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.
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.
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.
There’s been a bit of a mixed reaction to this track which was made available for free for 24 hours this week. It’s a lot more mature with a soft beat and gorgeous harmonies and I absolutely love it. Such a great song.
2) Favela – Easy Yoke
Found this on a Spotify placement I was listening to yesterday and have listened to it over and over since. Such a beautiful song. Very spaced out and the strings are just stunning.
3) The 1975 – Heart Out
I’ve loved this since I purchased The 1975’s début album almost a year ago but the release of the video last week has given the song a new lease of life for me. So catchy it’s unreal and I love the saxophone break.
4) Ten Walls – Walking with elephants
Been hearing this on the radio a lot lately and I really love it. It’s great to have a classic instrumental club track in the charts.
5) Nina Nesbitt – Two worlds away
Found this completely by accident and have fallen in love. Such a pretty acoustic-based song.
6) John Mayer – Say
One of John’s more underrated efforts and one I feel even he neglects sometimes. This was written for and appeared in the movie ‘The Bucket List’ although I came to know it through the modern re-adaptation of ‘The Karate Kid’ a few years back. It’s the song that got me into John Mayer and it’s so pretty. It’s one of the most inspiring songs and I just love it so, so much.
7) Coldplay – True love
Hauntingly beautiful. Love this.
8) George Ezra – Barcelona
This man is such a talent. Really love this song.
9) George Ezra – Song 3
Another incredible song off George’s debut album. Awesome.
[Unfortunately this isn’t on YouTube]
10) Beck – Morning
I went and saw ‘If I stay’ at the cinema the other day and this appeared in the movie. I instantly fell in love with the soft guitars and the haunting melody. Such a haunting, stunnning song.
I’m still not quite sure what to make of George Ezra. I think he’s very talented and there’s certainly something about his songs that make them pretty enchanting. That said, ‘Budapest’ did get on my nerves a little bit. ‘Blame it on me’ has been growing on me with every listen, however and I think I can now conclude that I love it. Love the guitar sound in the chorus.
2) Maroon 5 –Sugar
I much prefer old Maroon 5 to their sound for the past three years. ‘Songs about Jane’ and ‘It won’t be soon before long’ were class albums. That’s not to say they’ve completely lost their way, however. The new album is a vast improvement on ‘Overexposed’. This is an incredibly catchy and addictive song. Really love this.
3) Maroon 5 – It was always you
Another track on their latest album ‘V’. Love the 80’s vibe on this and it’s a great sing-along tune.
4) Prince – Clouds
I love how Prince just randomly drops these songs onto Spotify/Itunes without a fuss! No idea if this will appear on any of his two new albums arriving later this month but if this song is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat! Classic Prince but still managing to sound fresh. Layered with a bit of auto-tune to add a bit more effect, this is a great song.
[Unfortunately this isn’t on YouTube so no link!]
5) Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj – Bang Bang
I loved Jessie J’s debut album and I do continue to admire her talent. Personality wise, she does irritate me a bit and her single choices can be a bit hit and miss. Something told me I should hate this song, most likely because of the fact Nicki Minaj has a role in it. That said, it’s a really catchy, great pop track. Really liking this.
6) 5SOS – Amnesia
Overall, I keep telling myself I’m not into this band. Then again, they must be doing something right at this is their second track in one of my Music Monday playlists! This is an incredibly beautiful, if rather predictable (chord-wise) ballad. Definitely my favourite song of right now. Gorgeous.
7) Chromeo – Jealous (I ain’t worth it)
So damn catchy, this is an irresistible song. There hasn’t been a dance-pop track as good as this in YEARS. Unique, with a disco vibe, this is awesome. Check it out!
8) Travi$ Scott & James Fauntleroy – Drive (The 1975 remix)
I didn’t know the original of this (before The 1975 remixed it) and only got to know it through The 1975’s remix. I’m not biased just because The 1975 are one of my favourite bands, I just think what they’ve done with the song is incredible. Awesome beat, so chilled and I love Matty’s verse. Cannot get enough of this at the moment.
9) Joel Compass – Girlfriends
Another catchy track. Really like this!
10) Gary Barlow – We like to love
Without a doubt one of Gary Barlow’s finest songs he’s ever written and definitely one of my all time favourite compositions by him. The squeak of the piano stool and click of the piano keys at the beginning if you turn the volume up loud enough through headphones shows how raw this song is. It’s rare for a real piano to be used in a song these days. It’s wonderful, the changes that occur in this song. The soft beginning with the choir, the verse and first chorus, the key change and then the Coldplay-styled soaring climax. Such an incredibly beautiful and emotive song.
A song by the band before they ‘made it big’. Matty’s vocal delivery is different as is the genre. It’s a bit darker than what the band are known for but it’s a fantastic song. Really love this!
2) Elvin Bishop – Fooled around and fell in love
Irresistible.
3) James Bay – Let it go
Hauntingly beautiful and drifts into Ed Sheeran territory from time to time which is never a bad thing!
4) Mika & Pharrell – Celebrate
Pharrell is a genius and Mika is one of the most talented guys in pop. The album this is off is incredibly underrated as is this incredible song. So catchy, so uplifting and just an awesome song.
5) 2pac – Changes
One of the best rap songs ever.
6) Jordin Sparks – One step at a time
This is a forgotten pop gem! Catchy, inspiring and just a wonderful, wonderful song. Makes me feel like I’m fourteen again.
7) Rita Ora – Been Lying
One of my all time favourite songs, this is a pop masterpiece. Heartfelt lyrics and the infectious, repetitive chorus shows that sometimes simplicity creates the best songs.
8) 1 Giant Leap ft Maxi Priest and Robbie Williams – My Culture
An often forgotten about collaboration between these three acts, this is an awesome song. Great production, thoughtful lyrics and the melody of the chorus is irresistable.
9) Spice Girls – Last time lover
Girlbands these days could only dream of making an R&B track half as good as this. Naughty, catchy and the bass line is funky as hell. Awesome song.
10) Will Young – Good things
Will Young’s Echoes album is a masterpiece. This is just one of the many great songs that feature on it. The production is second to none, it’s catchy and the melody is infectious. SO good.
This is so catchy, so cool and such a great, uplifting summer song. One of her best off ‘Prism’ and I’m so glad Katy’s releasing it as a single. Great video too.
2) Tulisa – Young
Whatever you think about Tulisa and N Dubz in general, this remains one heck of a tune. This is uplifting, summery and so damn catchy.
3) Take That – It only takes a minute
A massive guilty pleasure, this was a great interpretation of an old disco classic. Its sound and production has certainly been left in the ’90’s but it still sounds awesome and Take That’s version is perhaps the best loved and most known version. Such a catchy chorus.
4) Take That – Once you’ve tasted love
One of Take That’s most underrated songs of their entire career. It may have been on their début ‘Take That and Party’ which is undoubtedly cheesy and lacks credibility in places but it remains a great, great album. This song is infused with electro-pop influences and it’s just so well written/produced. Big chorus too.
5) The 1975 – She Way Out
Almost a year later and I’m still just as addicted to The 1975’s début album as I was upon my first listen. ‘She Way Out’ is definitely one of my favourites. It’s repetitive but it’s so damn good, so catchy and has an unbeatable sing-along chorus.
6) Jessie Ware – Tough love
I’ve heard this on the radio for months now and I’ve begun to realise I fall in love with it a little bit more with every listen. It’s soft, understated but remarkably beautiful. So chilled out and a great song.
7) John Mayer – Good love is on the way
A song that’s never appeared on a John Mayer studio album, this has only been included on John’s live albums. It’s an awesome song, however. I love the guitar instrumentation and the lyrics. Very catchy and an awesome tune. Would love a studio version someday.
8) Charlie Simpson – Long road home
I decided to check out Charlie’s new album the other day and was pleasantly surprised. Every song was beautifully written with smooth harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. This is the opening track to Charlie’s second album and it’s a killer opening. Awesome tune.
9) Charlie Simpson – Hold On
Smooth, fluttering harmonies and gorgeous lyrics. Love the guitars in this and the feel of the song in general. Incredibly beautiful.
10) Madonna – Don’t tell me
One of Madonna’s best, I particularly love the stutter-y production on this. It’s smooth, low-key and very summery. I loved Madonna’s music of this era – the country themed songs and minimalistic production.
So dreamy and such a beautiful song. Liam Gallagher is awesome.
2) The 1975 – Intro/Set3
Understated opening track to their ‘Sex’ EP. Smooth and jittery, building up to an awesome R&B track. Got a great groove and some sick beats.
3) Take That – Today I’ve lost you
Somehow this beautiful and underrated track managed to escape my iTunes. After coming across it again on Spotify, I have fallen head over heels back in love with it again. It’s so soft, so stunning and Gary Barlow’s vocals are silky smooth. A perfect Barlow-ballad.
4) Pharrell Williams – Fun, fun, fun
Pharrell is just a genius. After watching ‘Despicable Me’ I was reminded of what a truly great, uplifting song this is. The harmonies are amazing and I love the summery, happy feel of the song.
5) S Club Juniors – Automatic High
Massive guilty pleasure – both the pop-group and the song! Reminds me of being very young. Irresistibly catchy.
6) Prince – Better with time
Such a beautiful, romantic little song.
(Not available to share due to Prince being highly irritating and not allowing much of his music to be on YouTube)
7) David Archuleta – Crush
Someone reminded me of this song again recently and how damn good it is! Reminds me of being fourteen and listening to it over and over again. Bit of cheesy pop at its best. Lyrics are easy to relate to. One of the best chorus’ in a pop song ever.
8) Kelly Rowland – Daylight
Really underrated Kelly track. So damn catchy and uplifting.
9) Stardust – Music sounds better with you
Bloody repetitive but SO damn good. Catchy as hell. One of the best dance tracks ever released.
10) MN8 – Dreaming
One of the soppiest, cheesiest but most beautiful romantic songs by a boyband ever. Not many would be familiar with this song but it’s gorgeous.
This came on shuffle the other day and I fell in love with it all over again. Never heard anything else by these boys but this is still SO good. So catchy and upbeat.
2) Roxette – You can’t put your arms around what’s already gone
Another little song that popped up on shuffle! This band is so good – the album this is from is incredible. Great lyrics to this track.
3) John Mayer – Vultures
A song I always overlooked until about a month ago. John Mayer is such an underrated writer. Amazing lyrics and I just absolutely love this.
4) Simon Webbe – Free
Simon is of course a member of British boyband Blue. His debut solo album ‘Sanctuary’ is one of my favourite albums released, surprisingly enough. It’s just a perfect balance of upbeat and slow tracks and every song is fantastic. This is co-written by one of my favourite songwriters and I love how soft and beautiful this is.
5) BBMak – Next time
These guys were such an awesome band. Most of the current boybands would envy these harmonies. There’s not enough harmony in boybands these days in my opinion. Great little song.
6) Pharrell Williams – Frontin’
This was on The Nixtape on Radio 1 and I forgot what an absolute tune it is! Pharrell is a genius.
7) The 1975 – So far it’s alright
This = my jam. That is all!
8) John Mayer – All we ever do is say goodbye
One of my favourite songs of all time. The lyrics are so perfect and so easy to relate to. I fell in love with this over a year ago and it just always reminds me of summer. It also, for some reason, reminds me of one of my favourite movies, ‘Brokeback Mountain’. I have no idea why this is but it makes the track even more special for me.
9) Ronan Keating – Lost for words
Just really love the feel of this song. Lyric content is great too.
10) Sam Smith – Leave your lover
I think Sam Smith is incredibly talented but every song he has released so far (aside from ‘Latch’ and ‘La la la’) has really annoyed me. I’ve been waiting for something to really impress me and not become irritating. Well he’s finally done it. This is so, so beautiful. So soft and delicate with fantastic lyrics.
Forgot what an incredible song this is. Been listening to it loads this week – so catchy, so honest and so different from what Snow Patrol normally do. Love it and I love them.
2) The Castro Family/The 1975 – Chocolate
Everyone knows Chocolate is one of my all time favourite songs. I usually hate YouTube covers as people tend to make it into a ballad which just doesn’t work. Part of its charm is the catchiness! LOVE this interpretation though! A little cheesy but love the harmonies and the arrangement.
3) Roxette – Wish I could fly
One of the most beautiful songs ever and one of my all time favourites. So underrated. Love the pairing of the orchestra and drum machine. Special song for me.
4) Genesis – Throwing it all away
This kept coming on during Shuffle and I love it so much! Love Genesis and Phil Collins anyway but I’m really enjoying this song at the moment.
5) Prince – Purple Rain
Prince is one of my music heroes. This is so depressing and so long but sometimes it’s so necessary! It’s an incredible song, very emotive and powerful and the length is needed. I used to think it was perhaps too long but these days I appreciate the whole piece. Electric.
6) The Vamps – Another World
I dismissed The Vamps a while ago but I gave their album a listen and I really love it! The second half in particular. I can’t get enough of this song at the moment. Generic maybe but very beautiful.
7) R. Kelly – Happy People
I remember hearing this on the car journey home from a theme park when I was around ten years old. It’s just such a smooth, happy song that always makes me feel great. R.Kelly is a musical genius.
8) Coldplay – Oceans
SO in love with this and so excited for the album. Very beautiful and very reminiscent of the Parachutes era.
9) Keane – Bedshaped
So, so beautiful. Keane are one of my favourite bands and this song is just stunning. Love the video too.
10) George Michael – Kissing a fool
Only found this recently but I love it! So jazzy, so chilled. Definitely one of George’s more underrated songs.
Such a great song. Obviously the original is the definitive version but I love Mutya’s version too. People may scoff as it’s an ex-Sugababe member but she has a really distinctive tone and it’s a fab version.
2) Leanne Mitchell – To love someone like you
Winner of the first series of The Voice UK who disappeared quickly from the public eye. A real shame too – she has an incredible voice. Anyway, this song is truly special and very beautiful. It reminds me of something Whitney might have done in her career.
3) Kelly Rowland – Train on a track
This was something suggested to me on Spotify based on my listening habits and I’m so glad it was. Such a smooth, beautiful song and I can’t get enough of it right now.
4) Eric Clapton – Blue Eyes Blue
Gorgeous song – very soppy but I love it so much. Definitely check this one out.
5) The 1975 – Falling for You
This is really chilled-out and beautiful. We all know that sense of awareness we have of falling for somebody and this song documents that.
6) Eurythmics – There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)
I’ve heard this a couple of times recently and have been reminded of what a great track it is. LOVE Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart is an amazing writer/musician.
7) Joni Mitchell – Both sides now
One of my favourite songs of all time. I love the original but the version I love most is a jazz version Joni recorded in 2000. I first came across it in ‘Love Actually’ during one of the most heartbreaking scenes in a movie ever. It’s just an absolutely stunning song. Was reminded of this by the gorgeous version by Sally on The Voice UK.
8) John Waite – Missing You
Another track I was reminded of after a performance on The Voice UK. This reminds me of a crush I had a few years ago!
9) Vanessa Carlton – Thousand Miles
One of the greatest piano-based pop songs ever written. I adore the piano instrumentation on this track and it’s such a sweet song.
10) Gary Barlow – Lie to Me
One of the greatest Barlow compositions ever and yet it’s pretty heartbreaking it never got the recognition it deserved. It could have been a massive single. So emotive, so well-written and the production is so polished. Gary Barlow’s song-writing at its best.
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