Weekly > Features
Why I Love…These Particular Songs!
I have been ruminating for a while (hence my hiatus last issue) over what my next feature could possibly be. Had I run out of love? Should I move onto hate? There are already enough rubbish things in the modern world without adding to it so I don’t want to go down the hate route. Who wants to read an article about a gig you thought was garbage or an album that you thought was a really poor effort overall and then turn on your telly to listen about the sodding credit crunch. Rivetting.
Music is about opinions, passion and ….. well just loving music so lets stay positive I thought. Then I was inspired by watching one of my favourite films, the Jon Cusack adaptation of Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity. A film that speaks volumes to me. It features a love of music, frustration with life and neurosis about just about everything there is! And lists! Lots and lots of lists which bookmark certain events in the main characters life and give meaning and rationale in his mind as to why things are the way they are.
Lists are a dichotomy for me as I like making them but hate those “Top whatever” shows on TV that always feature Jimmy Carr, Sue Perkins and some effeminate looking bloke who is the editor of Heat telling us definitively what should be regarded as good and somehow we should just accept that. And they are always on Channel 5. And if they are about records then Bohemian Rhapsody is always number one no matter when the imaginary poll was never taken. Nothing wrong with that but it wouldn’t be my number one.
Which got me seamlessly thinking what would be and it was then that I became a bit obsessed with the topic. And what a massive and almost impossible subject to do justice to. All the songs you have ever have heard, how do you pick say a top ten? Surely there are some necessary criteria? So I produced some. My top ten would have to have one or more of the following elements! They must have either a meaning to you or remind you of a point in time (the nostalgia factor), they must have damn good lyrics and they must stand the test of time so they give you as much enjoyment now as they did when released. And they must not be by Sean Paul. The latter category not narrowing down the field as much as the others granted but equally as valid.
I would never tell others that this is a definitive gospel top ten- it is simply my Top 10. And I know the second I have written it I will remember many others but that is the beauty of lists in music! Here goes:
10) Foo Fighters – Everlong
Post Nirvana dirt invested grunge track. Incessant rhythmic strumming with Dave Grohls ethereal early words poured over the tune and then eventually building to the mandatory shouty climax. A wonderful record that in my mind, no doubt controversially, surpassed anything he ever did with Mr Cobain. Honestly.
9) The Killers – Smile Like You Mean It
A particular gem from a cracking debut album- I first heard this as the background to a football round up on a regional news programme! Thankfully that is not the only reason why this features in this particular list- its primary reason is it’s a belting tune that sounds fantastic live and provided the soundtrack to my time in the greatest city on earth, Toronto, Canada. The Killers are massive out there and despite this song being everywhere I never tired of it.
8) Mansun - Legacy
During the early parts of my career I spent a period of my life living in Liverpool. It was rubbish. One of the few things that got me through was re-discovering Mansun through their second albumn Six. Not a classic by any means but it has this peach of a song on it which improved it significantly. When in an whistful indie mood the whimsical and yet ultimately profound lyrics speak volumes and the swirling guitar riff is majestic.
7) The Smiths – How Soon Is Now?
Every now and again a record is regarded as a seminal work, a high point in anyones career. The Smiths have a back catalogue most bands can only dream of but this, the full version, is the pinnacle of their careers for me. Morrissey’s threatening and yet desperate lyrics about going to a club on your own and leaving on your own. Now who can’t identify with that in their formative years? No, just me? Oh well.
6) U2 – The Fly
Perhaps somewhat of a curveball this one. Maybe some people would say having U2 in there is a curveball full stop but I will always defend them. They are one of the best bands of all time who have always tried to change and adapt their approach to keep things fresh. They are not afraid of trying something new. Back in the early nineties after the success of Joshua Tree etc this song came as a surprise and it never really gets much mention from their storied history but I find it is one the most atmospheric songs they did. With a wonderful rawkus Edge in the background and a Bono at his most soulful. It also features my favourite guitar solo ever. Wonderful.
Weblinks
Add to favourites5) Embrace – Fireworks
Danny Mcnamara has a much lambasted voice when it comes to the ballads and that criticism isn’t without foundation – his voice isn’t the best. But on this one it doesen’t matter. The song is simple, beautiful and haunting. A song to be saddened by and enthralled by in equal measures. Perhaps only Wires by Athelte comes close in the songs to melt you category. And we don’t melt easily here in the north you know!
4) Dubstarr - Stars
I remember first hearing this and thinking if I meet a girl who likes this song then she will be the one for me! I quickly realised that a) not only is life not that simple you idiot! But b) I was really just covering up the fact that I fancied the lead singer! But this is again a beautiful simple song that has always stood the test of time to me and sounds as cool and fresh as it did in 1995.
3) Coldplay – Clocks
It’s the piano- the fact that Mr Martin manages to get that much harmony out of a few pieces of ivory never ceases to amaze me, particularly when I see them perform it live. Its also a gorgeous song that has lyrics of futility but ultimately hope which I think spoke to a generation. Apart from that bit about tigers waiting to be tamed…not sure about that at all to be honest- he went one too far.
2) Depeche Mode – Home
As I have mentioned elsewhere on this website – the most important song to me ever. Wonderful lyrics. A wonderful sentiment about home being where the heart is and should always be. But it’s the searing strings and ominous synth in the background in the last few seconds that always give me that goose pimple feel that you should always get with your favourite tracks!
1) Interpol - PDA
It is a strange one this as for the first two thirds of this song it could be mistaken for any other Interpol track. Its at that point though that the drum returns, and a beautiful cacophony of guitars (well three but it sounds like more) compliments each other perfectly and drag you mercilessly towards a fantastic climax. First time I heard this I listened to it another 5 times back to back. It simply wasn’t enough. And when your favourite song is performed live as a surprise encore at the end of a gig you know you have reached an auditory peak. Till the next time you go see them of course.
So there you are, my list. But that’s the great thing about lists- hardly anyone will agree with any of these choices nor should you. You will have your own top ten, you might not have thought about it but its there at the back of your subconscious and one day you may be prompted to put pen to paper. I urge you to do it.
But for your consumption this is my definitive list……hang on………… nope it just changed again.
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