Brady Only - ought, 2022

"Wave function collapse, left in the dark What was meant Versus what was said What was heard against what's happened since."

James - many faces, 2018

"To celebrate International Peace Day"

The New Division - synthetique, 2024

"Synthetique by The New Division offers a captivating blend of dark allure and undeniable intrigue. Its brooding melodies and pulsating beats create an immersive experience that resonates with listeners seeking depth and emotion."

The Radio Dept - bus, 2003

"this song is absolutely amazing....one of many favorites from them."

Such a great song!

Guillemots - who left the lights off baby, 2005

"The imagery of a dog chasing a bone represents the endless pursuit of something that may not truly satisfy us, while the mention of honey that has lost its sweetness could symbolize the realization that appearances can be deceiving. It's a reminder to seek out the essence of what brings joy rather than just the outward trappings of success."

The National - weird goodbyes, 2022

“Weird Goodbyes” was one of the first new songs we made. I was misusing drum machines, as usual, and stumbled onto this beat that got stuck in my head—it felt like something only [drummer] Bryan [Devendorf] could naturally play. We built the song around the beat. Matt's melody and words felt so elegant and moving from the beginning—mourning a loss of innocence and motivation, holding onto memories and feelings that inevitably slip away and the grief we all suffer in weird goodbyes."

Tahiti 80 - the train, 2002

"Tahiti 80’s adventure began in the French cities of Rouen and Paris in the mid ‘90s. Taking their name from a souvenir T-shirt , Tahiti 80 has released 9 acclaimed albums and a number of solo ventures as well! Number 10 album is on its way!"

Bee Gees - secret love, 1991

"Secret Love" is a song by musical group the Bee Gees. It was released as the lead single from their 19th studio album, High Civilization (1991), on 18 February 1991 by Warner Bros. Records. It is an up-tempo song with a Supremes style similar to the 1986 Diana Ross hit "Chain Reaction", which was also written by the Bee Gees. The single reached the top 10 in several European countries, but was not released as a single in the United States."

The Beatles - ob-la-di ob-la-da, 1968

"Paul McCartney began writing "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" during the Beatles' stay in Rishikesh, India, in early 1968. Prudence Farrow, one of their fellow Transcendental Meditation students there, recalled McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison playing it to her in an attempt to lure her out of her room, where she had become immersed in intense meditation. McCartney wrote the song when reggae was becoming popular in Britain; author Ian MacDonald describes it as "McCartney's rather approximate tribute to the Jamaican ska idiom". The character of Desmond in the lyrics, from the opening line "Desmond has a barrow in the market-place", was a reference to reggae singer Desmond Dekker, who had recently toured the UK. The tag line "Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah" was an expression used by Nigerian conga player Jimmy Scott-Emuakpor, an acquaintance of McCartney. According to Scott's widow, as part of his stage act with his band Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da, Scott would call out "Ob la di", to which the audience would respond "Ob la da", and he would then conclude: "Life goes on."

Johnny Marr - day in day out, 2018

"Manchester is a bit like the British Amsterdam. The people, they’re kinda friendly, but they are sort of mellow. They leave you to your own thing, I find the Dutch to be very much the same. In Liverpool people are really friendly, in Glasgow people are very edgy, but in Manchester, they just let you be who you are."

Pet Shop Boys - a new life, 1987

"the lyrics of "A New Life" easily lend themselves to an alternative interpretation involving Chinese history. In 1930s the Chinese Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-shek instituted "The New Life Movement," which sought to unite China and overcome foreign cultural infuences (including European colonialism, Japanese militarism, and Marxism) through a Chinese tradition-oriented, highly moralistic "neo-Confucianism." Unfortunately, its zealous and often brutal enforcement was oppressive and even fascistic in nature. As a result, it proved extremely unpopular with most of the Chinese citizenry. My site visitor believes that more than just the song's title points toward a possible connection, citing the following lines from the lyrics: 'Stars collect overhead They look down over China and I might as well be dead' Could it be the song specifically mentions China because its narrator lives there during the 1930s and longs to escape from its oppression? In this way, the references to "a new life" might be rather ironic in nature as the narrator wants to escape to a better new life away from "The New Life Movement." Further, the line "It's time to make a move though you don't sympathise" may suggest the narrator's wish to leave behind an ideology with which he or she disagrees."

Fun - we are young, 2012

"We Are Young" is a song recorded by American pop rock band Fun, featuring American singer Janelle Monáe. It is the third track on the group's second studio album, Some Nights (2012). The song was released on September 20, 2011 as the lead single from the album. The song quickly received acclaim from music critics, with many noting the song as a breakthrough for the indie genre and praising the song's catchiness. "We Are Young" attained commercial success worldwide, reaching number one in several countries."

Det Vackra Livet - viljan, 2011

"Inspired by his grandmother's memories and Finland Swedish poet Claes Andersson, Philip Ekström wrote fifteen songs which would become material for the band during a creative outburst in late 2010. The group's first single "Viljan" was released digitally on Labrador Records in January 2011. The group released a ten-track self-titled debut album in May 2011. Det Vackra Livet translates to The Beautiful Life in English."

Dreams On Tape - nineteen ninety-nine, 2022

"Dreams on Tape is an experimental indie project based in Tampa, FL formed in 2020. The band is the moniker of Jake Benfant, who writes and records everything in his apartment. The project has influences including: coming of age films, music documentaries, vintage photographs, modern bedroom and dream pop artists, and psychedelia. The result is a fresh sound with nostalgic roots."

The Flaming Lips - children of the moon, 2012

"The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends is the first album in the "Fwends" series by the American rock band the Flaming Lips in collaboration with a variety of guests."

Moby - lie down in darkness, 2011

"The piano, chords, and the synths here are so dreamy and enjoyable, perfect for a long drive home."

Bee Gees - our love don't throw it all away, 1978

"The universal experience of love and the vulnerability it brings, reminds me that to love is to risk, but also to hold onto the possibility of what could be, even in the face of silence. It's a testament to the strength of the human spirit, which clings to hope even when the odds seem insurmountable."

Passion Pit - it's not my fault i'm happy, 2012

"it's intentionally abstract, so there wouldn't be a specific meaning, more of a general feel. And maybe it's just me, but I think the general concept is more about society being what it is"

The Beatles - penny lane, 1967

"Penny Lane" was kind of nostalgic, but it was really [about] a place that John and I knew ... I'd get a bus to his house and I'd have to change at Penny Lane, or the same with him to me, so we often hung out at that terminus, like a roundabout. It was a place that we both knew, and so we both knew the things that turned up in the story."

Noah And The Whale - shape of my heart live, 2011

"There was a week where we did Japan, Australia, Canada and Chicago in eight days. And I hate flying"

El Perro Del Mar - do the dog, 2006

"there are those moments, perhaps in a burst of joy or a surge of self-discovery, where we find ourselves doing the 'Dog' — a metaphorical dance, maybe, where we embrace both the social butterfly and the solitary wanderer within us. It's a dance of being human, of recognizing our need for both connection and personal space, and of celebrating that duality with a carefree spirit"

Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds - the ship song, 1990

"I never seen the artist tell what the song means to them on this site, it's rare that they even say that in interviews. Very cool song."

Mayer Hawthorne - a strange arrangement, 2009

"It’s heavily inspired by classic soul and Motown, but it’s new music, and it’s also very hip-hop influenced (in that), you know, there’s just as much J Dilla in there as is Holland-Dozier-Holland. And, you know, as far as artists that I’m feeling right now, it’s mostly non-soul artists — like there’s a Norwegian singer-songwriter named Hanne Hukkelberg that I love right now. I really liked the Santogold album. Lykke Li. Uh, what else…and I listen to a lot of stuff like The Smashing Pumpkins and The Police and Steel Pulse."

Liquido - i won't try, 1999

"Liquido was a German rock band formed in Sinsheim, Germany in 1996 by four friends: Wolle Maier (drums, programming), Wolfgang Schrödl (vocals, guitar, keyboards, piano), Stefan Schulte-Holthaus (bass) and Tim Eiermann (vocals, guitar). The vast majority of their songs are sung in English. Their debut single “Narcotic”, recorded in 1997, was a hit in many European countries in 1998. This song was later remixed and became a German, Austrian and Dutch hit for YouNotUs in 2019."

The Thrills - hidden track plans, 2003

"During a trip to San Francisco, they finally decided on the name The Thrills. Back home they went into Sun Studios in Temple Bar to record two tracks, ‘Old Friends, New Lovers’ and ‘Santa Cruz (You’re Not That Far)’. In August, they received a call from Alan Culivan who was working for Lakota Records at the time. At the end of October they recorded a Fanning Session which included ‘Plans’ (secret track on So Much for the City), ‘No One Likes to be Upstaged (b-side of ‘One Horse Town’), ‘Car Crash’ (‘Santa Cruz’ EP) and ‘Don’t Play it Cool’. They also played their first gig as The Thrills at the Temple Bar Music Centre supporting Turn. Another support in Whelan’s followed. And around this time, Alan Culivan left Lakota and decided to give it his all as The Thrills’ manager."

Tame Impala - feels like we only go backwards, 2012

"More than 40 years after the rise and fall of Syd Barrett, there's no shortage of bands making lysergic-laced psych-rock. The bomb could drop tomorrow and within a few months the cockroaches would probably be writing songs influenced by Magical Mystery Tour. And yet the form isn't fully exhausted; in fact, as Tame Impala proved on the fantastic Lonerism's best track, "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards", this music can still blow your brain back to its most purely joyous and least cynical recesses."

Suzanne Vega - luka, 1987

"Luka" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega, released as the second single from her second studio album, Solitude Standing (1987), in May 1987. It remains her highest-charting hit in the United States, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Worldwide, the song charted the highest in Sweden, peaking at No. 2, and reached the top 10 in Austria, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. Shawn Colvin sings background vocals on the record."

Pet Shop Boys - always on my mind cover demo version, 1987

"Always On My Mind (Demo Version) also known as unspecified version, ('Love Me Tender' version) produced by David Jacob."

Sambassadeur - kate, 2006

"Of all the Swedish groups in recent years, Sambassadeur have perhaps the most in common with likely indie-kid preconceptions of Swedishness - no blog-house attitude or hip posturing here."

We Are Revolution - all alone in this town, 2021

"Dminor and Falcon Chest, the two members of We Are Revolution, have dug into their parents record collections as well as exploring the record stores of their hometown to come up with an eclectic mix of the last 30 years of electronic pop music."

The Seekers - cloudy cover, 1967

"Cloudy" is a song by American music duo Simon & Garfunkel from their third studio album, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966). It was co-written by Paul Simon and Bruce Woodley of the Seekers; that band later covered it on their 1967 album Seekers Seen in Green. The Cyrkle released a version of the song on their 1966 debut album, Red Rubber Ball. The title track, Red Rubber Ball, was also written by the duo of Woodley/Simon."

Darksoft - utopia, 2023

"Darksoft is a singer-songwriter from Portland that makes dreamy alternative rock. Last month he released a new single via Spirit Goth, This Is Pop?"

Fleetwood Mac - mystified, 1987

"The mid-80s were not the kindest time for 60s and 70s rock legends. For every gimlet-eyed operator who successfully navigated an alien and unforgiving landscape of power ballads, crashing snare drums, Fairlight synthesisers and MTV moonmen – the Eagles’ Don Henley and Glenn Frey; Tina Turner – there were scores who seemed utterly lost. It was a world in which the natural order of things had been turned on its head to such a degree that the drummer from Genesis was now one of the biggest stars on the planet. David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed … at best, they ended up making albums that diehard fans pick over for tiny morsels that suggest they’re not as bad as the reputations preceding them; at worst they made stuff they’d spend subsequent years loudly disowning, involving terrible clothes, inappropriate producers, awful cover versions and – in extreme cases – attempts to rap. In theory at least, Fleetwood Mac should have been in more trouble than anyone. The band that reassembled after a four-year hiatus to record 1987’s Tango in the Night was in even greater disarray than usual. The celebrated complications in their personal lives that had fuelled 1977’s 40m-selling Rumours were still taking a psychological toll, as was the band’s celebrated capacity for excess. Singer Stevie Nicks emerged from rehab, free of cocaine but soon to become addicted to clonazepam, a tranquilliser so strong she claimed not to remember a subsequent four-month US and European tour. Nicks rarely turned up to the recording sessions at guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Buckingham’s home studio; when she did, Buckingham banished her and drummer Mick Fleetwood to a Winnebago on the driveway, horrified at the state they were in. Bassist John McVie’s drinking was out of control; he had an alcohol-induced seizure the year Tango in the Night was released. The era was brought to a suitably miserable close when Buckingham and Nicks had a physical altercation after the former announced his departure from the band."

Etienne Daho - au commencement, 1996

"Daho re-recorded the song "Au Commencement" in English as "A New World" for the Anglophone market."

Pet Shop Boys - between two islands, 2012

"Recorded during the Release sessions and very nearly part of that album, this vaguely "tropical" number was deleted during the final determination of the tracklist. The lyrics revolve around an extended metaphor for a failed love affair, described in nautical terms. The narrator and his erstwhile lover—at one point referred to as the "crew" and the "captain," respectively—charted a course between the two islands of the title: the "Island of Lovers" and the "Island of Whores." According to Neil (as reported in the April 2003 issue of the Boys' fan-club magazine Literally), these aren't merely a metaphorical fantasy; they're the names, when translated, of two actual islands off the coast of Estonia. The fact that there's "a very treacherous passage between them" inspired this song."

The Moody Blues - the voice, 1981

"With "The Voice" this whole period of my life was quite a difficult one, I suppose. I was sort of searching and seeking. It was a very insecure time. I think it was for all of us, and it reflected in the album as well. I was trying to relearn a lot of things in my life and set some kind of standard. I didn't feel I had a lot of things in common with a lot of things that were going on around me. I felt apart from it. I was kind of expressing those insecurities, really."

The Thrills - til the tide creeps in, 2003

"From the melancholic opening strains of 'Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)' to the closing bars of 'Til The Tide Creeps In' - and a rather sumptious bonus track - it's one pop confection from beginning to end."

Editors - the phone book, 2013

"When we were recording and looking out over the mountains, it was just stunning."

Swallow - sugar your mind, 1992

"Any early-'90s 4AD release is bound to have certain Cocteau Twins qualities, and Blow is no exception -- unfortunately, Swallow's vaguely danceable grooves add about three cups of water for every cup of pure art-rock influence, and the album comes across as a dated exercise in marginal blissfulness."

Cocteau Twins - cico buff, 1988

"The Cocteau Twins' song 'Cico Buff' is a poetic exploration of love's ephemeral and fragile nature, wrapped in the band's signature ethereal soundscapes. The lyrics, delivered in Elizabeth Fraser's distinctive, almost otherworldly voice, weave a tapestry of emotions that oscillate between the celestial and the earthly. The song opens with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty in love, as the narrator reflects on the fickleness of affection and the vague nature of their partner's feelings. This sets the stage for a deeper contemplation of love's transient beauty and the comfort found in the cosmic order."

Bee Gees - you win again, 1987

"When we get together and write, it's not like three individuals ― it's like one person in the room. Usually, we have a book of titles and we just pick one. I loved 'You Win Again' as a title, but we had no idea how it might turn out as a song. It ended up as a big demo in my garage, and I recorded stomps and things. There was just one drum on there. The rest was just sounds. Then, everybody tried to talk us out of the stomps at the start. They didn't want it. 'Take it off. Too loud! Can we have them not on the intro, just when the music starts?' All this stuff, but as soon as you hear that 'jabba-doomba, jabba-doomba' on the radio, you know it's us. It's a signal. So, that's one little secret ― give people an automatic identification of who it is."

Paul McCartney - through our love, 1983

"The string part contains a message in Morse code. The violins play the high notes in the intro, from start to 6 seconds, spelling out P-E-A-C-E."

The Flaming Lips - mr ambulance driver, 2005

"The Flaming Lips have the uncanny ability to create music that finally lets my life accept some kind of positivity. Even in a sadder song such as Mr.Ambulance Drive, I recognize the morbidness of the situation, but at the same time feel an inspirational power infuse my soul. As the lyrics amalgamate with the sounds I feel introspectivley energized and ready to finally crawl out from underground and embrace the beautiful blue sky. The Flaming Lips are a magical source of musical serenity."

Fleet Foxes - a sky like i've never seen, 2022

"I was inspired by how the film employed unconventional means to arrive at something universally moving, and was struck by all the collisions inherent in the film’s conceit—between species, between hemispheres, between individuals, between the psychological and the natural. In hotel rooms and in borrowed studios, on time stolen from a world tour, I put this song together. It was an honor to be asked to make a song that could serve as an end-cap to this unique and affecting story and to collaborate with Tim again."

Cat Stevens - wild world, 1970

"Wild World" is a song written and recorded by English singer-songwriter Cat Stevens. It first appeared on his fourth album, Tea for the Tillerman (1970). Released as a single in September 1970 by Island Records and A&M Records, "Wild World" saw significant commercial success, garnering attention for its themes of love and heartbreak, and has been covered numerous times since its release. Maxi Priest and Mr. Big had successful cover versions of the song, released in 1988 and 1993."

The Thrills - nothing changes around here, 2007

"Nothing Changes Around Here" is the first single taken from The Thrills' third album Teenager. The band sang the track live on the RTÉ One television show "Saturday Night With Miriam" on Saturday 14 July 2007."

Rádio Macau - amanhã é sempre longe demais, 1989

"Rádio Macau is a Portuguese pop rock band, formed in the early 1980's. Their greatest hit is "O Anzol", which was released as a single in 1988. The song is taken from their 1987 album, O Elevador da Glória. "O Anzol" was compared to the The Cure's "Just Like Heaven", released in October 1987."

The Beatles - hello goodbye, 1967

"The song originated when, in response to a question from Beatles aide Alistair Taylor about songwriting, McCartney sat down at a harmonium and asked Taylor to say the opposite of whatever he said. The completed song includes a musical coda, which was improvised by the Beatles when they were recording the track in October 1967. Unimpressed with the composition, Lennon pushed for "I Am the Walrus" to be the single's A-side, before reluctantly accepting that "Hello, Goodbye" was the more commercial-sounding of the two sides. The Beatles produced three promotional films for the song, one of which was shown on The Ed Sullivan Show in America. Due to the regulations against lip-syncing on British television, none of the clips were aired there."

Genesis - it, 1974

"it is that thing that gives something a true meaning. When you cook a very good dish, you've done it perfectly, with lot of effort, creativity, mojo, that dish has it, you've done it. Or when you do an excelent task at work, with lots of dedication, it has it. The lamb has it. The lyrics talk about a lot of things that have it."

William Fitzsimmons - futile devices cover, 2022

"Some of the songs remind me of my childhood. Some of the songs are low-key messages to individuals from my past—and they’re not necessarily positive. Some of the songs are just pure joy. Ultimately, they are all songs I love and respect from artists I think are incredible.”

Surf Rock Is Dead - show me the world, 2022

"Kevin Pariso and Joel Witenberg will tell you they don’t take themselves too seriously. Hence the name of their band, Surf Rock Is Dead (SRiD for short). This playfulness informs their music, a hybrid of surf rock, shoegaze, goth, and new wave, through which the duo meditates on the paradoxes of modern life."

The Beautiful South - from under the covers, 1989

"It's about somebody who stays in bed every morning, not so much because of laziness, but in order to cheat the capitalist system. Listen to an even better song Heaton wrote on this theme: 'We're Not Deep' by the Housemartins."

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - anymore, 2017

“Pains was a distinct moment in my life. I started the group when I first moved to New York and completed our last record, The Echo Of Pleasure, shortly before my daughter was born and I moved to Princeton, NJ. From that time forward, I never really felt the same – and the music I was creating didn’t feel the same either.”

Jens Lekman - your arms around me, 2007

"a perfect description of love, with the sweetness shining through in a time of distress, and urging you to look past the difficulties life offers and focus on the positive experiences"

The Radio Dept - falafel, 2002

"Taking their name from a petrol station come radio repair shop in Lund whose sign simply reads 'Radioavdelningen' (The Radio Department in Swedish, no less), Johan Duncanson and Martin Larsson founded the band a few years back and have added Kim Sjolander and Daniel Tjader to the band along the way.Already cherished in their home country, XL Recordings are now ready to unleash their quiet storm on the rest of the world. Their debut album, 'Lesser Matters', is a beautiful record which uses delicate songwriting and distorted white noise in equal measure. They are unlike anything else around, and the better for it, as anyone from Sweden will tell you."

Pet Shop Boys - the lost room, 2023

“It also seems to represent a sort of larger, philosophical or political point, where there’ve been times recently where the world feels a bit lost in terms of the direction it’s going in.”

Castlebeat - wish, 2022

"The end results of all of my albums so far have been like a home-made pie. Maybe a little rough here and there but at least you know that it’s all coming from one person. I don’t think a polished studio sound would suit my music style – I like to blur things with reverb & FX which I’ve found allow me to get away with some more poppy melodic ideas."

Marillion - chelsea monday, 1983

"The lyric idea was spun by seeing a number of people walking about Chelsea on a very, very early Monday morning. And it was these sort of actors that you don't know their names... And they were going down buying the morning Daily Expresses, it was a ritual, and they were looking at themselves in the window, as if to buy the paper was actually a take, it was part of some formal play they were in. It was also about young ladies, who often, sort of like me, live in their bedsit apartments, and they've got their Marks & Spencer's duvets and their collections of books and things. We put the two ideas together and confirmed that with the dreamers that you often get down in London that think that the paths are actually paved with gold. And we came up with this, again typical Marillion depressive vibe thing, where you've got the girl in the bedsit. She'd love to be an actress, but she's never got the guts to sort of make that jump from standard 9-5 into the great big world of entertainment industry."

Bee Gees - wish you were here, 1989

"Musically, the Bee Gees are known for their distinctive harmonies and emotive songwriting, which are both present in 'Wish You Were Here.' The song's melancholic tone is complemented by the music, creating an atmosphere that allows listeners to feel the weight of the narrator's emotions."

Pet Shop Boys - the resurrectionist, 2006

"The song takes its title from a darkly humorous nickname given to nineteenth-century graverobbers who supplied medical schools with cadavers: "resurrectionists". Neil's lyrics assume that same darkly humorous tone, reveling in perverse wordplay, including some rather macabre puns. For example, when two gentlemen in the same trade talk shop, the narrator notes, "We talked the same body language."

The Beatles - sgt pepper's lonely hearts club band reprise, 1967

"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" is a modified repeat of the opening song at a faster tempo and with heavier instrumentation. The track opens with McCartney's count-in; between 2 and 3, Lennon jokingly interjects "Bye!" Ringo Starr starts the song proper by playing the drum part unaccompanied for four bars, at the end of which a brief bass glissando from McCartney cues the full ensemble of two distorted electric guitars (played by George Harrison and Lennon), bass, drums and overdubbed percussion. In addition, McCartney overdubbed a Hammond organ part onto the track."

Damien Jurado - museum of flight, 2012

"I heard this song at a time when things in my life had already started changing without asking for my opinion. They either just up and walked away, or slowly started to float away. It was time for me to say goodbye to being in a band with two people I love dearly. I didn’t want to do it because I knew that meant losing them, even if only for a bit, but perhaps the worst part was, it also meant losing beloved parts of our friendship. It’s scary when you realize a relationship with a loved one is changing. Even if it’s for the better, change is hard."

Les Galapiats - ohé les gars, 1970

"Le générique a été composé par "ROGER MORES" et chanté par la Chorale du Collège St Pierre de Uccle (Belgique), sous la direction de l'Abbé Caron. Le titre du générique: "Ohé les gars"

http://mp3.centerblog.net/j/jmg/90n8ebz3.mp3

The Housemartins - five get over excited, 1987

"Music writer Rikki Rooksby notes that the track's "anti-hyperbolic title" is "positively revolutionary", as the use of hyperbole in pop lyrics is pervasive but never admitted. In 2007, the Manchester Evening News described the tune as "another corking chart hit that stands as a beacon amongst the dross of the 1980s."

Suzanne Vega - st clare, 2001

"It seems odd to talk about saints, and women too poor to afford shoes, being ones who hold "all man's desire." Whether "man" means male people or all people, surely many people desire more-- or at least other-- than what it is these women offer, which is enlightenment and piety. What about the things Clare herself is patron of? Don't people "desire" gold, and fine embroidery, and television? I'm sorry, but the statistics are pretty clear-- people want good reception as much as they want godly redemption. Perhaps we are reading too much into the song. Perhaps the imagery is merely impressionistic. It is very pretty, sparse in its arrangements as an Order of the Poor Ladies' cloister. Or perhaps one needs to know more about Suzanne Vega, or Saint Clare, to truly understand it."

Bee Gees - i can't see nobody, 1967

"I Can't See Nobody" is a song by the Bee Gees, released first as the B-side of "New York Mining Disaster 1941". With "New York Mining Disaster 1941", this song was issued as a double A in Germany and Japan, and included on the group's third LP, Bee Gees' 1st. "I Can't See Nobody" charted for one week at number 128 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 in July 1967."

The Thrills - no more empty words, 2007

"Teenager is the third album from Irish band The Thrills. It was released on 22 July 2007 in Ireland and three days later in Europe. The first single from the album was "Nothing Changes Around Here". The second release taken from the album was "The Midnight Choir" which was released as a download-only single. Teenager reached No. 48 on the UK Albums Chart."

The Beatles - hey jude, 1968

"In 1967, John Lennon had left his wife and son and was living with Yoko Ono. Paul McCartney didn’t want Cynthia Lennon to think he’d also abandoned her and Julian, just because John had left, so he drove to see them in Weybridge. Being a songwriter, he naturally began making up a tune as he drove. He hoped Julian wouldn’t start crying, that would just make a sad situation worse. So he sang: “Hey Jules, don’t make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better.” In the event, although he liked the song, he thought ‘Jules’ was a bit awkward to sing. So he changed the name to Jude, and the song became ‘Hey Jude’."

Mazarin - the new american apathy, 2005

"Mazarin doesn't live in Chapel Hill, but they might as well - they've played here three times in as many months, and despite how enamored I am of We're Already There, I've managed to miss them every time until this show. I did catch their final song when they opened for the Walkmen at the Cat's Cradle a few months earlier, and I retained exactly one impression - for a pop band, they were defiantly loud, aspiring to My Bloody Valentine decibel-levels. Opening for Rogue Wave, they were quieter and fit well with the headliner; each blending sunny pop-rock and fuzzy melancholy, with Mazarin tilting more toward the former and Rogue Wave, the latter. The bands were almost too well-matched: When I walked in to the opening verse of "For Energy Infinite", it took me a minute to figure out which band it was even though I'm intimately familiar with the song."

The Parting Gifts - walking through the sleepy city cover, 2010

"Still, there is no denying the chemistry between them, leading the pair to wonder, what if the love of your life is actually your best friend?"

The Rolling Stones - tell me, 1964

"When [Jagger and Richards] began to write songs, they were usually not derived from the blues, but were often surprisingly fey, slow, Mersey-type pop numbers ... 'Tell Me' was quite acoustic-based, with a sad, almost dispirited air. After quiet lines about the end of the love affair, the tempo and melody both brighten"

Fazerdaze - jennifer, 2017

"The music of Amelia Murray, who records as Fazerdaze, is on its surface bright and summery. Pick any track at random from Morningside, her excellent full-length debut for Flying Nun, and you’ll be greeted by foamy waves of guitar and Murray’s warm, sighing voice. But zero in on the lyrics, and the sun begins to fade. A portrait of romantic uncertainty, Morningside rests Murray’s emotionally-candid lyrics in silvery latticeworks of guitar, and the resulting tension is one of the things that makes the record so alluring."

The Style Council - come to milton keynes, 1985

"The song’s lyrics suggested a reality of drugs, violence, and ‘losing our way’ behind a façade of ‘luscious houses ‘ where the ‘curtains are drawn’, the idea being to create a musical pastiche which matched the supposed artificiality of Milton Keynes itself."

Future Islands - say goodbye, 2024

"From the start, Future Islands have been singular and instantly identifiable, with Herring’s life-worn croons and cries backlit by Gerrit Welmers’ melodies and charged by the rhythms of William Cashion and Michael Lowry. That premise hasn’t changed on People Who Aren’t There Anymore, but never before has the band sounded so empathetic and Herring so integrated, with what he is singing and how they sound blended like a dioramic mosaic."

Status Quo - pictures of matchstick men, 1968

"I wrote it on the bog. I'd gone there, not for the usual reasons...but to get away from the wife and mother-in-law. I used to go into this narrow frizzing toilet and sit there for hours, until they finally went out. I got three quarters of the song finished in that khazi. The rest I finished in the lounge."

My Sad Captains - great expectations, 2009

"On ‘Wide Open’, he has a single, simple insight, singing the song’s only line “I wonder why you feel the need to talk so loud like there isn’t anybody else around” over looped, pirouetting guitar, flares of tasteful feedback and a steady krautrock beat. A lyric less than a tweet in length turned into a stunning mantra, it’s the definition of less being more. And there’s no judgement, no scabrous sneer, just encouraging acceptance in its repeated delivery. It’s one of many highlights on an LP that speaks volumes for understatement and the beauty of quiet, wounded optimism."

The National - about today, 2004

"Wow, the things you can find online sometimes. “About Today” from The National first appeared on the Cherry Tree EP released in 2004. The studio version is very good. The live version on the 2008 Virginia EP will bring you to tears, it is that incredible.The fact the song is a part of the end scene for the movie “Warrior” simply takes things to an even more incredible level. What a clip, truly capable of bringing a man to tears."

Status Quo - technicolor dreams, 1968

"Even if this is not the most representative album from Status Quo, it is a good psychedelic pop exercise that sometimes includes very imaginative guitar phrases ("Ice in the Sun"), and some brilliantly unusual sounds (the epic "Paradise Flat")."

REM - fascinating, 2001

"Michael Stipe once said, “Sometimes before we make a record I go back and listen to a few. It’s equally humbling and uplifting.” But what happens to the songs that don’t make the album, did Michael feel regret for the songs they left behind. One R.E.M. outtake that I particular love is “Fascinating” from 2001’s Reveal Sessions."

Bill Ryder-Jones - i hold something in my hand, 2024

“Even by my standards the last few years have been rocky, but I’ve chosen to soundtrack it with more positive music, you know?”

Postiljonen - plastic panorama, 2013

"Postiljonen is a dream pop trio formed in Stockholm in 2011. The band composed of one Norwegian gal (Mia Bøe) and two Swedish dudes (Daniel Sjörs and Joel Nyström Holm). In this short period of time they have managed to create a characteristic sound, where ethereal and alluring vocals are interwoven in a mystical, ambient, dreamy and lovable expression. They have been compared to the likes of M83, Sigur Rós, jj and Cocteau Twins. They take inspiration from old black & white movies, the golden 80s, Balearic scenery, sleepless summer nights, and describe themselves as nostalgic daydreamers, which the music reflects perfectly."

Josh Rouse - feeling no pain, 2002

"Under Cold Blue Stars is the third album by indie folk musician Josh Rouse. It was released in 2002 and was his last album for Slow River Records."

Keane - leaving so soon, 2006

"In 2008, Under the Iron Sea was voted the 8th best British album of all time by a poll conducted by Q Magazine and HMV."

Status Quo - spicks and specks cover, 1968

"Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo is the debut studio album by the English rock band Status Quo, released in September 1968. It features several covers, including "Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers."

REM - munich cover live, 2008

"26 March 2008 - 'Live Lounge', BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1 Studios, Yalding House, London, England - set: Supernatural Superserious / Interview with Jo Whiley / Munich - notes: Radio interview with Jo Whiley & live in-studio acoustic performance. 'Munich' is a cover of a song by Editors"

Hamish Hawk - angel numbers, 2022

"A musical Rubik's cube, just when you think you have him figured out, one twist of the bricks sends the colours scattering into a twisted collage. His 2021 breakthrough, Heavy Elevator, was a joyous indie-pop romp. But despite its flashes of familiarity, as a record it was very hard to pin down. Pulp, The Magnetic Fields and even Smog are apt reference points, but Hawk is not – nor does he try to be like – them. Angel Numbers is a continuation of his ability to confound. While its predecessor may have been years in the making, consisting of songs compiled and tailored over a lifetime, Angel Numbers was written entirely in its wake. The result is twelve songs with an even greater sense of cohesion, and displaying an exploratory nature resulting from having less time to second guess himself."

Bee Gees - give your best, 1969

"Everything got out of hand and we didn't know which way we were heading. We'd never really finished the album. It was our own production and we were very proud of it, but it all turned out different. It marked a period of breaking up and we weren't talking to each other, so we weren't in the studio together half the time and weren't as friendly toward each other. The recording took three or four months which was a long time in those days. Bee Gees 1st was done in a month. It would be nice to re-master the album once and as a bonus maybe do a live version of some of the songs."

The Thrills - say it ain't so, 2003

"I've grown up with so many bands I love that could never get arrested over here. I never expected too much. I kind of came here pessimistic, in a good way."

The Radio Dept - david the rice twins remix, 2009

"A new single, "David", was released on June 24th 2009. It included four songs; "David", "Messy Enough", "David (Rice Twins Remix)" and "The Idle Urban Contemporaries". The song "David" has been made available for download at no cost by Labrador Records."

The Flaming Lips - turn it on, 1993

"Transmissions from the Satellite Heart is the sixth studio album by American rock band the Flaming Lips, released in 1993 by Warner Bros. Records. The album marked the departure of Jonathan Donahue (to Mercury Rev) and Nathan Roberts, and the addition of guitarist Ronald Jones and drummer Steven Drozd."

Death Cab For Cutie - crooked teeth, 2005

"One of my favorite, favorite writers in the whole world is a man named Raymond Carver and he had this way of writing stories about people living small lives going through some very, uh... their very own trials and tribulations in ways that I've always really admired. I wanted to kind of create a story that involved two characters that were trapped by geography in Southern Florida and that they were kind of keeping themselves captive and the city that surrounded them was seemingly closing in on them and this was the outcome of that experiment. This is my attempt to be a junior Raymond Carver."

Franz Ferdinand - you're the reason i'm leaving, 2005

"I liked the reference to R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts", the song that has supposedly prevented hundreds of people from offing themselves in horrible ways. To juxtapose the image of him pleasantly driving in his car, hearing that song, then fighting the urge to cry and lashing out is brilliant. Also, the ambiguity of exactly who is leaving who here is great (I'm the reason you're leaving / no, you're the reason I'm leaving) Nothing like a nice song about a mutually-self-destructive relationship to get your blood pumping in the morning :)"

Echo And The Bunnymen - the game, 1987

"You’d have got long odds on Echo & The Bunnymen remaining an operational unit in 2024. First, there are the ongoing lifestyle challenges singer Ian McCulloch – at the should-know-better age of 64 – continues to set himself. Then there’s the somewhat distant relationship he maintains with the group’s other creative mainspring, lead guitarist Will Sergeant. Finally, here’s a group whose romantic/eccentric refusal to play whatever game was going has often ended in some kind of meltdown – multiple defeats wrenched from the jaws of victory."

Flowerovlove - out for the weekend, 2022

“‘Out For The Weekend’ is about me and my best friend specifically never dressing for the weather and being cold in London because we committed more to our outfit than to comfort.”

The Durutti Column - waiting, 2006

"The Durutti Column were among the first acts signed to Manchester's Factory Records label - which was also home to Joy Division, New Order and the Happy Mondays. His band were highly influential but never sought commercial success. Reilly also played guitar for Morrissey on his debut solo album, Viva Hate. He had his first stroke in 2010 and two more followed in 2011. "He has asked me to send his love to all of you," Matt Reilly wrote. "You've given him the best start to his new year that anyone could have asked for. "And he's determined to fight his way back to fitness and rebuild the power in his hands so he can play guitar again. "It's going to be a hard road ahead for him, but you've all made his life a lot brighter."

The Mary Onettes - pleasure songs, 2007

"It may sound a bit on the nostalgic side, though its influences merely melt into a greater whole, in which various sounds meld together in synth-pop ecstasy"

The Durutti Column - sara e tristana, 1983

"The Durutti Column — the band of brilliant guitarist Vini Reilly and drummer Bruce Mitchell — was one of the major stakes out of Manchester label Factory Records, created by the charismatic and legendary Tony Wilson. The time of their early records coincides with the stint of Portuguese writer and journalist Miguel Esteves Cardoso in that city in a post-industrial hangover. They first connected there and then. Eventually, Durutti Column played an acclaimed performance at Vilar de Mouros festival in 1982 and Lisbon’s Aula Magna in 1983. That same year, the friendship prompted the idea of a record under the newly founded label Fundação Atlântica of Miguel Esteves Cardoso, Pedro Ayres Magalhães (Corpo Diplomático, Heróis Do Mar, Madredeus) and the late Ricardo Camacho (Sétima Legião), whose purpose was to become the equivalent of Factory Records in Portugal. The album Amigos Em Portugal was recorded on a flying visit within a single day. It has the trademark melancholic and fairy-like guitar of Vini Reilly and contains tracks such as “Lisboa”, “Menina ao Pé Duma Piscina” (Girl By A Pool), “Estoril À Noite” (Estoril At Night), “Sara E Tristana” (Miguel Esteves Cardoso’s twin daughters), “Vestido Amarrotado” (Creased Dress), “Saudade,” and the title track, “Amigos Em Portugal”

The Radio Dept - tell you about my job, 2002

"In the 15 years The Radio Dept. has been around, the Swedish duo has tried valiantly to resist the required expectations of musicians: touring, promotion, interaction, even putting out albums has been a struggle. Despite this, The Radio Dept.‘s Johan Duncanson and Martin Carlberg (ne Larsson) have managed to maintain a strong international following, gaining cult-like status in the process."

The Thrills - one horse town, 2003

"One Horse Town" is the second single released by Irish band the Thrills from their debut album, So Much for the City (2003). It was released on 10 March 2003 and reached number seven on the Irish Singles Chart, becoming the band's highest-charting song in their home country. It also peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart."

Damien Jurado - gork meets the desert monster, 2022

"The final song, Gork Meets The Desert Monster, is the rangiest and most complex. It divides itself in two, rather like the narrator, and glides towards a restless, pregnant silence."