Music Monday – Volume Sixty Five

August 31, 2015October 28, 2015 MarcyB0yLeave a comment

‘Music Monday’ is a weekly blog in which I compile a list of ten songs I have been enjoying in the past week. This edition features Robbie Williams, The Weeknd, Kings of Leon amongst others.

1) JoJo – Save My Soul

JoJo is best known for 2005 smash R&B hit ‘Leave (Get Out)’, released when she was just fifteen years old. Since then, she took a hiatus and returned a five years ago but with limited success. ‘Save My Soul’ is a powerful and emotive ballad from her latest EP ‘III’ with a soaring melody, crashing percussion and haunting piano chords. Stunning.

2) Tove Lo – Talking Body

Sensual and seductive synthpop song by Swedish recording artist Tove Lo. A fine pop track; catchy with an easy sing-along chorus.

3) Steve Angello – Wasted Love

Epic dance track with the Coldplay-esque euphoria. Dougy, lead singer of The Temper Track lends his vocals to this powerful and uplifting song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAODa-4S2B0

4) Daniel Bedingfield – Never Gonna Leave Your Side

This was always a little inferior compared to Bedingfield’s other famous ballad, the gorgeous ‘If You’re Not The One’. It’s a beautiful song nevertheless and a lovely pop ballad.

5) Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting For You

Slushy and sentimental ’80’s power ballad, a little cheesy but gorgeous nonetheless. One of the most beautiful ballads in pop history, evident from its extensive list of covers.

6) Kings of Leon – Use Somebody

A plea for help but refreshingly presented in an alternative rock format instead of as a ballad. An epic, emotive track full of stadium-rousing ‘oh’s’, wailing guitars and Caleb Followill’s raspy vocals. Still as good now as it was upon release back in 2008.

7) Robbie Williams – Different

One of Williams’ most underrated singles of his career. Co-written by Gary Barlow and Jacknife Lee, it’s a haunting and powerful pop-rock track aching with sincerity. Williams’ forte has always been the ability to put his heart on his sleeve and channel this into well-written lyrics. This deserved to fare SO much better on the UK chart.

8) Justin Bieber – What Do You Mean?

Bieber appears to have made it through his rough Britney-esque meltdown and has returned triumphantly with his best music yet. ‘I Need U’, a collaboration with Diplo and Skrillex was an incredible comeback and ‘What Do You Mean’ continues Bieber’s new electronic-dance-music sound. ‘What Do You Mean’ uses minimalistic instrumentation and gentle, funky production built up of squeaky, steel-pan-like synthesisers, skippy percussion and Bieber’s gentle vocal.

9) The Weeknd – As You Are

Dark, powerful and catchy track from The Weeknd’s (real name Abel Tesfaye) third and current album ‘Beauty Behind the Madness’. Canadian Tesfaye has been in the industry for a while but is only now finding worldwide success, aided greatly by ‘Earned It’, featured in this year’s Fifty Shades of Grey movie. Tesfaye is a pioneer of the ever-developing PBR&B (an alternative version of R&B music) and ‘As You Are’ is a strong demonstration of this. With slamming 80’s-styled percussion, echoing vocals and gentle synthesisers, it’s an explosing and haunting track. Incredible song.

10) The Weeknd – I Can’t Feel My Face

It’s easy to dismiss this song at first with it’s slightly deranged lyrics but it is also unmistakably catchy with its funky guitar riffs and heavy percussion. Very MJ.

Music Monday – Volume Forty Two

January 12, 2015October 28, 2015 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 Thirty Four

October 27, 2014October 28, 2015 MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) Seal – Silence

Such an incredibly beautiful song. I once used this in a drama performance I did and so it gives me lots of fond memories. The acapella introduction proves how amazing Seal’s voice is and I just love the chord progression and the way it builds.

2) Seal – You get me

Pretty song off Seal’s amazing ‘Commitment’ album.

3) Alt-J – Hunger of the pine

One of the most haunting songs ever. Love the moody, melancholic feel to this song and the sample of Miley is genius.

4) Susan Boyle – Enjoy the Silence

Stunning cover of the song by Depeche Mode. I actually much prefer Su-Bo’s version. It imitates the approach Michael Andrews and Gary Jules took to covering Tears for Fears’ ‘Mad World’ by turning a 1980’s electronic/synthpop song into a stunning ballad. Amazing.

5) Nicole Scherzinger – Run

Beautiful ballad from Nicole’s new album.

6) Seal & Heidi Klum – Wedding Day

Catchy number from Seal’s ‘System’ album. Features vocals from then-wife Heidi Klum. Great song.

7) Union J – You got it all

This is one of few songs I’ve remotely liked by this boyband. It takes a few listens but it’s definitely a grower and it’s very pretty.

8) Phil Collins – Look Through My Eyes

I saw somebody mention the soundtrack for Brother Bear on Twitter the other day which reminded me of this song Phil Collins wrote and recorded for the soundtrack. Fantastic song.

9) Ryan Adams – Gimme something good

Heard this and loved it a while back but forgot about it until this past week. Ryan Adams is so talented and this is such an awesome song.

10) Stevie Nicks – Has anyone ever written anything for you?

Stunning ballad which closes Stevie’s ‘Rock a Little’ album. It’s very ’80’s’ but it’s also very beautiful. Love that long ending.

Music Monday – Volume Twenty

July 14, 2014October 28, 2015 MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) 5SOS – Don’t stop

I do think this band is very overrated. Having said that, this song is irresistibly catchy and I do enjoy hearing it on the radio very much.

2) Usher – Good Kisser (Disclosure Remix)

Those that follow me on Twitter will know how much I love this song through my excessive tweeting about it. I’ve also already included this track in one of my previous editions of Music Monday but this is slightly different as it’s the Disclosure remix. I love the Disclosure boys – their debut album is amazing, their songs are fantastic and their remixes are awesome. Love this.

3) Chris Braide – Last great hope for mankind

You may not have heard of him but Chris Braide is the writer of many well-known and much loved songs. He’s one of my favourite song-writers. Along with his writing, he has also released a handful of his own material on a collection of albums. I love this song and how happy it is.

(Unfortunately there are no videos on YouTube for this – Spotify or iTunes it if you can!)

4) Lady Antebellum – Can’t take my eyes off you

I’ve always loved Lady Antebellum’s single releases but this week I decided to check out their albums. I fell in love with a lot of songs, the harmonies, chord structures and country-feel to each song but I especially loved this one.

5) Jess Glynne – Birthday/I wanna be your lover (Live in the Radio 1 Live Lounge)

Jess Glynne is definitely an artist to watch. She was lead vocalist on Clean Bandit’s awesome song ‘Rather be’ and also on Route 94’s ‘My love’. This was a live version of Katy Perry’s amazing track, ‘Birthday’ which in itself was already great. But then she mixed it up with some of Prince’s ‘I wanna be your lover’ and made it even more crazy. Awesome.

6) Nerina Pallot – Learning to breathe

This is a wonderful song. After re-discovering ‘Sophia’, I decided to check out the album the track was from. I loved all of the songs but I really fell in love with this song. Catchy and emotive chorus.

7) Nerina Pallot – Sophia

This song gives me lots of fond memories. I loved it upon its release back in 2006 and I remember listening to it in the car on my way home from school during my first few weeks of secondary school. It’s an absolutely gorgeous song and I love it very much. Nerina Pallot is amazing.

8) Bipolar Sunshine – Deckchairs on the moon

I keep hearing this on the radio and I love it. I love the piano and how summery/space-y it feels. Very electronic and catchy. One of the best new tracks I’ve heard in a while.

9) Lower than Atlantis – Here we go

This is quite a heavy track for me to like but I’m really loving this!

10) Oasis – Guess God thinks I’m abel

I love the guitar and chord structure on this track. Awesome song

Music Monday – Volume Seventeen

June 23, 2014October 28, 2015 MarcyB0yLeave a comment

1) Beady Eye – For anyone

Love the simplicity and the old-school feel to this song. It’s so Beatle-esque and it’s just a fantastic song.

2) Oasis – Cast No Shadow

Beautiful little song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6thmKcSRwc

3) Ellie Goulding – I’ll hold my breath

Really, really love this. ‘Lights’ is an incredible album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fd3PwRJmbY

4) Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Stop the clocks

This is almost like a Part 2 to ‘Champagne Supernova’. Great ending track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJTnP6ylTK8

5) Phil Collins – You’ll be in my heart

One of my favourite of Phil’s amazing collection of songs. The perfect ending to the ‘Tarzan’ movie and a truly beautiful song. One of the greatest love songs ever written.

6) All Saints – Pure Shores

I watched ‘The Beach’ (the movie in which this song is included) and fell in love with this song all over again. SO summery.

7) Take That – The Garden

One of Take That’s finest songs of their career. It’s a beautiful, inspiring song and it’s lovely to hear all the boys have lead vocals on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKNzxG5CXdM

8) Robbie Williams – Me and my monkey

Robbie’s lyrics have always been some of the best and this song features storytelling as its finest. Very clever lyrically and a fantastic song overall. ‘Escapology’ was an incredible moment in Robbie’s career.

9) Ellie Goulding – This love will be your downfall

Another fantastic, well-produced track from Ellie’s ‘Lights’ album.

10) Ellie Goulding – The Writer

I’ve always loved this song. It’s truly beautiful and it’s one of her most underrated songs in my opinion. Great to play on the piano.

Music Monday – Volume Twelve

May 19, 2014October 28, 2015 MarcyB0yLeave a comment

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

May 5, 2014October 28, 2015 MarcyB0yLeave a comment

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

April 21, 2014October 28, 2015 MarcyB0yLeave a comment

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.

Music Monday – Volume Seven

April 14, 2014October 28, 2015 MarcyB0yLeave a comment

I’d say this is perhaps my most heavily modern weighted playlist yet! I’m just really loving a lot of the current chart music at the moment which is pretty rare for me. Hope you’ll discover some new songs through this playlist and remember to check back every Monday where I’ll post my ten favourite songs of the moment.

1) Gary Barlow – Jump

Beautiful song co-written by Gary with another of my favourite writers – Tim Rice-Oxley from Keane. I’ve always found it a greatly inspiring song but hearing it live and seeing the visuals at Gary’s 02 Arena gig I attended last week made me fall even deeper in love with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NrVR-Wkp48

2) Mr Probz – Waves (Robin Shulz remix)

Love the feel of this track. So chilled out yet so catchy – loving hearing this on Radio One at the moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MH9qWemtPo

3) Kings of Leon – Temple

Love a bit of Kings of Leon! This reminds me a little of their previous song ‘Supersoaker’ which I also love. Just catchy and fantastic as always.

4) Duke Dumont – I got you

I know this has been around for a while now but I’ve only just sat up and took notice of it! My love for this track grows with every listen – it is SO catchy and so summery. Cannot get enough of this. Best thing about this track is the steel pans!

5) John Mayer – The Age Of Worry

I’ve loved this for ages but only fully paid attention to the lyrics of this track lately. So inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHsCGwH7P6g

6) Katy Perry – Birthday

SO glad Katy has decided to release this track as her next single. It’s my favourite from ‘Prism’ – full of cheeky innuendo and so incredibly catchy.

7) Sigma – Nobody to love

I wasn’t sure what to make of this on the first few listens but it’s so damn irresistible. Repetitive but awesomely catchy.

8) Whitney Houston – I have nothing

I watched ‘The Bodyguard’ which happens to be one of my favourite films on Saturday night and so I’ve been going through a Whitney obsession again. This track was kinda overshadowed by ‘I will always love you’ but it’s still my favourite from the soundtrack. Incredible song and as always, Whitney’s voice was flawless.

9) Whitney Houston – I will always love you

Despite its fame I was never really fussed about this song until a couple of years ago. It’s just a beautiful interpretation of an original track by Dolly Parton. Definitely one of the greatest, if not THE greatest pop vocal performance of all time.