Happy New Year!
Excited to be sharing my listening habits with you again this year—if anyone’s interested, of course!
This month’s mix is a bit all over the place. January always feels musically odd to me—there’s a lingering hangover from last year’s hits, but not much new to get excited about yet. I think that’s reflected in my listening habits over the past few weeks—an eclectic collection of songs spanning different eras and genres.
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Excitingly, I turn 30 in a couple of days’ time!
So, naturally, I put my nerdy music hat on and decided to (foolishly) collate a list of thirty songs that I love dearly and/or hold a special significance.
This was no easy feat and took me quite a while… There are many favourite bands, artists and songs missing from here. But it’s proved 30 isn’t that big a number (not that I particularly feel old!) I also think I’ve settled on 30 songs that perfectly capture my music tastes and key moments in my life so far.
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1) George Michael – Edith & The King Pin
Gorgeous jazz cover of Joni Mitchell’s 1975 ‘The Hissing of Summer Lawns’ album. George has always produced wonderful covers and this is no exception.
2) Anastacia – Left Outside Alone
Killer pop-rock track released eleven years ago (I know, I can’t quite believe it either!) Co-written by Anastacia with hit songwriters Dallas Austin and Glen Ballard, this was a huge pop hit upon release and remains a brilliant song.
3) Anastacia – You’ll Never Be Alone
Lovely, if slightly slushy, pop ballad by Anastacia. She truly is one of the most underrated pop acts in the world. What a voice!
4) Anastacia – Take This Chance
Uplifting and inspiring new track from Anastacia’s Greatest Hits compilation album. She’s still got it! Awesome song.
5) Carly Rae Jepsen – Tell Me
Carly Rae Jepsen’s debut album did not receive much attention upon release. I only came across it this week and fell in love. It’s different to the stuff she’s become well-known but each song is hugely enjoyable. This is a great acoustic-based ballad.
6) Carly Rae Jepsen – Sunshine on my shoulders
Lovely and relaxing cover of the John Denver track.
7) Carly Rae Jepsen – Worldly Matters
Another acoustic based pop track. The entire album is a hugely enjoyable listen – full of sunny & chirpy pop tracks.
8) Coldplay – Everglow
Classic Coldplay ballad but with greater electro elements. This is a promotional track for the band’s upcoming ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ album.
9) The 1975 – The Sound (Live)
MY GOD THIS IS GOOD.
Catchy as hell. I am SO ready for this next album.
10) The 1975 – Somebody Else (Live)
Cartchy 80’s-esque indie-pop track comprised of broken vocal samples, funky bass lines and slamming percussion. The 1975 at their best and a teasing insight into how the new album is going to sound.
1) Simply Red – Big Love
Smooth, soulful; everything Simply Red does best. Beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGYMZWs9wPs
2) Simply Red – Love Wonders
Love the slightly dark, night-time tone of this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK7HCNAGHHI
3) Mark Morrison – Return of Mack
Without a doubt one of the best pop/R&B tracks of the 90’s. Funky and catchy as hell.
4) Joni Mitchell – How Do You Stop
Stunning cover that completely surpasses the original. Aided by Seal on backing vocals, this is a stunning interpretation. Joni and Seal’s voices blend beautifully together.
5) The Japanese House – Still
I love the debut EP by The Japanese House and this is one of its highlights. Produced by Matt Healy and George Daniel from The 1975, it’s a stunning piece of electro-pop full of dramatic drum breaks, layered vocals and squeaky synthesisers. Beautiful.
6) Joni Mitchell – Help Me
Love Joni Mitchell and I am slowly getting through listening to most of her discography. I absolutely love this! So uplifting, so jazzy and soulful. It’s reminiscent of cycling through the countryside on a summer’s day.
7) Jamie XX – Loud Places
Keep hearing this on the radio and it always manages to grab my attention. The distorted vocals on the chorus and the stamping beats all contribute to how endearing it is.
8) Rixton – Where are u now
Prior to hearing this on radio, I hadn’t bothered checking out the original. This absolutely blew me away and made me actually sit up and listen to Rixton properly for the first time. Harmonies are on point, the jazzy piano interpretation and eerie guitar screams are stunning. Jake Roche’s lead vocal is also fantastic. I ended up checking out the original after this and this is definitely the superior version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJnMqeJrD5Y
9) Justin Timberlake – Cry Me A River
Throwback to 2002! What a tune.
10) Justin Timberlake – I Think She Knows
Awesome interlude from the FutureSex/LoveSounds album. Love the guitar work on this.
1) Circa Waves – Fossils
Cannot get enough of this right now. So, so catchy with a massive chorus. Love the chord progression too.
2) The Script – Man on a Wire
One of their best singles to date, ‘Man on a Wire’ is a powerful, emotive song. So glad The Script have released it as a single.
3) Joni Mitchell – A Case of You (Both Sides Now version)
A great song in its own right, Joni gives her classic hit the jazz treatment and it’s absolutely magical. Taken from her jazz concept album on which she covers classic jazz songs and arranges two of her best songs in a jazz style, this is just gorgeous. Joni’s raspy vocals, stunning strings and the laid-back nature of it make it effortlessly beautiful.
4) Stateless – Bloodstream
A haunting, fantastic track.
5) Elbow – asleep in the back
An absolutely stunning waltz-like ballad from the band’s 2001 album of the same name. It’s soft, gentle and beautiful with minimal fuss. The piano arpeggios, gospel organ and gentle guitar strums along with Guy Garvey’s warm voice.
6) Elbow – Great Expectations
Another beautiful ballad by Elbow.
7) John Mayer – Belief
One of the greatest and most powerful songs ever written, in my opinion. John Mayer can do no wrong, musically. The fierce guitar, powerful drum pattern and thoughtful lyrics make this an incredible song. The last minute always sends shivers up my spine.
8) John Mayer – Vultures
Another powerful song by Mr Mayer. Love that outro with the repetition of ‘Don’t give up, give up’.
9) Jeff Buckley – Everybody Here Wants You
Upon discovering this song, I felt a strange sense of de ja vu. It seemed so familiar but I can’t put my finger on where I heard it before. So soft and in true Jeff Buckley style, this is a wonderful, soulful song.
10) Mark Owen – Clementine
One of the best solo records by a Take That member ever, this is SO underrated. It’s cool, almost indie-pop with an irresistibly catchy chorus. SO good.
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.
1) Mutya Buena/Tracy Chapman – Fast Car
Such a great song. Obviously the original is the definitive version but I love Mutya’s version too. People may scoff as it’s an ex-Sugababe member but she has a really distinctive tone and it’s a fab version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8_4sCOZpDc
2) Leanne Mitchell – To love someone like you
Winner of the first series of The Voice UK who disappeared quickly from the public eye. A real shame too – she has an incredible voice. Anyway, this song is truly special and very beautiful. It reminds me of something Whitney might have done in her career.
3) Kelly Rowland – Train on a track
This was something suggested to me on Spotify based on my listening habits and I’m so glad it was. Such a smooth, beautiful song and I can’t get enough of it right now.
4) Eric Clapton – Blue Eyes Blue
Gorgeous song – very soppy but I love it so much. Definitely check this one out.
5) The 1975 – Falling for You
This is really chilled-out and beautiful. We all know that sense of awareness we have of falling for somebody and this song documents that.
6) Eurythmics – There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)
I’ve heard this a couple of times recently and have been reminded of what a great track it is. LOVE Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart is an amazing writer/musician.
7) Joni Mitchell – Both sides now
One of my favourite songs of all time. I love the original but the version I love most is a jazz version Joni recorded in 2000. I first came across it in ‘Love Actually’ during one of the most heartbreaking scenes in a movie ever. It’s just an absolutely stunning song. Was reminded of this by the gorgeous version by Sally on The Voice UK.
8) John Waite – Missing You
Another track I was reminded of after a performance on The Voice UK. This reminds me of a crush I had a few years ago!
9) Vanessa Carlton – Thousand Miles
One of the greatest piano-based pop songs ever written. I adore the piano instrumentation on this track and it’s such a sweet song.
10) Gary Barlow – Lie to Me
One of the greatest Barlow compositions ever and yet it’s pretty heartbreaking it never got the recognition it deserved. It could have been a massive single. So emotive, so well-written and the production is so polished. Gary Barlow’s song-writing at its best.
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