Nov. 11, 2013
This week’s #MusicMonday is a small departure from our usual student-athlete profile, as Vanderbilt Athletic Director David Williams was kind enough to tell us some of his favorite songs.
“Music has always been a part of my life, and the life of my entire family. I’ve been a musician since the age of four, grew up in Motown down the street from Hitsville, and spent a great deal of my youth in and around all types of music. Not sure I can narrow my list down to four songs; it would depend on so many things.
“I listen to music to help me work, write, remember things I don’t ever want to forget, keep me grounded, and to help me remember where I am from and where I should be going. I have always been fond of Motown and music of that time frame and what it meant to this country. I also love to listen to the music from the Count and the Duke of the big band era. I have recently been listening to the O’Jays since I am going to see them in concert on Sunday.
“I like to understand what is behind music, so I will always listen to Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On.’ It has a lot to do with a host of social issues that were facing our society at the time. It always takes me to the Vietnam War and the young men who I grew up with who served, and some who died, in that conflict.
“I have always been moved by Billie Holiday’s ‘Strange Fruit’ for what it means about my history, the people who made it possible for me to be what I am and how badly we can treat each other. Besides, Ms. Holiday is one of the all-time greatest artists.
“When I think about trying to understand people, I strongly suggest folks listen to the album ‘Straight Outta Compton’ and then you might have a small understanding of how some folks live and how environment dictates behavior and outlook.
“At the end of the day, my favorite song remains ‘My Girl’ by the Temptations.”
And if Williams had to choose a song for athletic competition, he picked Mary Wells’ “You Beat Me to the Punch.” “I sang it when I was running track and it would sometimes get in my foes head as I passed and beat them to the line.”
#MusicMonday Archive
Women’s Tennis: Courtney Colton
Football: Jordan Matthews
Men’s Golf: Zack Jaworski
Women’s Tennis: Ashleigh Antal
Soccer: Andie Lakin
Women’s Cross Country: Rebecca Chandler
Football: Carey Spear
Men’s Golf: Charlie Ewing
