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Friday 28 February 2014

Songs That I Love #66 Clayhill - One Nerve


Clayhill hail from London and according to Wikipedia broke up in 2009. I'm not so sure that's true as I know they gigged (maybe a one off) in 2013. I'm not convinced they are from London either, as a London band wouldn't sing a song called  Northern Soul in a northern accent...

So lets ignore Wikipedia, Clayhill used to be Sunhouse and the film maker Shane Meadows uses them a lot to soundtrack his films, (This is England, Somers Town)

One Nerve was the first track I ever heard of theirs and that's why it's here but it could have been a number of tracks Cuban Heel, Northern Soul are a couple that automatically spring to mind.

 
 
Knock yourself out

I got more in the vault

You spit from the hip

You climb through the cult

I'm in a stand count

The ropes of the real

You are a no one

A spoke in a wheel

Are you gonna raise ground

Raise ground for me

And I

I see what you're doing here

I'm sick of the shit

From you and you're kind

Yeah I

I see what you're doing here

You're breaking me down

One nerve at a time

Knock yourself out

I got more in the range

A shot from the top

A cry from the cage

I'm in a head lock

A battle of will

We are a no one

A spoke in a wheel.

Thursday 27 February 2014

Songs The I Love #65 Dave Matthews Band #41




In the UK this is maybe my most unfashionable pick as I don't think I know anybody else that likes the DMB. They can do no wrong for me and I have so many versions is song as it varies from gig to gig.

This version is quite short (7 mins) sometimes it can last in excess of 20 minutes depending on who is playing with the band and how they feel.

I discovered an amazing version of this song by Ashleigh Semkiw a few years ago. She is a Canadian opera singer who was singing the song as a warm up exercise. You can hear the version here

Come and see
I swear by now I'm playing time against my troubles
I'm coming slow but speeding
Do you wish a dance and while
I'm in the front
The play on time is won
But the difficulty is coming here
I will go in this way
And find my own way out
I won't tell you to stay
But I'm coming to much more
Me
All at once the ghosts come back
Reeling in you now
What if they came down crushing
Remember when I used to play for
All of the loneliness that nobody
Notices now
I'm begging slow I'm coming here
Only waiting I wanted to stay
I wanted to play,
I wanted to love you
I'm only this far
And only tomorrow leads my way
I'm coming waltzing back and
Moving into your head
Please, I wouldn't pass this by
I wouldn't take any more than
What sort of man goes by
I will bring water
Why won't you ever be glad
It melts into wonder
I came in praying for you
Why won't you run
In the rain and play
Let the tears splash all over you
 
 




Songs That I Love #64 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - You Got Lucky



Released in 1981 the video has a Mad Max feel about it which maybe the reason I was attracted to it in the first place. Whatever the reason it got me into Tom Petty a relationship that has continued until this day, although we did become quite distant when he was mucking about as part of The Travelling Willbury's!
 
One, two
You better watch what you say
You better watch what you do to me
Don't get carried away
Girl, if you can do better than me
Go, yea go, but remember
 
Good love is hard to find
Good love is hard to find
You got lucky, babe
You got lucky, babe
When I found you
 
You put a hand on my cheek
And then you turned your eyes away
If you don't feel complete
If I don't take you all of the way then
Go, yea go, but remember
 
Good love is hard to find
Good love is hard to find
You got lucky, babe
You got lucky, babe
When I found you
 
Yea go, just go, but remember
Good love is hard to find
Good love is hard to find
You got lucky, babe
You got lucky, babe
When I found you


 



Songs That I Love #63 The Motors - Airport


Most Fridays my Father would finish his night shift and head to the local market to buy the family fruit and veg for the coming week. Next to the market was a record store and every now and again he would ask my sister and I if there was a single from the charts we wanted and this was waiting for us when we got home from school.

This was released in 1978 so I was 13 and to my amazement when I arrived home instead of the usual 7" single waiting for me there was a 12" single, not only was it a 12" single (my first) it was also bright blue vinyl. I don't think I put it down all weekend.

I love the track and a few others The Motors put out but this song will hold a place in my heart just because it was my first 12" single and my first coloured vinyl record.


So many destination faces going to so many places
Where the weather is much better
And the food is so much cheaper.
Well I help her with her baggage for her baggage is so heavy
I hear the plane is ready by the gateway to take my love away.
And I can't believe that she really wants to leave me and it's getting me so,
It's getting me so.

Airport -
Airport, you've got a smiling face,
you took the one I love so far away
Fly her away - fly her away - airport.
Airport, you've got a smiling face
You took my lady to another place
Fly her away - fly her away.

The plane is on the move,
And the traces of the love we had in places
Are turning in my mind - how I wish I'd been much stronger
For the wheels are turning faster as I hear the winds are blowing
and I know that she is leaving
On the jet plane way down the runaway.
And I can't believe that she really wants to leave me - and it's
getting me so,
It's getting me so.

Airport -
Airport, you've got a smiling face,...

Airport -
Airport, you've got a smiling face,... 



Songs That I Love #62 Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth


I discovered this track after hearing the Dave Matthews Band cover it. Written by Stephen Stills and the band includes Neil Young, not much more I need to say.


There's somethin' happenin' here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
A tellin' me, I got to beware
 
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
 
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speakin' their minds
A gettin' so much resistance from behind
 
Time we stop, hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
 
What a field day for the heat
(Hmm, hmm, hmm)
A thousand people in the street
(Hmm, hmm, hmm)
Singing songs and they carrying signs
(Hmm, hmm, hmm)
Mostly say, hooray for our side
(Hmm, hmm, hmm)
 
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
 
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
Step out of line, the man come and take you away
 
We better stop, hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
We better stop, hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
We better stop, now, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
We better stop, children, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down




Songs That I Love #61 Nick Drake - Hazy Jane I



In the days before the Internet I would often buy Cd's by mail order in order to find more obscure artists that the mainstream stores wouldn't stock.

I remember getting a sampler CD from a label called Ryko Discs, that sold a great selection of re-issues soul and Blues CD's along with other genre's. In this CD was this track and at that moment I was sold o Nick Drake and have been ever since.

Nick Drake sadly committed suicide many years before I ever heard this track devastated that he had not been able to be successful as a musician. How sad and ironic that his music is held in such high regard by so many and has sold in it's millions.

A little bit of trivia, his sister is actress Gabrielle Drake for those with long memories. 



Do you curse where you come from,
Do you swear in the night
Will it mean much to you
If I treat you right.
Do you like what you're doing,
Would you do it some more
Or will you stop once and wonder
What you're doing it for.
Hey slow Jane, make sense
Slow, slow, Jane, cross the fence.

Do you feel like a remnant
Of something that's past
Do you find things are moving
Just a little too fast.
Do you hope to find new ways
Of quenching your thirst,
Do you hope to find new ways
Of doing better than your worst.
Hey slow Jane, let me prove
Slow, slow Jane, we're on the move.

Do it for you,
Sure that you would do the same for me one day.
So try to be true,
Even if it's only in your hazey way.

Can you tell if you're moving
With no mirror to see,
If you're just riding a new man
Looks a little like me.
Is it all so confusing,
Is it hard to believe
When the winter is coming
Can you sign up and leave.
Hey slow Jane, live your lie
Slow, slow Jane, fly on by.

Songs That I Love #60 Lyle Lovett - Church


Lyle Lovett has a real ability to tell a story with a song and this is a great example of this. I don't believe in God but this song makes me want to go to Church, or at least Lyle Lovett's church, or maybe it's just the corn bread that I'm after...

It took me a long time to get to see Lyle Lovett in concert, 1 missed opportunity in San Francisco (I went to see Keb' Mo instead) and 2 cancelled appearances in Newcastle meant it was 4th time lucky when I say him a couple of years ago at the Sage Gateshead Americana Festival and it was worth the wait although he didn't play this track.



I went to church last Sunday
So I could sing and pray
But something quite unusual
Happened on that day

Now church it started right on time
Just like it does without a doubt
And everything was all just fine
Except when it came time to let us out

You know the preacher he kept preaching
He told us I have one more thing to say
Children before you think of leaving
You better think about the Judgment Day

Now everyone got nervous
Because everyone was hungry too
And everyone was wondering
What was the next thing he would do

And the preacher he kept preaching
He said now I'll remind you if I may
You all better pay attention
Or I might decide to preach all day

And now everyone was getting so hungry
That the old ones started feeling ill
And the weak ones started passing out
And the young ones they could not sit still

And the preacher's voice rose higher
So I snuck up on the balcony
And I crept into the choir
And I begged them brothers, sisters, help me please

I said when I give you a signal
I said when I raise up my hand
Won't you please join with me together
And praise the Lord I have a plan

And the preacher he kept preaching
Long is the struggle, hard the fight
And I prayed, Father please forgive me
And then I stood up and with all my might
I sang

To the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
And I listened to what the preacher said
Now it's to the Lord let praised be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat

Yes and I did give a signal
Yes and I raised up my hands
And then joined with me the choir
Yes every woman, child, and man
They sang

To the Lord let praised be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
And I've listened to what the preacher said
Now it's to the Lord let praised be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat

And the preacher he stopped preaching
And a hush the church did fill
And then a great white dove from up above
Landed on the window sill

And the dove flew down beside him
And a fork appeared right in his hand
And with everybody watching
The preacher ate that bird right there and then

And now everyone got really nervous
And the preacher he did start to glow
And as we watched in disbelief
These were the words he spoke

He said now Mama's in the kitchen
And she's been there all day
And I know she's cooking something good
So let's bow our heads and pray
And he sang

To the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
Now listen to what the preacher said
He said to the Lord let praised be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat

And the moral of this story
Children it is plain but true
God knows if a preacher preaches long enough
Even he'll get hungry too
And he'll sing

To the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
Now listen to what the preacher said
He said to the Lord let praised be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat 


Songs That I Love #59 July For Kings - Normal Life



I can tell you actually where I was when I first heard this song, Footlocker in a shopping mall in Orlando Florida.

I was doing what all Brits do when in Orlando taking advantage of the beneficial exchange rate to stock up on the newest sneaks when this track started playing on a large video screen in the store.

I remember staring at the screen transfixed by the song thinking why haven't I heard this band before. The assistant looked at me rather strangely as continued to stare at the screen rather than try on the trainers he had brought for me but this was before the world of Shazam so I had to wait until the song finished in hope of finding out who the band were. From the store I immediately found a music store and bought the album Swim.

I expected July For Kings to be huge (at least in America) they weren't!

They have continued to release music but they have never hit the heights of this album in my opinion.

For those of you who are curious yes I managed to but the trainers as well!



I stood under Ohio's skies
I could see the open fields for miles
I thought "what the hell am I doing back here again?"
But now I'm trying to reassemble the things I kept and
The pictures fade but I hope to resurrect
The things that kept me sane back then
 
In the backyard playing on the swing set
Dark green shoes off you can get your feet wet
Mom and dad sat quiet in the sun room
Sundown, big moon, big sky
 
Now I just want to live a normal life
Get a fast car and a pretty wife
We could have children of our own
Settle down here until they're grown
We could buy a house out on the beach
And just die there, out of reach
Do you want to live
Do you want to live
Do you want to live a normal life with me
Live
A normal life with me
 
For years I cursed these dead end streets
No where to go, no one to meet
We only talked about the crazy woman down the road
But everything makes much more sense now
Someday I'll have my own house
I'll make enough to make it easier to pay the phone bill
 
In the backyard playing on the swing set
Dark green shoes off you can get your feet wet
My wife and I will sit quiet in the sun room
Sundown, big moon, big sky
 
I just want to live a normal life
Get a fast car and a pretty wife
We could have children of our own
Settle down here until they're grown
We could buy a house out on the beach
And just die there, out of reach
Do you want to live
Do you want to live
Do you want to live a normal life
 
I'll watch the kids until you get home
4 58 And you're on the phone
Coming back from work on Friday
Wide-awake in the American dream
I'll make the bed, you feed the cat
Could it really be as simple as that? (yeah)
Do you want to live
Do you want to live
Do you want to live a normal life with me
Do you want to live a normal life with me
Now I just want to live a normal life
Get a fast car and a pretty wife
We could have children of our own
Settle down here until they're grown
 
I just want to live a normal life
Get a fast car and a pretty wife
We could have children of our own
Settle down here until they're grown
We could buy a house out on the beach
And just die there, out of reach
Do you want to live
Do you want to live
Do you want to live a normal life
Do you want to live
Do you want to live
Do you want to live a normal life
Do you want to live
Do you want to live a normal life with me?




Wednesday 26 February 2014

Songs That I Love #58 Dishwalla - Somewhere In The Middle



Lesser known American rock band. Great track.


I was out the other day
and I saw you in your big black car
and I was waving as you were passing
cause I know who you are
you had this look that of an angel
it was such a bad disguise
did you think for second I would not realize

tripping hard falling down onto the ground
cause I can't stand up
and I can't fall down
cause I'm somewhere in the middle of this

I was out the other night
and I saw you so we had a fight
it was late and I was lonely
and its such a long way home
so I asked you if you'd join me
for a single last call drink
so you turned and bought us 2
and you didn't even blink
you had this look that of an angel
it was such a bad disguise
when you drink it makes you angry
when I drink I want you more and more and more

tripping hard falling down onto the ground
cause I can't stand up
and I can't fall down
and I'm somewhere in the middle of this

well I find it hard
I always tried to find the sane life
but I don't like the way things are
and I keep falling to my knees
somewhere in the middle of this 



Songs That I Love #57 Train - Drops Of Jupiter



Another American rock band that I have followed from the start. I think Train take the prize for the silliest lyrics ever, and I don't just mean with this song, their lyrics are just nonsensical on most of their songs but I still love how they sound, if you know what I mean...


Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair, hey, hey
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's time a to change, hey, hey
Since the return from her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like June, hey, hey

Tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the milky way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated

Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there

Now that she's back from that soul vacation
Tracing her way through the constellation, hey, hey
She checks out Mozart while she does tae-bo
Reminds me that there's room to grow, hey, hey

Now that she's back in the atmosphere
I'm afraid that she might think of me as plain ol Jane
Told a story about a man who is too afraid to fly so he never did land

Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back to the milky way
And tell me, did Venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there

Can you imagine no love, pride, deep-fried chicken
Your best friend always sticking up for you... even when I know you're wrong
Can you imagine no first dance, freeze dried romance five-hour phone
Conversation
The best soy latte that you ever had... And me

Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back toward the milky way

Repeat 1st chorus

Songs That I Love #56 Icehouse - Hey Little Girl



Australian band pretty much a one hit wonder in the UK with this song in 1982. I say them support David Bowie in 1983 on the Serious Moonlight Tour.

I suspect in the world we live in now Hey Little Girl wouldn't be deemed an appropriate title...

Hey hey
When everything goes wrong
Sometimes it makes no sense
Hey hey
There once was a time
I should have known better then
Hey hey
Although you may try
It won't come your way again
Hey little girl
Where will you hide
Who can you run to now
Hey little girl
Where will you go
Who can you turn to now
Hey hey
So why should I care
If somebody let you down
Hey hey
That's nothing new
I know just what that can mean
Hey hey
Well the way that they talk
The talk is all over town
Hey hey
And it's no surprise
Little girls hurt sometimes
Hey little girl
Where will you hide
Who can you run to now
Hey little girl
Where will you go
Who can you turn to now
Hey hey
When everything goes wrong
Sometimes it makes no sense
Hey hey
Hey little girl
I should have known better
Known better then
Hey hey
Hey little girl
Where will you hide
Who can you run to now
Hey little girl
Where will you hide
Who can you run to now
Hey little girl
Where will you go
Who can you turn to now


Songs That I Love #55 Matchbox 20 - If You're Gone



Could have picked any number of Matchbox 20 songs, decided on this one for no other reason than I used to watch the video on VH1 on a regular basis. 


I think I've already lost you
I think you're already gone
I think I'm finally scared now
And you think I'm weak, I think you're wrong

I think you're already leaving
Feels like your hand is on the door
I thought this place was an empire
And now I'm relaxed and I can't be sure

But I think you're so mean, I think we should try
I think I could need this in my life
And I think I'm scared, I think too much
I know it's wrong, it's a problem I'm dealing

If you're gone maybe it's time to come home
There's an awful lot of breathing room but I can hardly move
And if you're gone, baby, you need to come home
'Cause there's a little bit of something me in everything in you

I bet you're hard to get over
I bet the room just won't shine
I bet my hands I can stay here
I bet you need more than you mind

And I think you're so mean, I think we should try
I think I could need this in my life
And I think I'm scared that I know too much
I can't relate and that's a problem I'm feeling

If you're gone maybe it's time to come home
There's an awful lot of breathing room but I can hardly move
If you're gone, baby, you need to come home
There's a little bit of something me in everything in you

I think you're so mean, I think we should try
I think I could need this in my life
And I think I'm scared, do I talk too much
I know it's wrong, it's a problem I'm dealing

If you're gone maybe it's time to come home
There's an awful lot of breathing room but I can hardly move
And if you're gone, yeah, baby, you need to come home
There's a little bit of something me in everything in you 



Tuesday 25 February 2014

Songs That I Love #54 Hottie and The Blowfish - Let Her Cry



I'm not afraid to say it, I love Hootie and The Blowfish. I know it's not cool but I don't really care, I won't even say they are a guilty pleasure as I don't feel guilty about it, they write great songs with catchy chorus and that's enough for me.



She sits alone by a lamppost
Trying to find a thought that's escaped her mind
She says Dads the one I love the most
But Stipes not far behind

She never lets me in
Only tell me where's she's been
When she's had too much to drink
I say that I don't care I just run my hands
Through her dark hair and then I pray to god
You gotta help me fly away

And just...
Let her cry...if the tears fall down like rain
Let her sing...if it eases all her pain
Let her go...let her walk right out on me
And if the sun comes up tomorrow
Let her be...let her be.

This morning I woke up alone
Found a note by the phone
Saying maybe, maybe I'll be back some day
I wanted to look for you
You walked in I didn't know just what I should do
So I sat back down and had a beer and felt sorry for
Myself.

Let her cry...if the tears fall down like rain
Let her sing...if it eases all her pain
Let her go...let her walk right out on me
And if the sun comes up tomorrow
Let her be...let her be.

-solo-

Let her cry...if the tears fall down like rain
Let her sing...if it eases all her pain
Let her go...let her walk right out on me
And if the sun comes up tomorrow
Let her be...let her be.

Last night I tried to leave
Cried so much I just
Could not believe
She was the same girl i
Fell in love with long ago
She went in the back to
Get high
I sat down on my couch
And cried
Yelling oh mama please
Help me
Wont you hold my hand.

And
Let her cry...if the tears fall down like rain
Let her sing...if it eases all her pain
Let her go...let her walk right out on me
And if the sun comes up tomorrow
Let her be...let her be.

Let her cry...if the tears fall down like rain
Let her sing...if it eases all her pain
Let her go...let her walk right out on me
And if the sun comes up tomorrow
Let her be...let her be.
 


Songs That I Love #52 Ray Charles - Lets Go get Stoned



If you love music then I suspect at sometime you have thought of what songs you would like played at your funeral, if you haven't then maybe you should are you may be sent packing to a room full of people murdering Morning Has Broken or some other Hymn that means nothing to you!

I have mine listed and the list changes slightly every now and again but this is a constant, I want people to leave to Ray singing 'Lets Go Get Stoned' and I hope everybody does!!



Let's go get stoned Yeah....
Oh....Let's go get stoned
Everybody
Let's go get stoned
Oh....Let's go get stoned
Now wait a minute
You know my baby, she won't let me in
I've Got a few pennies, I'm gonna buy myself a bottle of gin
I'm gonna call my buddy on the telephone
and say Let's go get stoned

Now Listen
You know I work so hard, all day long
Everything I try to do, Seem to always turn out wrong
That's why I wanna stop by on my way home and say
Let's go get stoned

Now let me tell ya one more thing
Ain't no harm
To have a little taste
But don't lose your cool
and start messing up a man's place
Ain't no harm to take a little nip
But don't ya fall down and bust your lip
Mmmmmm...no...no
Let's go get stoned
Oh.....Let's go get stoned
I think every body ought to come on and go with me
Let's go get stoned
Oh......Let's go get stoned
I'm gonna tell ya one more time what i'm gonna do
Let's go get stoned
Oh......Let's go get stoned
(fade out)


Songs That I Love #51 Ann Peebles - I'd Rather Leave Whilst I'm In Love


Maybe not one of the most recognised women of soul, and before I bought the HI Records box set that this track is from I would have struggled to name any of her tracks other than I Can't Stand The Rain.

A real gem of a soul singer and this track is just beautiful.





I'd rather leave while I'm in love
While I still believe the meaning of the word
I'll keep my dreams and just pretend
That you and I are never gonna end

Too many times I've seen
The rose die on the vine
Somebody's heart gets broken
Usually it's mine
I don't want to take the chance
Of being hurt again
And you and I can't say good-bye

So if you wake and find me gone
Oh baby carry on you see I need my
Fantasy I still believe it's best
To leave while I'm in love

Too many times I've seen
The rose die on the vine
Somebody's heart gets broken usually
It's mine I don't want to take
The chance of being hurt again
And you and I can't say good-bye

So if you wake and find me gone
Oh baby carry on you see I need my
Fantasy I still believe it's best to
Leave while I'm in love I still believe
It's best to leave while I'm in love

Songs That I Love #50 Slide - Why Is It Crime

 

In 1989 three bands from Glasgow released their debut albums, Texas (Southside) GUN (Taking On The World) and Slide (Down So Long) I bought all three and played them all until they were virtually worn out.
 
Now we all know that Texas when on to international success and I suspect that you all remember at least GUN's cover of Cameo's Word Up but I'm guessing not many of you remember the hits of Slide as in truth they hardly bothered the charts.
 
 
There are a couple of versions of this video on the Internet as it looks like the single was released more than once, which makes me think even the record company thought they had a sure fire hit with this band.
 
I still listen to this album a lot, in fact a lot more than I listen to the other 2 mentioned!
 
 
Undecided, loyalties too dived to see
Your searching for reasons to justify your trust in me
Breaking hearts lodging broken souls
Opening your eyes, twisting an open mind.
 
Why is it a crime
Oh why to believe in me
Why is it a crime
Oh why to believe in me
 
Your illusions, money won't alter, can't you see
Sooner or later you'll find you need help, need help from me
You ask the question
Where your life should be
But I know that one day, you'll realise, you'll see
 
(chorus)
 
Do you feel like I don't need you now
Tell me do you feel your trust betrayed
Still divided why are you so undecided
You think you'll never find someone to twist your open mind
 
(chorus)
 
Oh why, got to believe in me
Oh I try so hard, just to make you see
Why is it a crime
Oh why, to believe in me
Oh why is it a crime, why is it a crime
Oh why, to believe in me.
 
 


Songs That I Love #49 Al Green - I Didn't Know


Whilst I'm on a soul trip this is my favourite Al Green song. Not one of his most well know track but I discovered it after reading an interview with Justin Currie (of Del Amitri fame).

The song is nearly 8 minutes long and it is amazing. Green rings out every ounce of emotion from his voice whilst lamenting a love lost (what else!)

If you are tired of listening to the Take Me To The River etc. and are looking for some 'new' Al Green to listen to then this is a great place to start. 

Songs That I love #48 Eddie Hinton - It Can't Be Me



No lyrics again so I'll just post the song, its enough for anyway.

Eddie Hinton, white soul singer and when I say white soul singer I don't mean like Michael Bolton! Eddie was a friend of Otis Redding and part of the Muscle Shoals 'scene' that gave us so much great music.

His musical output is a bit hit and miss due to his drug addiction but the album this track is taken from (Hard Luck Guy) is great.

Song and lyrics speak for themselves, we have all been there.

Friday 21 February 2014

Songs That I Love #47 The Blue Nile - Happiness


Most of you will have heard this song even if you didn't realise it as it was used for a 'Visit Scotland' TV advert a few years ago.

4 albums (5 if you include Paul Buchanan's solo album) in about 30 years makes it hard to be a Blue Nile fan but I guess it's more about quality than quantity and they have never released a duff album or a duff track on an album for that matter!

The first track from their 3rd album (Peace at Last) this was seen as a departure as it started with an acoustic guitar, but in truth it's everything thing you would expect from them plus an acoustic guitar!

I saw them perform this song (minus the choir) in Glasgow and Paul turned to the rest of the band before they started and said "if we don't get it right can we do it again" to which the response was a resounding "NO". I guess I understand why we get so little music from these guys when it seems perfection is the only option.




Now that I found peace at last
Tell me, Jesus, will it last?
Now that I found peace at last
Tell me, Jesus, will it last?
The birds are laughing in the trees
It's only make believe
It's only love
It's only love
It's only love
I swear
I wanna hold you, and treat you right
The cigarettes, and the morning light
I can do wrong, but I will do right
I'll see you later, It'll be alright, yeah
Now that I found peace of mind
Tell me, Jesus, is it mine?
Now that I found peace of mind
Tell me, Jesus, is it mine?
The birds are laughing in the trees
And in the empty breeze
It's only love
It's only love
It's only love
I swear
I wanna hold you, and treat you right
The cigarettes, the morning light
I can do wrong, I can do right
I'll see you later, be alright, yeah
Happiness, happiness
Happiness, happiness
Happiness, happiness
I wanted more, but live with less
Happiness, happiness
Live again, happiness
Happiness
Now that I found peace at last
Tell me, Jesus, will it last?
Now that I found peace at last
Tell me, Jesus, will it last?
Happiness
 
 




Thursday 20 February 2014

Songs I Love #46 Grand Drive - Nobody's Song In Particular



I'm surprised it has taken me 46 songs to get round to my first Danny Wilson song but then again I have so many that mean so much to me I could dedicate the next 10 songs to Danny's songs and still have a bucket full of others waiting to be used.

For those of you that not familiar with Danny George Wilson's work he started out in the band Grand Drive, then released a solo album before forming Danny and The Champions of The World. One of my favourite live artists Danny can be found gigging across the UK and is well worth checking out live.

This song means a lot to me, as does the message at the bottom of this page which technically means this song is mine!

Don't let me down
It's happened before
I'll be in a bar
I'll sit by the door
I'll be in the crowd
I'll be in the crowd
They used to be friends
But not any more
So don't let me down
don't let me down again
 
It's taking so long
It's taking its time
It's taking me down
It's taking my smile
 
Every thing's real
Where there used to be dreams
I used to have faith
Buts It's not all it seems
 
Don't let me down
Don't let me down again
 
 
 


Tuesday 18 February 2014

Songs That I Love #45 Song To The Siren - Various

This Mortal Coil
 
 
I have posted 3 versions of the same song as that is the journey this song has taken me on. I first fell with This Mortal Coils version of this song, not knowing it was a cover and not knowing that This Mortal Coil were really The Cocteau Twins. None of that mattered really the song was haunting and beautiful.
 
 
I discovered Tim Buckley through the music of his son Jeff Buckley and hence the original version of the song being included.
 
I have heard a number of other versions of this song by the likes of Sinead O'Connor (good) Robert Plant (OK) and Bryan Ferry (awful) but the 3rd version I have included is now maybe my favourite version. The Czars were a band much lauded by the critics who never really had any success  although the main man behind the band (John Grant) has gone on to be hugely successful.
 



Long afloat on ship less oceans
I did all my best to smile
'til your singing eyes and fingers
Drew me loving to your isle
And you sang
Sail to me
Sail to me
Let me enfold you
Here I am
Here I am
Waiting to hold you

Did I dream you dreamed about me?
Were you hare when I was fox?
Now my foolish boat is leaning
Broken lovelorn on your rocks,
For you sing, 'touch me not, touch me not, come back tomorrow:
O my heart, o my heart shies from the sorrow'

I am puzzled as the newborn child
I am troubled at the tide:
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Should I lie with death my bride?
Hear me sing, 'swim to me, swim to me, let me enfold you:
Here I am, here I am, waiting to hold you'



The Czars

Tim Buckley

Songs That I Love #44 Manfred Mann's Earth Band - California



I remember this track as the B-side of Dave's On The Road Again which charted in the UK in 1978 but until today  I hadn't realised it had been released as a single in its own right in 1977.

Dave's On The Road Again was one of a number of Springsteen tracks that Manfred Mann's Earth Band, the most famous I guess would be Blinded By The Light.

I have no idea why I liked this track so much, I played it a lot more than the a side, I think it was all the talk of making out to California...


How're you doin' out in California
Now that you've made the grade?
Is there a chance you'd think of me
And all the things we did together?

How're you doin' out in California
Now that you've got it made?
You must be glad you made the break
But how I wish you'd stayed

Livin' out in California
Seems to suit you well
But my news is all second hand
So it's hard for me to tell

One day I'll make it out to California
See if it's what it seems
I've been there many times before
But only in my dreams

(INSTRUMENTAL)

One day I'll make it out to California
See if it's what it seems
I've been there many times before
But only in my dreams

Oh, it could be the money
It could be the sun
Something's keeping you away from me
California look what you've done
Oh, oh 

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Songs That I Love #43 Everything But The Girl - Missing


The moment EBTG became cool, and we all said we had been into them for years...

They are still producing great music now albeit separately rather than as EBTG. Ben Watt is on tour soon with Bernard Butler playing really small venue's which should be a treat.




I step off the train I'm walkin' down your street again
And past your door but you don't live there anymore
It's years since you've been there
And now you've disappeared somewhere
Like outer space you've found some better place
 
And I miss you
Like the deserts miss the rain
And I miss you, oh
Like the deserts miss the rain
 
Could you be dead?
You always were two steps ahead of everyone
We'd walk behind while you would run
I look up at your house and I can almost hear you shout
Down to me where I always used to be
 
And I miss you
Like the deserts miss the rain
And I miss you

 Like the deserts miss the rain
Back on the train I ask why did I come again
Can I confess I've been hangin' 'round your old address?
And the years have proved to offer nothin' since you moved
You're long gone but I can't move on
 
And I miss you
Like the deserts miss the rain
And I miss you, yeah
Like the deserts miss the rain
And I miss you, yeah
Like the deserts miss the rain
Oh, I miss you, yeah
Like the deserts miss the rain
 
I step off the train I'm walkin' down your street again
Past your door, I guess you don't live there anymore
It's years since you've been there
And now you've disappeared somewhere
Like outer space you've found some better place
 
And I miss you
Like the deserts miss the rain
And I miss you, yeah
Like the deserts miss the rain
 
And I miss you, and I miss you
Like the deserts miss the rain
And I miss you, yeah
Like the deserts miss the rain
 
Deserts miss the rain
Like the deserts miss the rain
Like the deserts miss the rain
Like the deserts miss the rain




Tuesday 11 February 2014

Songs That I Love #42 White & Torch - Parade



I discovered White and Torch on a Saturday evening variety show that was hosted by David Essex, and may have been called The David Essex Showcase? They sounded like the Walker Brothers for my generation and I couldn't get enough of them. They released 4 singles that I remember (I had 7" and 12" of them all) but never released an album.

The guy in the cap still performs fronting new band whilst I think the other guy is a successful songwriter (co-writer of Believe the hit for Cher)

Whilst looking for a video I found a cover of this by Rhydian who was an X Factor contestant some years back. Sometimes the Internet is a wonderful thing sadly tonight it has left me scared for life!

Songs That I Love #41 Care - Flaming Sword


If my memory serves me well the year was 1983 and this was a one hit wonder for a Liverpool band I knew nothing about other than the singer seemed very cool on Top of The Pops!

There was a video of them performing this on Top of The Pops which I can't find now, but if you track it down have a look at the guitarist and co-writer of song, its a very song Ian Broudie who would go on to major success with The Lightening Seeds.



Who will buy my flaming sword
Will wield it strong and broad
For loved ones are in our care
A drift in a world unfair


Who will buy my flaming sword
Will wield it strong and broad
Cold is cold but all the pleasure's mine
A night of love
And I will drink the wine


Who will take this burning rose
A symbol a spear of gold
And steadfast against the hours
Untouched by unearthly powers


Who will take this burning rose
A symbol a spear of gold


Cold is cold but all the pleasure's mine
A night of love
And I will drink the wine


Cold is cold but all the pleasure's mine
A night of love
And I will drink the wine
Who will buy my flaming sword
Who will buy my flaming sword
Who will buy my flaming sword
My flaming sword...

Songs That I Love #40 Radiohead _Weird Fish /Arpeggi


My favourite Radiohead song, for a number of reasons, most of which are way too personal to share here.

So just sit back and enjoy the music.




In the deepest ocean
The bottom of the sea
Your eyes
They turn me
 
Why should I stay here?
Why should I stay?
 
I'd be crazy not to follow
Follow where you lead
Your eyes
They turn me
 
Turn me into phantoms
I follow to the edge
Of the earth
And fall off
 
Yeah, everybody leaves
If they get the chance
And this is my chance
 
I get eaten by the worms
And weird fishes
Picked over by the worms
And weird fishes
 
Weird fishes
Weird fishes
 
Yeah I, Ill hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape
 
I, I hit the bottom
Hit the bottom and escape
Escape




Songs That I Love #39 Ben Harper - I'll Rise



The Lyrics to this song are adapted from a poem from Maya Angelou, you can find the full poem here I love the song and because of the song I discovered Maya Angelou which is no bad thing!

I have posted 2 versions of the song, the album version which although powerful is understated and a live version where the song takes on a whole new life. Harper usually performs I'll Rise without any accompaniment (often without a microphone) standing centre stage ring hand held to the sky and fist clenched (the salute of the Black Panthers). In later years he would merge I'll Rise into Like A King (written about the beating of Rodney King by LA Police). Whatever your political persuasion you can't deny the power of this song.


You may write me down in history
With your bitter twisted lies
You may trod me down in the very dirt
And still like the dust I'll rise
Does my happiness upset you
Why are you best with gloom
Cause I laugh like I've got an oil well
Pumpin' in my living room

So you may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
And I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise

Now did you want to see me broken
Bowed head and lowered eyes
Shoulders fallen down like tear drops
Weakened by my soulful cries

Does my confidence upset you
Don't you take it awful hard
Cause I walk like I've got a diamond mine
Breakin up in my front yard

So you may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
And I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise

So you may write me down in history
With your bitter twisted lies
You may trod me down in the very dirt
And still like the dust I'll rise

Does my happiness upset you
Why are you best with gloom
Cause I laugh like I've got a goldmine
Diggin' up in my living room

Now you may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
And I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise 






Songs That I Love #38 Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun



I was very late to the party when it came to the music of Pearl Jam, as in truth I had never really embraced Grunge as a genre I would be interested in. When I did discover them I devoured them with a passion, so much so I decided to watch this film (Into The Wild) solely because Eddie Vedder had written the sound track. The film turned out to be one of my favourite films and I recommend anybody that hasn't seen it to go watch it.

I have to say when this song starts playing in the film I always smile, its a beautiful song for a beautiful film.

When I walk beside her
I am the better man
When I look to leave her
I always stagger back again

Once I built an ivory tower
So I could worship from above
When I climb down to be set free
She took me in again

[CHORUS]
There's a big
A big hard sun
Beating on the big people
In the big hard world

When she comes to greet me
She is mercy at my feet
I see her inner charm
She just throws it back at me

Once I dug an early grave
To find a better land
She just smiled and laughed at me
And took her rules back again

[CHORUS]

When I go to cross that river
She is comfort by my side
When I try to understand
She just opens up her hands

[CHORUS]

Once I stood to lose her
And I saw what I had done
Bowed down and threw away the hours
Of her garden and her sun

So I tried to want her
I turned to see her weep
40 days and 40 nights
And it's still coming down on me
 


Songs That I Love #37 Secret Affair - Time For Action



If we forget about the Leo Sayer cassette my parents bought me when I was 13 (and trust me I like to forget about it!) the first real music I got into when I was a kid was rock music or Heavy Metal as it was called then. Most of my school was either a (heavy) rocker or a 'Mod' as this rivalry had raised it's head for a second time. Although both my feet were firmly in the rock camp, (my uniform of choice was, black tour t-shirt, leather biker jacket and white baseball boots) I always had an ear for a tune. I remember buying this much to the disgust of my mates as it was a Mod record, but to me it was just a great tune. I still love it now.



Standing in the shadows,
Where the in-crowd meet
We're all dressed up for the evening
We hate the punk elite
So take me to your leader
Because its time you realised...

CHORUS

That this is the time
This is the time for action (time for action)
This is the time to be seen (time to be seen)
This is the time for action
Time to be seen

They can laugh in our face
Cos we know we're right
Looking good's the answer
And living by night
So take me to your leader
Because its time you realised...

REPEAT CHORUS

Look at Sweet Julia
Speeding on the late night train
They're laughing at the way she dresses
Too smart and clean
But she don't care
because she know's she's right
And you know we're only two steps away


Friday 7 February 2014

Songs That I Love #36 Natalie Merchant - The Gulf Of Araby



I have always followed Natalie Merchant from her early days in 10,000 Maniacs (A really great band) she started playing this track live and it was captured on the live album 'Live In New York City' although it was sadly omitted from the DVD of the same title.

It's a cover of a Katell Keineg song an artist I have never heard of who I think appears in this video singing with Natalie. I have never heard the original.

I have no idea what this song is about I have always been draw to how its sounds, there is so much passion in it.



If you could fill a veil with shells from Killineys shore
And sweet talk in a tongue that is no more
If wishful thought could bridge
The gulf of Araby
Between what is
What is
What is
And what can never be

If you could hold the frozen flow of new hope creek
And hide out from the one they said you might meet
If you could unlearn all the words
That you never wanted heard
If you could stall the southern wind
That's whistling in your ears
You could take what is
What is
What is
What is
To what can never be

One man of seventy whispers free at last
Two neighbours who are proud of their massacres
Three tyrants torn away in a winters month
Four prisoners framed by a dirty judge
Five burned with tyres
Six men still inside
And seven more days to shake at the great divide

The gulf, the gulf of Araby
The gulf, the gulf of Araby

Well, we would plough and part the earth to bring you home
And harvest every miracle ever known
If they laid out all the things
That these ten years want to bring
We would gladly give them up
To bring you back to us
O, there is nothing we would not give
To kiss you and believe you can take what is
What is
What is
To what can never be

One man of seventy whispers not free yet
Two neighbours who make up knee-deep in their dead
Three tyrants torn away in the summers heat
Four prisoners lost in the fallacy
Five, on my life
And six, I'm dead inside
And seven more days to shake at the great divide

The gulf, the gulf of Araby
The gulf, the gulf of Araby

Songs That I Love #35 David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Forbidden Colours

 
Taken from the film Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence which starred David Bowie and Ryuichi Sakamoto, came this single featuring David Sylvian just as he was about to launch his solo career. The song is haunting and beautiful.
 
I have included 2 versions here, the first (the original) credited to Sylvian & Sakamoto and the one at the bottom of the page which is slightly different and appeared later on Sylvian's Secrets Of The Beehive album.
 
 
 
The wounds on your hands never seem to heal
I thought all I needed was to believe

Here am I, a lifetime away from you
The blood of Christ, or the beat of my heart
My love wears forbidden colours
My life believes

Senseless years thunder by
Millions are willing to give their lives for you
Does nothing live on?

Learning to cope with feelings aroused in me
My hands in the soil, buried inside of myself
My love wears forbidden colours
My life believes in you once again

I'll go walking in circles
While doubting the very ground beneath me
Trying to show unquestioning faith in everything
Here am i, a lifetime away from you
The blood of Christ, or a change of heart

My love wears forbidden colours
My life believes
My love wears forbidden colours
My life believes in you once again
 
 
 

Songs That I Love #34 Elbow - Newborn


The first song I ever heard by Elbow and still my favourite track. Guy Garvey has talked about how influential the band Talk Talk have been on his music and you can hear it in this track.

I was once reprimanded by Lauren Laverne on Twitter for killing the vibe of her show as I suggested this wasn't the most appropriate song to dedicate to all the new Mums listening. I still stand by my comments as the song is about an old married couple in the later stages of life...

This track has sadly been left out of Elbow's live set recently, but here it is live in all it's glory.



I'll be the corpse in your bathtub
Useless
I'll be as deaf as a post
If you hold me like a newborn
Whisper what you feel
My badly strung declaration
To You
You'll spend the end of your days
Gently smiling like a newborn
Love not by degrees

Press your lips
To my eyes
Taste my tears
On your tongue,
Pull the blinds
Play our song
Nothings changed
Nothing could be wrong.

Scream in the night
Kick and striked
Like a newborn
Holding me shaking
Awake in the dark
All of these promises
Kept and unbroken
Tracing the scars
Tracing the scars
Even and cold
As we both become older.
Your arms bound about me
The hush in your voice.
The warmth of your fingers
Entwined around mine
In the eve of our lives
Never a choice.

Thursday 6 February 2014

Songs That I Love #33 Johnny Cash - Hurt



I know it's a cover but Johnny sings every word as if he wrote this song himself. This track is never background music for me whenever I hear it, it makes me stop what I'm doing and listen.


I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real
The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

[Chorus:]
What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here

[Chorus:]
What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way 

Songs That I Love #32 Lifehouse - Broken

 
 
 
 
When you realise that you love someone just a little bit more than they love you...

 
 
 
The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
I am here still waiting though i still have my doubts
I am damaged at best, like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain, there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you

The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded, I'm an open book instead
I still see your reflection inside of my eyes
That are looking for a purpose, they're still looking for life

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
with a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain (in the pain), is there healing
In your name (in your name) I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin')
I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm hangin' on another day
Just to see what you throw my way
And I'm hanging on to the words you say
You said that I will be OK

The broken lights on the freeway left me here alone
I may have lost my way now, haven't forgotten my way home

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
with a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain(In the pain) there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'),
I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'),
I'm barely holdin' on to you