Have thrown this list together quite quickly, I'm pretty sure as soon I publish this, hundreds of better and more significant songs will spring to mind but there's definitely a few gems in here that take me back to some fantastic, poignant and very amusing times. Like Tom Hooper I have opted for chronological order. Here goes...
#1 Bobby Brown - Two Can Play That Game
This was the first CD Single I ever recieved, way back in 1995. It was a 12th birthday present from my big brother and was played at the party I had to celebrate the occasion. Throwing some shapes to this whilst wearing stars and stripes shorts (bit of a tongue twister), I thought I was the epitome of cool. I WAS NOT. I did have my first slow dance with a girl that night too, to this... How embarrassing.
#2 Kings of Leon - Molly's Chambers
One of my all time favourite songs. I remember listening to it, and the rest of Youth and Young Manhood, frequently and loudly in my bedroom at 2nd year Uni house. The hypnotic bassline, cracking guitar solo and gravelly vocals make this a memorable, punchy and brilliant little rock song. And it would get me psyched up for many a Fivefields Close Pro Evo tournament!
#3 Billy Paul - Am I Black Enough For You?
I first started working at But Is It Art? when I was a student in 2002 and it opened me up to a whole new world of eclectic music, mainly supplied by my colleague, boss and friend Mr Steve Ball. The shop stereo had mini-discs scattered all around it, each with a ridiculous name. My favourite was called 'Hurry up and Die' and was devoted to the lady who worked in Superdrug and looked about 100 years old! I can't remember if the above song was on that particular mini-disc but it's a belter nonetheless. Special mentions to these two songs that narrowly missed out on gaining this particular time and place spot ... Velvet Underground - Who Loves The Sun and Richie Havens - Going Back To My Roots
#4 Arcade Fire - Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)
I've always liked music but it wasn't until my early twenties that I began to realise how amazing and important music is, and really develop a passion for it. It helped that I was no longer going to Yates's and the Walkabout and instead venturing to indie nights at The After Dark (not the first time this place will get a mention on this list) with future housemates Tom, Alan and Fazaq. This song sticks in my head as I recall being on the dancefloor and had absolutely no idea who they were and the far more knowledgable trio informed me thus. After that I was much more proactive in listening to, and discovering new music.
#5 The Undertones - Teenage Kicks
Following on directly from this I found out that musical knowledge is rather handy when talking to girls and I used Arcade Fire as an example when chatting up a girl called Lindsay at a Propaganda night at Bristol Academy in late 2006. She wasn't happy at some song being played and I said "Yeah, would be really great to hear some Arcade Fire right now". She lapped that up, and after buying her a drink and talking some more I ended up making out with her while this song played in the background. This was also back in my teetotal days so I was particularly proud of my sober efforts!
#6 George Harrison - Got My Mind Set On You
This is such a happy song, I bloody love it. It takes me back to the beginning of my first serious relationship in late May 2007 and was a song my then girlfriend and I both loved. I found out it was a cover and got her the album with the original version by James Ray for our one month anniversary (gay!). It is also the only song I want to hear when drunk in the After Dark on a Saturday night.
#7 Neutral Milk Hotel - Holland, 1945
On the flip side breaking up sucks and after a messy, drawn out split with the above girl she bizarrely made me a random playlist of songs, including Patti Smith, Smashing Pumpkins and various others, The pick of the bunch being this. I remember walking home along London Road after breaking up for the zillionth time and listening to it. It took my mind off things for a few minutes... which was nice.
#8 Nelly Furtado - Maneater
This tune was massive in 2006 and was a shoe in on the 236 housewarming party playlist. This is still the greatest party I have ever had the privilege of hosting, attending and being part of. It had everything! Back to the song... Nelly Furtado looks seriously sexy in the video and it was just a guaranteed floor filler.
#9 Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles
I can't really attach a single time or place to this pop masterpiece but for whatever reason it has to be on this list. IT HAS TO BE. Don't judge me. You love it too. Don't you? You Don't? Fuck you then! I'm sorry.
#10 Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird
A rock epic that again reminds me of the 236 house. Playing it on Guitar Hero was actually physically exhausting and left me in tatters on several occasions.
#11 The Cure - Friday I'm In Love
Cricket tours have always brought some great memories and none more so than the one involving this musical number. I re-wrote the lyrics and renamed it 'Hurley I'm In Love'. After a night out we returned to our hotel where guitar playing lothario Robert Simon got the chords off the internet and proceeded to play while the team members still awake harmonised together beautifully and performed my magnum opus.
#12 Iron & Wine - Such Great Heights
Both this, and the Postal Service's version are superb but I selected this one because it reminds me of the birth of my niece. I made her a mix cd of soothing and calming songs to sleep to and this song was the epitome of that effort. Hopefully when Sophie is older she'll listen to it and think that Uncle Nico was, and is, cool as fuck.
Thanks for reading.
