Roger Butters in 1973
Courtesy | Roger Butters

 

“Pray” (1988) 

by Underworld

 

“Pray,” by Underworld, from the “Underneath the Radar” album. The tune is simple and pure and does not get in the way of the lyrics. There’s even a part in the harmony for those of us who sing bass, a rare thing in popular music. The message is timeless: “Pray for me, and I’ll pray for you. It’s no revolution, but it’s something, something we can do. Oh, pray!” Beautiful, just beautiful.

 

“Fahrenheit 451” by 

Ray Bradbury (1953)

Limiting it to fiction, I can’t think of a more prescient book; earbuds, large-screen TVs, interactive entertainment, nihilistic hedonism, porch-less houses, and closed minds.

Better still, from the afterword, “There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches.”

I have a signed, 40th Anniversary, hardbound copy at home.

 

“Jean de Florette” and “Manon of the Spring” (1987)

 

I’d say it’s one movie that is shown in two parts, “Jean de Florette” and “Manon of the Spring.” Watch it in the original French with subtitles. It addresses timeless questions:  “Who is my neighbor?,” “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  Prepare to be gut-punched.