Category: Music Mondays

Music Monday – Volume Twenty Nine

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1) One Direction – Fireproof

There’s been a bit of a mixed reaction to this track which was made available for free for 24 hours this week. It’s a lot more mature with a soft beat and gorgeous harmonies and I absolutely love it. Such a great song.

2) Favela – Easy Yoke

Found this on a Spotify placement I was listening to yesterday and have listened to it over and over since. Such a beautiful song. Very spaced out and the strings are just stunning.

3) The 1975 – Heart Out

I’ve loved this since I purchased The 1975’s début album almost a year ago but the release of the video last week has given the song a new lease of life for me. So catchy it’s unreal and I love the saxophone break.

4) Ten Walls – Walking with elephants

Been hearing this on the radio a lot lately and I really love it. It’s great to have a classic instrumental club track in the charts.

5) Nina Nesbitt – Two worlds away

Found this completely by accident and have fallen in love. Such a pretty acoustic-based song.

6) John Mayer – Say

One of John’s more underrated efforts and one I feel even he neglects sometimes. This was written for and appeared in the movie ‘The Bucket List’ although I came to know it through the modern re-adaptation of ‘The Karate Kid’ a few years back. It’s the song that got me into John Mayer and it’s so pretty. It’s one of the most inspiring songs and I just love it so, so much.

7) Coldplay – True love

Hauntingly beautiful. Love this.

8) George Ezra – Barcelona

This man is such a talent. Really love this song.

9) George Ezra – Song 3

Another incredible song off George’s debut album. Awesome.

[Unfortunately this isn’t on YouTube]

10) Beck – Morning

I went and saw ‘If I stay’ at the cinema the other day and this appeared in the movie. I instantly fell in love with the soft guitars and the haunting melody. Such a haunting, stunnning song.

Music Monday – Volume Twenty Eight

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1) George Ezra – Blame it on me

I’m still not quite sure what to make of George Ezra. I think he’s very talented and there’s certainly something about his songs that make them pretty enchanting. That said, ‘Budapest’ did get on my nerves a little bit. ‘Blame it on me’ has been growing on me with every listen, however and I think I can now conclude that I love it. Love the guitar sound in the chorus.

2) Maroon 5 –Sugar

I much prefer old Maroon 5 to their sound for the past three years. ‘Songs about Jane’ and ‘It won’t be soon before long’ were class albums. That’s not to say they’ve completely lost their way, however. The new album is a vast improvement on ‘Overexposed’. This is an incredibly catchy and addictive song. Really love this.

3) Maroon 5 – It was always you

Another track on their latest album ‘V’. Love the 80’s vibe on this and it’s a great sing-along tune.

4) Prince – Clouds

I love how Prince just randomly drops these songs onto Spotify/Itunes without a fuss! No idea if this will appear on any of his two new albums arriving later this month but if this song is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat! Classic Prince but still managing to sound fresh. Layered with a bit of auto-tune to add a bit more effect, this is a great song.

[Unfortunately this isn’t on YouTube so no link!]

5) Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj – Bang Bang

I loved Jessie J’s debut album and I do continue to admire her talent. Personality wise, she does irritate me a bit and her single choices can be a bit hit and miss. Something told me I should hate this song, most likely because of the fact Nicki Minaj has a role in it. That said, it’s a really catchy, great pop track. Really liking this.

6) 5SOS – Amnesia

Overall, I keep telling myself I’m not into this band. Then again, they must be doing something right at this is their second track in one of my Music Monday playlists! This is an incredibly beautiful, if rather predictable (chord-wise) ballad. Definitely my favourite song of right now. Gorgeous.

7) Chromeo – Jealous (I ain’t worth it)

So damn catchy, this is an irresistible song. There hasn’t been a dance-pop track as good as this in YEARS. Unique, with a disco vibe, this is awesome. Check it out!

8) Travi$ Scott & James Fauntleroy – Drive (The 1975 remix)

I didn’t know the original of this (before The 1975 remixed it) and only got to know it through The 1975’s remix. I’m not biased just because The 1975 are one of my favourite bands, I just think what they’ve done with the song is incredible. Awesome beat, so chilled and I love Matty’s verse. Cannot get enough of this at the moment.

9) Joel Compass – Girlfriends

Another catchy track. Really like this!

10) Gary Barlow – We like to love

Without a doubt one of Gary Barlow’s finest songs he’s ever written and definitely one of my all time favourite compositions by him. The squeak of the piano stool and click of the piano keys at the beginning if you turn the volume up loud enough through headphones shows how raw this song is. It’s rare for a real piano to be used in a song these days. It’s wonderful, the changes that occur in this song. The soft beginning with the choir, the verse and first chorus, the key change and then the Coldplay-styled soaring climax. Such an incredibly beautiful and emotive song.

Music Monday – Volume Twenty Seven

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1) The 1975 – Au Bord De La Mer

A song by the band before they ‘made it big’. Matty’s vocal delivery is different as is the genre. It’s a bit darker than what the band are known for but it’s a fantastic song. Really love this!

2) Elvin Bishop – Fooled around and fell in love

Irresistible.

3) James Bay – Let it go

Hauntingly beautiful and drifts into Ed Sheeran territory from time to time which is never a bad thing!

4) Mika & Pharrell – Celebrate

Pharrell is a genius and Mika is one of the most talented guys in pop. The album this is off is incredibly underrated as is this incredible song. So catchy, so uplifting and just an awesome song.

5) 2pac – Changes

One of the best rap songs ever.

6) Jordin Sparks – One step at a time

This is a forgotten pop gem! Catchy, inspiring and just a wonderful, wonderful song. Makes me feel like I’m fourteen again.

7) Rita Ora – Been Lying

One of my all time favourite songs, this is a pop masterpiece. Heartfelt lyrics and the infectious, repetitive chorus shows that sometimes simplicity creates the best songs.

8) 1 Giant Leap ft Maxi Priest and Robbie Williams – My Culture

An often forgotten about collaboration between these three acts, this is an awesome song. Great production, thoughtful lyrics and the melody of the chorus is irresistable.

9) Spice Girls – Last time lover

Girlbands these days could only dream of making an R&B track half as good as this. Naughty, catchy and the bass line is funky as hell. Awesome song.

10) Will Young – Good things

Will Young’s Echoes album is a masterpiece. This is just one of the many great songs that feature on it. The production is second to none, it’s catchy and the melody is infectious. SO good.

Music Monday – Volume Twenty Six

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1) Jessie Ware – Imagine it was us

Catchy, irresistible dance track. Love this.

2) Charlie Simpson – Thorns

Great song off Charlie’s début solo album with a catchy, beautiful melody.

3) Charlene Soraia -Caged

Great pop track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPY2QxeU5Ag

4) Stereophonics – Have a nice day

Such an uplifting, catchy song which is perfect to lift your spirits at the beginning of the day. Always reminds me of the summer and always makes me feel great.

5) Ronan Keating – Life is a rollercoaster

Cheesy Pop at its best. Catchy, uplifting and a fine, fine song. One of my favourite songs of all time.

6) Friendly Fires – Hurting

Such a catchy song with a 1980’s electro-feel to it.

7) The Vamps – Smile

Perfect closing track to The Vamps’ début album. A catchy, feel-good anthem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UtVqsF7dFA

8) The Vamps – Lovestruck

A slightly darker track on The Vamps’ début album, this is a great song.

9) Robbie Williams & Brad Paisley – Collision of worlds

A perhaps less known track, this appeared on the soundtrack to the movie ‘Cars 2’. The lyrics are witty and very cleverly written and it’s such an awesome song.

10) John Mayer – 83

A great little song that appeared on John’s début ‘Room for Squares’ that deals with nostalgia and wishing to be a child again. It’s easy to relate to and a fantastically written song.

Music Monday – Volume Twenty Five

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1) Katy Perry – This is how we do

This is so catchy, so cool and such a great, uplifting summer song. One of her best off ‘Prism’ and I’m so glad Katy’s releasing it as a single. Great video too.

2) Tulisa – Young

Whatever you think about Tulisa and N Dubz in general, this remains one heck of a tune. This is uplifting, summery and so damn catchy.

 

3) Take That – It only takes a minute

A massive guilty pleasure, this was a great interpretation of an old disco classic. Its sound and production has certainly been left in the ’90’s but it still sounds awesome and Take That’s version is perhaps the best loved and most known version. Such a catchy chorus.

 

4) Take That – Once you’ve tasted love

One of Take That’s most underrated songs of their entire career. It may have been on their début ‘Take That and Party’ which is undoubtedly cheesy and lacks credibility in places but it remains a great, great album. This song is infused with electro-pop influences and it’s just so well written/produced. Big chorus too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTSoPCNLN0U

5) The 1975 – She Way Out

Almost a year later and I’m still just as addicted to The 1975’s début album as I was upon my first listen. ‘She Way Out’ is definitely one of my favourites. It’s repetitive but it’s so damn good, so catchy and has an unbeatable sing-along chorus.

6) Jessie Ware – Tough love

I’ve heard this on the radio for months now and I’ve begun to realise I fall in love with it a little bit more with every listen. It’s soft, understated but remarkably beautiful. So chilled out and a great song.

7) John Mayer – Good love is on the way

A song that’s never appeared on a John Mayer studio album, this has only been included on John’s live albums. It’s an awesome song, however. I love the guitar instrumentation and the lyrics. Very catchy and an awesome tune. Would love a studio version someday.

8) Charlie Simpson – Long road home

I decided to check out Charlie’s new album the other day and was pleasantly surprised. Every song was beautifully written with smooth harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. This is the opening track to Charlie’s second album and it’s a killer opening. Awesome tune.

9) Charlie Simpson – Hold On

Smooth, fluttering harmonies and gorgeous lyrics. Love the guitars in this and the feel of the song in general. Incredibly beautiful.

10) Madonna – Don’t tell me

One of Madonna’s best, I particularly love the stutter-y production on this. It’s smooth, low-key and very summery. I loved Madonna’s music of this era – the country themed songs and minimalistic production.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRLHro9EPD0

 

Music Monday – Volume Twenty Four

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1) Mark Owen – Stars

Mark Owen’s solo career is massively underrated. All of his four solo albums have been fantastic but have achieved only moderate success. 2013’s ‘The Art of Doing Nothing’ is probably his best and lead single ‘Stars’ is a masterpiece. Unusual chord structure, electronic sounding, fantastic instrumentation, beautiful vocals and thoughtful lyrics. SO good.

2) Mark Owen – Giveaway

The opening track to ‘The Art of Doing Nothing’. Haunting introduction, Mark’s echoing vocals and a fine way to open the album, building into a catchy track.

3) Demi Lovato – World of chances

I discovered John Mayer had co-written this song with Demi for her 2009 album so decided to check it out. It’s a beautiful song and I can hear both artist’s influences stamped all over it. Such a great track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC3oCfh57BA

4) Republic of Loose – Comeback Girl

Catchy as hell with minimalistic instrumentation. Great summer track.

5) Take That – When we were young

Beautiful song that deserved to fare better in the UK singles chart. A song that returned Take That back to their pop-rock style after the whirlwind that was 2010’s ‘Progress’, it’s warm, heartfelt and beautifully performed.

6) Take That – Happy Now

One of my all time favourite Take That songs and one of the best from their career. An amazing backing track from Gary Barlow with paranoid, robotic and dark verses before a disco, Bee-Gee-esque chorus that’s catchy as hell. It’s an incredible piece of electro-pop with well-written lyrics and the blend of the dark verses with the optimistic, catchy chorus works fanatically and makes it stand out amongst other songs of a similar genre.

7) Take That – What do you want from me

Haunting, heartfelt and emotional. Mark Owen puts his heart and soul into this and Stuart Price’s production is incredible. Awesome song.

8) Michael Jackson – Scared of the moon

Out-take from the ‘Bad’ album which appeared on the 2005 box set; ‘The Ultimate Collection’. It’s simple with just Michael’s voice, a piano and strings but it is absolutely stunning. Michael & Quincy Jones were right to leave it off ‘Bad’ as it simply wouldn’t have fit but it’s an incredibly beautiful song nonetheless.

9) John Mayer/Lawson – Gravity

John Mayer’s signature tune, this is absolute perfection. Silky smooth, Blues-infused and with minimal but heartfelt lyrics. It’s a song John tried to write for a long time before finally getting it right. Lawson are one of my favourite bands who also admire John. They have performed a cover of this song a couple of times, both live in concert and on a live-stream. Their cover is absolutely beautiful so I am including it below too.

10) John Mayer – Wheel

Understated, soft closing track to 2003’s ‘Heavier Things’. It’s a beautiful song with fantastically written lyrics and it has the ability to leave you heartbroken. Gorgeous track and the perfect way to end an album.

Music Monday – Volume Twenty Two

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1) Hot natured – Benediction

Such an awesome club track that I keep hearing on the radio. The bass line is great and the whole song is very 90’s. Absolutely loving this right now.

2) Tom Misch – Memory

Another track I heard on the radio that I am loving. Very chilled with lots of summer vibes through the downtempo beat, gentle strings and steel pan-like sounds. Love its changes in direction too – it changes direction multiple times but keeps its flow. Great guitar solo towards the end.

3) Adam Levine – Lost stars

I saw ‘Begin Again’ at the cinema, hence these next four songs. They’re all written by one of my favourite songwriters, Gregg Alexander, who’s behind some big hits (You get what you give, Life is a rollercoaster, Lovin’ Each Day, Inner Smile). This song is the lead promotional track for the film and it’s a gorgeous song.

4) Adam Levine – A higher place

Another from ‘Begin Again’, in the same vein as writer Gregg Alexander’s previous work for Ronan Keating. So catchy and Adam Levine’s voice is to die for.

5) Keira Knightley – Like a fool

A sweet song also from ‘Begin Again’. It’s simple but it’s beautiful.

6) Keira Knightley – A step you can’t take back

I could have included the whole ‘Begin Again’ soundtrack in this week’s blog but I wanted to keep it diverse plus I have been loving a lot of songs this week. This is played a few times in the film and it’s beautiful. I love the way it develops and builds.

7) 2Pac, Roger Troutman & Dr Dre – California Love

Heard this on the Nixtape last Friday and was reminded of what an absolute tune it is. SO catchy and just an all-round awesome hiphop track.

8) Counting Crows & Vanessa Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi

I know this is going to be controversial but I actually prefer this version to Joni Mitchell’s original. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Joni Mitchell and her version is obviously great but I love this interpretation more. It was fantastically adapted for the 21st Century and I love its pop-rock feel. Vanessa Carlton’s little ad libs and backing vocals make it even sweeter. One of the greatest covers of a song ever.

9) Babyface – Shower the people

I’ve always adored Babyface as a writer and equally, I have loved his solo career. His cover of James Taylor’s ‘Fire and rain’ is one of my favourite songs/covers ever. This is another cover of a James Taylor track off the same album on which Babyface covers his favourite songs. This is a song I managed to miss but it’s so beautiful. The original is just as great but Babyface’s harmonies and interpretation is smooth, sophisticated and fantastic. Can’t get enough of this right now.

10) Rizzle Kicks – Tell her

Love these lads – their energy, charisma and their uniqueness. This song is so catchy, something very 1970’s about it. Awesome song.

 

Music Monday – Volume Twenty-One

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1)      Beady Eye – The morning son

So dreamy and such a beautiful song. Liam Gallagher is awesome.

2)      The 1975 – Intro/Set3

Understated opening track to their ‘Sex’ EP. Smooth and jittery, building up to an awesome R&B track. Got a great groove and some sick beats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FT-11F6Ro

3)      Take That – Today I’ve lost you

Somehow this beautiful and underrated track managed to escape my iTunes. After coming across it again on Spotify, I have fallen head over heels back in love with it again. It’s so soft, so stunning and Gary Barlow’s vocals are silky smooth. A perfect Barlow-ballad.

4)      Pharrell Williams – Fun, fun, fun

Pharrell is just a genius. After watching ‘Despicable Me’ I was reminded of what a truly great, uplifting song this is. The harmonies are amazing and I love the summery, happy feel of the song.

5)      S Club Juniors – Automatic High

Massive guilty pleasure – both the pop-group and the song! Reminds me of being very young. Irresistibly catchy.

6)      Prince – Better with time

Such a beautiful, romantic little song.

(Not available to share due to Prince being highly irritating and not allowing much of his music to be on YouTube)

7)      David Archuleta – Crush

Someone reminded me of this song again recently and how damn good it is! Reminds me of being fourteen and listening to it over and over again. Bit of cheesy pop at its best. Lyrics are easy to relate to. One of the best chorus’ in a pop song ever.

8)      Kelly Rowland – Daylight

Really underrated Kelly track. So damn catchy and uplifting.

9)      Stardust – Music sounds better with you

Bloody repetitive but SO damn good. Catchy as hell. One of the best dance tracks ever released.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwv-3cM2pVk

10)   MN8 – Dreaming

One of the soppiest, cheesiest but most beautiful romantic songs by a boyband ever. Not many would be familiar with this song but it’s gorgeous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiXEmR8_skI

Music Monday – Volume Twenty

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1)      5SOS – Don’t stop

I do think this band is very overrated. Having said that, this song is irresistibly catchy and I do enjoy hearing it on the radio very much.

2)      Usher – Good Kisser (Disclosure Remix)

Those that follow me on Twitter will know how much I love this song through my excessive tweeting about it. I’ve also already included this track in one of my previous editions of Music Monday but this is slightly different as it’s the Disclosure remix. I love the Disclosure boys – their debut album is amazing, their songs are fantastic and their remixes are awesome. Love this.

 

3)      Chris Braide – Last great hope for mankind

You may not have heard of him but Chris Braide is the writer of many well-known and much loved songs. He’s one of my favourite song-writers. Along with his writing, he has also released a handful of his own material on a collection of albums. I love this song and how happy it is.

(Unfortunately there are no videos on YouTube for this – Spotify or iTunes it if you can!)

4)      Lady Antebellum – Can’t take my eyes off you

I’ve always loved Lady Antebellum’s single releases but this week I decided to check out their albums. I fell in love with a lot of songs, the harmonies, chord structures and country-feel to each song but I especially loved this one.

5)      Jess Glynne – Birthday/I wanna be your lover (Live in the Radio 1 Live Lounge)

Jess Glynne is definitely an artist to watch. She was lead vocalist on Clean Bandit’s awesome song ‘Rather be’ and also on Route 94’s ‘My love’. This was a live version of Katy Perry’s amazing track, ‘Birthday’ which in itself was already great. But then she mixed it up with some of Prince’s ‘I wanna be your lover’ and made it even more crazy. Awesome.

6)      Nerina Pallot – Learning to breathe

This is a wonderful song. After re-discovering ‘Sophia’, I decided to check out the album the track was from. I loved all of the songs but I really fell in love with this song. Catchy and emotive chorus.

7)      Nerina Pallot – Sophia

This song gives me lots of fond memories. I loved it upon its release back in 2006 and I remember listening to it in the car on my way home from school during my first few weeks of secondary school. It’s an absolutely gorgeous song and I love it very much. Nerina Pallot is amazing.

8)      Bipolar Sunshine – Deckchairs on the moon

I keep hearing this on the radio and I love it. I love the piano and how summery/space-y it feels. Very electronic and catchy. One of the best new tracks I’ve heard in a while.

9)      Lower than Atlantis – Here we go

This is quite a heavy track for me to like but I’m really loving this!

10)    Oasis – Guess God thinks I’m abel

I love the guitar and chord structure on this track. Awesome song

Music Monday – Volume Nineteen

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1)      The Jacksons – 2300 Jackson Street

A little-known single released by The Jacksons in 1989 when Michael had left the band. This album was pretty underrated in my opinion. It’s a shame it didn’t fare better in the charts. This is a gorgeous song that Michael contributed vocals to and it’s so soulful & smooth.

2)      Samantha Ronson – Built this way

Yes, I watched Mean Girls & this played pretty much all the way through so I kinda found myself liking it!

3)      Fat Larry’s Band – Zoom

So summery. Love this.

4)      Fleetwood Mac – Sara

God, I love Fleetwood Mac! Stevie Nicks’ voice is divine and this is an amazing song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHJb87nNsGY

5)      Fleetwood Mac – Family Man

Catchy as hell, this is an awesome song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeIwuyCGhQc

6)      Robbie Williams – Monsoon

A shamefully honest song that could be written and performed by no-one else other than Mr Robbie Williams. Such a powerful, awesome song.

7)      Robbie Williams – Feel

Hauntingly beautiful – that piano introduction and the lyrics are just beautiful. “Come and hold my hand, I wanna contact the living” – what a line. One of the best lyrics ever written.

8)      The Vamps – Somebody to you

The more I hear by The Vamps, the more I love them. Love this song.

9)      Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure

I watched the 1998 movie ‘Stepmom’ with Julia Roberts the other day and this song was played in the opening segment. One of my favourite Queen tracks, with that irresistible bass line (years before it was nicked by Vanilla Ice) and a fantastic duet between two amazing singers – Freddie Mercury & David Bowie.

10)   Thomas Newman – Any other name

‘American Beauty’ is one of my favourite films of all time and part of what makes it so appealing for me is Thomas Newman’s hauntingly beautiful score. ‘Any other name’ is a piece of music commonly played in media and it’s just stunning. One of my favourite pieces of music ever produced.