Tag: monday

Music Monday – Volume Fifty

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) Kodaline – The One

Beautiful ballad. Simple but effective!

2) Jessie J – I need this

Powerful emotive song from Jessie’s debut album ‘Who You Are’. Originally written for Chris Brown and featured as a bonus track on his Graffiti album, Jessie sticks to his formula despite the key change and some extra nice little ad libs at the end. The piano arpeggios are pretty, the explosive guitar heavy chorus adds sheer power and the lyrics are fantastic. Awesome song.

3) Chris Brown – Don’t Judge Me

I prefer the David Aude remix of this, funnily enough, despite not usually being a fan of remixes. This past week, I have fallen in love with the original version however. Smooth, emotive and a great, great song. Very chilled. Haven’t been able to get enough of this over the past week.

4) Chris Brown – I Love U

There’s something impossibly endearing about this album track from Chris’ ‘Graffiti’ album. Whether it’s the use of an accordion, the incredibly catchy chorus or the sing-song melody, it’s just a great, great track.

5) London Grammar – If You Wait

Haunting, stunning, emotional; three things every London Grammar song tends to be. This is no exception. Absolutely gorgeous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyVuiZmxm18

6) Fleetwood Mac – Sara

It’s Fleetwood Mac, what’s not to love? Soft, rather haunting with catchy piano instrumentation. Stevie Nicks’ voice is one of the greatest in history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzKh9q7vvHY

7) John Mayer – Gravity

Perhaps his signature song and rightly so. Blues-y, chilled out and so simple but so damn good. I’ve been able to completely relate to these lyrics this past week. Very cleverly written. The man’s a musical genius. “Gravity is working against me, gravity wants to bring me down.”

8) Ryan O’Shaughnessy – Hold Me Now

Absolutely stunning song by 2012’s Britain’s Got Talent Finalist, Ryan O’Shaughnessy. Big fan of his work and songwriting.

9) Charles Hamilton & Rita Ora – New York Raining

Really liking this right now! Very catchy.

10) Disclosure & Eliza Dolittle – You & Me

LOVE Disclosure. Still an absolute tune. Catchy and house-infused but rather haunting and beautiful at the same time.

Music Monday – Volume Forty Nine

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) Shayne Ward – My Heart Would Take You Back

Bit of a guilty pleasure, this… but I was pleasantly surprised! It’s an easy option, making an old-school styled track to win the public back over and the video’s pretty poor but it’s a nice song.

2) Kylie Minogue – Confide In Me

There’s something very eerie about this track with its sweeping strings, heavy percussion and haunting melody. Great song.

3) The Blue Nile – Saturday Night

I LOVE this band. ‘Hats’, the album this is taken from is a dream – a psychedelic, night time album and this is one of my favourites. Smooth, simple and beautiful.

4) Michael Jackson – Can’t Let Her Get Away

One of the best New Jack Swing songs from the 90’s, from MJ’s ‘Dangerous’ album. So catchy.

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

5) Jaki Graham – Round and Around

A piece of ’80’s music perfection. So, so good.

6) Nick Jonas – Jealous

I’m a little bit behind on this one and only checked it out because of its chart position and all of the hype. Great song though. What it lacks in originality it makes up for in charm and catchiness. Grows on me more with every listen.

7) Ariana Grande & The Weeknd – Love Me Harder

Found this by accident and really enjoyed it. Stupidly catchy and great electro infused production.

8) Vince Kidd – Sick Love

Forgot all about this song until recently! Vince was a contestant on the first series of The Voice UK. He has an incredible voice with great tone. After the competition, he re-recorded this but the original song and video is better. Scary, suggestive and sexual but such a good song.

9) Annie Lennox – Shining Light

A great song in its own right, originally by the band Ash, Annie’s version takes it to another level. Her interpretation is more camp and more gospel but it works brilliantly.

10) The 1975 – She Way Out

Repetitive maybe but so damn catchy. Always makes me want to dance.

Music Monday – Volume Forty Six

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

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.

Music Monday – Volume Forty Three

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) Robbie Williams – The Pilot

Catchy number from Rob’s latest album of unreleased material: ‘Under The Radar’. It’s a song more than worthy of being on a commercial album by Rob and possibly even single material. Catchy beat, fierce guitar strums and a great vocal performance from Robbie.

2) Robbie Williams – Love Is You

Beautiful ballad reminiscent of Rob’s work from 2005’s ‘Intensive Care’ album.

3) Robbie Williams – Baby Girl Window

Beautiful ballad that closes Rob’s ‘Life Thru a Lens’ album. I’d never really paid attention to it but after giving it a proper listen recently, I fell in love with it.

4) Take That – Get Ready For It

Powerful closing track to ‘III’ and a great, great song. The single release has added orchestration which makes it even more emotive.

5) Zak Abel – These Are The Days

Catchy, soulful number. Love this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BP7XC699Jc

6) Prince – Welcome 2 The Dawn

Gorgeous acoustic based ballad from the late 90’s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOMG7R8K8xk

7) Ed Sheeran and John Mayer  – Thinking out loud

Absolutely love Ed and this song anyway but throw one of my favourite artists – John Mayer into the mix and you create utter perfection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWZnup4zYEk

8) William Fitzsimmons – Just Not Each Other

Found this artist through a Spotify playlist and fell in love. This is my favourite by him – a beautiful low-key ballad which discusses lost love. Love the final part of it with the layered vocals. Beautiful.

9) William Fitzsimmons – I don’t feel it anymore

Stunning ballad and the song that got me into William Fitzsimmons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mld3NLHNebw

10) William Fitzsimmons – Fade and then return

Great, rather catchy track by William.

Music Monday – Volume Forty Two

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) Lisa Loeb – Stay (I missed you)

Gorgeous acoustic-based ballad which was included in the 1994 movie ‘Reality Bites’. Love this song so much.

2) Lisa Loeb – When All The Stars Were Falling

Another beautiful song by Lisa. Really love her music – very emotive and very chilled out.

3) The Blue Nile – Downtown Lights

Melancholic driving rock ballad from the 80’s, later covered by Annie Lennox. Love this so much.

4) Feist – Brandy Alexander

Jazzy, chilled out, this is just perfect.

5) Jessie Ware – You & I (Forever)

This lady is incredibly talented. Catchy, dreamy track.

6) Philip George – Wish You Were Mine

Irresistibly catchy house track that I’m really loving right now.

7) Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do

Gorgeous, eery ballad taken from the forthcoming Fifty Shades of Grey movie. It’s very catchy and Ellie sounds amazing on it.

8) Coldplay – True Love

Beautiful song from Coldplay with percussion provided by Timbaland.

9) Coldplay – Swallowed In The Sea

Beautiful ballad from the X&Y album.

10) Take That – Higher than Higher

Still cannot get enough of this song. So uplifting, so hopeful and so beautiful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zWJs7PHGaA

Music Monday – Volume 41

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) Saint Raymond – Fall at Your Feet

Really loving this at the moment. Big chorus.

2) One Direction – Spaces

Beautiful song from the boyband’s latest album. Really love the chord progression of this and the echoing effect on the vocals.

3) One Direction – 18

Stunning song written by Ed Sheeran for the boyband’s latest album.

4) Leon Bridges – Coming Home

Great song with a very old-school, retro feel.

5) Simon Webbe – Free

Simon Webbe’s ‘Sanctuary’ album is one of my favourite albums of all time. I love how uplifting and inspiring all of the songs are. This is a ballad from it and it’s a beautiful song.

6) Snow Patrol – The Finish Line

Gorgeous ballad.

7) Barbara Streisand & John Legend – What kind of fool

Stunning version of Barbara’s original duet with Barry Gibb. This version with John Legend has a gorgeous orchestra opening. Cannot get enough of this right now.

8) Seal – Love is better

A song from Seal’s unreleased ‘Togetherland’ album – an album many think should have been released. I stand with that view. Such a great album from what I’ve heard! Some tracks are available in their entirety whilst others are just samples.

(Go to 1:05 on the video)

9) Big Sleep/The 1975 – Robbers

Original emo/indie version of ‘Robbers’ before Big Sleep changed their name to The 1975 and released a poppier version on their debut album. Love both versions!

10) Gary Barlow – Jump

Inspiring, beautiful song from Gary’s ‘Since I Saw You Last’ album.

Music Monday – Volume Thirty Nine

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) Take That – Portrait

Incredible, euphoric pop song with a barber shop chorus. Find this quite Christmassy too! Like a Part 2 of ‘Hold Up A Light’ from The Circus album.

[No YouTube Video as of yet]

2) Take That – Higher than higher

Stunning ballad with insane production from the band’s latest album ‘III’. Can’t get enough of this right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zWJs7PHGaA

3) Take That – I like it

A blend between hit ‘Shine’ and Progress’ dark rock track ‘Underground Machine’. Mechanical and catchy.

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

4) Take That – Do it all for love

Haunting closing track to the deluxe version of ‘III’. Builds up into a dramatic power ballad.

[No YouTube video as of yet]

5) Take That – Let in the sun

Dance infused pop track reminiscent of something Calvin Harris would do. Uplifting and euphoric.

6) Alt-J – Left hand free

Something completely endearing about this track. Love the percussion on it – very catchy.

7) Sam Smith – I’ve told you now

News of Sam Smith being nominated for four Grammy’s this week was received exceptionally well by most of the general public. His talent is certainly to be admired – what a voice! Lots of amazing songs on his album but I really love this. Bitter yet soft too. Awesome song.

8) Robbie Williams – Heavy Entertainment Show

Can’t wait to listen to the rest of this album when I receive it! The amazing thing about Robbie Williams is he has a whole stash of amazing songs that haven’t heard seen the light of day yet simply because he’s a perfectionist. If the rest of latest album ‘Under the radar’ (an album of previously unreleased material) is like this, it’s going to be one heck of an album.

9) Matt Kivel – End of adventure

Found this on a random Spotify playlist and fell in love. So chilled out and a lovely little acoustic-based song.

10) Isbells – Dreamer

Another song I found on a random Spotify playlist and I love this! Low-key and a great, great song. Love this!

Music Monday – Volume Thirty Seven

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) John Mayer – Dreaming with a broken heart

Beautiful ballad from John’s 2005 ‘Continuum’ album. Great lyrics and I love the fact it’s piano based which makes it stand out from John’s usual guitar sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1dOE-oeLG0

2) Cage The Elephant – Lotus

Heard this when out the other day and really enjoyed it! Reminds me a bit of the Red Hot Chillipeppers.

3) London Grammar – Metal & Dust

I love London Grammar but only got round to checking out their album in its entirety this week. This is one of the stand-outs for me. Love that drum rhythm.

4) London Grammar – Interlude (Live)

Another beautiful song from London Grammar’s début album.

5) One Direction – Stockholm Syndrome

Yes, I know this was in one of the playlists a couple of weeks back and I tend to avoid including songs more than once but I had to include it again. I cannot get enough of this intense, incredibly catchy song. The lyrics are well-written, the drum rhythm is catchy as hell and I love that melody. One of the stand-outs from ‘Four’.

6) Robbie Williams – Deceptacon

A stunning song from ‘Reality Killed The Video Star’. Soft, dreamy and pretty spaced out, I just love the feel of this song. One of Robbie’s most underrated songs.

7) Taylor Swift- Blank Space

Taylor Swift is dominating the charts at the moment and rightly so. She’s delivered an incredible album full of killer songs. Great song.

8) Labrinth – Jealous

Dismissed by many as ‘boring’, I just think this is really quite beautiful. It may not  be the best song I’ve heard but credit where it’s due. There’s some gorgeous chords in this, the lyrics are beautiful and Labrinth’s voice is fantastic.

9) Bing Crosby & David Bowie – Little Drummer Boy

When considering my favourite Christmas songs, I always manage to forget about this classic. Their voices just melt together and it’s a beautiful version of a gorgeous song. Perhaps one of the greatest duets in history.

10) Lawson – Driving Home For Christmas

‘Driving Home For Christmas’ is one of my top 3 favourite Christmas songs of all time. Lawson are one of my favourite bands. Put them both together and you get this level of perfection! Such an awesome version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB-TmtAHVTA

Music Monday – Volume Thirty Six

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) The Beatles – Across the Universe

Such a pretty little song. Love the lyrics and the melody in this one. “Nothing’s gonna change my world…”

2) The Beatles – Blackbird

I am obsessed with this song right now. It’s a song I’ve always been aware of but I’ve only grown to appreciate it fully this past week where I have checked out pretty much all of The Beatles’ discography. It’s an interesting song musically and simplistic instrumentation-wise. Love it!

3) The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour

Just an all round brilliant song!

4) John Mayer – Come back to bed

John refers this as an early version of his signature song ‘Gravity’ which makes sense rhythmically. I’m not sure I’m keen on that analogy however because it feels like John has therefore dismissed this beautiful and fantastic song because he wrote something similar and better a few years later. Awesome lyrics and a great chilled-out feel.  Also love the way it builds. “Don’t hold your love over my head”. 

5) Lawson – Taking over me

One of their best and it still sounds awesome two years later. SO catchy and such a feel-good song.

6) One Direction – Night Changes

Beautiful, low-key second single from new album ‘Four’. The below video is for a stunning live acoustic version.

7) S Club 7 – S Club Party

There ain’t no party like an S Club party! They received a mixed reaction when they reunited at BBC Children in Need on Friday night but overall they caused a lot of fuss and excitement. Still an irresistible pop track!

8) Take That – Patience

The song that had a massive contribution to Take That’s massively successful comeback, this song is still just as powerful eight years after its release. Amazing lyrics, an irresistible chorus and an awesome song.

9) Wild Beasts – Reach a bit further

Hauntingly beautiful song. Love the moody feel to this track.

10) Gabrielle – Dreams

One of the best songs from the 90’s, this is 90’s R&B at its best. Just an all round fantastic song and Gabrielle has one of my favourite female voices ever.

Music Monday – Volume Thirty Five

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) Annie Lennox – I cover the waterfront

Annie Lennox’s latest album is a jazz/soul cover album, full of songs from the Great American Songbook. Every track is simplistic and exceptionally beautiful. Her powerful voice suits every song, this one included.

[Not on YouTube]

2) Annie Lennox – Summertime

A mellow, piano-based version of a classic song. Love this.

3) One Direction – Ready to run

Don’t be fooled by the almost identical guitar riffs and verses to ‘Story of my life’, this song is far superior. Once it develops, it turns into a powerful stadium-rock driven song. Absolutely love the middle eight on this! Great harmonies too. ‘Four’ is going to be an amazing album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ElOnmwV7rM

4) The 1975 – Medicine

Simplistic and a little repetitive but absolutely stunning. Sometimes a minimalistic song is the most powerful and this proves it. Written and recorded for Zane Lowe’s re-score of the movie ‘Drive’, this has a gorgeous synthesiser based introduction and outro, with wailing guitar arpeggios and Matt Healy’s voice melting over the wavy production.

5) The 1975 – Milk

A song about addiction with the incredibly catchy ‘She’s doing it all of the time’ refrain. Love the power and catchiness of this awesome song.

6) Wretch 32 – 6 words

Apparently this song is inspired by Take That and Coldplay records. I do see the influence despite it still being unmistakably Wretch 32. On this record he attempts to sing – he doesn’t have the strongest of voices but it works. It’s an awesome track.

7) Tom Odell – Real Love

A cover of the John Lennon/Beatles song for this year’s adorable John Lewis advert. This is the first time in years where I feel like the cover hasn’t butchered the original! Great job, Tom.

8) One Direction – Stockholm Syndrome

I shouldn’t have technically heard this because the album isn’t out yet but it was leaked and I am hooked. SO edgy, so incredibly catchy and I just can’t get enough of this right now!

[Not on YouTube yet]

9) Katy Perry – Double Rainbow

Underrated and absolutely stunning song off Katy’s Prism album. Beautiful lyrics.

10) Madeleine Peyroux – I’ll look around

Absolutely stunning rendition of a jazz classic. Jonathan Waugh (saxophonist for The 1975) tweeted this so I gave it a listen and have been hooked ever since. Gorgeous. Got an Autumnal feel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd5_CV-3eTQ