The Moody Blues - survival, 1978

"The sitar is very, very easy, as long as you tune it up right! 1 string. Once you tune up the other 18 strings right, it will resonate. But the time things that they play… we did a gig in London with a band called the Indo-Jazz Fusions with John McLaughlin and Ravi Shankar in the same band."

The Smashing Pumpkins - we only come out at night, 1995

"The songs on Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness are intended to work together conceptually, with the two halves of the album representing day and night. Despite this, Corgan has rejected the term concept album to describe it, and it was at the time described as more "loose" and "vague" than were the band's previous records. He also said it is based on "the human condition of mortal sorrow". Corgan aimed the album's message at people between 14 and 24 years of age, hoping "to sum up all the things I felt as a youth but was never able to voice articulately. ... I'm waving goodbye to me in the rear view mirror, tying a knot around my youth and putting it under the bed."

Acid House Kings - wake up, 1997

"they released Advantage Acid House Kings in 1997 and the album proved to be a huge step forward to form their trademark sound of jangly, catchy guitar oriented indie-pop. The album featured Julia Lannerheim as guest vocalist on a couple of songs, who eventually joined the band officially as a full-time member in 2001. In 2002 they released their third album Mondays Are Like Tuesdays And Tuesdays Are Like Wednesdays."

Enya - oriel window, 1991

"Oriel Window" is a previously unreleased track and a piano instrumental song by Irish musician, songwriter and singer Enya. It was a B-Side track for the lead single from her third studio album, Shepherd Moons, "Caribbean Blue" at the first time, released on October 7, 1991 by WEA. In 2009, the song was contained in Japanese reissue and remastered edition of Shepherd Moons as a bonus fifteenth track of the album."

The Shadows - god only knows cover, 1975

"The song's musical sophistication is demonstrated by its three contrapuntal vocal parts and weak tonal center (competing between the keys of E and A)."

The Jesus And Mary Chain - between planets, 1989

"Automatic is the third studio album by Scottish alternative rock band the Jesus and Mary Chain, released on 9 October 1989 by Blanco y Negro Records. The group on this record consists of the core duo of brothers William and Jim Reid, with a drum machine providing percussion and synthesised bass."

Bee Gees - world, 1969

"'World' is one of those things we came up with in the studio, Everyone just having fun and saying, 'Let's just do something!' you know"

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - so in love, 1985

"How can you resist a song like 'So in Love'? A misty piece of McCluskey romance tinged with sadness before showing its true claws on the chorus."

Tame Impala - love paranoia, 2015

"Parker recorded the album on his own, only this time without Dave Fridmann's guiding hand and by mostly forsaking electric guitars in favor of a wealth of synthesizers, and with a much more relaxed, intimate approach. In addition to the soft rock of the '70s feel that permeates the sound, Parker adds elements of R&B and hip-hop to the mix, gets lyrically introspective in spots, and generally sounds like he's either on the verge of a long nap or just waking up from one."

The Radio Dept - lost and found, 2003

"Came here looking for Lost and Found"

Swallow - follow me down, 1992

"The song "Follow Me Down" by Swallow explores themes of love, devotion, and the fear of losing someone. The lyrics convey a strong desire for the listener to remain close and committed."

The Beatles - from us to you live, 1964

"The Beatles' song "From Us to You" is a lively and upbeat track that carries a message of love and support from the band to their fans. Although the song itself may seem simple and straightforward, it can take on deeper meanings when we delve into its lyrics and explore the underlying themes. Throughout the song, several standout lines help develop these imaginative themes, all of which ultimately tie back to the overarching message of love and connection."

James - heavens, 1992

"Heavens" by James explores themes of longing, loss, and seeking divine intervention or clarity in a confusing and uncertain world. The lyrics depict a sense of isolation and helplessness, with the singer feeling disconnected from those they love and searching for a higher power to guide them."

Bob Dylan - i threw it all away, 1969

"I Threw It All Away" was one of the first songs written for Nashville Skyline and one of only two new songs that were definitely written prior to the recording sessions ("Lay Lady Lay" being the other). Dylan played the song for George Harrison and his wife Pattie in November 1968, and Harrison was apparently impressed enough with the song to learn it himself."

Nada Surf - bizarre love triangle cover, 2012

"It actually may be safe to say that this version is more accessible than the original song, which opens with about a minute and thirty seconds of electronic music before any lyrics are added. Nada Surf jump right in, using only acoustic instruments and human beatboxing, making a really decent, very gentle version of the song."

The Housemartins - build, 1987

"Build" is a song released in November 1987 as the third single from the album The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death by British band The Housemartins. It follows the softer template of the group's later material and reached no. 15 in the UK Singles Chart. The song is notable amongst the Housemartins catalogue, as it features drummer Dave Hemingway on vocals during the choruses, whilst usual singer Paul Heaton sings the verses and bridge."

The Style Council - how she threw it all away, 1988

"As the brass bounces off the synth bass giving a lesson in how do late 80s production with elegance, the bitter Falklands winter of “But now I watch smoke leave my lips/And fill an empty room” is something Paul Weller may have considered to be a show of agency in the final hurrahs of The Jam, but with the cutting of that neurotic spectre he exorcised in a short burst of glory on The Style Council’s descent into schlock, he managed to set himself free from both the personal neuroticisms that plagued his laboured love ballads, and press in-jokes that presented him as the as the Ivan Lendl of pop/rock."

William Fitzsimmons - annie's song cover, 2022

"The first song I ever remember hearing is John Denver’s masterpiece ode to his wife, “Annie’s Song”. I can still picture the tattered double vinyl sitting on my parents record cabinet, John’s smiling face looking out while my mother would sing along with every word and I would sit on the living room floored, mesmerized and happy to just be still in these peaceful sensations. Years later, when I began teaching myself the guitar, I would fumble through the chords and sing the same song with my mother in the evening; the same feelings of peace and nostalgia filling the room many years later. If there was only one song I could play for the rest of my life, it’d be this."

Bee Gees - railroad, 1969

"another throwback to country-pop balladry"

Rose City Band - mariposa, 2023

"While Ripley and co. have long slowed down the air around cosmic country, embracing the humidity of languorous afternoons, “Mariposa” might capture this more than most in their catalog. The song saunters and sways, a ripple of those liquid strings underpinned by a slow crest of organ. The song stretches out, dips its hat over the eyes and lets the sun soak into every fiber of the listener."