Actually, IIRC, on Q107 Toronto in the 80s it was usually the Beatles, either Hey, Jude or A Day in the Life, that topped those countdowns with Zep just behind. And A Day... would fit the bill, I think, in terms of varied emotions and styles so that's my first pick.

Mendalla

Plaisir de la'mour, which would not scare them because it actually is from the13th century or before: a timeless troubadour song that made it from the Middle Ages right into modern times, and still is a favourite for many, including me.

I think A Day In the Life would freak them right out! Lol! On my countdowns, those two were # 2 and 3 I think...

Hmm, I don't recognize that title Arminius. I'll have to look it up. I have several medieval cd's.

Bagpipes were THE instrument du jour back then... all across Europe. Why trifle with such a wonderful musical culture? I think i'd just want to bask in it.

And Plant's caterwauling combined with Page's guitar wouldn't?  At least John and Paul sing on A Day in the Life in between the various odd musical bits.

Just ribbing you, though. Stairway... is probably the only Zep song I'd actually say I like (Kashmir is okay, too). Just never got into them in a big way. I was, however, kind of pleased when Little M started playing Stairway on the piano (not part of his formal training, he just found it in a music book and tried it). Right now, he's trying out his teacher's Beatles collection by learning "With a little help from my friends" though I'm encouraging him to try "In my life", too (possibly my favorite non-Harrison Beatles song).

Actually, Leonard Cohen's music would probably work, at least the more folkie sixties material. Given the state of Jewish-Christian relations in the Middle Ages, though, not sure introducing a Jewish singer-songwriter would actually fly.

Mendalla

I was thinking about Arminius' choice again and see that that would mean a lot to them that we still play, record and enjoy their music. That would be nice for them, but then again, maybe they would be sad thinking music hadn't moved on? Or they would pick out what was incorrect about it... Or sad to loose the opportunity to have heard something futuristic? But then again, the future would scare the leather boots off them i think!

Ah yes, good thinking Mike, I too would want to bask in it and not mess with it, I mean what they create as well as the timeline of cource. WOuldn't that be great to hear the real thing played on a real calf stomach! You could bring inspiration back to the modern day!

Mendalla: Ooo, I love in My Life. I requested it on the radio once while I was at work, he said my name and everything, it was cool ; )  For Zeppelin, you should try "Going to California", that's a lovely mild song. I was fairly into Zeppelin when I was 16-18. That's grea Little M is into playing those. Evan said he got his first guitar when he was 10, along with a Beatles songbook, and that was what he used to teach himself to play.

One reason I picked Stariway is that it has medieval aspects within it. I think it would seem slight and insignificant to them compared to the changes, but that's one reason I like the song so much (plus not hearing it too often helps!). We were just down in vancouver over the weekend, and man! do they ever overkill the classics on the radio! CFMI has been playing the same songs all my life! It's a wonder I still love PInk FLoyd!

Those Were The Days by Mary Hopkins

or

Peter, Paul and Mary singing Puff the Magic Dragon

Puff the Magic Dragon Lol! I wonder what they'd make of that!

I can imagine a medieval rendition of those were the days ; D , on sacbuts, shawms, pipe and tabor!

Oh OK! Plaisir D'amour, the song Elvis based Can't Help Falling in Love on! It would be interesting to bring the Janet Baker recording and Elvis's song back in time to see what they think. In fact it would be interesting to see what they make of Elvis in general, say... Hard Headed Woman... I can imagine them being confused and even insulted at first, then slowly, heads start to nod, feet beging to tap, and some of the more rowdy amongst them get up and start groovin'! Then we could play some Chuck Berry and Little Richard, Shake Baby Shake! chuckle chuckle...

I confess, I am particularily partial to the 14th century, and my new avatar reflects that.

Hmm, it seems that Plaisir d'Amour was written in 1780, a Baroque rather than troubadour song....

For romance' sake, here are the lyrics:

The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
The pain of love lasts a lifetime.

I gave up everything for ungrateful Sylvia,
She is leaving me for another lover.

The pleasure of love lasts only a moment,
The pain of love lasts a lifetime.

"As long as this water will run gently
Towards this brook which borders the meadow,

I will love you", Sylvia told me repeatedly.
The water still runs, but she has changed.

The pleasure of love lasts only a moment,
The pain of love lasts a lifetime.

And here's a film clip, where it's sung a bit too modernly, but the rest is great!

LOL!! Loved it MC! I loved the original song too, back in the day. : )

After watching the movie I was wondering if they may enjoy it.  ( or else I'd be burned as a  witch...)

("We Will Rock You" by Queen.  opening scene from "A Knight'sTale")

Hi Trish! Good to hear from you.

I hate to say it, but I think the people of the 14th century might be slightly offended by A Knight's Tale, to think we remember them like that. They might considder it a mockery. So yes, watch out for the Inquisition! Queen Elizabeth 1 on the other hand might have gotten a kick out of it, and done her bit to protect your freedom of expression! Hail the revolution!

Well a Knight's Tale was pretty much just that anyway: a mockery.

Gotta love Queen Liz l.

Have you seen the movies about her, with Cate Blanchett playing the lead role?  And in the second one, Clive Owen plays a rather yummy Sir Walter Raleigh.

"The Twist' by Chubby Checker.  They'd likely think we were possessed.

Trish, Yes he does doesn't he. ; )  I like those movies quite a bit. Cate is awesome.

Albert, Hello, greetings! Funny to try and picture medieval people doing the twist! lol! It might go down best with farm labourers, after a drink or two!

pass the mead!

You know, in terms of modern music that would actually fit in, Great Big Sea comes to mind. So much of their output, even their original pop-rock songs, draws on English and Irish folk music that they'd almost be a natural.

Mendalla

Mmmhmmm. And the bagpipe music too. They'd dig that.

Clink! Trish. Virtual alcohol is safe for my brain and stomach!

Money,

By Pink Floyd

 and they would be able to make sense out of this

BUT MOST OF ALL