We finally made it to the end of February! This month was largely spent lazing around, recuperating from illness, and devouring boyband documentaries… and I think that influence is clear here. However, this selection isn’t just about the classics. Instead, it highlights some of the more overlooked gems in boyband history. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Read More »
Check back everyday this month for more festive hits!
1) William Fitzsimmons – I had to carry her
I love this guy. His entire discography has this soft, soothing quality about it like a hot drink on a bitter winter’s day, that makes everything seem okay. The studio version hasn’t surfaced on YouTube yet but here’s a pleasant live performance of it. Beautiful song.
2) Victoria Beckham – Let Your Head Go
Guilty pleasure, as most of the Spice Girls’ solo material tends to be! In all fairness, whilst Victoria lacked vocal ability (she’s definitely found her niche in fashion designing), her brief pop career was enjoyable. She produced some great pop hits. This is dance-pop at its best; irresistibly catchy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcskhTEHAP0
3) Will Young – Blue
Despite being a long-term fan of Will, new album ‘85% Proof’ left me greatly underwhelmed. Previous album ‘Echoes’ marked a change in direction but it had flare. ‘85% Proof’ falls a little bit flat for me – there’s no particular stand-out track strong enough to represent the album (hence why lead single ‘Love Revolution’ failed to make the Top 40). 85% Proof isn’t awful – it’s well written and has a nice flow to it, it’s just not really my thing if I am honest. This is one of a sheer minority that I enjoyed a lot during my listening experience, however. It’s got a ’70’s feel to it – a kind of glam-rock sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrBPqZ4-dz4
4) Backstreet Boys – She’s a Dream
Lyrics aside (a boyband declaring that “Shorty ain’t got cable, she don’t even got a radio” is rather idiosyncratic but what more can you expect from a song co-written by T-Pain?!) this is a fine piece of R&B. It feels like all participants have had a somewhat fantastic time tampering with as many gadgets and effects on this one, especially with its over-usage of autotune, but its rich harmonies and catchy beat make it an irresistible track.
5) Lemar – Very Best
Lemar’s last album ‘Invincible’ was criminally underrated. It marked a departure from his usual R&B/Soul sound and advanced more into a pop-rock territory. Unfortunately, it massively underperformed which is a real shame when it’s such a strong, enjoyable album. “Very Best” is one of its high points, a rather sweet and sentimental affair with a powerful message. The middle eight (1:56 – 2:19) is also one of my favourite parts of a song ever.
6) 5ive – Let’s Dance
One of the first singles I ever bought. Pop perfection.
7) S Club 7 – Love Ain’t Gonna Wait For You
Catchy disco-pop from the group’s final album ‘Seeing Double’. It’s a little more mature than the group’s earlier material but still manages to be catchy with an irresistible sing-along chorus.
8) Alesha Dixon – The Way We Are
I’m not a massive fan of Alesha or her music, although ‘To Love Again’, written by Gary Barlow & John Shanks was a beautiful song and ‘The Boy Does Nothing’ was a great track too. This is enjoyable, however. Catchy and a return to her Garage roots.
9) A1 – Caught in the Middle
Without a doubt, one of the greatest boyband ballads ever. I wouldn’t even regard this as a guilty pleasure, it’s that bloody good. More mature than the band’s earlier work, this was a risk that paid off and this became a massive hit back in 2002. That middle eight is awesome too.
10) Wet Wet Wet – Goodnight Girl
One of my all time favourite love songs. Marti Pellow has such a beautiful voice and the layered harmonies are gorgeous. I love the concept of the song too.
1) Simply Red – Say You Love Me
One of their best yet most underrated songs. Mick Hucknall is a musical genius. Gorgeous ballad from the fantastic ‘Blue’ album with soulful vocals, soft guitar strums and predominant piano chords throughout.
2) Simply Red – To be free
A great feel-good song also from the 1998 ‘Blue’ album. Great song with thoughtful lyrics.
3) Simply Red – You’ve Got It
Love, love, LOVE this song. Another underrated single by the band, this time from 1989’s ‘A New Flame Album’. Co-written with legendary soul writer Lamont Dozier, this soulful ballad has the same feel as his songs written in the ’60’s but with Simply Red’s 80’s sound blended in. Mick Hucknall and Lamont Dozier was a winning combination. Mick Hucknall’s stunning vocals really shine on this track. Love the interesting chords too.
4) Simply Red – Your Eyes
Yep, I’ve been having a Simply Red week… 1999’s ‘Love and the Russian Winter’ was more or less a commercial failure, a shame when it’s such an adventurous and fantastic album. It’s my favourite Simply Red album infused with a more computerised/electro sound. ‘Your Eyes’ was the lead single. A smooth R&B/Pop love song, it’s an awesome song. Mick Hucknall sure knows how to write a great love song. Should have faired much better in the charts.
5) Taylor Swift – Style
One of her best singles to date, I’ve loved this since the release of her ‘1989’ album and am so glad she’s released this as a single. Catchy with great production and fantastic Swifty lyrics, it’s awesome.
6) One Direction – You & I
Months later and the departure of Zayn Malik made me return to my obsession with this song. I love the lyrics, I love the vocal performance of each of the boys but most of all, I love how the song builds. Particularly in the single version, percussion doesn’t enter the song until after the first chorus and the song ends in a mesmerising climax after the second chorus in which wailing guitars, heavy drums and Zayn Malik’s gorgeous falsetto kick in. Beautiful song.
7) Michael Jackson – Ghosts
A catchy new jack swing number from 1999’s ‘Blood on the Dancefloor’ album, the paranoia in the lyrics and that crazy drum beat makes it an awesome song.
8) John Mayer – In Repair
A rather long but great song from John’s 2005 ‘Continuum’ album, I love this. Lyrically, it’s about being in a state of repair – getting back to being yourself again, something I am more than able to relate to.
9) Annie Lennox – No More I Love You’s
A song originally by 80’s New Wave group ‘The Lover Speaks’, covered by Annie Lennox on her second solo album ‘Medusa’. The original is a dark indie song but Lennox truly made the song what it is. Her pop version released in 1995 became a massive hit and added an extra depth missing from the original. Her vocal performance is incredible (as always), Stephen Lipson’s production is on point and it’s just a beautiful song, one of my all time favourites.
10) Favela – Easy Yoke
A song I found on a Spotify playlist last year that I rediscovered recently. Love the chords, love the chilled-out vibe of this and the meaningful lyrics. It’s a shame this song isn’t known by more because it’s beautiful and catchy at the same time.
the-music-box.co.uk 