Several years ago, when I used to fly a lot, I discovered a handful of songs which had intros that matched up to the takeoff sequence of an airliner fairly well. In the spirit of laying my own personal soundtrack over the Real World, I'd sit calmly, while we were awaiting clearance for takeoff - my thumb on the play button of my Cassete/CD/MP3 Player. As soon as I heard the engines wind up, and the gentle starting push, I'd hit the button and fall into it.

The one song that always gave me goosebumps, that seemed to click into the timing and rhythm so well was Unsung (iTunes Link) by Helmet. The first 30 seconds or so of the song - Man. When I started to write this entry, I listened to the song again, to remember the feeling, and could vividly recall the sensation and the timing. (I even got goosebumpy again, just sitting here).

Here's the sequence: Start - Jet Engines wind up, I smile, sit back and hit play (:00). Drums and quick bassline hit. Gentle acceleration pushes me back into the seat. (:07) Now going quite fast, a little scary, Guitar 1 kicks in, ratchets up the tension. Wheels start thumping the ground, a little wiggle in the body (:12) Guitar 2 Whines into the mix. Plane is going very fast - it's been a while, when is it going to start nosing up? Tension builds even more. (:20) Slight relief as I feel the nose start to rise, but wheels are still thumping mightily. (:24) Crescendo and pause in the music, the bottom drops slightly away as we take to the air - now being pushed not only back, but down into the seat. (:28) The chorus riff starts, gruff and direct, looking out the window, the rapid climb and accelleration is obvious and thrilling. Cars, buildings and trees drop away as if the Earth just decided to stop, with me falling up and away. Then it's just an enjoyable transition into the rest of the flight.

Of course, it all depends on you enjoying the song as well, but the matching choreography of song and takeoff just can't be beat, from my perspective.

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