Save me from my bad memory
I have a shocking memory for names. This weakness took me to a new height of embarrassment at a recent conference where, full of good intentions, I went to introduce a colleague to an acquaintance from another organisation and in the process, completely and utterly forgot their name. And as you know, there is no good way out of this kind of situation.
Because I’ve got a better memory for music than for important things like people’s names, one tool I’ve developed to help the situation is to associate people with songs specific to their name. When I first started at my current place of employment this served me well, as we have:
- Anna (‘Anna, go to him’ – The Beatles)
- Maria (‘Maria’ from West Side Story)
- Lucy (‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ – The Beatles)
- Mary (‘Mary Mary’ – Run DMC)
- Julie (‘Oh Julie’ – Shakin’ Stevens)
- Danny (‘Oh Danny Boy’)
- Deborah (‘Debora’ – T Rex)
- Hilary (‘Hilary’ – The Fall)
- John (‘John, I’m only Dancing’ – Bowie)
Where this system falls down is in the serious lack of songs referring to male names. Someone out there really needs to write some songs referring to Stewart, Steve, Dave, Andrew, Richard etc. etc. so that I’m saved from any more name memory failure embarrassment at conferences. Any suggestions for songs using men’s names are most welcome.
As for me personally, yes, there is song for my name. I just hope that anyone using this scheme will eventually forgive me for reminding them of Smokie…
July 7th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
It is hard I usually end up calling any chap younger than me “laughing Boy”. I hate that workshop game were you introduce the person next you, I always have to write their name on my hand in order not to forget it, I am bad person.
here’s
Ben (Michael Jackson)
Maxwell Silver hammer
mathew and son cat stevens
Tony ,Tony (to the tune of mony mony)
Johnny b Goode
John Henry is a twofor
Bill Bailey
Simon says
gordon is morom (went down with my uncle of the same name)
Joseph and his amazing……
Girls names is easy even the more everyday one’s have songs
Karen (Go-betweens) Elaine (ABBA b-side) Valerie (about five different ones)
Do you know any Deannas or Evangelines?
July 7th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
How about using an artist’s name instead of their songs – IE..
Wonder for Steve,
Bowie for Dave,
Thompson for Richard
July 7th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
BLTP – good suggestions, although I think I prefer ‘Simon and his Amazing Dancing Bear’ to ‘Simon Says’. I wish I knew a Deanna and an Evangeline as they probably my favourite songs of the lot. Definitely not Maxwell and his bloody annoying Silver Hammer.
PM – that is an idea, but I’m not sure how it would work as it’s the single tune that I tend to remember. Worth a try though!
July 8th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Mustn’t forget David Watts, and Tommy Canyerhearme. And I’m still hoping to meet a Johnny Angel.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:06 am
ISBW – David Watts, yes!!! And there are two versions of that – why didn’t I think of that before?!