last edited by a moderator: Sep 5, 2020

Was 12 when I heard this for the first time... Still worship the songwriting skills and musicianship that adorns their entire catalog.

 

Huuhhh ...

 

I was very young. But as I recall, this is the first song I heard that influenced me to be in a Rock Band:

 

"God Save the Queen".

by Sex Pistols, of course.