I love making lists. I have lists for so many things, whether it’s on my phone or in one of my many notebooks. If there is one thing that I have multiple lists for, music is definitely one of them.
I am going to split my blog into three parts consisting of a starter, mains and dessert of my favourite tracks. My lists will have 8 tracks each as it’s one of my lucky numbers. This sounds like an impossible task not just for me, but also for lots of other people I should imagine. How on earth can I summarise 40 years of listening to music into 24 songs you may ask? I shall try! The tracks I have chosen are based on numerous factors such as having huge sentimental meaning (which will be a lot), proper banging tunes that I love from my clubbing years, ones that are on repeat regularly and tracks that I love… just because. I have one caveat to add, I will not include any Hip Hop in these lists because I will probably write a separate blog for that.
It would have been rude not to have a Fleetwood Mac song in my top spot. The lyrics and the guitar are so beautiful together, I’m not ashamed to say this song makes me cry. I was proper bawling when I saw them perform this live at Wembley, I was singing and sobbing at the same time which is no easy task.
“I took my love, I took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
‘Til the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?”
This is by far my favourite track by Soul II Soul because I love everything about it, especially the vocals by Rose Windross. I first bought the single when I was 16 and was absolutely heartbroken when I lost not one, but two record collections over the years, both times to being made homeless. I didn’t think I would ever get the vinyl again and would search for it far and wide. Then one day, an ex boyfriend found a copy and gave it to me as a present. What a legend!
3. Gat Decor – Passion (naked edit)
This is such a CHOOOOON! Released in 1992 when I had moved to London and I could not get enough of clubbing. I was out every single weekend without fail. This track makes me want to wave glow sticks, dance and smile non stop.
Mary’s album ‘What’s the 411?’ is also from 1992. This album was on regular rotation that year. I adore Mary J, she is absolutely incredible. I went to see her at Wembley on my 30th birthday and I cried, the emotions and rawness she brings to her performance is something you have to witness live. I’m not saying I have a hairy neck, but that night all the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, I had goose bumps from how amazing she was, and still is.
5. Way Out West Intensify – Part One
Their ‘Intensify’ album from 2001 is one of my faves. There are a couple of tracks that really stand out for me, the second one is ‘Mindcircus’ which is a gorgeous track, but the intro for ‘Intensify’ is bloody amazing! It’s such an amazing build up, then 1 mins 06 into the track it makes me want to jump on my sofa and start waving my arms in the air.
6. Sounds of Blackness – Optimistic
This is my number one song when I need a spiritual boost. It improves my mood almost instantly.
“When in the midst of sorrow
You can’t see up when looking down
A brighter day tomorrow will bring
You hear the voice of reason
Telling you this can never be done
No matter how hard reality seems
Just hold on to your dreams, yeah”
7. Roy Davis Jr – Gabriel feat. Peven Everett
If you lived in London and ever went to Twice as Nice at Club Colosseum (sadly closed in 2014) you would know what a huge track this was back in the day. It was HUGE and still sounds great.
How can you not love this track. Released in 1998 in the UK, I used to go to an under 18s club night in Bristol at Studios (next to the ice rink) with my school friends. We used to have dance offs. It was as per the track name “BIG FUN”
“We don’t really need a crowd to have a party
Just a funky beat and you to get it started
And oh
We’ll dance the night away.
We’re having big fun and the party’s just begun”
So here is the first course of my music smorgasbord. I hope you liked it! Do you have any favourite tracks you would choose for a first course?
beatsandbass 