Songs in the Key of My Life: A Memoir [Paperback]

Ferentz Lafargue (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2007

“Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.” —Stevie Wonder, “Sir Duke”

In 2003, young professor Ferentz LaFargue traveled to Paris, where his fiancée, Tricia, declared she wasn’t happy with their relationship, ending what he thought was a wonderful engagement. After days of “craying”—“that sorrow-laden blend of crying and praying delivered in perfect pitch by those in mourning”—Ferentz happened upon Stevie Wonder’s 1976 classic double album Songs in the Key of Life. Listening to it anew was a healing, spiritual trip down memory lane, helping him to come to terms with his breakup and reflect on how songs in general have been linked to his life.

In this book, Ferentz invites us to get cozy and listen as he hits PLAY on meaningful tracks from Wonder and others, including Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, LL Cool J, Beenie Man, Sheryl Crow, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, and Black Sabbath. He recalls:

How the fusion of rock and rap in the breakthrough Run-D.M.C./Aerosmith video “Walk This Way” helped to change an adolescent Ferentz from outcast to authority figure

How Michael Jackson’s Thriller brought back a traumatic childhood experience

How Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks” speaks to the tension between his Christian beliefs and his need to rip it up in clubs as a hip-hop head

In the tradition of Nick Hornby’s Songbook¸ these words paint a portrait of a life framed by sounds, allowing all of us to think about what songs have been key in our own lives.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Recalling Nick Hornby's Songbook and Rob Sheffield's more recent Love is a Mix Tape, Lafargue's memoir chronicles life events major and minor through the prism of the music he loves and hates. Lefargue found the genesis for his book while struggling through the aftermath of a failed engagement, during which he discovered Stevie Wonder's breakthrough double album, Songs in the Key of Life. Beginning with the miraculous turnaround that album inspired, the professor and Brooklyn resident recounts, among other amusing anecdotes, his mother's mad crush on mid-1980s sensation Billy Ocean; his own impressions and imitations of Michael Jackson, "who danced like Fred Astaire, sang like Jackie Wilson, had the suave good looks of a young Sam Cooke, and dressed like Liberace"; and the link between Stanley Kubrick's film Full Metal Jacket and 2 Live Crew's "obscene, misogynist, and offensive" album As Nasty as They Wanna Be. The book's biggest weakness may be Lefargue's lack of credentials; without rock critic Sheffield's reputation or Hornby's fan base, readers may wonder why they should care about one man's taste in music. Lafargue may not provide that reason, but he does have a sincere, honest voice and a story that any pop music fan is sure to nod along with.
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Review

“Lafargue understands how songs shape our lives, even as our lives shape our songs. A sweet meditation on the soul of music.” —David Ritz

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Product Details

• Paperback: 165 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; 1 edition (May 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767924061
• ISBN-13: 978-0767924061
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,677,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riding in a time capsule together, June 2, 2007

By 

Bernadette Atuahene "B-dette" (Chicago, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Songs in the Key of My Life: A Memoir (Paperback)

Boy, this book sure did take me back. LaFargue's discussion of many 80s songs stirred up dormant memories that I did not know were still there. Through his words, I was able to relive the songs that were the key to my life. It's a great read that I would recommend to anyone; especially people in their 20 and 30s.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Rapid Reader, June 4, 2007

By 

Leslie E. Wingard (Williamstown, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Songs in the Key of My Life: A Memoir (Paperback)

One reason I inhaled this touching book is because the author, F.L., is so funny and honest throughout! If you love bass and beats and are a fan of using others' life experiences as fuel for reflecting on your own, you may just read his memoir very, very quickly too. I particularly love how each vignette ends with such a poignant line or phrase and encourage those who frequent not just the music appreciation, but also the self-help and black or cultural studies section of bookstores to check it out--and soon.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evokes nostaliga and demands further contemplation, June 7, 2007

By 

Alexander Harris - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Songs in the Key of My Life: A Memoir (Paperback)

Lafargue's poinent entry into the literary space lyrically plucked on my heartstrings, reminding me of days past that seemed at once more simple and complex. Weaving personal narrative with 'back in the day' musical interludes, this memoir brilliantly captures one man's journey through life.