Desert Island Discs

Desert Island Discs is actually the name of a BBC (British Broadcasting Company) radio program. In fact, it began in 1942, thus making it the longest lasting radio program in history. The format of the radio show is slightly different than that of this blog. The guests on the show pick eight discs, one book (excluding the Bible and any Shakespeare works, which are "provided" on the island, and one luxury item (must be inanimate and not a tool for escape).

In today's world of advanced technology, the MP3 player has become the music media of choice, which, in essence, allows listeners to be more selective with the music they choose to enjoy. So, this blog is about choosing the top ten songs you couldn't live without if you were stranded on an island and annotating each choice, by discussing what makes the song so good (lyrics, instrumental quality, represenative of genre, timeless qualities, emotional connection, etc.).

2. What's an annotation? Quite frankly, I have tricked you all along with these blogs, making your write all different ways outside of the constraints of formal essay writing. Summaries, lists, annotations, etc. are just some of the other writing skills mandatory in college, no matter what major you choose. You will most likely be asked to write annotations along with an extensive bibliography. That is, your professors will ask you (and your group members, in many cases) to create a collection of books, periodicals, etc. about a certain topic and write a concise summary for each (also called and "abstract" or "précis" (pronounced "pray-seez)). In essence, you will have created an annotated bibliography.

For this assignment, you won't be summarizing, per se, but rather are to note why each of the ten songs qualifies to be in your top ten (seriously. . that's only TEN OF THOUSANDS YOU KNOW!). For some adequate examples, I will link some samples, but they are based off the original concept of discs, not individual songs.

1. http://www.catspit.net/2004/06/sub-js-desert-island-discs.htm (a GREAT variety here: this is someone who clearly appreciates music and is willing to transcend music genres).
2. http://ruggieri.blogspot.com/2006_04_16_archive.html. (This is an archived page from a few years ago when I did this assignment. EXCELLENT samples, and you see how students also chose to incorporate the CD cover pictures.) By the way, it's REALLY interesting to me how some of the songs they selected are forgotten already. You will probably laugh at some of them, and this was only two years ago!

One last comment on "tricking" you: I enjoy this (probably too much). That is, hoodwinking you to reach the pinnacle of human thought--evaluation (according to educational theorist Benjamin Bloom). Everyone has opinions; only the ones that are substantiated actually count!

As always, have fun!