CYCLE MUSIC #09
Dominic Miller
“Bicycle”
Dominic Miller
“Bicycle”
CYCLE MUSIC #15
Norah Jones
“Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)”
The “CYCLE MUSIC” series, where I’ve shared brief columns about bicycles and my favourite music, reaches its 15th instalment, marking a natural break. From the next issue, it will be reborn under the title “Music Cycles Around The World”, with a focus on “city music,” inspired by the idea of travelling the world through both music and cycling. While I had originally intended to recommend this masterpiece back in December, symbolising the “perfect harmony between bicycles and music,” I missed the opportunity. So, as a fitting conclusion, allow me to introduce it now.
It’s Norah Jones’ “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones).” Norah Jones, a regular at the Grammy Awards, recently received the wonderful news that her latest album “Visions”, released last year, won the 67th Grammy Award for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.” “Christmas Calling” was released in 2021 as the lead single from her first Christmas album, “I Dream Of Christmas.” The heartwarming music video features a delicate scene where she wanders through the city alone on a bicycle, looking a bit forlorn, until countless Santas on bicycles gradually gather around her, eventually leading to a dreamy and joyful Christmas party.
The song reflects the heartfelt desire of the time during the pandemic, when gathering with others was difficult: a longing to stay connected, even in the smallest way, with loved ones. The story unfolds with a heartwarming scene where she sings over the phone to someone special spending Christmas apart. Through her gentle voice and melody, Santa Claus is portrayed as a symbol of “hope” and “someone precious” living within people’s hearts. Norah Jones expresses her deep wish for a truly joyful Christmas holiday this year, where people can reconnect wholeheartedly with their loved ones.
Given the season, I believe the song’s charm would still shine through if you imagined it as Valentine Calling instead of Christmas Calling. That’s why I chose to introduce it at this particular time
♬CYCLE MUSIC STORAGE♬
#01 The Style Council “My Ever Changing Moods”
#02 Cordelia “Play Pretend”
#03 Corinne Bailey Rae “Put Your Records On”
#04 Georgie Fame ”Happiness”
#05 Alulu Paranhos “Bicicletinha”
#06 Motoharu Sano “Angelina”
#07 B.J. Thomas “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”
#08 The Smiths “This Charming Man”
#09 Dominic Miller “Bicycle”
#10 NewJeans “Bubble Gum”
#11 Tank and the Bangas “Smoke.Netflix.Chill.”
#12 Kraftwerk “Tour de France”
#13 Livingston Taylor “Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream”
#14 RM “Bicycle”
#15 Norah Jones “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)”
Profile
Toru Hashimoto (SUBURBIA)
Editor / Music Selector / DJ / Producer. Founder of Suburbia Factory. Owner of Shibuya’s “Cafe Apres-midi” and “Apres-midi Selecao.” Over 350 compilation CDs, including series like ‘Free Soul,’ ‘Mellow Beats,’ ‘Cafe Apres-midi,’ ‘Jazz Supreme,’ ‘Music With A View,’ and many others, have been curated, making him the world’s foremost selector. He oversees and produces music broadcast channels “usen for Cafe Apres-midi” and “usen for Free Soul” on USEN, wielding significant influence in Japanese music scene since the 1990s. In recent years, his ‘Good Mellows’ series with a focus on mellow chillout has gained great popularity both domestically and internationally.
Art Work＿spoken words project
Post Date：2025.02.14
