Don McLean - american pie, 1971

"The theme of the song goes beyond mourning McLean's childhood music heroes, reflecting the deep cultural changes and profound disillusion and loss of innocence of his generation – the early rock and roll generation – that took place between the 1959 plane crash and either late 1969 or late 1970. The meaning of the other lyrics, which cryptically allude to many of the jarring events and social changes experienced during that period, has been debated for decades. McLean repeatedly declined to explain the symbolism behind the many characters and events mentioned"

San Gabriel - over my shoulder, 2024

“Austin bedroom-pop musician San Gabriel is a crafter of dreamy, nostalgic pop songs, written and recorded in an East Austin liquor store. Named after the river where he spent countless summer nights learning guitar and jamming with childhood bands, San Gabriel features 3-time Austin Music Award recipient James Bookert (Whiskey Shivers, Wild Child) splitting duties as writer, singer and multi-instrumentalist. Bookert began writing and recording under the name San Gabriel behind the counter at the liquor store as a way to entertain himself during his night shifts. Fusing 80’s style synth hooks with modern reverb-drenched guitars and synthesizers, San Gabriel creates a kaleidoscopic, nostalgic dream-pop sound.”

Vacations - no place like home, 2024

"Lead songwriter and vocalist of Vacations, Campbell Burns, said he had suffered with writer's block for two to three years preceding the album's release. He said this experience was linked to his journey receiving therapy and being diagnosed with obsessive–compulsive disorder. Songs on No Place Like Home were composed as Burns listened back to voice recordings from his phone that he recorded while traveling through the United States. The album was recorded in Los Angeles."

Ride - peace sign, 2024

“‘Peace Sign’ started life as a jam recorded at Marks’ OX4 studio, in early 2021. We called it ‘Berlin’ and initially it featured Loz on drums, Steve on bass and myself on a prophet 5 synth. About six months later I got hold of the recording and wrestled it into song form. Lyrically I was inspired by a film called ‘The Alpinist’ about the visionary free climber Marc-André Leclerc. Soon after I’d finished working on the song I remember I was raving to my bandmates about Leclerc at OX4, and a good memory of that time was us all watching that film at Mark’s studio.”

Saint Etienne - wouldn't it be nice cover, 2012

"He'd stop in the middle of writing a song or a conversation or whatever and start going on about Diane, about how innocent, sweet, and beautiful she was. I'd be thinking, 'Huh! Your wife's in the next room, and you're talking about her sister!'"

Fukushima Dolphin - kids cover live, 2023

"running a battered old acoustic through a plethora of guitar pedals to create a psychedelic lead tone that really cuts through"

The Waterboys - three day man live, 1984

"The Waterboys are an amazing band, with a sound that has changed quite a lot over the years. This pulls together their various sessions for the BBC, all in fantastic sound quality. The set mixes some of their well known hits, with lesser known tracks, some well chosen covers. For hardcore fans it's interesting to hear early versions of some tracks that went on to have quite different lyrics (check out This is the Sea). More casual fans should listen to some of their 'Big Music' - Don't Bang the Drum, Medicine Bow, Be My Enemy and This is the Sea."

The Zombies - the way i feel inside, 1965

"A charming, almost a cappella song, "The Way I Feel Inside" provided the Zombies a hit in - of all places - the Philippines. Written by Rod Argent during a tour with the Isley Brothers, the song has a wonderful vulnerability to it."

Au Revoir Simone - organised scenery bass clef remix, 2010

"We have a record that’s been reworked beyond all comprehension, barely displaying any similarities to its sister album, which is always a good sign that remixing has worked."

The Republic Of Wolves - a long december cover, 2023

"looking back on your life and seeing changes happening" while simultaneously looking forward to positive change in the future"

New Order - who's joe, 2005

"But, for sure, everybody now knows who Joe is. So what if the lyrics, clearly a companion song to Hey, Joe, don't fit the circumstances, never let that get in the way of a great song saluting a greater moment. And, if we disregard the main thrust of the words, and cherry pick the odd phrase, and disregard the new order New Order allegedly might have been celebrating with their name, yeah, it's an OK comment. Who listens to words anyway? And I can't really buy into conspiracy theories about Manchester pop groups."

The Radio Dept - you and me then, 2002

"You know those artist you listen to, and you only hear one song, then one year later you hear another and then decide to just listen to all they're songs, to only find out that all the other songs are just as good as the last two, next thing you know your waiting for they're next album and their isn't a doubt in your mind that what ever comes next will be greater than the last. There is no stopping these guys ... they just keep getting better."

The Beatles - long long long, 1968

"Long, Long, Long" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1968 album The Beatles (also known as "the White Album"). It was written by George Harrison, the group's lead guitarist, while he and his bandmates were attending Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Transcendental Meditation course in Rishikesh, India, in early 1968. Although Harrison later stated that he was addressing God in the lyrics, it is the first of his compositions that invites interpretation as both a standard love song and a paean to his deity.!

Sufjan Stevens - carrie and lowell, 2015

"Sufjan somehow takes in such a horrific aspect of his life, and delicately lays out it’s most beautiful aspects and then appreciates them. Having terrible parents is perhaps one of the most stress-inducing and heartbreaking situations someone can be placed into. It can sometimes feel as though loving them is a choice and hating them isn’t, but the opposite is true. For such a situation, Stevens goes on throughout this album searching for the remedy. His answer is to forgive and love them, regardless."

The Doors - touch me, 1969

"In the book A to X of Alternative Music, "Touch Me" was described as a "solid gold soul classic". Writing for AllMusic, critic Jason Elias wrote that the song has "the style of pop and pure lounge." Some critics suggested the track blends pop with psychedelic rock; a combination which was unique at the time. It has also been characterized, along with other album tracks, as an early attempt at progressive rock."

Lichen Slow - hobbies, 2023

"Many of us like a bit of grump now and then. With this in mind, Lichen Slow is a new project featuring Malcolm Middleton of Arab Strap collaborating with musician Joel Harries. It opens with the downbeat Hobbies, a bit like a poppier Arab Strap, featuring Middleton on lead with Harries on backing vocals."

Au Revoir Simone - another likely story aeroplane remix, 2009

"Some light research shows the original version of this Au Revoir Simone song appeared on Grey's Anatomy. The Aeroplane version might fit better on GREY'S ANATOMY PARTY HOUSE 3011 WHERE EVERYONE GETS FUNKY THE SEQUEL. YEAH DOG this is a freakum jam if your name is McDreamy. Imagine some lady running her animatronic hands (Beyonce, holler at ABC) through his thick grey hair. He's a surgeon, you know. Aeroplane, our Belgian friends whose October mix we gushed over last week, have a habit of taking pretty-voiced women and icy-hotting their keys into igloo barnstormers."

The Band Of Holy Joy - because it was never resolved, 1990

"In the dark times Will there also be singing? Yes, there will also be singing. About the dark times.”

Steve Hackett - every day, 1979

"The album starts with "Every Day" which is an anti-drug song about Steve's own experiences of the drug culture when his first girlfriend fell victim to "Cleopatra's Needle", and it would become his signature song from his solo career with a guitar solo at the track's coda."

Jamie xx - it's so good, 2024

"Jamie xx, the maestro of musical innovation, takes us on a thrilling ride with his latest track, “It’s So Good.” As a seasoned musician, DJ, and producer, Jamie xx effortlessly blends indie electronic elements into a captivating sound. It keeps us on the edge of our seats."