Enya - morning glory, 1988

"Morning Glory" is a previously unreleased track and an instrumental song by Irish musician, songwriter and singer Enya. It was a B-Side track for the second single from her second studio album, Watermark, "Evening Falls..." at the first time, released in December 1988 by WEA. In 2009, the song was contained in Japanese reissue and remastered edition of Watermark as a bonus twelfth track of the album."

The Radio Dept - four months in the shade, 2010

"Despite landing a whopping three songs on Sofia Coppola’s soundtrack for Marie Antoinette later in 2006, The Radio Dept. kept to select gigs around Europe and releasing one-off singles, letting the internet do the heavy promotional lifting for them. By the time their next record was on the horizon, The Radio Dept. were either modern ambassadors of saccharine dream pop or approaching a decade of being perpetual underrated, depending on who you asked."

Barclay James Harvest - hymn, 1977

"The album's title, Gone to Earth, refers to the fox hunter's cry used to indicate that the quarry has returned to its lair."

New Order - touched by the hand of god original version retro club mike pickering, 2002

"The box set was released as a compromise. The band's manager, Rob Gretton, had originally envisioned a box set called Recycle, which would feature all the singles New Order had released, one single per CD, in a grand 20 CD box. However, London Records deemed this excessive, and the idea was shelved. New Order released Get Ready in 2001 and a year later Retro surfaced. The CDs each have a particular theme: Pop, Fan, Club and Live. Each one was selected by a friend of the band."

Mike Oldfield - latin, 2003

"To remain faithful to the original album, Oldfield obtained a copy of the original 16 track tape, from Richard Barrie of AIR Studios; this multitrack was then recorded into Digidesign Pro Tools. There were a few parts of the multitrack recording missing however; this included parts of the "Finale", "Caveman" and "The Sailors Hornpipe" sections. These original tracks were then moved into Emagic Logic, where Oldfield used MIDI to create a tempo and time signature map; some sections of the original album had not been in time. A guide MIDI keyboard was laid on top, for which Oldfield usually used some Roland Strings. The first instrument to be recorded was the Glockenspiel at the beginning of Part One's "Introduction", and the final part to be recorded was the "Caveman" vocal track."

The Housemartins - he will find you out, 1987

"To anyone who owns a Housemartins album, or comes from my hometown of Hull, my special guest today needs no introduction. Described as alternative rock and pop, for four glorious years in the 1980's the Housemartins brought the music world their unique songs blending Marxist politics and Christianity. Stan Cullimore will always be fondly remembered for being the geeky one in specs who played the guitar. The band split in 1988. What happened to Stan afterwards?"

Neil Young - burned, 1966

"For many years, Decade was the only Neil Young compilation album available. A 1993 compilation called Lucky Thirteen was released, but it only covered Young's 1982–1988 output. It was not until 2004 that Reprise Records released a single-disc retrospective of his best-known tracks, titled Greatest Hits. Throughout the 1980s and '90s, Young promised fans a follow-up to the original Decade collection, provisionally titled Decade II; eventually, this idea was scrapped in favor of a much more comprehensive anthology to be titled Archives, spanning his entire career and ranging in size from a box set to an entire series of audio and/or video releases. The first release of archival material since Decade and Lucky Thirteen would appear in 2006, Live at the Fillmore East, a recording from a 1970 concert featuring Crazy Horse with Danny Whitten. Several other archival live releases followed, and in 2009 the first of several planned multi-disc box sets, The Archives Vol. 1 1963–1972, was issued. In April 2017 Decade was reissued on vinyl as a limited-edition Record Store Day release, with remastered vinyl and CD editions planned for general release in June 2017."

Saint Etienne - nothing can stop us, 1991

"Nothing Can Stop Us" is a song by English band Saint Etienne, released in May 1991 by Heavenly Records as the third single from their debut album, Foxbase Alpha (1991). It is the first release to feature Sarah Cracknell, who would continue to front the band from this release on. The single reached the number one spot on the American dance charts for one week. The song is based on a looped sample from Dusty Springfield's recording of "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face".

Saturday Looks Good to Me - meet me by the water, 2003

"Saturday Looks Good To Me are an indie pop group from Michigan. It is the brainchild of Fred Thomas, who's the only consistent band member. The Saturday Looks Good to Me was a project by Thomas, who went around asking various musicians to record some songs with him in 2000. What resulted was nine songs sounding like "dusty, loopy Motown-inspired pop".

The Mamas And The Papas - california dreamin, 1965

"California Dreamin'" is a song written by John and Michelle Phillips in 1963 and first recorded by Barry McGuire. The best-known version is by the Mamas & the Papas, who sang backup on the original version and released it as a single in December 1965. The lyrics express the narrator's longing for the warmth of Los Angeles during a cold winter in New York City. It is recorded in the key of C-sharp minor. "California Dreamin'" became a signpost of the California sound, heralding the arrival of the nascent counterculture era. It was certified three-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in June 2023 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2021, Rolling Stone placed the song at number 420 in its "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list."

The House Of Love - hope, 1988

"Arguably The House of Love’s best work was when they were briefly with Creation. The Creation recordings sound sparkly and clear while over production of their work with Fontana, weighs it down. This was the classic line-up when there was no animosity between Terry Bickers and Guy Chadwick. Bicker’s guitar work really drives songs like Destroy the Heart and Shine On. For anyone that has never heard the original version it is really is amazing. Very different to the Shine On that was released by Fontana and made it to number 20 in the charts. For a very brief moment in time just after The Smiths had demised, and before The Stone Roses took off. The House of Love were the biggest and brightest hopes in the scene."

A-ha - white canvas, 2002

"We have always enjoyed discussing a-ha and their solo projects, eagerly anticipating new albums, studying songwriting credits, discussing the production of the albums, the pleasant surprises and the occasional disappointments. For us it was always about the music, but in the beginning it was also about the posters, the articles, the self-composed top 10's and top 20's of the best a-ha songs, and of course the leather wristbands. Which we still wear, to be honest, as a testament to our commitment and somehow an integrated part of our identity as fans. It's like a lifeline to the past."

Rod Picott - ghost, 2019

"Rod Picott is confronting mortality. After heart scares and back surgery, he’s also in the middle of the most creatively prolific time in his career."

Bee Gees - spicks and specks live, 1989

"Sunshine pop (originally known as soft pop) is a subgenre of pop music that originated in Southern California in the mid-1960s. Rooted in easy listening and advertising jingles, sunshine pop acts combined nostalgic or anxious moods with "an appreciation for the beauty of the world". The category largely consists of lesser-known artists who imitated more popular groups such as the Mamas & the Papas and the 5th Dimension. While the Beach Boys are noted as prominent influences, the band's music was rarely representative of the genre."

Paul McCartney - this one, 1989

"Allmusic called the song "lovely". Rolling Stone opined that the song "extends its cute, lyrical conceit for too long and winds up taxing the listener's patience." Cash Box reviewed the single quoting from McCartney's song "Silly Love Songs" and claiming that McCartney "does them better than anyone I’ve heard since the ’60s."

Pat Metheny - to the end of the world, 1995

"The band uses "contemporary" pop rhythms on many of their selections but in creative ways and without watering down the popular group's musical identity. In addition Metheny for the first time in his recording career sounds a bit like his early influence Wes Montgomery on a few of the songs. With his longtime sidemen (keyboardist Lyle Mays, bassist Steve Rodby and drummer Paul Wertico) all in top form, Metheny successfully reconciles his quartet's sound with that of the pop music world, using modern technology to expand the possibilities of his own unusual vision of creative improvised music."

Red Sleeping Beauty - mi amor, 2016

“Four minutes of pop perfection….”Mi Amor” makes a 19-year wait for returning Swedish indie-pop legends Red Sleeping Beauty worth it”

Genesis - it live from the shrine auditorium united states, 1975

"Among the 'Holy Grail' items for Genesis fans, and rumoured to be one of the only professional recordings made on the band's final tour with Peter Gabriel, Genesis’ show at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. in January 1975 remains an extraordinary listen."

Belle And Sebastian - do it for your country, 2022

"The compassionate ballad “Do It for Your Country” transforms a patriotic catchphrase into a mantra urging a woman not to underestimate herself. “The world is just a game, something made of clay/But you are the great creator,” Murdoch sings. “So banish all your fears, grab it by the ears/Love and other things of beauty reign.” The band also acknowledges that this carpe diem attitude is easier preached than practiced: On the same track, Murdoch refers to himself as a “lobster in a pot/a songbird in a gilded nightmare.” Who is he to be offering advice about freedom?"

The Beatles - please please me, 1963

"Please Please Me" is a song released by the English rock band the Beatles. It was their second single in the United Kingdom, and their first in the United States. It is also the title track of their first LP, which was recorded to capitalise on the success of the single. It is a John Lennon composition (credited to McCartney–Lennon), although its ultimate form was significantly influenced by producer George Martin."

Black Box Recorder - girls guide for the modern diva, 2003

“I think if we had really wanted that level of success for Black Box Recorder, we would have committed ourselves to the band…we would have benefited from touring much more and further afield.”

The Moody Blues - emily's song live at red rocks, 1992

"While I have this album, I didn’t remember this song; however, it resonated with me on Friday. Along with singing lead and playing bass on this cut, Lodge plays ‘cello and celesta. Justin Hayward plays guitar and sings harmonies with his longtime friend. Mike Pinder’s contribution on Mellotron extends Lodge’s ‘cello to a full orchestra. He also plays harpsichord on the track, but it is buried in the mix and only surfaces in some of the quieter moments of the song."

AC Newman - all of my days and all of my days off, 2009

"The final song is like crawling back out into the sunlight and learning to love life again. Whatever’s got Newman on the upbeat, it’s contagious as he sings of some sort of epiphany that leads him to declare with almost religious fervor, “And now I give you all my days, and all of my days off.” Man, with the background vocals chiming in on that happy little chorus, this almost feels like something The Polyphonic Spree might come up with (or at least if you took about twenty instruments away from them). It’s a perfectly sunny, 60’s-inspired note to go out on, which is why repeating that chorus is the perfect way for this album to fade to a close."

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - extended souvenir, 1981

"An extended version of Souvenir (with an additional verse) was released as a 10" single and was later included as a bonus on the digitally remastered copies of Architecture & Morality. It was the second time the group had used this unusual release format, the first being the 10" single for "Messages" in May 1980."

Letting Up Despite Great Faults - maybe i'll hide with you, 2006

"Letting Up Despite Great Faults is the indie electro-based sonic diary of founding member Mike Lee. Their 2009 self-titled debut LP was an exploration of indiepop melodies, electro beats, and shoegaze guitars. The lead single "In Steps" instantly caught the attention of everyone from Pitchfork to Rolling Stone. With rave reviews and countless blog support, 2011 saw the release of Paper Crush, an EP full of washed synths, hazy guitars, and heartfelt pop that NPR called "both nostalgic and caught in a moment that feels never-ending." Since then, they've continued to refine and expand their sound in their 2nd LP, Untogether, an album that radiates infectious melodies, heartbreaking sentiments, and danceable dreampop. They have been compared to similar artists such as New Order, The Postal Service, M83, and The Radio Dept."

The Radio Dept - pulling our weight live at zouk singapore, 2010

"The buzz around all things Swedish hasn’t hurt, but the strong songwriting by Johan Duncanson keeps the Radio Dept. distinct. The solidity of the band’s core seems to be paying off, too. Duncanson’s original partner Elin Almered is still around and Martin Larsson has been in place since 1998, which gives the trio enough time together to deal with fluctuating lineups (for example, Larsson’s partner Lisa Carlberg is listed as the group’s bass player on most of their materials, but is credited on Pulling Our Weight)."

Edward II And The Red Hot Polkas - pomp and pride, 1989

"The band formed in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1980, in order to play for monthly dances at The Victory Club. Founder members Lizzy Howe-Pellant (melodeon) and Dion Cochrane (tenor banjo) were joined by Paul Burgess, Floss Headford and John Gill (fiddles), Martin Brinsford (sax) and Dave Haines (melodeon and concertina), and bringing in Richard Valentine on piano and as caller. It ran for a year or so in that form."

Marillion - chelsea monday manchester square demo, 1997

"Chelsea Monday" Continues the poet's contemplation of what is "out there", and sees the archetypal society woman getting all her style from magazines while inhabiting a strange plastic fantasy world created for her so that she doesn't have to think about it. The bleak music structure and insistent rhythms drive this music through dark layers and yet more gorgeous melodies - honestly, the hairs on the back of my neck have a tough time during this one!"

Beirut - now i'm gone the berlin-albuquerque sessions vol one, 2022

"Honestly I had had a period of around four years of writer's block (between the Rip Tide and No No No) and it came during a period of extreme stress and instability. I don't really know how to answer except to say that when I went back to basics and learned to forget about the concept of an "audience" or "critics", I was able to feel the pull of the studio again in a big way."

Subatomic Sound System - lee scratch perry is the dub organizer live on kexp, 2023

"For over a decade, Subatomic Sound System was the Brooklyn based touring band for Jamaican dub & reggae inventor Lee "Scratch" Perry (1936-2021) and producers of the acclaimed 2017 album "Super Ape Returns to Conquer" which reimagined Scratch's 1973 classic "Super Ape", mixing the vintage Jamaican dub sound with 21st century bass and beats. With Scratch, Subatomic toured for over a decade across the US and the world, including sets at Coachella, France’s Telérama Dub Fest, Berlin’s Loop fest, Dubai’s Sole DXB, Hungary’s OzoraFest to name a few. 2023 was the 50th anniversary of the world's first dub album, Lee "Scratch" Perry's "Blackboard Jungle Dub", for which Subatomic & Scratch previously did a 45th anniversary tour. Subatomic's recent single,“Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is the Dub Organizer”, featuring Screechy Dan is from a forthcoming album with Scratch. Subatomic along with the legendary Jamaican vocalist Screechy Dan recently recorded alive session at KEXP that went viral, demonstrating their unique style of live dub performance as well as their versions of "Chase the Devil" & “Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is the Dub Organizer” that have become some of Scratch's Biggest Songs of this century. In summer of 2023, Subatomic Sound System & Screechy Dan Toured Europe with Hawaiian singer Jack Johnson In support of their posthumous collaboration with Scratch on Jack's new "In Between Dub" album and toured the USA with Stephen Marley.In 2023, Subatomic also performed on the main stage at The Marley Brothers Sold out 4/20/23 Kaya Fest at Red Rocks, Cali Roots, and Cali Vibes Festival."

Fleet Foxes - under control cover live at forest hills stadium, 2022

“One thing we all bonded over backstage was a shared love of the Strokes—hearing Uwa’s voice echoing down the halls as she sang ‘The End Has No End’ or ‘Reptilia’ was always a highlight of the day. Considering this, I thought she might get a kick out of singing ‘Under Control’ with us and the Westerlies at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in Queens, so we pulled it together at soundcheck and asked her—it was amazing! She ruled it.”

The Reds Pinks And Purples - i should have helped you, 2022

"Before The Reds, Pinks & Purples started getting noticed by a larger audience, the "I Should Have Helped You" 4 song EP snuck out on Swedish experimental label I Dischi Del Barone and quickly disappeared, becoming a little-heard but often whispered about piece of the RPPs discography. Recorded around the same time as the material that ended up on his breakthrough LP Uncommon Weather, it contains some of the best examples of Glenn Donaldson’s melancholy but wry take on indie pop. Needless to say, it's terrific."

AC Newman - they should have shut down the streets, 2012

"A.C. Newman may best be known as the leader of The New Pornographers, but he has also made two much-loved solo albums. These show a more personal and intimate side to Carl’s songwriting, and on this new one, recorded in Woodstock in Upstate New York, he is joined by long time colleague Neko Case to make one of his most gorgeous, wide-ranging records yet."

Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star - american pie cover, 2023

"A lullaby, or a cradle song, is a soothing song or piece of music that is usually played for (or sung to) children (for adults see music and sleep). The purposes of lullabies vary. In some societies, they are used to pass down cultural knowledge or tradition. In addition, lullabies are often used for the developing of communication skills, indication of emotional intent, maintenance of infants' undivided attention, modulation of infants' arousal, and regulation of behavior. Perhaps one of the most important uses of lullabies is as a sleep aid for infants. As a result, the music is often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in many countries, and have existed since ancient times."

The Band Of Holy Joy - leaves that fall in spring live, 2008

"The band was formed in 1984, by Johny Brown in New Cross, South London. Early experiments revolved around cheap junk shop instrumentation and rudimentary electronics. After two self-issued cassettes, they signed to South London indie label Flim Flam for a string of singles and two 1987 albums; More Tales From The City and the live LP When Stars Come Out To Play."

Crosby Stills Nash And Young - teach your children live, 1991

"I sounded young, I sounded determined, I sounded as if I thought I had something decent."

Rick Wakeman - heather carpets, 1986

"Country Airs is a studio album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman. It was released in 1986 by Coda Records, and features piano instrumentals inspired by the countryside. The album marked a stylistic shift in Wakeman's output, having established himself primarily with progressive rock, concept albums, and commercial-oriented music at the start of the 1980s."

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - of all the things we've made, 1982

"The night before the last British tour began, me and Paul were in the studios until 3:30 in the morning recording what we both thought then would be the last song we would ever write. We'd had enough"

The Reds Pinks And Purples - cleaner city streets, 2023

"The Smithsian chime of The World Should Be Ashamed contains Donaldson’s go-to themes where anxiety underpins the narrative in a bid to wade through the trivialities of the daily grind (“The world should be ashamed/ We know about love and pain”). It’s leads nicely into the closing track, Cleaner City Streets. An urgent cry for us city dwellers around the world to respect our surroundings far more than we do. It’s a rollicking finish that is among the most emphatic Donaldson has delivered through his ever-growing body of work. With the Unloveable Losers EP, just think of nipping into the local for a quick half. Only it’s too good, so you to stay for another. And another. Then, well…. you get the picture. The only difference here is that there are no hangovers or regrets the next day. Just more of the same, and that’s what The Reds, Pinks and Purples is all about – endless joy to immerse yourself in and leave all your troubles at the door."

Letting Up Despite Great Faults - take my jacket pauline, 2012

"The band gets considerable mileage out of simplicity: Untogether comes fully stocked with the sort of minimal but richly melodic Bernard Sumner-esque guitar patterns ("Scratch", "Take My Jacket Pauline") and dry-iced, strobe-lit Hacienda flashbacks ("Postcard", "Bulletproof Girl") that make for pure indie pop catnip. And despite working within intimate, drum-machined parameters, the band evinces a greatness of depth to its sound-- upon hearing the baritone guitar hook underpinning the effervescent opener "Visions", it's natural to mentally substitute in a cello line."

Edward II - ragbag, 2016

"On Friday 19 February 2016, English roots musical collective Edward II release ‘Manchester’s Improving Daily’, a collection of rare and historic songs, known as the Manchester Broadside Ballads, dating back over 200 years to the Industrial Revolution."

Saint Etienne - how we used to live, 2000

"A multi-part song, the longest song we ever wrote, inspired by records like Macarthur Park and (especially) the Four Seasons’ Silver Star. Relationship gone wrong song with an uplifting ending, I hope. We thought we were getting too old to compete with modern pop when we recorded it – 1999 was a pretty awful year for pop."

Holly Miranda - forest green oh forest green, 2010

"Forest Green, Oh Forest Green is the first single by American singer-songwriter Holly Miranda from her album The Magician's Private Library, released 9 November 2009 in the UK and 17 November 2009 in the United States by XL Recordings. It was co-written and features guest vocals by musician Brendan Coon."

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - french press live, 2017

"Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, also sometimes known as Rolling Blackouts C.F., is an Australian indie rock band, formed in Melbourne in 2013. The band consists of three lead vocalists and guitarists — Fran Keaney, Tom Russo, and Joe White — alongside bassist Joe Russo and drummer Marcel Tussie. Rising to prominence following the release of their second EP, The French Press, in 2017, the band has released three studio albums: Hope Downs (2018), Sideways to New Italy (2020) and Endless Rooms (2022)."

Luke Sital-Singh - i will follow you into the dark cover, 2023

"Luke, 26, has since gone from strength to strength to become the folk singer the world’s talking about. The Indian connect in his name is because his great grandparents were born in India while his grandparents were born in Jamaica. When Luke came to India in November, he didn’t go digging around for family roots. Instead, he rode the Bacardi NH7 Weekender wagon to Pune and Delhi."

The Housemartins - drop down dead, 1985

"I was living in a study bedroom in Battersea, South London, at the time, both lonely and never alone in the twilight hours. The fleet-of-foot foursome with a spiritual bent recorded Drop Down Dead, Flag Day, Stand At Ease and Joy Joy Joy that summer, and somehow or other, between mouthfuls of reactivated powdered milk and plain own-brand biscuits, I sealed the standout onto cassette tape, alerting me at once to the band’s musical acumen and SWP rigour (“It’s a waste of time if you know what they mean/Try shaking a box in front of the Queen”). Ironically, the migratory bird after which they are named has a blue head; the band had not a blue bone in its body."

The Beatles - and i love her, 1964

"And I Love Her" is a song recorded by English rock band the Beatles, written primarily by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. It is the fifth track of their third UK album A Hard Day's Night and was released 20 July 1964, along with "If I Fell", as a single release by Capitol Records in the United States, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Beatles performed "And I Love Her" just once outside EMI Studios; on 14 July 1964 they played it for an edition of the BBC's Top Gear radio show, which was broadcast two days later."

Echo And The Bunnymen - don't let it get you down, 1997

"Don't Let It Get You Down" is a single by Echo & the Bunnymen which was released in November 1997. It was the third single released after Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant and Les Pattinson reformed the band. It was also the third single to be released from their 1997 album, Evergreen. It reached number 50 on the UK Singles Chart."

El Perro Del Mar - god knows you gotta give to get live, 2006

"Going in a crazy, different musical direction, I heard this song on a recent tv show and found it to be the lovely addition and twist to my Mood Monday. It strikes the message I need to reflect on and act on. This song spoke to me today and now maybe I can clear my head and move forward."

King Creosote - it's sin that's got its hold upon us, 2023

“In Autumn 2020 I began building a modular synth, recording patches onto old cassette tapes to make use of the pitch wheel on my tape deck at a later date. As the drum track rumbled to a close, these words from one of Phil Crowter’s sermons burst forth exactly as you hear them, and I had my chorus. The four short verses ought to take on different meanings depending on the listeners’ particular choice of drugs - recreational (whimsical), prescribed (personal), or mandated (diabolical).”

The Chi-Lites - there will never be any peace until god is seated at the conference table, 1974

"Side one of Toby closes with one of the trio of singles released from There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated At the Conference Table). Again, it features some clever interplay between Eugene and the rest of the group, their voices a perfect fit for each other. With a slow, but dramatic combination of sweeping strings, rasping horns, chiming guitars and rhythm section accompanying them, The Chi-Lites surpass themselves. With a heartfelt and sincere pleading lead vocal accompanied by sweet, yet dramatic soaring vocals combining with Eugene’s drama drenched arrangement, it’s no wonder the song reached number eight in the US R&B Charts. Adding just the finishing touch is a saxophone drifting above the arrangement, adding to the beauty, emotion and sincerity of the track."

The New Pornographers - firework in the falling snow acoustic, 2023

"The New Pornographers made the move to Merge this year with their low-key excellent Continue As A Guest. Today they’ve shared some nice bonus material from that project: an acoustic version of “Firework In The Falling Snow” featuring none other than Aimee Mann. It was recorded by Mann’s husband Michael Penn and is blessed with some lovely pedal steel. Mann slides into the New Pornographers universe so naturally that I now want to hear a whole EP with her subbing in for Kathryn Calder and Neko Case."

Gabriel's Dawn - i don't believe in the summer of love, 2022

"In an effort to make guitar pop wonderful again, Gabriel’s Dawn has released their single ‘I Don’t Believe (In the Summer of Love)’. A new band, they bring their shared love of melodic pop and classic songwriting to your ears through the tones of this single. If you are in the mood for a single that gets you moving to guitars while rocking out to a blast of power pop, this is the one for you."

The Reds Pinks And Purples - a figure on the stairs, 2023

"My discovery of The Reds, Pinks, and Purples happened last month, late one-night courtesy of the Spotify algorithm. As embarrassing as it was to find out about their music from some computer-powered mega brain floating in the inky black of space rather than some hip, smelly record clerk, there was no refuting it was my kinda mopey, irreverent homespun pop music."

Chumbawamba - georgina, 1994

"From the album ‘Anarchy’ 1994. The abusive husband and the wife’s sweetly cooked revenge in Peter Greenaway’s film ‘The Cook The Thief, His Wife And Her Lover’ inspired ‘Georgina’. Hell hath no fury like a woman abused. Casey and Kerry do the introductions and the ghost of Phil Spector turns the reverb knob all the way up to gas mark 7."

Saint Etienne - hobart paving, 1993

"Saint Etienne's cast of characters – Dilworth, Hobart, Calico, Conchita – inhabit an impressionistic soundscape ("Avenue"), a fanciful rap ("Calico"), a girl-group pledge ("You're in a Bad Way"), a nostalgic reverie ("Leafhound") and a lovelorn ballad ("Hobart Paving"). Their world (families, clubs, eccentric locals) is what must suffice in a fragmented era in which pop music's legacy is often the only common ground. There's a surprise from track to track, usually announced by a movie sound clip or a record sample like Rush's "Spirit of Radio," testaments to Saint Etienne's big pop ears and their meaningful emulation of hip-hop collage. The diversity recalls the group's debut album, Foxbase Alpha (1992), yet So Tough is entirely different."

Wim Mertens - humility, 1988

“a virtue by which a man knowing himself as he truly is, abases himself. Jesus Christ is the ultimate definition of Humility."

Bananarama - na na hey hey kiss him goodbye cover, 1983

"Bananarama are an English pop group formed in London in 1980. The group, originally a trio, consisted of friends Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, and Keren Woodward. Fahey left the group in 1988 and was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan until 1991, when the trio became a duo. Their success on both pop and dance charts saw them listed in the Guinness World Records for achieving the world's highest number of chart entries by an all-female group. Between 1982 and 2009, they had 32 singles reach the Top 50 of the UK Singles Chart."

Marillion - hotel hobbies, 1987

"All the tracks are dedicated to places that inspired me, and this song always reminds me of the time I went to Champney's to dry out for a week. It was a complete waste of time!"

Devendra Banhart - fireflies, 2023

"I wanted to write something about Paradox, the space where two contradicting views can exist and both be true"

Idles - grace, 2023

"The song came from nowhere and everything. It was a breath and a call to be held”

America - you can do magic, 1982

"You Can Do Magic" proved a solid comeback vehicle for America whose last Top 40 hit—"Today's the Day"—had occurred in 1976; the second of two subsequent appearances on the Hot 100 was in 1979. "You Can Do Magic" returned America to the Top 40 in August 1982 with the track reaching No. 8 that October, and holding that position for five weeks. The popularity of "You Can Do Magic" was paralleled by the success of the parent View From the Ground album which rose to No. 41 on Billboard's listing of the top 200 albums, the first time an album by America as a duo (rather than the original trio) had appeared in that chart's upper half."

The Radio Dept - keen on boys, 2003

"Talk about a band that has been consistent from the second they started. I like/love everything they have released. Would love to hear a new album someday from them."

Aimee Mann - driving sideways, 1999

"Mann’s entry to the music business came when she began playing with various groups in Boston’s early 1980s punk scene. In 1983 she formed the band ’Til Tuesday with drummer Michael Hausman ’80, who now is her manager. After gaining the attention of the local radio station WBCN-FM, ’Til Tuesday built enough momentum to get signed by Epic Records. Their debut album, Voices Carry, connected with listeners, and the title track went to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Having a hit song and a video in heavy rotation on MTV ratcheted up the pressure for their next two albums. It was clear by the time the third album (Everything’s Different Now) was finished, that Epic’s vision of the band’s artistic direction clashed with Mann’s. Epic gave the record little support, and Mann struggled for four years to get out of a seven-album contract with Epic."

Green Day - walking alone, 1997

"This song is about being abandoned by all friends and acquaintances due to a certain type of behavior. The narrator has obviously been rejected because of the way he acted and the way he communicated with people around him. "This time I think I stuck my foot in my mouth" - he's obviously been impolite and rude, which caused people to turn away from him. And now he regrets how he's been acting, admits his mistakes. He's not mad at people for turning their backs on him, since he realizes that he deserves to be avoided. This realization now makes him feel even worse and he drowns his sorrow in alcohol ("Isn't that another familiar face? Too drunk to figure out, they're fading away"), which obviously doesn't help his situation at all."

The National - new order t-shirt, 2023

"Whether you like the song musically or not is beside the point. The meaning behind the song is what makes it so special I find. It's so... National. It's on the opposite side of the spectrum of a generic song, it's specifically unique to the band. A celebration of the band and all it's supporting cast members and even the fans themselves, and the unforgettable moments we've all made (and new ones yet to be made) and people we've met via the band along the way."

The Smashing Pumpkins - blank page, 1998

"Blank Page" is a song from The Smashing Pumpkins' fourth studio album, Adore. An early instrumental version was known as "48 chords", as it was comprised of 48 successive unique chords before repeating. Lyrically the song deals with Corgan's divorce, and was the first to touch on the subject among the new songs written for Adore. According to himself, he felt it was odd he had not written about the divorce earlier, but only with this song could express how he felt about it."

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - dudley, 2006

"Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O (born Karen Lee Orzolek), guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complemented in live performances by second guitarist David Pajo (formerly of Slint and Tortoise), who joined as a touring member in 2009 and replaced Imaad Wasif, who had previously held the role. According to a 2004 interview that aired during their appearance on ABC's Live from Central Park SummerStage series, the band's name was taken from modern New York City vernacular."

Barclay James Harvest - hymn for the children, 1975

"'Hymn For The Children' is my favourite BJH track. Musically, it's very much Folk Rock - with a slow, gentle guitar picking riff carrying it along, with the band playing unobtrusively in the background - the percussion is subtly noticeable: almost like a Salvation Army style tambourine in the background. The spiritual theme is obvious from the title; but it's not specifically religious: it's song about the spirituality of humanity and nature"

Saint Etienne - hug my soul, 1994

"Hug My Soul" is a song by British band Saint Etienne. It was the third single from their third album, Tiger Bay (1994), and was released in September 1994 by Heavenly Records. It was written by vocalist Sarah Cracknell along with songwriting partners Guy Batson and Johnny Male (Male and Batson would help co-write a number of tracks on Cracknell's solo debut Lipslide). The single was released with three B-sides: two written by Saint Etienne's songwriting partnership of Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs, "I Buy American Records" and "Hate Your Drug", and a cover version of La Poupée Qui Fait Non (No, No, No)", a live recording produced by the band's friend (and future Heavenly label mate) Edwyn Collins. A second CD featured remixes by Motiv8, Secret Knowledge, Juan "Kinky" Hernandez and Sure Is Pure. It reached number 32 on the UK Singles Chart and was their first single not to be released on 7-inch vinyl."

Club 8 - sometimes, 2007

"Was walking around causeway bay for lunch and I chanced upon this store on the 2nd level opposite Lee Garden. It's called "Homeless" and its one of those speciality stores that sells uncommon or uniquely designed homeware like clocks, lamps, home accessories etc. The store isnt big but they carried quite a few interesting pieces. Its funny how it takes me 3 rounds walking in the store to cover every piece they have. A medium size table clock caught my eye and so I bought it for HK$298 for the master room. I know I shouldnt splurge but I like those old bell ringing clock. Its a reminder of good old days. As I was poking around the store, I kinda drifted into a dreamy state by the song they were playing. I have this habit of buying music cds not in a cd store, but rather when I am strolling and music. So some tune catches my ear, I would step into the store to ask for the cd, or look at the cover if i couldnt lay my hands on it there and then. It's more fun buying music cd this way, because there is an attached memory to it, plus it provides a wider exposure to songs u may never pick out as they are sandwiched and stacked in rows in a store."

The Beatles - i'm a loser, 1964

"Looking back on it I think songs like 'I'm a Loser' and 'Nowhere Man' were John's cries for help. We used to listen to quite a lot of country and western songs and they are all about sadness and 'I lost my truck' so it was quite acceptable to sing 'I'm a loser' ... It's only later you think, God! I think it was brave of John."

Kaki King - sad american, 2008

"Kaki King (born Katherine Elizabeth King, August 24, 1979) is an American guitarist and composer. King is known for her percussive and jazz-tinged melodies, energetic live shows, use of multiple tunings on acoustic and lap steel guitar, and her diverse range in different genres."

Enya - the sun in the stream, 1987

"Inspired by the legend of the Salmon of Knowledge. In the Grove of the nine wise Hazel trees, from the sacred pool, the River Boyne flowed. The salmon feasted on the rich crimson nuts fallen from the hazel trees, and hence possessed all the truth in the world."

Neil Young - we never danced, 1987

"We Never Danced" had made its first appearance on the soundtrack to the 1987 film Made in Heaven, in a version sung by Martha Davis of the Motels. Young had a cameo in the film as a truck driver."

Fukushima Dolphin - bizarre love triangle live cover, 2022

"Sunset. Bizarre love triangle cover... old man getting out of chair dancing... life is beautiful"

The Band Of Holy Joy - real beauty passed through acoustic version, 2007

"how surprisingly little the ever affable singer Johny Brown has changed at all. Time has not quelled his passion, fire and sheer commitment to his art: always creative, often enigmatic, but forever engaging."

Etienne Daho - le premier jour du reste de ta vie, 1998

"Etienne Daho cover of Sarah Cracknell's 'Ready or Not'"

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - walking on the milky way, 1996

"It was released as a single on 5 August 1996 and appeared on their Universal album a month later. The song reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the group's first UK top-20 hit in over five years, and their last UK top-40 single. The band were flanked by a full string orchestra for their Top of the Pops performance of the song broadcast on 16 August 1996."

Micheál And Eilish - only her rivers run free cover, 1990

"Arranged By, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Melodica, Percussion, Synthesizer, Keyboards, Electric Guitar – Micheál Tuttle Arranged By, Producer, Tin Whistle, Piano, Accordion, Synthesizer – Eilish Donnellan Engineer, Arranged By, Producer – Kenny Ralph"

The Radio Dept - stay off route, 2010

"Stay off Route is a very emotional song by The Radio Dept. with a tempo of 121 BPM. It can also be used half-time at 61 BPM or double-time at 242 BPM.The track runs 1 minute and 42 seconds long with a D key and a major mode. It has high energy and is not very danceable with a time signature of 4 beats per bar."

Saint Etienne - primrose hill, 2004

"Travel Edition 1990–2005 is a compilation album by the British pop band Saint Etienne. It was released 22 November 2004 in the United States only on the Sub Pop label. Travel Edition is the band's first compilation released in the US, as previous collections Too Young to Die and Smash the System: Singles and More were released in Europe only. As a sweetener to fans, the compilation features two new tracks: "Primrose Hill" and "Fascination." "Primrose Hill" is essentially a stripped-down instrumental version of the single "Soft Like Me." The collection also features the rarely heard edit of "Avenue."

The Beatles - i'll be back take two, 1964

"The Beatles tried different arrangements in the studio before settling on the final version. Takes two and three were issued on Anthology 1. The first of these shows how Lennon originally conceived ‘I’ll Be Back’ as a waltz, though the recording breaks down with him claiming it too hard to sing."

The Radio Dept - let me have this demo, 2009

REM - all the way to reno you're gonna be a star, 2001

"Sometimes the best songwriters work behind the scenes. Jimmy Webb was one such songwriter. Born in 1946, the composer and singer has crafted a dizzying number of American classics. Despite shunning the limelight to pen tracks for artists such as Art Garfunkel, Glen Campbell, and The 5th Dimension, Webb established an incredibly distinctive style. Here, R.E.M pay homage to the musical world of Jimmy Webb with their 2001 track, ‘All The Way To Reno (You’re Gonna Be A Star)’."

The Radio Dept - you fear the wrong thing baby radio edit, 2020

"Reinvigorating! Can't get enough of this second wind they're on."

The Mountain Goats - andrew eldritch is moving back to leeds live, 2017

"Andrew Eldritch is the frontman of the British post-punk band The Sisters of Mercy."

The Phoenix Foundation And Fazerdaze - beside yourself, 2021

“I really enjoyed working with Samuel on this track. We recorded the vocals one morning at his place after we drank green juice and joked about how bougie and salubrious we were. It was special for me to see the inner workings of their creative process while they were still in the thick of their new material. Really chuffed to have this track out now, I’ve been a massive fan of The Phoenix Foundation for years.”

Stars - turn it up, 2014

"Stars' dedication to genuine human emotions married to strong pop melodicism has stayed with them since day one and No One Is Lost is merely another chapter in their unique story."

Mike Oldfield - enigmatism, 1999

"Oldfield plays all the music on the album, using only guitars of various types. The most remarkable usage is that of his Roland MIDI-equipped guitars, which he uses to trigger drum samples and produce string-like sounds. "Four Winds" is a four-part work, whose sections are musical portraits of the four compass points (North, South, East and West)."

Saint Etienne - russian, 1995

"Like most bands founded by former music journalists, Saint Etienne were a highly conceptual group. The trio's concept was to fuse the British pop sounds of '60s London with the club/dance rhythms and productions that defined the post-acid house England of the early '90s. Led by songwriters Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs, and fronted by vocalist Sarah Cracknell, the group managed to carry out their concept, and, in the process, Saint Etienne helped make indie dance a viable genre within the U.K. Throughout the early '90s, Saint Etienne racked up a string of indie hit singles that were driven by deep club beats - encompassing anything from house and techno to hip-hop and disco - and layered with light melodies, detailed productions, clever lyrics, and Cracknell's breathy vocals. They revived the sounds of swinging London as well as the concept of the three-minute pop single being a catchy, ephemeral piece of ear candy, in post-acid house Britain, thereby setting the stage for Brit-pop. Though most Brit-pop bands rejected the dance inclinations of Saint Etienne, they nevertheless adopted the trio's aesthetic, which celebrated the sound and style of classic '60s pop."

Renaissance - ashes are burning, 1973

"Most of the songwriting for the album was handled through the mail. Dunford would send a tape containing a melody line to Betty Thatcher, who composed the lyrics, and Dunford then mailed a tape of himself singing the completed song to Renaissance, who put together the arrangements in the studio."

The Beatles - i feel fine, 1964

"Lennon wrote the song's guitar riff while the Beatles were in the studio recording "Eight Days a Week" in October 1964, and kept playing it between takes. He later recalled: "I told them I'd write a song specially for the riff. So they said, 'Yes. You go away and do that', knowing that we'd almost finished the album Beatles for Sale. Anyway, going into the studio one morning, I said to Ringo, 'I've written this song but it's lousy'. But we tried it, complete with riff, and it sounded like an A-side, so we decided to release it just like that."

Simon And Garfunkel - the only living boy in new york, 1970

"Simon wrote the song as a thinly veiled message to Art Garfunkel, referencing in the first stanza a specific incident where Garfunkel went to Mexico to act in the film Catch-22. Simon was left alone in New York writing songs for Bridge over Troubled Water, hence the very lonely feelings of "The Only Living Boy in New York." Simon refers to Garfunkel in the song as "Tom", alluding to their early days when they were called Tom and Jerry, and encourages him to "let your honesty shine... like it shines on me". The background vocals feature both Garfunkel and Simon recorded together in an echo chamber, multi-tracked around eight times."

The Radio Dept - this time around, 2010

"Last month, fan favorite and shoegaze-heavy “Freddie and the Trojan Horse” transitioned flawlessly into delicate electro-pop ballad “The Worst Taste in Music”, which then paved the way for an equally proper lead-in to Clinging to a Scheme standouts “This Time Around” and “Never Follow Suit”. When surprising closer “City Limit” followed after that, it provided a finale that proved The Radio Dept. as fearless in exploring new ideas and abandoning older stale ones. The band claims to be shy on stage, but you would never know it."

Alvvays - atop a cake, 2014

“Atop A Cake” sounds like a cross between Real Estate’s “Days” and Nina’s “99 Luft Balloons”. It’s a beautiful combination, in case you were thinking otherwise."

Pet Shop Boys - where the streets have no name i can't take my eyes off you cover, 1990

"Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys. The song is a medley of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", a 1967 song by Frankie Valli, though in an arrangement informed by the 1982 disco version of the song by the Boys Town Gang rather than the original. The song accompanied "How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?", the third single from their fourth studio album, Behaviour (1990), as a double A-side in the United Kingdom (both singles were released separately in the United States). Released in March 1991 by Parlophone, the song became the duo's 15th consecutive top-20 entry in the UK, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart."

The Radio Dept - too soon, 2003

"everything they touch turns to gold."

Saint Etienne - i was born on christmas day, 1994

"Xmas 93" is a Christmas-themed single by English alternative dance band Saint Etienne. It was released in the United Kingdom on 6 December 1993 by Heavenly Recordings. The lead track "I Was Born on Christmas Day" features guest vocals from The Charlatans singer Tim Burgess, and peaked at number 37 on the UK Singles Chart. The song's title is a nod to band member Bob Stanley, who was born on 25 December 1964."

Letting Up Despite Great Faults - pretending green grass, 2006

"I had a lot of insecurities about it, namely it being too upbeat and me not being confident in my vocals. I think you can hear some elements that appear in our other songs…jangly guitars, high basslines…melancholy lyrics over a dancey beat…"