Desert Island Discs with Lady Trader

Music is something that has always been special to me. It has been there for me in tough times, helped me celebrate joyous occasions, and spoke to me when I thought no one else could hear me. Yes, I am a metal chick at heart, but shuffle my iPhone, and you’re as likely to get RuPaul or Culture Club as you are Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden. I’ve performed music (trumpet for 6 years) in school concerts and saw the power it has to move people. I never trust someone who says they don’t enjoy music!

It was extremely difficult to choose just 8 songs that remind me of Damian Lewis or a character he has played, since I have thousands of songs in my head and heart. I hope I did both the actor and the characters he has brought to life justice.

8 Songs

The Wizard – Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath is my all time favorite band. And, after S3 of Billions, we know it’s one of Bobby Axelrod’s as well. Not a day goes by that I don’t listen to Ozzy and the boys (my car radio in permanently set to Ozzy’s Boneyard on XM!!). It would be hard for me to pick 8 Sabbath songs, let alone just one! Axe being a true metal-head as a teen, would have listened to this song (and it’s amazing harmonica solo by Ozzy Osbourne) almost as much as I did! It may not be one of Sabbath’s most popular songs, but it should be. For those of you not into the “hard stuff”, give it a listen –  you may be surprised!

The Trooper – Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden is another on my favorite heavy metal bands. This song is based on the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War.  The opening line: “You’ll take my life, but I’ll take yours too” is 100% a Bobby Axelrod way of thinking! I love the mix of history and metal, which is something I know Axe appreciates as well. It is also a great song to run to, and since my island buddy and I both like to work out, this song is must!

I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face – My Fair Lady Soundtrack

Yes, this heavy metal goddess loves show tunes! I can sing the entire soundtrack of My Fair Lady, because I love the movie so much. I see myself as Eliza in many ways. I have chosen this song, because Damianista and I have a dream of Damian playing Professor Henry Higgins on Broadway one day, and we go to EVERY SINGLE PERFORMANCE!! I have linked a version not from the movie soundtrack, but a version done by Chris Botti (an amazing trumpet player I have had the pleasure of seeing live many times), and Dean Martin (you can never go wrong with a member of the Rat Pack!). I urge you to take a listen. It’s a magical version!

Can’t You Hear Me Knocking – Rolling Stones

OK, the Rolling Stones are iconic! There is no way I could not have a Stones tune on this list. I’ve seen Mick, Keith and the boys many times live – at stadiums, arenas, and smaller, more intimate venues. They never disappoint. This is my favorite Stones tune. It may not be the most well known, but it should be! Its connection to Damian? Well, Damian and his lovely wife Helen got a chance to see the Stones live in the UK this summer!

No Remorse – Metallica

How could I not have a song that reminds me of Nick Brody? And how could this metal chick not have a Metallica tune on her list? This song is about how soldiers have to do what needs to be done with “no remorse, no repent”, and that was Brody’s mindset in S1 of Homeland. I know we are all happy Carrie changed his way of thinking!

It’s Good to Be King– Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

The death this past autumn of Tom Petty hit me pretty hard. As many of you know, I underwent chemo treatments last summer. I had to drive from my home in Long Island, NY to my treatment center, which was in Manhattan. The drive was at least 90 minutes each way. I would listen to the Tom Petty Radio station on my XM radio. It really helped my anxiety on the way there, and was calming on the way home (especially sitting in city traffic!!). I truly believe one of Damian’s best roles was Henry the VIII in Wolf Hall (it’s also the role that made be become aware of Mr. Lewis!)It’s good to be King and have your own world, It helps to make friends, it’s good to meet girls” – if that doesn’t describe Henry, I don’t know what does!!

Also, when Gingersnap was giving us all here at FanFun our Wilbury status, she gave me Tom Petty, and that was pretty cool!!

Fortress Around Your Heart – Sting

Sting’s voice is so unique, and his lyrics are so meaningful. I loved him when he was a member of the Police, but I think he has done his best work as a solo artist. This song reminds me of Soames Forsyte. He wanted to lock away the women he loved, to the point of making them virtual prisoners. Damianista and I may be the only two people on the planet who feel sorry for Soames! Damn Irene!!

The song is just a beautiful, haunting tune, and the saxophone work by Branford Marsalis is amazing.

I Shall Believe – Sheryl Crow

I think Sheryl Crow is one of the best lyricists of her generation. Her songs range from heartbreaking, to fun, to quirky, to just plain cool. The lyrics to this song are so meaningful and so beautiful.

“Not everything is gonna be the way you think it ought to be”

Can’t we all, at some point in our lives, relate to that? This song reminds me of Charlie Crews. All he wanted was to prove his innocence, and in the process, have his partner, Dani, believe in him. Yes, this song is a bit of a love song, and I never believed Dani and Charlie should be romantically linked, but deep friendship is love, and that is the kind they had.

Castaway’s Favorite Track:

No surprises here: The Wizard by Black Sabbath!

Book:

The Bible – Old Testament

I’ll have a lot of time on my hands, and I’ve never read the Bible, so I’ll have the time. Also, I do believe my island-mate and I can have many a discussion/debate about its meaning!

Luxury Item

My pillow

Since I’m going to be on a desert island, I won’t need a blanket, but a pillow is a necessity! If I don’t get a good night’s sleep, I’m as ornery as a bear, and my island partner just wouldn’t appreciate that!

DL Character

Bobby Axelrod

It won’t always be harmonious, and I’m sure there will be times I’m at my end of the island, and he’s at his, but who else would it be? Henry is too grumpy, Brody is still hooked on Carrie, Soames is too intense, and Charlie is fun, but I need to have someone who understands my passion for the market, music and all things NY!

Well, where did you think he got that shirt from?

Author: Lady Trader

"Lady Trader" is a Brooklyn girl, and a Wall Street lifer! Recently fought cancer, and won! I love heavy metal, history, sci-fi, oh, and blogging about Billions and it's great lead actor, Damian Lewis!

12 thoughts on “Desert Island Discs with Lady Trader”

  1. Ozzy is always playing his harmonica on Jack and Ozzy’s World Detour! I sure hope Axe wears an Iron Maiden shirt in season four. I’ve been hinting to BK about it for some time now. And Damian sings show tunes on set all the time, Homeland and Billions. Also, I’m a Soames sympathizer 🙂 YOU ARE A WILBURY!

    1. I love the World Detour, and last season they met a man who learned how to play harmonica just because he heard Ozzy’s solo on the Wizard! I’m with you on the Maiden shirt – I’d also be happy with Led Zep or even Slayer.

      I will always treasure the Wilbury status you gave me! And now you even know why it was even more touching for me!

  2. This is so much fun! OK now you will not believe the extent of my ignorance about metal and in particular Black Sabbath. I definitely know Ozzy Osborne but I had no idea he was essentially THE Black Sabbath. Sorry – I have never been a metal chick 🙂 But I LOVE STING. And Branford Marsalis, too! Did you know he lived in North Carolina? 😀 In fact, in my town! I think if I had chosen a song from him, and it was in my long short list, it would have been “Englishman in New York” 😀 And hey there is another connection between Damian and Sheryl Crow. If I remember correctly, they were on the same team playing Charades on Jimmy Fallon! And I so much love the Tom Petty song, I am sure being a king helped Henry to meet girls – hilarious 😀

    I really hope we get to see Damian on stage together one day and sooner than later! You know I would LOVE to see him as Prof. Higgins but I admit any other play or musical would do and I promise we will go to ever performance and declare bankruptcy and put the blame on Damian 😀

    Hoping for an Iron Maiden t-shirt for you guys in Season 4! What are the alternatives?

    And, oh, have fun with Bobby. Haha I think he will totally be a fish out of water on the island! 🙂

    1. Yes, Ozzy (to me at least) is Black Sabbath. They kicked him out of the band, and tried to go on with a few other lead singers, but their best work is with Ozzy.

      I did not know that about Brandford Marsalis! That is cool!!

      I also love Englishman in New York. I love Sting in general. I’ve seen him in concert several times (with and without the Police). But I will say that the best concert I saw of his was when he performed his Christmas album “On a Winter’s Night” at the Cathedral of St.John the Divine in NY. The acoustics were amazing, and Chris Botti made a surprise appearance!

      I’ll have to look for the Jimmy Fallon charades on YouTube!

      We will see Damian on stage – it may be Broadway, or may be London. Either way, we’ll be there!

      Next season: Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin. maybe a Solo Ozzy shirt, or something really heavy, like Anthrax or Slayer. It will all depend on what Mr. Koppleman is feeling!

      I think Bobby and I would get on ok on the island, but he would be out of his element, as would I! I don’t even know how to swim!!

    1. Of course I knew you’d love this list! Have of these songs we listened to together so many times!! I do hope there were a few surprises on here for you!! 🙂

      1. Hey Music Lover! Heavy Metal was just the stuff my nephews listened to, so your insights are a revelation to me. Especially the lyrics! Now if you’re talking Rolling Stones I’ve been mad for them a loong time. I just sold my vinyl copy of Sticky Fingers WITH the zipper. No pink banana though.
        So sad when Tom Petty died. I miss him.
        I enjoyed your Desert Island share. Don’t worry about Brody, he’ll be ok – he just hasn’t met ME yet 😉

        1. Thank you Notlinda! A lot of people think heavy metal is all devil worship and head-banging, but bands like Sabbath and Iron Maiden have lyrics that are very deep (deeper than some of today’s pop music).

          WOW! You had a copy of the Sticky Fingers album with the zipper? Totally cool!!

          And I know Brody will be in good hands – that is why I choose Axe!!

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