Music Monday – Volume Sixty Three

  1. Selena Gomez & A$AP Rocky – Good For You

Moody and seductive, Gomez is pulling out all the stops to emphasise her new-found maturity. It never quite reaches its full potential; it’s crying out for a huge climax towards the end of the song but with its provocative message and the inclusion of A$Ap Rocky’s rap, it’s a step in the right direction of producing more grown-up music.

2) Jack Garratt – Weathered

Jittery with fierce beats, grunge-y guitars and a silky smooth vocal delivery from Garratt. It’s a huge song with fantastic production.

3) Jennifer Lopez – Play

Throwback to when J-Lo was still producing GOOD music. Drawing upon Prince and Madonna for influence, it’s a catchy and funk-driven dance-pop track with squeaky synths and slamming beats. One of the best pop tracks from the noughties era.

4) Leona Lewis – Fire Under My Feet

Explosive comeback single for 2006 X Factor winner Leona Lewis. Unfortunately, the lead single from Lewis’ forthcoming album has fallen under the radar due to slack promotion from new label Island/Def Jam. With stomping percussion layered with hand claps and moody piano chords, it’s Lewis at her best.

5) Chris Brown – Don’t Judge Me

Sombre, sulky and aching with sincerity, this is Brown at his best. The lyrical content is straight from the heart and Brown croons passionately over stuttering percussion and remote production.

6) Mark Owen – Makin’ Out

Much of this blog discusses how underrated I consider Mark Owen’s solo discography to be but I shall continue to reinforce my point! Quirky rock-fuelled track from Owen’s 2005 album ‘How The Mighty Fall’, this single was only a moderate success and deserved to fare far better. Brilliant lyrics and powerful vocal delivery from Owen as always.

7) Taylor Swift – Bad Blood

The album version is far superior to the single version with Kendrick Lamar although Lamar’s rap does not particularly detract from the power of the song. Fierce.

8) Taylor Swift – Style

Still one of Swift’s best singles of her career so far. Moody and sultry with funky 80’s styled guitars and crashing percussion.

9) Take That – Today I’ve Lost You

One of the most underrated songs of Take That’s career. Originally written as the follow up to 1995’s massive hit ‘Back For Food’, Barlow saved this one (many other songs written for what would have been Take That’s follow up album to ‘Nobody Else’ appeared on Barlow’s debut album ‘Open Road’) and it was recorded for the band’s 2005 Greatest Hits compilation. Barlow’s gentle vocals trickle over a soft and organic backing track, comprised of soft guitar strums and piano chords, sweeping strings and an awesome guitar solo. It’s a shame this was never taken further and released as a single; it’s a beautifully written and performed song.

10) Gary Barlow – My Commitment

Schmaltz-y love song from Barlow’s début solo album ‘Open Road’ which screams ’90’s!’ with its heavily programmed drum machine and glittery pianos. Co-written with songwriting legend Diane Warren, this is a beautiful ballad with a lovely message.

Music Monday – Volume Forty Two

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 Nineteen

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.

Music Monday – Volume Twelve

1)      Wet Wet Wet – Goodnight Girl

Just absolutely beautiful.

2)      Michael Jackson – Lovin’ you

Love both MJ’s original demo and the new version by Timbaland. Very jazzy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJS5PBgF8is

3)      Michael Jackson – Xscape (Original version)

The original version. I love hearing how MJ wanted his songs, not them all remixed by ‘hot’ producers. The new version is unrecognisable and utterly crap. I remember the original leaking years ago and always loving this track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uXHUq70Bl4

4)      Alanis Morisette – Thank You

Depressing but fab.

5)      Michael Jackson – Stranger In Moscow

Hauntingly beautiful. One of his most underrated songs from his career and my favourite MJ song. Incredible video too. Captures loneliness perfectly.

6)      Deniece Williams – Let’s hear it for the boy

Irresistible pop fun!

7)      Whitney Houston – Run to you

Absolutely stunning. This woman was incredible, as were the writers of this song.

8)      Whitney Houston – I wanna dance with somebody

SO catchy!

9)      Dolly Parton – Here you come again

Love Dolly! Such a beautiful song. Easy to relate to as well.

10)   Melanie C – What if I stay

This woman is SO incredibly underrated. Love this – so beautiful and heartfelt. Also very chilled out.

Music Monday – Volume Ten

Music Monday 10

1)      Pharrell  – Here

This man is an absolute genius. Taken from the latest Spiderman film, this is a perfect movie song. Don’t be put off if you don’t like Pharrell, this is a beautiful and rare ballad for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoE5ifeWX8U

2)      The Vamps  – She was the one

Loving the Vamps at the moment. Beautiful song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seHYL974VDg

3)      The Vamps – Dangerous

Love this so much. Reminds me a little of McFly.

4)      Pharrell Williams & Alicia Keys – Know who you are

This is an awesome song – love the reggae feel to it.

5)      The horrors – So now you know

Just really love this song.

6)      Snow Patrol – You could be happy

Perhaps the most heartbreaking song ever written. Certainly one of my favourite songs of all time. The lyrical content is just so incredibly beautiful and I love the music-box sound that runs the way through the song.

7)      Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake – Love never felt so good

All of us MJ songs have known about this song for years – it’s appeared online and on a couple of MJ compilations. The new polished versions, both solo and with JT sound fantastic, however. I especially love this, being a fan of both MJ and JT.

8)      Paramore/The Castro Family – Still into you

I’m not a massive fan of Paramore and especially not this song. But just check out this stunning cover. The harmonies are mesmerising. Definitely in the style of Fleetwood Mac

9)      Fleetwood Mac – Everywhere

Been listening to Fleetwood Mac loads lately – they’re just incredible. This is an absolute classic – so magical.

10)   The Flying Picketts – Only You

I am still loving ‘Only you’ as a song – it’s so beautiful. Love this acapella version.

Music Monday – Volume Eight

1)      Rebecca Ferguson & John Legend – Burning bridges

Stunning. Love both artists, particularly John. Their voices blend together perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvBOG9I3kpo

2)      Paloma Faith – Impossible Heart

So catchy. Love Paloma!

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

3)      John Mayer – Wildfire

An awesome country-styled song that makes me feel really summery

4)      One Direction – You and I

Before anyone scoffs, give this a listen a few times and you may realise what I mean when I say this is so beautiful. Probably one of my favourite songs from this year so far and I love it more with every listen. Fantastically written, I particularly love the climax of the song with the guitars and Zayn’s amazing high note.

5)      One Direction – Little black dress

Love the rock edge this song has. Really catchy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h70qwjL-jzM

6)      The 1975 – Settle down

Been in love with this for a while but Radio 1 keep playing it and it sounds so good on radio.

7)      George Michael – Through (Symphonica version)

Normally I don’t allow myself to include a song twice in these playlists but this is a different version. I love this song anyway but live, with an orchestra, it makes it even more powerful. The lyrics are fantastic and the orchestra makes it so beautiful.

8)      George Michael – A different corner

I’d never taken much notice of this until I bought George’s Symphonica album. I really paid attention to the lyrics and everything and I’ve fallen in love with it. Very simple but powerful all the same. “Turn a different corner and we’d never have met” is an awesome lyric. I’ve included a live performance from Parkinson in the late 90’s as I love the more acoustic version!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JGfC9SyPJs

9)      Snow Patrol – Batten down the hatch

I bought ‘Up To Now’, their Greatest Hits and whilst I know about 40% of the songs, the rest I don’t. I haven’t been disappointed though! This is an awesome song.

10)   Snow Patrol – Cartwheels

I never knew of this track either but I am also loving this right now.