Traveling can lead to periods of reflection. It can also lead to long stretches of boredom. While driving through the brown landscape of northwestern Indiana for the holiday weekend, I pondered the following scenario:
You are stuck on a deserted island. Once a day, a song plays over an unseen loudspeaker. Somehow you have the ability to determine which song will play, but only once. That is, the song you choose plays each day, every day.
What song will you choose?
I see two basic strategies to employ here. Obviously you’ll grow sick of the song. Given that reality, you can either pick a song you like and hope you don’t get sick of it right away, or pick a song you already hate and hope the anger that stirs in your soul will motivate you to build a raft and get off the island.
Whatever you choose, you’ve also got to think about length. Perhaps you need the shortest song possible so it’s over quickly. Conversely, you could pick an hourlong classical piece which would at least provide some musical variety. Of course, when you’re sick of it, you’ll be subjected to an hour of a song you hate.
Having mulled the options this weekend while a memorable Thanksgiving dinner settled, I’m going with They Might Be Giant’s “Particle Man.” The song is humorous enough to remind me of the absurdity of the situation, and short enough to get things over and done with. A close second: “Chicken Payback” by A Band of Bees (for the same reasons). Third place: Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” At least it’s quiet.
Other options?