I find both music and travel are both quite personal experiences and when there is a moment or time where they can merge together it can create something pretty special. I listen to a lot of music when I go travelling and sometimes the experience is so special that the song sticks with that travel event as a memory. So I thought it would be nice to visit that topic and talk to you over the next few weeks about just some of the magical musical moments I have had on my adventures.

Location : Chicago
Song: Chicago Is So Two Years Ago, Fall Out Boy

This time it sort of takes a different approach to music and travel, The last two weeks, I have discussed how music has lit up a place I have visited. Well, today I am going to talk about the band that’s music persuaded me and pushed me into wanting to go to Chicago.

Fall Out Boy are one of my favourite bands and as a teenager I listened to their music a lot and their older albums really paint a picture of Chicago. There are certain lyrics that may sound silly, that have always made me want to visit the windy city. They are not even lyrics sometimes that specifically define Chicago but I was just dragged into this world where I was convinced I had to go. Here are a few examples of the lyrics that I loved:

But there’s a light on in Chicago, and I know I should be home”. – Chicago Is So Two Years Ago

New York eyes, Chicago thighs, Pushed up the window to kiss you off – I’ve Got All This Ringing in My Ears and None on My Fingers

“Landing on a runway in Chicago”. – Homesick At Space Camp

In 2011, I was lucky enough to visit Chicago, not once but twice because we loved it so much. It is such an interesting city and there is so much to do that it instantly became one of my favourite places. It is such a great city and I love the way they blend modern architecture ideas into the old that it makes something so unique.

It may be random that a few song lyrics convinced me to visit a city but I am glad that they did. It may be a novel way to come across a new travel experience but it was worth it.