So, this is it – the series finale. To date, we’ve had California Dreamin’ , Moonlight Shadow, The Smurf Song, The Clapping Song, Chiquitita, Lady in Red, Girls Just Want to Have Fun and Rock Me Amadeus, Ride on Time and Rio. The last music memory is Who’s David by Busted.
When I was three, I loved watching Andy Pandy and wistfully yearned for a doll like Looby Loo. I sang Humpty Dumpty over and over, completely out of tune much to Mum’s dismay. I had teddy bear pictures on my wall and wore frilly dresses.
For today’s three-year-old, it’s a little different and it certainly was for my daughter. For those of you who read last week’s music memory, you’ll know I was completely obsessed with Duran Duran at the age of fourteen. That seems perfectly acceptable but to have such a fixation at three years of age?
I blame my dad. He bought me the Busted album for my birthday. I’d never heard of them before, so had no idea of the purpose behind his purchase. He insists my daughter chose it with him, but I suspect it may have been on special offer or come free with a bottle of plonk.
So, being a ‘thoughtful’ mother and seeing the boys (they didn’t look any older than eight) on the cover, I thought my daughter might like to listen to it. My instincts were right. She did indeed like listening to it – again and again and again until she knew each and every one of the songs.
Who’s David was her favourite song, though as she was only just three, some of the lyrics weren’t quite the same. Instead of not being ‘worthy’, a ‘birdy’ had crept into the song somewhere. But, of course, as all parents of a three-year-old know, the three-year-old is always right.
A ‘helpful’ friend bought her an enormous poster of the band. My daughter’s grin couldn’t have been any wider and on pain of a never-ending tantrum, said poster was placed proudly on the wall of her bedroom.
The next morning, I was summonsed into her room and she took me by the hand over to her poster and informed me that she was Charlie (the one with the big, bushy eyebrows who she liked the best), that I was James and her grandfather was Matt and together we were Busted. My dad was rather pleased as Matt had to be nearly fifty years younger than him.
Thankfully, the phase didn’t last long. The band are now back together and touring. I asked her (she’s now twenty-four) if she’d like to go and see them. If looks could kill…
Esther Chilton 
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