Enya - watermark, 1988

"Watermark opens with a same-titled track, a tradition that Enya would adopt on her next three albums. Its title derived from a poem Roma was writing at the time of recording, which inspired her to name the track accordingly. However, the track was kept as an instrumental and the poem was left unused."

Rilo Kiley - so long, 2002

“So Long” is the pinnacle of wistfulness. There’s no doubt that they loved and love each other very much, here and throughout their discography."

Pet Shop Boys - all the young dudes cover, 2024

"All the Young Dudes" is a song written by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, originally recorded and released as a single by the English rock band Mott the Hoople in 1972 by Columbia Records. Bowie produced the song, which he had given to the band after they rejected his "Suffragette City". Bowie would subsequently record the song himself. Regarded as an anthem of glam rock, the song has received acclaim and was a commercial success. In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked "All the Young Dudes" number 166 in its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It is also one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll."

Genesis - deep in the motherlode, 1978

"The song tells a fictional story of a man's travels during the Nevada gold rush and his family's urging for him to get as much gold as he can. A mother lode is a rich vein of valuable metal in a mine. The lyric "Go West, young man" is a reference to a famous phrase by Horace Greeley, who, in a 13 July 1865 editorial, advised: "Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country."

Bruce Springsteen - no surrender, 1984

"No Surrender" is a song from Bruce Springsteen's album Born in the U.S.A.. It was only included on the album at the insistence of Steven Van Zandt, but has since become a concert staple for Springsteen. Though it was not one of the seven top ten hits of the album, "No Surrender" nevertheless charted on the Mainstream Rock chart, peaking at No. 29. It returned to prominence during the 2004 United States presidential election when John Kerry, the Democratic candidate and a fan of Springsteen, used the song as the main theme song for his campaign."

Marillion - kayleigh, 1985

"Kayleigh" is a song by British neo-prog band Marillion. It was released as the first single from the concept album Misplaced Childhood. It is the band's most successful single in the UK, where it peaked at number two and stayed on the UK singles chart for 14 weeks. It also became the band's most successful single worldwide, reaching the top 10 in Ireland, Norway, and West Germany. In the United States, it gave the band their sole appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching number 74 in October 1985. The song popularised the name Kayleigh in the UK. It was later performed by the band's lead singer, Fish, at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute at Wembley Stadium, with Midge Ure on guitar and Phil Collins on drums."

Saint Etienne - half light, 2024

“We realized that it had been several years since we’d actually done that, sprawling out on the carpet, mugs of coffee in hand, sheets of lyrics and half ideas for titles lying around us."

The Go-Betweens - mrs morgan, 1993

"Bright Yellow Bright Orange returns to more familiar territory, consisting almost entirely of mid-tempo, semi-acoustic folk-rock. While this sounds like a step in the right direction, it’s not; it still lacks the lushness that characterised their best period late albums like 16 Lovers Lane and Oceans Apart."

Hooverphonic - sometimes, 2002

"There was more Cocteau Twins and Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine influences. But like I said earlier, we just like to evolve and every time we try quite different directions."

Gorillaz - el mañana, 2006

"El Mañana" (Spanish for "The Tomorrow Or The Morning") is a song by British alternative rock band Gorillaz. It was released on 10 April 2006 in the United Kingdom as a double A-side, and the fourth and final singles from their album Demon Days. "El Mañana", along with its other A-side "Kids with Guns", reached number 27 upon its release in the UK."

Del Amitri - make it always be too late, 1997

"Make It Always Be Too Late" and "Sleep Instead Of Tears" are my favorite Del Amitri songs."

Pet Shop Boys - shameless, 1993

"One of the Pet Shop Boys most popular b-sides, this song shows Neil and Chris at their most outrageous and uninhibited—five minutes of sheer, unadulterated fun. Yet, as fun as it is, it's not without a serious point."

The Style Council - speak like a child, 1983

"Speak Like a Child" is the debut single by English pop band the Style Council, released on 11 March 1983 and was included on the mini-LP, Introducing The Style Council (1983). Backed with "Party Chambers", it became a hit, peaking at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. Band members Paul Weller and Mick Talbot were already well-known from their previous bands, the Jam and the Merton Parkas, respectively."

A-ha - the sun always shines on tv, 1985

"The Sun Always Shines on T.V." is a song by Norwegian synth-pop band a-ha, released as the third single from their debut studio album, Hunting High and Low (1985). The song was written by guitarist Pål Waaktaar. In some commercial markets the single was not as popular as their previous (debut) single "Take On Me", which had reached the top spot in the United States and several other countries around the world, but in the United Kingdom and Ireland it improved upon the number-two charting of "Take On Me", reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in January 1986, having been released there on 16 December 1985. Its success secured for the band the prestige of having number-one single status on both primary Anglo-American popular music charts on either side of the Atlantic."

The Beatles - ticket to ride, 1965

"Ticket to Ride" is a watershed single, the moment when the Beatles moved from cuddly mop-tops to strange and interesting sonic explorers. So it's fitting that it carries an enigma at its core [regarding the song's meaning] – the first Rosebud in a catalogue of many."

The Durutti Column - american view, 2003

"It’s easy to yearn these days for a label that’s releasing records because someone really just loves the music. Somehow it’s becoming increasingly rare to find that warm authenticity as the industry capitalises on our worst desires for nostalgia and consumer impulses. To be sure, so many new releases bear the earmarks of mere simulacra, reminding us of something sonic or visual we’ve encountered before but without sufficient substance to pay homage to the original. Lament no more. Kooky Records has new Durutti reissues planned on vinyl that will take you back to your love of the music and the truly distinctive sounds of the Manchester band."

Monaco - shine, 1997

"this opens with guitar that feels like it’s trying to sing the lyrics, but then Peter appears on the mic to show it how it’s done. This track doesn’t continue that catchiness, instead straying closer to the lovesick youth with a guitar and amp genre."

Damien Jurado - so on nevada live, 2012

"From the baroque pop of Life Away From The Garden to the desert country of the title track to the country and psychedelia-flecked So On, Nevada, this is a a record rich in softly-spoken classicism, quiet power and enough enigma to pull you in for repeated plays."

Simon And Garfunkel - leaves that are green, 1966

"A sprightly folk-pop tempo and feel highlight this song, which is one of the earliest tunes in the Simon & Garfunkel canon that shows the duo embracing the then-current folk-rock style. Buttressed by some inventive percussion and harpsichord, the shiny quality of the melody is highlighted throughout this fine pop confection. Lyrically, it's a sad, almost melancholy song of lost love that utilized the changing seasons to convey the feelings at the disintegration of a romance. This is indeed something that Paul Simon would utilize again in the very near future."

Beach House - darling, 2008

"the album "resonates with the same formless essence as its predecessor, but also far exceeds it in both composition and execution"

Cat Stevens - sitting, 1972

"Record World described "Sitting" as a "magnificently produced up tempo tune" that is "one of [Stevens'] best."

The Radio Dept - a token of gratitude, 2010

"This song brings back some very bittersweet memories. Such a good album."

Beirut - venice, 2009

"Venice is alil more lush and slower going than his Beirut music since he strips the track down to only him singing, a hypnotic synth melody, and muted horns."

The Lightning Seeds - marvellous, 1994

"This song is another great catchy number, and Marvellous is definitely far better than Perfect, even if UK chart placings say otherwise (#24 vs #18 respectively)."

The Stranglers - always the sun, 1986

"From bad-mannered yobs to purveyors of supreme pop delicacies, the group was responsible for music that may have been ugly and might have been crude – but it was never, ever boring."

The Style Council - sweet loving ways, 1993

"The Style Council also released an amazing list of B-sides like The Piccadilly Trail, It Just Came To Pieces In My Hands, Spin Drifting and Sweet Loving Ways, which I find flawless."

The Beatles - don't bother me, 1963

"Liverpool journalist Bill Harry claims that he encouraged Harrison to write a new song, and that Harrison's response of "Don't bother me" served as inspiration for the song's title."

The Shins - australia, 2007

"Still familiar and addictive, the song nevertheless turns the tried and true formula on its ear, coming off slightly like a New Wave dance anthem."

Editors - bones, 2007

"Bones" was the fifth and final single from An End Has a Start, the second album by Editors. It was only released in Continental Europe under the PIAS label as a download-only single. It was released to help promote the band during the festival run and their support of R.E.M. in July during their German shows. "Bones" was one of the first songs off An End Has a Start to be performed live, along with "The Weight Of The World" in 2006. It has since gone through many changes, most notably the bridge and outro of the song which was previewed via a short video made by the band months before the album came out."

REM - near wild heaven, 1991

"Near Wild Heaven" "already overdoes the contrast between dark-edged lyrics and a light-hearted melody by folding Mike Mills' lead vocal into a sugary arrangement. Adding strings to the recipe is like putting frosting on cherry pie."

Voxtrot - missing pieces, 2005

"When Voxtrot appeared in early 2004 with the single “The Start of Something”, fans and critics alike both made immediate comparisons to The Smiths, mainly due to the vocals of Ramesh Srivastava, a trait that often sounded remarkably similar to Morrissey himself. I certainly echoed their sentiment, though they sounded more like a Housemartins mold to me, as I wrote here about a year ago. The song eventually landed on the excellent Raised By Wolves EP, a debut which set the tone for their reputational growth and British jangle-pop comparisons. Despite the quick judgments, I also found several of Voxtrot’s songs to be quite unique."

Imagine Dragons - demons, 2012

"Demons" is a song by American pop rock band Imagine Dragons. It was written by Alex da Kid, Ben McKee, Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Josh Mosser and produced by Alex da Kid. The song appears on their major-label debut extended play, Continued Silence, and also makes an appearance on their debut studio album, Night Visions, as the fourth track. "Demons" was solicited to American triple-A radio stations on January 28, 2013, and to modern rock stations two months later, on April 1, 2013."

Fanfarlo - let's go extinct, 2014

"with Let’s Go Extinct, Fanfarlo have dodged the bullet fired by the Smith & Wesson revolver of irony (a rare model) by ensuring that the quality of their songwriting remains solid."

Barclay James Harvest - friend of mine, 1977

"a rarely seen country rock side to the group propelled by Holroyd. It is remarkably effective and, after the initial shock and several listens, actually works well in the surroundings of the more progressive numbers."

Azure Ray - silver sorrow, 2010

"‘Silver Sorrow’ succeeds on aesthetics alone, its layers of vocal adornments recalling Cocteau Twins’ sublime Liz Fraser."

The Durutti Column - tomorrow live, 1985

"I really don’t like my own music. I really enjoy doing it when I’m doing it, it gives me a great feeling of expression and fulfillment and pleasure – just the physicality of playing a guitar and putting a piece of music together. I just love all that. And for maybe half an hour after I’ve done it, it feels great. But it soon passes. And after that, I really don’t want to hear it again."

Pet Shop Boys - bright young things, 2012

"The PSB song bears in many ways a marked similarity to one of their other soundtrack numbers, "Nothing Has Been Proved" (from the film Scandal), most noticeably in the way that its lyrics refer cryptically (from the perspective of anyone who hasn't seen the movie) to various characters in the story, providing tantalizing "snapshots" of their attitudes and actions. It's obvious that these are people who lead lives of scarcely concealed desperation, partying ceaselessly to escape their troubles."

Neil Young - comes a time live, 1979

"The guitar always sounds like Young’s dipped the strings in a mixture of honey and carpet fluff just before coming onstage and his vocals are always out there."

Seapony - go away, 2011

"I expect this band to grow and provide its fans, which includes me, with good songs for a long time. But for the present, I doubt that fans of indie pop will find a more perfect summer album than this one."

Etienne Daho - tombé pour la france, 1986

"Tombe pour la France, a synthpop torch song that set off Dahomania in his home country."

The Shadows - midnight, 1961

"The same sliding electric guitar technique is used for a similarly lazy melody"

Club 8 - teenage life, 2002

"Club 8 was formed in 1995 by Karolina Komstedt (from the band Poprace) and Johan Angergård (Acid House Kings, Poprace). They made simple bedroom recordings of their three first songs and sent them to their ten favorite labels. The response was just as immediate as it was good with half of the labels wanting to release the band. Club 8 chose the Spanish label Siesta where they released their debut single 'Me Too' later the same year and the debut album Nouvelle the year after. After four years, Club 8 is finally back with their long awaited sixth album. The waiting's been so long we can almost, but just almost, talk about a comeback album. However, waiting's not always a bad thing. Not only has songwriter Johan Angergård released three albums with the Legends and one with Acid House Kings in the time in between - Club 8 has evolved in to one of the most personal and emotional bands around today."

Indochine - pink water three, 2005

“𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥”, a collaboration between Brian and French band Indochine, was released 15 years ago on December 19th 2005. Three different versions of the song were recorded: ”Pink water 2” is the English interpretation sung by Brian and Nicola Sirkis of Indochine. The duet in French called ”Pink water 3”. Both songs were released on Indochine's ”Alice and June” limited edition, the French one also appears on the regular album. Finally also a single was produced but the band's record labels decided to put out a version without Brian as guest vocalist. Nicola Sirkis: ”[…] his own record company refused to let us release it with him.” I don't understand this decision, but I agree with Nicola who also said: ”What is important is that the song exists, it is historic, and it comes in different versions.”

The Fiery Furnaces - benton harbor blues again, 2006

"part of the Fiery Furnaces' appeal from the beginning has been the way they screw with what could be very simple, almost ditty-like songs"

Club 8 - hope for winter, 2001

“Hope For Winter” is another highlight, with an upbeat tempo and a catchy chorus. Throughout, Komstedt’s delicate and occasionally wispy vocals lends an ethereal aura to the music that finds a strange place between being haunting and affectionate."

Slade - my oh my, 1983

"My Oh My" is a song by British rock band Slade, released in November 1983 as the second single from the band's 11th studio album, The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome, and in 1984 as the second single from the album's US counterpart, Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea and produced by John Punter. "My Oh My" reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, topped the charts of Norway and Sweden, and peaked at No. 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100."

Papa Francisco ontem, 7 de Novembro de 2024

 

St. Thomas More’s prayer for good humor

In conclusion, Pope Francis invited the Spanish Augustinian Sisters to recall the prayer of St. Thomas More and to recite it daily.

Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.
Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it.
Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good
and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil,
but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.
Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments,
nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.”
Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.
Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy,
and to be able to share it with others.

REM - around the sun, 2004

"Around The Sun, this confrontational, statesmanlike album, ends on a childlike note; a note of hope and quiet redemption. Sometimes desperate times call for delicate measures."

Saint Etienne - goodnight, 2005

"The strum and jangle of opener ‘Sun In My Morning’ comes across as something more fitting in a suncream advert or daytime property development programme, and closer ‘Goodnight’ does well in mimicking the cringeworthy parts of Flying Pickets"

Club 8 - a place in my heart, 2001

"mix of bossa nova, glittery guitars and shiny pop melodies"

Of Monsters And Men - six weeks, 2011

"There’s nothing scary about this Icelandic band, but they do wield some monstrous hooks. I may have belatedly stumbled upon the best new band of 2012."

Fun - all alone, 2012

"'Some Nights' is the second and final studio album by the American pop rock group fun. It was released on February 21, 2012, through Fueled by Ramen. It was recorded in 2011 and produced by Jeff Bhasker. After signing to the new label, the band began to work on Some Nights for over nine months throughout 2011."

Oceans - pure, 2023

"Oceans are a shoegaze five piece band based in Melbourne/Naarm, Australia. At the heart of our music is a dedication to experimentation and timbre - fusing various genres together to create unique sonic landscapes inspired by ambient, new wave and 90s shoegaze."

Fischer Z - so long, 1980

"While studying clinical psychology and working in psychiatric clinics, John Watts formed Fischer-Z with Stephen Skolnik in 1977. The first performances took place in English punk clubs and the first Fischer-Z album, Word Salad, was released in 1979 on United Artists Records, in parallel with The Buzzcocks and The Stranglers."

Del Amitri - life is full, 1997

"Probably about 80 per cent of the songs on this record don't have overdubs, apart from the vocals obviously, with all the harmonies, and maybe the guitar solo if there was a really dreadful mistake in the middle that we just couldn't live with. Wherever possible, we recorded with our live format of bass, drums, two guitars and keyboards for most of the songs."

The National - i need my girl, 2014

"I Need My Girl" is a song written by Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Bryan Devendorf and Scott Devendorf of the American alternative rock band The National. The song was originally recorded by the band in 2013 for their sixth studio album, Trouble Will Find Me, where it appears as the tenth track."

New West - those eyes, 2023

"Slideshows is the second studio album release by Australian rock band Thirsty Merc. It was released on 21 April 2007, through Warner Music Australia. Six singles were released from the album. The first single "20 Good Reasons", became Thirsty Merc's first single to peak in the Top 10 on the Australian Singles Chart. The second single from the album was "The Hard Way", followed by "Those Eyes", which was released as a digital download in December 2007, only later to be released on CD in April 2008."

REM - country feedback, 1991

"Country Feedback" is a song by R.E.M. from their 1991 album Out of Time. The title describes the music (country rock-influenced, with feedback), rather than describing the song's lyrical content, a series of chaotic, disconnected and keening observations describing the state of mind of a protagonist contemplating the breakdown of a relationship."

Micheál And Eilish - danny boy cover, 1990

"Jane Ross of Limavady is credited with collecting the melody of "Londonderry Air" in the mid-19th century from a musician she encountered."

Enya - anywhere is, 1995

"Anywhere Is" is a song by Irish singer Enya, released on 6 November 1995 by WEA as the lead single from her fourth studio album, The Memory of Trees (1995). The lyrics of the song are in English, written by Roma Ryan and it was produced by Nicky Ryan. The song peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and became a top-10 hit in Austria, Iceland, and Ireland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song peaked at number 36. Its music video was directed by David Scheinmann."

Allo Darlin - some people say, 2012

"The pedal steel and tremolo-laden guitars on “Some People Say” give the song a slightly downhome country feel."

New Order - world in motion, 1990

"World in Motion..." is the nineteenth single by British band New Order (performed with the England national football team, credited as ENGLANDneworder). The song is New Order's only number-one song on the UK Singles Chart. It was produced for the England national football team's 1990 FIFA World Cup campaign and features a guest rap by England footballer John Barnes and additional vocals by several members of the English team of 1990 and comedian Keith Allen, who co-wrote the lyrics. Singer Bernard Sumner described the single to NME as "the last straw for Joy Division fans", noting how its upbeat sound had inverted their former band's famously gloomy image. The song was originally to be called "E for England", with lyrics that ran "E is for England, England starts with E / We'll all be smiling when we're in Italy", but the Football Association vetoed the title, realising that it sounded suspiciously like a reference to the drug ecstasy."

Boygenius - true blue, 2023

"True Blue" employs lyrical minimalism, using everyday imagery to express complex emotions. References to worn-out t-shirts or empty bench seats add a nostalgic edge, while the refrain's plea for acceptance transforms into a poignant acknowledgment of an irreconcilable past and present."

America - three roses, 1972

"The album went to the top of Billboard's album chart in the United States and stayed there for five weeks. It produced two hit singles, with "A Horse with No Name" which spent three weeks on top of the Billboard singles chart in 1972, and "I Need You" hit the ninth position on the Billboard singles chart.[5] Several other songs received radio airplay on FM stations, including "Sandman" and "Three Roses". The album was certified platinum by the RIAA for sales in excess of one million units in the United States."

The Rolling Stones - ruby tuesday, 1967

"It's just a nice melody, really. And a lovely lyric. Neither of which I wrote, but I always enjoy singing it."

Saint Etienne - shoot out the lights, 2001

"Music is foregrounded here, and almost all of it comes from two male pop intellectuals languidly manipulating synths and samplers."

The Beatles - hold me tight, 1963

"Hold Me Tight" was composed principally by Paul McCartney in 1961, and was part of the Beatles' stage act until 1963. They attempted to record it for their debut Please Please Me but the 13 takes recorded were deemed unsatisfactory, and the tape was destroyed. Seven months later, they recorded a further nine takes, and the final version is an edit of the sixth and ninth takes from the second attempt, varispeeded up a semitone to F major."

Pink Floyd - echoes segment one, 1970

"Echoes" is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd, and the sixth and last track on their 1971 album Meddle. It is 23+1⁄2 minutes long, the second longest of their discography, eight seconds shorter than Atom Heart Mother Suite, and takes up the entire second side of the original LP. The track evolved from a variety of different musical themes and ideas, including instrumental passages and studio effects, resulting in the side-long piece. The music, credited to all the band, was mainly written by Richard Wright and David Gilmour, while Roger Waters' lyrics addressed themes of human communication and empathy, to which he returned in later work."

Stars - the first five times, 2004

"When does a band shed its cult status to become a genuine mainstream contender? For Canada's Stars, it may be on a night like tonight, when queues and touts jostle outside the venue three hours before showtime, and the club is so sardine-packed that breathing in and out requires prior negotiation with your neighbour."

Neil Young - heart of gold, 1972

"The song, which features backup vocals by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, is one of a series of soft acoustic pieces which were written partly as a result of a back injury. Unable to stand for long periods of time, Young could not play his electric guitar and so returned to his acoustic guitar, which he could play sitting down. He also played his harmonica during the three instrumental portions, including the introduction to the song."

Moby - dream about me, 2005

"Dream About Me" is a song by American electronica musician Moby, released as the fourth single from his 2005 studio album Hotel. As the follow-up single to "Spiders", it was released in the UK on August 8, 2005, by Mute Records. Singer-songwriter and MoveOn cultural director Laura Dawn is featured on lead vocals alongside Moby himself."

The Flaming Lips - placebo headwound, 1995

"I was not really familiar with The Flaming Lips until all the hullabaloo surrounding 1999’s The Soft Bulletin and that moment I listened, speechless, to ‘Race For The Prize’. But signs of greatness were there before. Quickly catching up with their back catalogue, as you do, it was evident the album had built on the inspirational psychedelia of Clouds Taste Metallic. The opening track ‘The Abandoned Hospital Ship’ would not sound out of place on The Soft Bulletin. But, as so often is the case on a long player, the real highlight is track 3, ‘Placebo Headwound’. The acoustic guitar, the full bass, the chaotic backdrop and Wayne Coyne’s evident fascination with noggin trauma."

James - surprise, 1999

"Surprise is track nine on the 1999 James album Millionaires. It was one of the first Millionaires tracks to be played live, debuted at Oxford and Glastonbury in June 1998. The track is about a friend of Tim’s who contemplated suicide and is intended as a message to prevent such thoughts."

Beirut - port of call, 2011

"'Port of Call' sums up best the conflict in living up to others' hopes for you, and the pressure that in itself brings: "May you have hope for me now/I danced all around it somehow".

Of Monsters And Men - slow and steady, 2011

"Of Monsters and Men formed through the collaboration of singers Nana Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson in 2010. Within a year of its inception, Of Monsters and Men had both secured a slot in and won Iceland’s national battle of the bands, Músiktilraunir. Around this time Seattle radio station KEXP caught wind of the group and released a video of the group performing the song “Little Talks” acoustically. Of Monsters and Men had a foothold in the U.S."

Pet Shop Boys - girls don't cry, 2006

"The song is a story about a girl who I think is maybe a lesbian, but actually we don't know what's happened really. She's running away. She's possibly killed her boyfriend, she's possibly leaving town because they've discovered she's having a lesbian affair, she's possibly pregnant and her boyfriend's rejected her. We just don't know…."

Camel - the snow goose, 1975

"When in the early seventies progressive rock really started to rise on the wings of its most successful advocates, among which were Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, and Emerson Lake & Palmer, it was only natural for other, new bands to try to make a name for themselves in the wake of their big time contemporaries. One of those bands, formed in 1972 in Surrey in England, had released two albums by 1974, which hadn't attracted a lot of attention. Not giving up, they sat down to create their third album and it was this album that propelled them into international fame. The band was Camel and the album was The Snow Goose."

Del Amitri - breaking bread, 1985

"Del Amitri was one of those mid-'80s bands that were constantly on my stereo and those countless hours of exposure mean Justin Currie's voice is instantly recognizable to my ears. The thing is I probably hadn't listened to a Del Amitri in a decade ... My loss."

The Postmarks - slaughter on tenth avenue cover, 2008

"The array of songs the group has chosen to cover is quite eclectic and far reaching. Aside from the above noted artists, they hash out new versions of tunes by championed artists like David Bowie, The Ramones, The Ventures, Blondie, and Jesus and Mary Chain. Not a small feat. Not small at all."

Paul McCartney - magic, 2001

"This is about meeting Linda – ‘it must have been magic the night that we met’. I met Linda in a club and I always thought years after, particularly after she died, that if I hadn’t stood up that night in a club we might never have met again. It was something I never normally did; I wouldn’t normally stand up as someone was about to leave and say ‘Er, excuse me, hello…’ I didn’t do that. It was a bit embarrassing for a young guy to do that. I didn’t normally do that but it was just one of those things that I felt I just had to do that night – ‘Hi, um, I’m Paul, who are you?’ And she sort of smiled and said ‘Linda’. I said ‘Er, we’re going onto another club. Are you going home? Shall we meet up at this other club?’ We were in the Bag O’Nails and we said we’d meet up in the Speakeasy. Which we did. So ‘Magic’ is a song about that; it must have been some sort of magic that made me do that. Because if I hadn’t done that I might not have met her again."

Travis - follow the light, 2001

"This was the last song to be added to the tracklisting of The Invisible Band. It began life in February 2001 just before I went to LA write. The melody came first and was memorable within one listen. The tempo was sluggish and the verse was totally different from what it turned into. What it turned into didn't happen until we were in the studio. The chorus melody began with the words,"But its alright..." but I couldn't seem to get the words to the rest of the chorus. It wasn't until I stumbled upon an interesting melody one night when I stayed behind in Ocean Way that flowed really well into the chorus that began " But it's alright.." The tempo was alot more up than the chorus melody had been originally but as soon as I put the new verse with the older chorus the lyrics started to come. The hook line started out as ... " But its alright, just shadows and light.." but neil said there was a Joni album by the same name so it changed to, "...But its alright, you're travelling light..." and then became " ... Follow the light.." and then that was that. The lyric in the chorus dictated what the verse was about, just how, when you don't know what you're doing or where you're going you've just got to follow that light. The light being whatever you want it to be."

realidade virtual

"What's "reality" anyway? Just another virtuality, plus pain"

The Go-Betweens - love goes on, 1988

"Love Goes On" is a song by the Australian indie rock group The Go-Betweens, issued as the third and final single from their 1988 album 16 Lovers Lane. The song was released in January 1989 by Beggars Banquet Records in the UK, with "Clouds" as the B-side. "Love Goes On" was the last single issued by the band before their split in December 1989."

Marillion - heart of lothian, 1985

"Heart of Lothian" is a song by British neo-prog band Marillion. It is the fifth track on the 1985 concept album Misplaced Childhood. The song was released as the third single from Misplaced Childhood on 18 November 1985 in the UK, the Netherlands, West Germany, Canada (on Capitol Records), South Africa and Australia. "Heart of Lothian" became the third Top 30 UK single from Misplaced Childhood, peaking at number 29. The song also peaked at number 51 on the German singles chart."

The Radio Dept - we would fall against the tide, 2002

"Listening back to early singles 'Why Won't You Talk About It?' and 'Where Damage Isn't Already Done' - and in particular respective b-sides 'Liebling' and 'We Would Fall Against The Tide' - in comparison to more recent offerings 'Never Follow Suit' and 'The New Improved Hypocrisy' The Radio Dept.'s development can be traced along the way like stages of an Open University degree course."

Mike Oldfield - a minor tune, 2003

"Another good day, though I let the seed of doubt be sown and once sown, it proliferated with frightening speed. We were approaching the transition from the A minor Tune into the Blues tune, a guitar duet. My task at this point is to continue to play the A minor tune right up until the start of the blues section (not easy as it requires me to maintain the 4/4 meter of the A minor tune against the underlying 12/8 groove of the Blues which starts on the bass 4 bars or so before the Blues proper starts.)"

The Go-Betweens - you can't say no forever, 1988

"Legit rock drumming and bass work join the more standard Go-Betweens acoustic sensitivity making sure that as it reaches the half way mark, 16 Lovers Lane is in no danger of getting into a repetitive loop of predictability. This song is still perfectly in sync with what’s come before, it’s just not beholden to it."

Such a great song!

Mew - white lips kissed, 2005

"The mood that this song sets is like the sort of feeling you’d get when you’ve finally managed to grab hold of something you’ve wanted all your life… and then it slips away from you. There’s a definite sense of loss to the lyrics and to the tear-stained melody, as if a relationship or possibly even’s someone life had been cut short before the protagonist could get some sort of closure out of the situation. Jonas sounds like the hurt little boy more here than ever – especially when the drums echo in the background of the second verse with this funereal sort of march, and his high-pitched voice sounds like it’s echoing up out of some deep pit that he’s found himself trapped in. The main synth hook of the song, and the wash of background vocals and dissonant horns that gradually join it as the song reaches its graceful climax, all come together like empathetic angels trying to calm his fears. Eventually all that’s left is the echoing piano… then a guitar line that slowly, sadly sinks down to its final resolution"

The Style Council - when you call me, 1985

"Our story kicks off with a love of music and records as a kid to 1982, when Tracie answered an advert in Smash Hits magazine that would change her life and land her on Top of The Pops with the biggest band in the country – The Jam – in just a matter of months!"

Everything But The Girl - nothing left to lose, 2023

"the song never sounds retro for retro’s sake: Rhythmically, texturally, and tonally, it’s got real heft, as well as a kind of lived-in ease that’s missing from a lot of contemporary acts tackling similar inspirations."

Beirut - at once, 2015

“I was convinced that Europe would be like walking through an old French film”

Bob Dylan - mr tambourine man, 1965

"The song has a bright, expansive melody and has become famous for its surrealistic imagery, influenced by artists as diverse as French poet Arthur Rimbaud and Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. The lyrics call on the title character to play a song and the narrator will follow. Interpretations of the lyrics have included a paean to drugs such as LSD, a call to the singer's muse, a reflection of the audience's demands on the singer, and religious interpretations."

Belle And Sebastian - when we were very young, 2023

"While "When We Were Very Young" and "Will I Tell You A Secret" feel like what we'd want (and expect) from a B&S album, lots more, like the grating single (written with an outsider) "I Don't Know What You See in Me" does not. However, the Sarah Martin-fronted "Give a Little Time" benefits from a robust production, and serves up a catchiness that's like a meatier version of something from side-band God Help the Girl. Sarah sings lead on "Do You Follow", another recommended cut here. Elsewhere, the languid and smart "When the Cynics Stare Back From the Wall" charms immensely in an old B&S fashion."

Morrissey - king leer, 1991

"'King Leer' is a little jazzy and very funny lyrically."

Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young - our house, 1970

"Our House" is a song written by British singer-songwriter Graham Nash and recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on their album Déjà Vu (1970). The single reached No. 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 20 on the Cash Box Top 100. The song, "an ode to countercultural domestic bliss", was written while Nash was living with Joni Mitchell, recording both Crosby, Stills & Nash and Déjà Vu."

Guillemots - annie let's not wait, 2006

"The best antidote to depression and despair that I know is a favourite old song and the most rejuvenating and life-affirming one that I can think of is the awesome Annie, Let’s Not Wait by Guillemots."

Stars - palmistry, 2022

"Stars’ best qualities are rooted in their close-knit vocals, which, while effusive and inviting, also possess a certain contemplative quality as well. That’s immediately evident on the album’s lead-off track, “Palmistry,” which still manages to build towards a celebratory conclusion."

Beirut - the concubine, 2009

"This was when Zach Condon of Beirut began to subtly shift his sound. “The Concubine” is still like a classic European song of old, as is his forte, but it has a more propulsive beat carrying you forward."

Pink Floyd - wearing the inside out, 1994

"Wearing the Inside Out" is a song from Pink Floyd's 1994 album, The Division Bell. A collaboration between Richard Wright and Anthony Moore, it is the only song on the album for which David Gilmour receives no writing credit."