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Your Song Changed My Life: From Jimmy Page to St. Vincent, Smokey Robinson to Hozier, Thirty-Five Beloved Artists on Their Journey and the Music That Inspired It Audiobook
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From the beloved host and creator of NPR’s All Songs Considered and Tiny Desk Concerts comes an essential oral history of modern music, told in the voices of iconic and up-and-coming musicians, including Dave Grohl, Jimmy Page, Michael Stipe, Carrie Brownstein, Smokey Robinson, and Jeff Tweedy, among others—published in association with NPR Music.
Is there a unforgettable song that changed your life?
NPR’s renowned music authority Bob Boilen posed this question to some of today’s best-loved musical legends and rising stars. In Your Song Changed My Life, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), St. Vincent, Jónsi (Sigur Rós), Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Cat Power, David Byrne (Talking Heads), Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Jenny Lewis, Carrie Brownstein (Portlandia, Sleater-Kinney), Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), Trey Anastasio (Phish), Jackson Browne, Valerie June, Philip Glass, James Blake, and other artists reflect on pivotal moments that inspired their work.
For Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, it was discovering his sister’s 45 of The Byrds’ “Turn, Turn, Turn.” A young St. Vincent’s life changed the day a box of CDs literally fell off a delivery truck in front of her house. Cat Stevens was transformed when he heard John Lennon cover “Twist and Shout.” These are the momentous yet unmarked events that have shaped these and many other musical talents, and ultimately the sound of modern music.
A diverse collection of personal experiences, both ordinary and extraordinary, Your Song Changed My Life illustrates the ways in which music is revived, restored, and revolutionized. It is also a testament to the power of music in our lives, and an inspiration for future artists and music lovers.
Amazing contributors include: Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney, Portlandia, Wild Flag), Smokey Robinson, David Byrne (Talking Heads), St. Vincent, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), James Blake, Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), Trey Anastasio (Phish), Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley), Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Sturgill Simpson, Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Cat Power, Jackson Browne, Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), Philip Glass, Jónsi (Sigur Rós), Hozier, Regina Carter, Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes, and others), Courtney Barnett, Chris Thile (Nickel Creek, Punch Brothers), Leon Bridges, Sharon Van Etten, and many more.
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“Boilen narrates and does an admirable job, communicating enthusiasm for the project and distinguishing his voice from the voices of the people he interviews…Will have listeners scrambling to create a new, albeit eclectic, playlist.”
— AudioFile
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“Part memoir, part criticism, and part music history…[from] one of the most versatile—and most fascinating—music writers working today. Grade: A.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
“Bob Boilen’s book gets at something real and rare about the power of music.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“It’s a short geek-out of a music book…[and] the best part is the surprise factor.”
— Los Angeles Weekly -
“NPR’s music guru asks dozens of artists about songs that inspired them. The answers are surprising and illuminating, and the roster of contributors is great.”
— Billboard -
“[Boilen’s] engaging voice pervades this treat for music aficionados.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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About Bob Boilen
Bob Boilen is the creator and host of NPR Music’s All Songs Considered and of their Tiny Desk Concert series, which hosts well-known and emerging artists for intimate performances. He was also the director of NPR’s All Things Considered and chose the music between the news stories. As a composer and performer, he has always been passionate about music. Prior to joining NPR, he was a long-time record store clerk and performed with his band Tiny Desk Unit. Constantly on the lookout for new music, he sees more than 500 live bands each year.