Tag: playlist

Music Monday – Volume Four

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Bit of a strange combination of tracks this week, admittedly! There’s always a fair amount of diversity in my music taste but I think this week’s is the one to fully highlight that. Anyway, here’s the 10 songs I have been loving/listening to this past week.

1)      The 1975 – AntiChrist

I knew this song existed of course but for some unknown reason, I just never listened to it. I think I dismissed it as an instrumental off one of their E.Ps. How wrong I was though. Some fantastic, inquisitive lyrics and it’s an incredibly powerful song. The last minute really reminds me of something Coldplay might do. Awesome track.

2)      London Grammar – Hey Now

Similarly to the above, this is pretty haunting but very beautiful. Love this band.

3)      Chris Malinchak – So Good To Me

Heard this on Radio 1 again the other day and was reminded of what a great song it is. So chilled out despite it being a club track.

4)      George Michael – It doesn’t really matter

I’ve loved this ever since I stumbled across the ‘Older’ album last Summer. It’s so chilled-out and so perfect. It’s one of those songs where I can’t necessarily relate to what it was written about but it’s so personal that it still manages to come to mean something to you. The lyrics are perfect too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13GWxB9ZVpM

5)      Melanie C & Lisa ‘Left eye’ Lopes – Never be the same again

I’m a massive Melanie C fan as many of you know. As well as loving The Spice Girls, Sporty Spice has always been my favourite and had the best voice. Her solo career is massively underrated and I own a great deal of her solo material which I love listening to. This song is just awesome and thankfully was a big hit over here. It’s just well written, a perfect pop track and I love the randomness of having Lisa Lopes rap on a Spice Girl solo track!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCXBkn0VGs

6)      Drake – Find your love

Heard this on the Nixtape on Radio 1 last week and was reminded of what an awesome song it is. Not a fan of Drake at all but this is the only song he’s ever done that I’ve thought anything of. Love the production, the beats, the chords and it’s just a great tune.

7)      George Michael – Though

Beautiful penultimate track off George’s ‘Patience’ album. Very personal and very underrated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxAmtQBpoSE

8)      Jennifer Lopez – Baby I Love U!

Perfect pop cheese. My favourite track in this week’s playlist! This happens to be my favourite J-Lo song ever. SO good.

9)      Wayne Wonder – No letting go

A classic that I’d forgotten about! Again, heard this on The Nixtape and was reminded of this awesome song. Gives me some beautiful fond memories of Summer 2003 listening to this really loud 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFnwBtLrIYI

10)   Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody

Not the original of course but a bloody good version. Really fantastic version of a great song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlZnmEYYXu4

Music Monday – Volume Three

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1)      Kaiser Chiefs – Coming Home

I’ve always respected the Kaisers even if I haven’t been a big fan of their music, though obviously ‘I predict a riot’ and ‘Oh my god’ are classics. I was checking out their latest stuff through being impressed with Ricky Wilson on The Voice UK. This is their latest single and I love it. Really love the melody to the verses. Video’s awesome too.

2)      Beverley Knight – After You

I’ve neglected Bev for a while despite her being one of my favourite artists. She’s one of the most underrated singers in the UK by far. Love this track – so catchy and so summery.

3)      The 1975 – You

Been obsessed with this on and off since January. I’d always enjoyed this track but the first time I really took notice was hearing it live. I got completely lost in the track which has never happened live before. It’s probably one of the most underrated tracks ever – the sweeping guitars, Matt Healy’s echoing voice and the way it builds up into a heavy ending. It’s so honest and so emotive. I’ve included my favourite live version instead of the studio one because I think it captures more emotion live.

4)      Kylie Minogue – Sexy Love

All right, I’m cheating a little as I’ve only heard this for the first time today! But this is catchy as fuck. Reminds me so much of ‘Wow’ – another of my favourite Kylie songs. Awesome track, loving that our princess of pop is back ❤

5)      John Mayer – Queen of California

Really, really summery. Perfect for when the sun is out.

6)      Kylie Minogue – Into the blue

Great track.

7)      Scissor Sisters – Mary

A song largely forgotten about but an incredibly beautiful track. Many compare this to something Elton John would do and that doesn’t discredit the song in the slightest. Apparently Jake Shears wrote this for a friend who had a tough time about her weight. Knowing the meaning makes the song even more meaningful. Love the piano and saxophone on this.

8)      George Michael – You’ve changed

The original is a classic of course but I love George’s version which appeared on his 1999 cover album ‘Songs from the last century’. I particularly love the last few seconds where he sings “I miss you” – really gets me!

9)      Lenny Kravitz – California

Lenny Kravitz is a musical genius and this is my favourite by him. So damn catchy and I love those harmonies. I’d love to write a song like this!

10)   Lawson – Love locked out

Again, SO catchy. Really different to Lawson’s usual stuff but I love the groove to this song.

Music Monday – Volume Two

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1)      The Blue Nile – The Downtown lights

I’ve loved this song for a while after discovering Annie Lennox’s cover. I love both versions equally and it’s an incredible song. Reminds me of an evening road trip. Very underrated track

2)      Keane – She has no time

Been listening to a lot of Keane again recently. Tom Chaplin’s voice is absolutely gorgeous, as is this song. Very beautiful

3)      Coldplay – We never change

I’m really addicted to this. I checked out the Parachutes album for the first time last week and have fallen in love with it. This song is just stunning. I really love the lyrics

4)      Coldplay – Everything’s not lost

Another gorgeous track off Parachutes.

5)      Coldplay – Trouble

Just gorgeous.

6)      John Mayer – Speak for me

The melody for the verses is perhaps one of the best I have ever heard. It’s just such a sing-song melody. The gorgeous weather always makes me want to listen to John’s ‘Born and Raised’ and ‘Paradise Valley’ albums as they’re just so chilled out and happy.

7)      John Mayer – A face to call home

This begins as another chilled-out country themed track like the rest of the Born & Raised album but in the last minute or so, it turns into a very Coldplay-inspired track. Love the lyrics to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cykEwT7JrUU

8)      Disclosure – F for you

Love Disclosure so much. Add a bit of Mary J Blige and a masterpiece is created. Awesome track.

9)      The 1975 – What makes you beautiful

I’m a big fan of the original too but The 1975 completely turned the track on its head and created something very beautiful.

10)      Prince – Wherever u go, whatever u do

Very generic for a Prince song, I’ve seen these chords in many other pop tracks but I just think it’s a really sweet song.

*Can’t link this because it’s not on YouTube*

Presenting Music Mondays

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In order to keep myself blogging and to share my love of music, I am going to begin a series of blogs called Music Mondays. Music Mondays will feature a playlist of ten songs I am currently loving. Some may be new releases whilst others may be older but they will all be songs that I am listening to over and over again.

So with no further ado, here’s this week’s playlist!

1) Arctic Monkeys – Why’d you only call me when you’re high

Just amazingly catchy and so damn cool.

2) Toby Burke and George Michael – Waltz away dreaming

A George Michael song I had no idea existed until a scroll through his complete Discography. This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.

3) The 1975 – Head.Cars.Bending

Glitchy, energetic – awesome song.

4) The 1975 – Pressure

I always overlooked this track on the album but recently I’ve fallen in love with it – very catchy and the lyrics are awesome.

5) Jake Bugg – Songs about love

Not overly keen on all of Jake’s stuff but he’s incredibly talented. Keep hearing this on the radio and it’s definitely my favourite track by him. Very acoustic based and a beautiful song.

6) Eric Clapton – Change the world

Was reminded of this when I found a video of Andy Brown (lead singer of Lawson) covering it on YouTube. Such a great acoustic based track which makes me smile a lot.

7) Neil Young – Harvest Moon

Heard this when watching the movie Eat Pray Love the other day and instantly fell in love with it. Very soft and very romantic. 

8) Clean Bandit ft Jess Glynne – Rather be

There’s something very unique about this track and I love that. It’s so catchy and so upbeat, I really love it.

9) Beyonce – XO

This has had a lot of stick but it’s my favourite track Beyonce has ever done. I agree that lyrically it’s not the best and it’s quite generic for a Beyonce song but I find it really powerful, really emotive and very addictive. 

10) Coldplay – Magic

This was only released to the world today so this is brand spanking new! Again, it’s had a lot of stick from Coldplay fans about the change in music direction but I love this. I love Coldplay’s older stuff and I also love their newer sound too. I love this because it’s very chilled out and very special. I’ve already listened to this countless times today!

Pre-Brits Blog

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I love The Brit Awards. It’s one evening I spend every year where I sit down and do nothing else but relax and enjoy the ceremony. Sure, many of my favourite acts are often not nominated. There’s artists that prompt me to think “Who the hell is that?!” Some of the artists performing I can’t stand. But it’s pure entertainment.

I believe The Grammys are superior – after all, the performances are usually a great deal more interesting and I’ve usually heard of 90% of the nominees. It’s a lot more sophisticated and prestigious. But I also can’t help but love The Brits because it’s usually a couple of hours of madness. Presenters and nominees swearing pre-watershed, wardrobe malfunctions, lengthy and drunken speeches and things going wrong. It doesn’t happen every year (last year ran relatively smoothly compared to The Brits’ usual reputation) but when it does, it’s brilliant. And if nothing controversial happens, it’s still fun to watch.

It’s safe to say I’m pretty disappointed that some of my favourite and, in my opinion, some of the most talented musicians in the UK have been completely overlooked this year. Gary Barlow returned from a 14 year solo-career hiatus to deliver a fantastic album which was ignored. The 1975 launched from nowhere, gaining a Top 20 single and a Number One album. Lawson are yet to be recognised despite enormous success in the UK. Robbie Williams achieved massive sales with a fantastic album. Kodaline released a beautiful album and Matt Cardle wrote an awesome album. You may think I’m biased because many of these are my favourite artists but it’s not just that. These artists all write their own songs and have worked hard to be in the position they’re in. They’ve achieved massive success in the last year and haven’t relied on talent shows to get to where they are. I just think it’s a shame they’ve been overlooked.

On the positive side, it’s great to see Laura Mvula nominated – her album ‘Sing to the moon’ is stunning and original. Likewise, Disclosure, David Bowie, Tom Odell and London Grammar are all more than worthy of nominations.

I will be blogging after the event itself but I thought I would publish a playlist of my favourite songs by this year’s nominees and performers. This isn’t a full list of my favourite songs by them as I’ve limited them to songs by the artists in the last year or so. For example there’s no ‘Teenage Dream’ or ‘Firework’ by Katy Perry because I’m featuring songs from her latest album Prism.

Here’s my favourite London Grammar track (I have no idea why it’s not available on Spotify)

31 days of Christmas

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Day 31 Dina Carroll – The Perfect Year

So here we are! Last song in my 31 days of Christmas playlist and the last day of 2013. I thought this would be a perfect song to include as my last song in my playlist.

This is such a beautiful song which is originally from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Sunset Boulevard. It’s not really a Christmas song but is often regarded as such due to its reference of a new year. The lyrics are great and the track just screams 90’s! I love it. Such a silky smooth track and Dina’s voice is wonderful on it. True talent.

If you’ve followed my 31 days of Christmas playlist then thank you! It means a lot to know people actually read these and that I’m not just chatting away to myself 😉 I certainly hope you’ve enjoyed reading these entries as much as I have writing them. I promise to continue to blog on other matters in this next year. I hope you have a very happy new year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPt2fuW3sYI

 

31 days of Christmas

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Day 30 David Bowie and Bing Crosby – Peace On Earth/Little drummer boy

This is a last minute addition into my playlist, replacing another track. It was difficult to make this decision but after much thought, I realised I much preferred this song and couldn’t possibly exclude it! The song ‘Little drummer boy’ on its own does nothing for me. It’s a nice song but with nothing much to it. This, however, is another story. This is a combination of the 1941 song ‘Little drummer boy’, with a counter point (‘Peace on earth’) added to it.

Bing Crosby and David Bowie are both legends in their own right but this combination is just fantastic. Their voices blend so well to each other and it’s a beautiful performance. I think the two songs work fantastically together and it’s just perfect.

31 days of Christmas

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Day 29 Lady Antebellum – On This Winter’s Night

This is one of the more modern inclusions in my Christmas song playlist. I discovered this song this year after recalling that Lady Antebellum had released a Christmas album last year. I love this band, I think their songs are awesome and full of meaning. They are such a great addition to the Country music scene because they blend it with pop making it more accessible to the younger generation. Let’s face it ‘Need you now’ is a classic!

I fell in love with this song, the only original on the album, straight away. It’s so soft, so festive and beautiful. It reminds me of ‘Silent night’ with a country and R&B twist. Sounds strange but listen and you’ll hear what I mean. The harmonies are stunning and I love the call and response “On this winter’s night (We’ll look back on the year we’ve had) On this winter’s night (we’ll count our blessings)” – it’s just beautifully written and beautifully sung. It’s even got a children’s choir!

A fine addition to Christmas music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBH3o5CQT0M

31 days of Christmas

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Day 28 Jona Lewie – Stop The Cavalry

This is one fine song. It supplies me with plenty of memories of me and my younger brother mucking around when we were younger pretending to play the brass instruments heard in the song! Good times. This is one of those more political Christmas tunes which manages to avoid the cheese-factor by having a more meaningful message than perhaps some other festive songs do.

Interestingly, this was apparently never written as a Christmas song, instead as just a protest song. It’s December release, the line ‘Wish I was at home for Christmas’ and brass band arrangements just made it appropriate to be played at Christmas time.

Great song.

31 days of Christmas

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Day 27 Dean Martin – Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Another classic, this is an awesome song. It’s really simple and is relatively short for a pop song but that’s part of what makes it so enchanting. There’s been countless interpretations of this song and I do love most I’ve heard although Dean Martin’s remains my favourite. I just love his voice on his version.

Other versions I’ve heard and have thoroughly enjoyed include Kylie Minogue, John Legend and Rod Stewart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2uvtl-1V70