Fellows and Members of the College are sharing the music that’s meaningful to them as part of National Playlist Day, which takes place today, Friday 18 September.
Founded by College Honorary Fellow, Sally Magnusson, Playlist for Life is a charity working to improve the lives of people living with dementia through the power of personally meaningful music.
Now in its fifth year, National Playlist Day encourages everyone to think about five songs that would make up the soundtrack of their life – and create a personal playlist today that could become a lifeline later.
Professor Hany Eteiba, President of the College, said: “We all know the power of music to move us and evoke powerful memories of happy times. Evidence from the lived experience of people living with dementia also shows that personally meaningful music can reduce anxiety, improve mood and support connection.
“We’re pleased to be supporting National Playlist Day and we encourage all members of our extended to community to think about their playlist for life.”
The charity was founded in 2013 by writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson after the death of her mother, Mamie, who had dementia. Its vision is simple: for everyone with dementia to have a unique, personalised playlist and everyone who loves or cares for them to know how to use it.
Ms Magnusson was made an Honorary Fellow of the College in 2015. She was made an MBE in 2023 for services to people living with dementia and their carers.
Our President’s Playlist for Life
- Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo. This reminds of my family summer holidays in Alexandria, Egypt - romantic music perfect for a young man’s dreams with the background sound of the Mediterranean waves. I looked forward to the fresh sea breeze all year round.
- Salma Ya Salama by Dalida. Dalida was a French singer born in Cairo and did in music what I’ve tried to do in my professional life: build a bridge between two cultures, connecting the place we come from with the place we have made our home. This song speaks beautifully of travel, departure and return, and the enduring memories of childhood and birthplace - an experience that resonates deeply with my own journey from Cairo to Scotland. It is also especially meaningful to me because my wife Véronique listened to Dalida when she lived in France, making the song a beautiful connection between our two worlds and our shared memories.
- Rasputin by Boney M reminds me of my early days in Glasgow. As a young doctor living in the residents’ hall, I loved its infectious energy. Its uplifting rhythm brought a sense of joy and optimism, especially at times when the chips were down.
- Requiem in D Minor by Mozart. Before my time in Glasgow, my knowledge of classical music was rather limited to few pieces I liked. The first concert I went to in Glasgow was at the Concert Hall when Véronique invited me to listen to Mozart’s Requiem. I was profoundly moved by this powerful piece. (We went to the equally classic restaurant, Rogano, in Glasgow city centre for a memorable post-concert dinner!)
- Carnaval de Paris by Dario G. I chose this piece because its vibrant, multicultural energy captures the spirit of Paris ’98, when Scotland played Brazil, while the inclusion of the bagpipes creates a wonderful musical bridge between France - Véronique’s country, Brazil, and Scotland, my new home. It was a fitting choice to be played at our College Diploma Ceremony this summer during the World Cup.