Yes,three very good songs. All of them will be here somewhere.

754. We're All Alone - Rita Coolidge (1977)

 

 

Once a story's told

It can't help but grow old

 

I remember this song from when it was out but I didn't appreciate how good it was until I heard it on the TOTP repeats on BBC4. A beautiful song which she sings so well. The original version was recorded by its writer,Boz Scaggs,the year before.

 

753. All I Need Is A Miracle - Mike & the Mechanics (1985)

 

 

If I ever catch up with you

I'm gonna love you for the rest of your life

 

This only got to no.53 but it was a huge hit in the US,reaching no.5. It does have that American AOR sound to it so not a big surprise. A remixed version got to no.27 in the UK in 1996.

 

752. Heaven Give Me Words - Propaganda (1990)

 

 

Take these words they come out wrong

 

There will be songs to come from Propaganda's brilliant first album. By the time their second album '1234' was released,only Michael Mertens remained from the all German line-up. Two former members of Simple Minds joined and the new singer was Betsi Miller. This is a great pop song which managed to get to number 36,their third and final top 40 hit. It was co-written with Howard Jones.

 

751. Singularity - New Order (2015)

 

 

We're players on a stage

With roles already scripted

 

The second song in my chart from New Order's most recent album. This one is much closer to their 80s electronic sound but at the same time sounds contemporary.

 

750. Whisper In The Night - Electric Light Orchestra (1971)

 

 

Face the midnight sun

You have something to live for

 

From their first album. ELO were formed as a trio of Jeff Lynne,Roy Wood and Bev Bevan so all the cellos and other orchestral instruments on this song were played by Roy and Jeff without any classical training. 'Whisper In The Night' was written and sung by Roy Wood and is certainly his best contribution from his short time in the group. Singles were still being released as The Move with 'California Man' reaching the top 10 in 1972 to help pay for the recording of the first and second ELO albums.

 

749. Slainte Mhath - Marillion (1987)

 

 

Shuffling your memories,dealing your doodles in margins

You scrawl out your poems across a beermat or two

 

The first Marillion song in my chart from when Fish was the lead singer. The main difference is the lyrics get more poetic. This is from 'Clutching At Straws', a concept album about an alcoholic character called Torch.

 

 

752. Heaven Give Me Words - Propaganda (1990)

 

One of my friends at work gave me A Secret Wish to listen to - really interesting and somewhat surprising that they never got big or are that well known today..

748. Press - Paul McCartney (1986)

 

 

My body needs attention,my mind is in a mess

Oklahoma was never like this

 

This is a sprightly pop song. It got to number 25 but maybe should have been a bigger hit.

 

747. The Lamia - Genesis (1974)

 

 

With the first drop of my blood in their veins

Their faces are convulsed in mortal pains

 

Taken from the ambitious double concept album 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' which was the story of a young Puerto Rican called Rael living in New York. The Lamia were three female half human/half snake creatures who die after drinking his blood. Only in the 70s were groups allowed the freedom to indulge their ideas in this way. The keyboards,guitars and drums are all fantastic here and while the lyrics are all Peter Gabriel's,this is a team effort.

 

746. Bring It Back - Marcel Woods featuring Vanbot (2013)

 

 

There's no escape from this

I guess it's too late to bring it back

 

This is the first of four songs in my chart that I have discovered through Buzzjack. I came across it while reviewing each BJSC winner. I see I only ranked it in 10th place in my final table but it's grown on me more since then. As I said in my review,it's an energetic dance tune with big,swirly flourishes.

 

 

 

745. It's A Hard Life - Queen (1984)

 

 

This is a tricky situation

I've only got myself to blame

 

From Queen's album 'The Works' which is probably my favourite album by them. The song was written by Freddie Mercury. The other three members were not very happy with the ridiculous costumes they were made to wear for the video.

 

744. Don't Come Around Here No More - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1985)

 

 

I don't feel you anymore

You darken my door

 

Co-written with Dave Stewart from Eurythmics,the title is based on something Stewart overheard Stevie Nicks say to Joe Walsh at a party just after she had split up with him. I particularly like the sitar on this and the crazy video.

 

 

743. I Saw A Prayer - JJ72 (2002)

 

 

Maintenance of simplicity

It's the one thing that cannot be

 

Another song from their second album. The youtube clip for it is only half the song so the link below is the whole album. The track starts at 6.38 and finishes at 11.37 if anyone wants to listen to it. I like the big wall of guitars on this one.

 

Edited March 7, 20187 yr by King Rollo

742. Elektrobank - The Chemical Brothers (1997)

 

 

It's the full eight minute album version that makes my chart but I'm posting the shorter single version as it has a very good gymnastics themed video directed by Spike Jonze. The vocal line is sampled from 'This That Shit' by Keith Murray.

 

741. Sun To Me - Faithless (2010)

 

 

The third and final track I have chosen from their most recent album 'The Dance'. This is mainly an instrumental.

 

Haven't heard that Propaganda track, but 'Dr Mabuse' by them is fantastic, sounding brill for 1984, dramatic and also quite dancey too!

740. A Design For Life - Manic Street Preachers (1996)

 

 

Libraries gave us power

Then work came and made us free

What price now for a shallow piece of dignity

 

One of the best 90s indie anthems,this reached no.2,held off the top of the chart by 'Return Of The Mack'. I like the strings,the big drum sound and the rousing chorus.

 

739. Roundabout - Yes (1971)

 

 

In and around the lake

Mountains come out of the sky

 

One of Yes' best known songs,this has been performed at almost every concert since the 'Fragile' album was released. An edited version was a top 20 single in the US. The lyrics were inspired by a tour bus journey from Aberdeen to Glasgow in which they saw lakes,mountains and about 40 roundabouts.

 

738. This Is Hardcore - Pulp (1998)

 

 

I've seen the storyline played out so many times before

Oh that goes in there,then that goes in there

 

'Common People' may be Pulp's best known song but this is by far my favourite song from them that I know. The orchestral sound on this suits the sleaziness of the lyrics. The main riff is sampled from 'Bolero On The Moon Rocks' by the Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra.