There’s a piece of music that has such a strong memory for me that every time it comes on I can’t think of anything else.

It’s “By the Source of the Protective Flame” from Sega’s Panzer Dragoon Saga soundtrack, and every time I listen to it, I am right back in a very specific time and place, but it’s not connected to the game.

Whilst writing my dissertation, I decided that creating a CD of music to relax to would be a very good idea. Naturally, being the geek I am I began to work on possible playlists, themes, movements and so on (the final result was actually called “Game Music: Relaxing to Jiving”!).

Every time I hear this song now, I am instantly back in my room during the spring of 2005. Everything is very white and clean, which lets me know what a specific time this memory belongs to! There’s a cleansing breeze through the room, and I can see the foot of my bed and my stereo. I take a deep breath and totally relax. There’s a feeling of being completely serene, and everything is very still and peaceful.

I realise now that this memory is actually probably many memories blurred together, but no matter where I hear this song it lifts me out of my surroundings, and once again I am sitting on my bed, looking at the stereo, breathing air of a beautiful clarity.

Do you have any memories that are interwoven with songs, pictures, sounds, films or anything else? What transports you back when you meet it again?