724. Map Of The Problematique - Muse (2006)

 

 

Fear and panic in the air

I want to be free from desolation and despair

 

From Muse's fourth album 'Black Holes And Revelations',this got to no.18 despite spending just one week in the singles chart. Parts of it have been used on TV a lot including the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony. It's one of Muse's heaviest rock songs,I like the guitar and drum sounds running through it.

 

723. Ticket To The Moon - ELO (1981)

 

 

Remember the good old 1980s

When things were so uncomplicated

I wish I could go back there again

And everything could be the same

 

ELO had ditched the orchestra by 1981 but there are some strings on this one. It was part of a double A side with 'Here Is The News' which was at number 962 in my countdown. Both songs mention Satellite 2 in their lyrics.

 

722. Always Something There To Remind Me - Naked Eyes (1983)

 

 

I walk along the city streets you used to walk along with me

And every step I take reminds me of just how we used to be

 

Naked Eyes were a duo from Bath. Although this only got to number 59 in the UK,it was a top 10 hit in the US. The American chart was full of British groups at this time. The typical early 80s electronic drum sound is present here and I like the addition of church bells to the production. Sandie Shaw's version is the most well known,spending three weeks at no.1,but the song was originally recorded by Lou Johnson in 1964.

 

The only Richard Marx song I know is his 1989 emotional ballad 'Right Here Waiting' which is a big X Factor fave.

 

Map Of The Problematique is my favourite Muse song, just great how it builds up.

 

 

 

721. Layla - Derek and the Dominos (1970)

 

 

I tried to give you consolation

When your old man had let you down

Like a fool I fell in love with you

Turned my whole world upside down

 

A rock classic by Eric Clapton and his band. After the superb guitar playing and vocals in the first half,you then get the bonus of the piano coda in the second half which is my favourite part of the song. 'Layla' is based on a 7th Century Arabian love story but is also about Pattie Boyd who was married to George Harrison at the time. The piano section originated with Rita Coolidge who featured on my chart last week. She was the ex of one of the Dominos and was not included on the songwriting credits. The song was a top 10 single in the UK in 1972 and then again in 1982.

 

Layla is a rock classic! :music: I assumed it was released a bit later than 1970, it sounds great for the time!

I thought you would like that one,Snakey. It's one of those songs everyone likes.

720. Inertia Creeps - Massive Attack (1998)

 

 

Two undernourished egos

Four rotating hips

 

From Massive Attack's third album 'Mezzanine'. Whenever I listen to this track,it conjures images of a busy market in somewhere like Morocco.

 

719. The Unforgettable Fire - U2 (1984)

 

 

And if the mountain should crumble

Or disappear into the sea

Not a tear,no not I

 

From the album of the same name,I like the string arrangement on this,it gives the song a bit of scale. The title is a reference to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

 

Edited March 13, 20187 yr by King Rollo

718. I'll Find My Way Home - Jon and Vangelis (1981)

 

 

Your friend is close by your side

And speaks in far ancient tongue

 

After leaving Yes in 1980,Jon Anderson recorded two albums with Vangelis and this is from the second one 'The Friends Of Mr Cairo'. The single reached number 6,one place higher than Yes' highest charting single 'Wondrous Stories'. I think this is his only ever appearance in the TOTP studio. He seems to be enjoying himself.

 

717. You're A Lady - Peter Skellern (1972)

 

 

You're romantic,I'm a fool

You're the teacher,I've come to school

 

A beautiful song,I love the brass band and choir accompaniment. The choir was called The Congregation who had their own top 5 single the year before with 'Softly Whispering I Love You'. I don't think I know that one,I might listen to it in a minute. The brass band was the Hanwell Band who a hit single a few years later with Terry Wogan on The Floral Dance.

 

716. Einstein A Go-Go - Landscape (1981)

 

 

You better watch out you better beware

Albert said that E equals MC squared

 

From the brilliantly titled album 'From the Tea Rooms of Mars to the Hell Holes of Uranus' comes this quirky song which was a top five single. The hook is definitely the flute sounding synth riff.

 

'Einstein A Go Go' I played recently in plug and nobody seemed to like it, maybe too quirky sounding :( but I like it and it is definitely ahead of its time! Especially with the flute sounding synth riff in place of the chorus, like a 'drop' in a lot of modern songs.

 

It is not the only quirky early 80s song to appear in your countdown with 'Wordy Rappinghood' appearing earlier in your countdown. :D

 

'I'll Find My Way Home' is a lovely song!

Edited March 14, 20187 yr by The Hissmobile

I'm disappointed to hear that none of them liked it. It's much better than anything in the top 40 right now.

715. Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) - Arcade Fire (2004)

 

 

And if the snow buries my neighbourhood

And if my parents are crying

then I'll dig a tunnel from my window to yours

 

Arcade Fire's first single,I like the fast paced piano combined with the guitars and drums on this one.

 

Ooh Layla! Classic. That's on my rundown.

 

Sadly U2, Peter Skellern, Jon & Vangelis and Landscape are not, cos they are all fab.

 

The Congregation were covered by Paul Young, but the original Softly Whispering I Love You was a spine-tingling mix of power vocal, an epic short rock-riff and choral backing singers, on a great song. Gives me goose-bumps every time the guitar thrashes in. That one is in my listings, I think....

714. Under Your Thumb - Godley & Crème (1981)

 

 

So I looked a little closer

And it chilled me to the bone

"Woman throws herself from speeding train

Identity unknown"

 

Another top five single from 1981,Godley & Creme's ghost story. I like the consistent electronic keyboard sound from Lol in the background while Kevin sings the vocals.

 

Ooh Layla! Classic. That's on my rundown.

 

Sadly U2, Peter Skellern, Jon & Vangelis and Landscape are not, cos they are all fab.

 

The Congregation were covered by Paul Young, but the original Softly Whispering I Love You was a spine-tingling mix of power vocal, an epic short rock-riff and choral backing singers, on a great song. Gives me goose-bumps every time the guitar thrashes in. That one is in my listings, I think....

 

 

I listened to 'Softly Whispering I Love You' yesterday and I certainly recognised the song. Whether it was The Congregation's version,I don't know as I was only six when it was out but sometimes memories of songs get lodged in your brain. There are other songs from 1971 that I can remember from the time they were in the chart.

713. If I Was - Midge Ure (1985)

 

 

If I was a soldier

Captive arms I'd lay before her

If I was a sailor

Seven oceans I'd sail to her

 

I know The Snake would have liked to have seen this much further up my chart but here it is now. A well deserved no.1 single for Midge. It was co-written with Danny Mitchell from Ultravox's support band Messengers.

 

another 2 chart-toppers for me there, love Godley & Creme, and Midge Ure. Midge sadly fell short of my list on 860000 "sales" (but has another track on the list) but G&C were firmly inside....