The Streets- Everything Is Borrowed

From the album of the same name, what I like about this album is that most of the tracks make you think.
I know, I know, that sounds really cheesey, but listen to this and then "The Escapist" and "The Way Of The Dodo" and you'll see what I mean. Mike Skinner is a genius and possibly one of the best writers around in the UK at present. I bet the rest of the people who were supposed to make up The Streets but left him in the lurch at the last minute, are kicking themselves now.
The Streets last album comes out later this year but Skinner is carrying on under a new name.

Fatboy Slim- Right Here, Right Now

The tune made me notice Norman Cook and I'm probably not alone in that.
I think what really helps is the fantastic video!

Basia Bulat- Snakes & Ladders

From the album "Oh My Darling" (2007).
I was first introduced to Basia Bulat's music when I was working at Ogilvy. A good friend who loved music as much as me, gave me her album and it's great. She reminds me of Eva Cassidy a bit.
Anyway, I find this her album very soothing but upbeat at the same time. Enjoy.

Procal Harum- A Whiter Shade Of Pale

The drumming isn't in time with the organ and the lyrics don't make sense but my god, what a song!
This just about fits nearly every sad movie ending and is possibly my favourite song to slow dance to.

Gary Puckett And The Union Gap- Young Girl

About 7 years ago, on a rainy drive back to my student digs after a break at my parents, Terry Wogan played this. It's one of those songs that, for what ever reason, you just can't explain why you like it but you bloody well do! Hearing this on "Glee" being mashed with The Police's "Don't stand so close to me" just reconfirmed why I like it so much.

Chuck Berry- Johnny B. Goode

Again, another inspiration to The Beatles (They covered it on "With The Beatles"), but to be honest, you can't not like Little Richard and not this guy. You also can't not like this song if you like Marty McFly's version in "Back to the future". It's not the greatest quality but it's quite a rarity this video (I would have thought) hence why I've put it up. But there's the version above it that is of a far better quality.

Little Richard- Long Tall Sally

As I've mentioned, I love The Beatles and anything that can be linked them. Tenuously or not.
A music mag a few months back issued a free album called "Pre-Fab", a CD comp of tracks that inspired the Fab Four. This is on it and you can't help but like this song and have a smile on your face.
It's the raw energy that Little Richard puts into it. You get the passion for and love of entertaining the audience from the first note to the last.

Scorpions- Wind of Change

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There are songs that you know you shouldn't like but they stick to you bluetac (whitetac in the USA) superglued to your brain. This is one of them. It must have been buried deep in the depths of my memory as it wasn't until I watched "In search of a midnight kiss" that I remembered I liked this song.
So, here it is...

Stevie Wonder- Past Time Paradise

My Dad introduced me to Stevie Wonder around the same time he introduced me to Ramsey Lewis.
I mean, yes, I knew who Stevie Wonder was- we all know "Isn't she lovely" and "I just called to say I love you" but once you've listened to "Songs in the key of life",
I promise you that you'll discover why Stevie Wonder is heralded.

Outkast-Bombs Over Baghdad

Otherwise known as B.O.B,  I was watching MTV one Christmas when this song came on (it had just been released). Andre 3000s mc-ing, to me, was amazing and so to was the beat. To MC as quickly as that and for me to understand every word that came out of his mouth was great. And I thought Busta Rhymes was quick! Anyway, enjoy the song and video. Every time I hear or see this, I do.
Ps-There's no lyrics on here so I don't know why it says it does.

Human League- Being Boiled

I liked the Human League anyway (it helps when you were born in the early 80s and just listened to whatever music you could get you grubby hands on), but when I found this on the MOS 80s album that came out before Christmas 2009, well...
I think this is their best work.
I just love the synths on it.

Heaven 17- Temptation

The first time I heard this tune was on TV in the late 80s/early 90s. I fell in love with it then and still love it now. It gets everyone up and dancing within seconds of starting.
Can't believe these two guys were part of the original Human League line up, which nicely leads to...

Ramesy Lewis-Les Fluers

I discovered Ramsey Lewis a couple of years back when rifling through my parents vinyls, looking to put new music on to tapes to take to Uni. Amongst the ABBAs and Average White Band, I found "The Best of Ramsey Lewis" (circa. 1970).
The man can't half play the piano and although this particular song isn't it's some of the best Jazz I've heard (although I'll admit, I haven't heard that much-Miles Davis Jnr, Coltrane), but of course, that's just my opinion. My Dad would go for Miles Davis and Davis Jnr.

Blind Lemon Jefferson-Hot Dogs

Born blind in 1893, Blind Lemon is now considered by some to be the first star of the Blues (or the Father of Texas Blues).
Rumour has it that he taught the great T-Bone Walker how to play in exchange for T-Bone being his guide. Being a creative in advertising and having always possessed an inquisitive mind, when I spotted the album "Black Snake Moan" for a fiver, I thought it was worth a punt. And so it proved.

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons-Beggin'

When I heard the Madcon version, I couldn't get the song out of my head...AND THEN I HEARD THE ORIGINAL! 1000 times better, if not more. This remix is pretty good too.
You may laugh, but I would absolutely recommend "Jersey Boys" the musical and the greatest hits of the same name.

Tinie Tempah-Passout

Now, I love old school stuff. You know, The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin...
But every once in a while, I like to listen to hip hop or grime (or whatever people who think they're cool call it). I love Dizzee Rascal but I heard this, and f*** me! Blew me away!
Anyone know when (if it isn't already) the album's out?

The Beatles-Across the universe

The first song that me got in to The Beatles was "Magical Mystery Tour".

Not their finest but at 7 or 8 years old, it was repetitive and easy to remember.

I've been a massive fan ever since.

I don't particularly like the video someone's put this to but my god, I get goose bumps everytime I hear it.
From the album "Let it be" but you probably already knew that.