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.
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.
It’s been five years since Mick Hucknall disbanded Simply Red following an extensive farewell tour and greatest hits album. Fans were under the impression that this was the last we’d see of Simply Red as Hucknall expressed a desire to spend more time with his family and release material under his own name. But now, Simply Red have returned with an album and tour to celebrate thirty years since their formation.
It was always rather peculiar, Hucknall’s decision to continue recording music under his own name rather than the Simply Red label. Simply Red, after-all, is Mick Hucknall. The band is well-known for its revolving-door policy regarding band members; there has not been an original member (aside from Hucknall of course) in the band since 1995’s ‘Life’ album. This appears to have finally dawned upon Hucknall and the band’s 30th anniversary has seen him go to great lengths to celebrate the band’s long and hugely successful career.
And “Big Love” is just that. A celebration. A celebration of love and life. It’s a concept album relating to family and love which is part of its overall success. It’s an optimistic, uplifting album; a real joy to listen to. It’s obvious Hucknall has seen a surge in creativity and inspiration for this album; it’s the first album of all original material since 1995’s ‘Life’ album. Family life has evidently tamed the former wild sex-crazed front-man.
The album utilises up-tempo, catchy tracks to maintain its pace. Lead single “Shine On” is a big, fun track with funk-driven guitars and punchy percussion – a true reflection of the album as a whole. “Daydreaming” is a catchy ’70’s disco-infused number on which Hucknall’s glossy vocals really shine whilst the album ventures into a soft rather bizarre rock ‘n’ roll-gospel infusion on “Tight Tones”.
Elsewhere, “Big Love” demonstrates Hucknall’s softer side. The title track is a schmaltz-y affair, with a sweeping melody, gentle vocals and fairground piano arpeggios. “Dad” is a syrupy sweet ballad about… yes, you’ve got it, Hucknall’s father. It’s rather saccharine, with a lovely message but the lyrics themselves are a little bit ‘teen’ with some lazy rhymes. Nevertheless, it’s a poignant addition to the album following the loss of his father during Simply Red’s absence. The album also makes use of previously successful formulas for the band. There’s a throwback to ‘Night Nurse’ on ‘Love Wonders’ with its reggae-styled beat, sweeping strings and Hucknall’s butterscotch vocals. There’s also a nod back to 2003’s ‘Home’ album on ‘Love Gave Me More’ with its tinkling piano and 60’s sweeping strings.
From time to time, hitting notes requires some strain from Hucknall and it’s evident his wild past has caught up with him slightly. Nevertheless he has always had one of the most powerful voices in the industry, soft and syrupy for the ballads, a growling rasp for more uptempo songs and an incredible vocal range that would make most of today’s acts envious.
Whilst it may lack the polished finish of 2003’s ‘Home’ and the power of 1991’s ‘Stars’, it is far from a bad album. It seems Hucknall has got his mojo back. I for one hope it stays.
Beautiful song from James’ début album ‘The Chaos and The Calm’.
2) James Bay – Hold Back The River
It took me longer than most to recognise how great this song is but I’m there now! Love how the song builds and James’ vocal performance is incredible.
3) Simply Red – Fake (Single Mix)
The album version of this is great too but the single mix is more club friendly. Great song.
Such a soulful, great song which always reminds me of the summer. Love Kelly Jones’ raspy vocals and there’s something quite haunting about this beautiful song.
5) Circa Waves – Talking Out Loud
Another awesome song from Circa Waves’ incredible début album. Powerful and irresistibly catchy chorus and I love the chords in the verses too.
6) New Radicals – Someday We’ll Know
Best known for their song ‘You Get What You Give’, this was the follow up single before Gregg Alexander terminated his band to focus on producing and writing for other artists. This was later covered by legendary duo Daryl Hall & Jon Oates. Sweet acoustic-based song. Love this.
7) Adam Levine – Lost Stars
Gorgeous song from the ‘Begin Again’ soundtrack sung by Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and written by Gregg Alexander. Many will only know this track through The Voice UK winner Stevie McCrorie but the original really is worth a listen.
8) Semisonic – Secret Smile
One of the best pop hits from the 90’s. Just an awesome song.
9) Robbie Williams – Me and My Monkey
Paranoia-infused, bizarre and humorous, this is one of Robbie’s best songs of his career, an album track from ‘Escapology’. Upon its release, critical response to this track was mainly of confusion but most interpretations consider this a metaphor for Robbie’s dual personality when sober and high/drunk. It’s clever and Rob’s storytelling is just amazing.
10) Robbie Williams – Handsome Man
A self-parody by Robbie, this is an awesome song ridiculing his own fame and success. Witty lyrics as always and a catchy and explosive chorus too.
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.
Yes, it’s a song by The Muppets from their 2011 Disney movie. It’s comical but yet utterly beautiful at the same time. I think the reason I love it so much, besides the fact it involves The Muppets which I love, is that is reminds me of 1980’s power ballads and musically, it’s a little like Elton John’s ballads. Reminds me a little of one of my favourite songs by The Scissor Sisters (‘Mary’) too. Just a beautiful little song.
2) Simply Red – Fairground
One of the best pop-house tracks from the 90’s. Such a feel-good, catchy song. Awesome drum track, sing-song melody and a bloody brilliant chorus. SO good.
3) The Script – No good in goodbye
The Script got mixed reviews for their previous album, ‘#3’ and so it seems they wanted to return to form with new album ‘No sound without silence’. And that, they have. This is the opening track and it’s unbelievably good. Great, well-written lyrics and I love the chord progression of the chorus, though it does sound rather like Duran Duran’s ‘Ordinary World’! Can’t get enough of this right now.
Incredibly haunting, beautiful and dark. Paolo’s vocal performance on this is insane. SO emotive.
5) Chris Brown – Add Me In
As much as I can’t stand Chris Brown as a human being, I do love a lot of his music. Latest album ‘X’ is great and this is my favourite track off it. A little like something that would have appeared on Michael Jackson’s ‘Off the wall’ album but with a modern twist. Great song.
[Not on YouTube yet]
6) Alt-J – Every other freckle
Another haunting song, this is a little creepy. Awesome record, though.
7) SecondCity featuring Ali Love – What can I do?
SO good. One of those rare new songs that I loved upon my first listen. Sounds a little like a 90’s house track which is part of what makes it so endearing. Summer hasn’t disappeared just yet!
I love Jamie Cullum – he’s one of the most underrated artists in the UK. This is a beautiful little song I came across after reading an interview with him in which he discussed this song. Great lyrics and I love how the song builds and develops. Love this.
9) Simply Red – Your Eyes
Taken from one of Simply Red’s most underrated albums and one that happens to be my favourite by them; ‘Love and the Russian Winter’. Great, great song.
10) Ariana Grande & Nathan Sykes – Almost is never enough
I loved this when it came out but forgot all about it until reading about Nathan Skyes reportedly working on a solo album. A chilled, jazzy affair with incredible vocal performances by both artists. I’m expecting big things from Nathan – what a voice! One that wasn’t showcased enough in The Wanted. Just hope he gets with the right song-writers/musicians.
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