Tag: The Blue Nile

30 Songs for 30 Years

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Excitingly, I turn 30 in a couple of days’ time!

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.

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Music Monday – Volume Sixty Seven

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1) Take That – We Love to Entertain You

Electrifying and rousing stadium anthem that somehow managed to escape inclusion on an album. Whilst it did appear as a b-side to massive hit ‘Shine’ and was used in a German commercial, it was worthy of far more attention and credit. It’s a fitting tribute to fans; a sort of predecessor to ‘Hold Up A Light’, ‘Portrait’ and ‘I Like It’.

2) Beyonce – Love on Top

Funky and soulful R&B track; unbelievably catchy with an infectious melody and bouncy percussion. Highly influenced by 70’s disco tracks by Stevie Wonder and The Jackson Five, Beyonce braves FOUR key changes and blasts her powerhouse vocal effortlessly. One of her best.

3) Taylor Swift – Wildest Dreams

Miss Swift proves once again she is currently the biggest female Popstar in the world. Clearly influenced by the moody and breathy production Lana Del Ray is famous for, the chorus is unmistakeably Swift and the melody isn’t far removed from her signature Country-sound. A lovely track full of emotion, crashing beats and 80’s-esque synthesisers. Irresistible.

4) The Japanese House – Clean

Elusive and enigmatic act Amber Bain (better known as The Japanese House) released another enchanting track earlier this week, once again produced by Matty and George from The 1975. Full of twinkling bells, fizzy synths, distorted brass instruments and unsteady percussion, it’s beautifully endearing and cinematic.

5) Tame Impala – Yes I’m Changing

Aesthetic, downbeat and dreamy, this is another lovely moment from Tame Impala’s latest album ‘Currents’. Evidently influenced by ’80’s synthpop, it has a great bassline and hazy vocals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhlPXa6g4C8

6) Oasis – Half the World Away

Lovely acoustic ballad written and sang by Noel. Whilst never released on a studio album or as a single, this became well known for being used as the theme tune to the BBC Sitcom ‘The Royle Family’. It has also since been featured on two Oasis compilation albums.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK_Mrpjppwk

7) The Blue Nile – Everybody Else

Whilst not the most recognised of bands, Glaswegian adult-alternative band The Blue Nile have received much critical acclaim and have gained a cult following over the years. They purposely never chased fame and are notable for their perfectionist approach to releasing music, releasing only four albums in a thirty four year career.

‘Everybody Else’ is a beautifully simplistic  track featuring only a strumming guitar, computerised percussion, sweeping synthesisers and Paul Buchannan’s melancholic but sincere vocals. It is the penultimate track on their final album to date, 2004’s ‘High’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQYn5WgvBqU

8) Kylie Minogue, Garibay and Shaggy – Black and White

Miss Minogue is back on form with this sultry and sensual club banger, produced by Fernando Garibay and featuring a rap by legendary Shaggy. It is a return to Kylie’s club roots after previous album ‘Kiss Me Once’ was a more R&B-led affair and was only a moderate success commercially.

9) Lawson – Love Is You

Lovely acoustic-based ballad by Lawson, released as a free download on their website just days ago. Andy Brown’s voice is sincere as always and the chorus is very pretty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFkw8v8eyvM

10) Duran Duran – Ordinary World

One of Duran Duran’s biggest hits, ‘Ordinary World’ launched the band back into the charts after a period of declining popularity in the early 1990’s. Written about front-man Simon Le Bon’s late friend David Miles, this became a huge hit around the world in December 1992. Emotive, powerful and dramatic, it is one of Duran Duran’s best works.

Music Monday – Volume Sixty One

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1) Aqualung ft Lianne La Havas – Eggshells

Haunting piece of electro-pop comprised of eerie synth sounds, soft beats, tinny guitars and fierce piano chords. La Havas’ soulful vocals and Aqualung’s excessively auto-tuned vocals are a surprisingly effective combination.

2) Years & Years – Memo

Stunning electropop ballad which closes Years & Years’ début album. Olly Alexander’s vocal performance is powerful and sincere as it drifts effortlessly over soft hip-hop beats, piano chords and distorted synthesisers.

3) Years & Years – Eyes Shut

Another beautiful gospel-influenced ballad with jazzy chords and soulful vocals from Olly Alexander. One of the highlights from Years & Years’ début album.

4) Years & Years – Ties

Years & Years doing what they do best; a powerful electronic piece with slamming beats, stuttering synths and sincere lyrics.

5) Seal – Kiss From A Rose

One of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Seal’s raspy vocals have a distinctive flare and powerfully soar above sweeping strings and acoustic guitar strums. It’s hard to believe this gorgeous ballad was not initially a success upon its release until it was included in the movie Batman Forever a year later. It’s also a shame Seal hasn’t maintained this level of success – his music is still just as well-written and powerful. One of the most underrated British artists around.

6) The Internet ft Kaytranada – Girl

A rich fusion of neo soul, electro and R&B with gorgeous vocals, shuffling percussion and littered with eerie sounds.

7) The Blue Nile – Sentimental Man

One of the most underrated bands of all time, not aided by their very limited output over a twenty+ year career. Gorgeous track from their 1996 album ‘Peace At Last’.

8) Nothing But Thieves – Trip Switch

LOVE this right now. Explosive track from Essex-born band Nothing But Thieves with a massive chorus. Conor Mason’s robust vocal delivery often drifting into his falsetto range really drives this powerful song.

9) Matthew Morrison & Laura Michelle Kelly – What You Mean To Me

Absolutely stunning ballad composed by Gary Barlow & Eliot Kennedy for the Broadway musical ‘Finding Neverland’. Matthew Morrison & Laura Michelle Kelly is a perfect pairing and their voices gel perfectly on this dreamy duet.

10) The Corrs – What Can I Do

Upon release in early 1998, this song wasn’t a hit until it was remixed by Tin Tin Out who added the punchy percussion and metallic guitar riffs. The remixed version was released in the summer 0f 1998 and became a massive hit. One of the greatest pop songs ever written with a syrupy sweet melody, gorgeous strings, a catchy beat and awesome vocals.

Music Monday – Volume Forty Nine

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1) Shayne Ward – My Heart Would Take You Back

Bit of a guilty pleasure, this… but I was pleasantly surprised! It’s an easy option, making an old-school styled track to win the public back over and the video’s pretty poor but it’s a nice song.

2) Kylie Minogue – Confide In Me

There’s something very eerie about this track with its sweeping strings, heavy percussion and haunting melody. Great song.

3) The Blue Nile – Saturday Night

I LOVE this band. ‘Hats’, the album this is taken from is a dream – a psychedelic, night time album and this is one of my favourites. Smooth, simple and beautiful.

4) Michael Jackson – Can’t Let Her Get Away

One of the best New Jack Swing songs from the 90’s, from MJ’s ‘Dangerous’ album. So catchy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxRgnldmkTo

5) Jaki Graham – Round and Around

A piece of ’80’s music perfection. So, so good.

6) Nick Jonas – Jealous

I’m a little bit behind on this one and only checked it out because of its chart position and all of the hype. Great song though. What it lacks in originality it makes up for in charm and catchiness. Grows on me more with every listen.

7) Ariana Grande & The Weeknd – Love Me Harder

Found this by accident and really enjoyed it. Stupidly catchy and great electro infused production.

8) Vince Kidd – Sick Love

Forgot all about this song until recently! Vince was a contestant on the first series of The Voice UK. He has an incredible voice with great tone. After the competition, he re-recorded this but the original song and video is better. Scary, suggestive and sexual but such a good song.

9) Annie Lennox – Shining Light

A great song in its own right, originally by the band Ash, Annie’s version takes it to another level. Her interpretation is more camp and more gospel but it works brilliantly.

10) The 1975 – She Way Out

Repetitive maybe but so damn catchy. Always makes me want to dance.

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*