712. Walking After You - Foo Fighters (1998)

 

 

If you walk out on me

I'm walking after you

 

This is a gorgeous song,in contrast to the heavier rock sound the Foo Fighters normally come up with. It was from the soundtrack to the X Files movie.

 

711. I Beg Your Pardon - Kon Kan (1988)

 

 

Are we an item or are we just two?

I need some commitments,all I ask of you

 

A one hit wonder for the Canadian duo,reaching number 5. It samples several records,most notably Lynn Anderson's 'Rose Garden'.

 

 

710. Tuesday Afternoon - The Moody Blues (1967)

 

 

I'm looking at myself,reflections of my mind

It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind

 

A ballad from 'Days Of Future Passed' with some tempo changes thrown in to keep the song interesting. The album covers one day and this is the afternoon bit. A shorter version was released as a single but didn't chart.

 

709. The Spirit Of Radio - Rush (1980)

 

 

Invisible airwaves crackle with life

Bright antenna bristle with the energy

 

No classic rock compilation album would be complete without this song. It's their highest charting single in the UK,reaching number 13. Just two months ago,Rush announced that they have disbanded but 50 years is a good innings for a line-up that has remained unchanged for most of that time.

 

The fast synths in 'Under Your Thumb' are very Giorgio Morodor-esque. Great song!

 

'If I Was' is of course brilliant imo, the chorus especially!

 

'I Beg Your Pardon' is great, one of the last credible Hi-NRG synthpop songs at a time when house was taking over dance and dancepop, the male vocal of the song sounds very New Order and the use of the sample is good too.

 

'Spirit of Radio' is great. Sad to hear that Rush have disbanded now.

 

 

708. Boy Strange - Pet Shop Boys (1999)

 

 

In the eyes of the world

he's a borderline fool

Both naïve and cruel

 

Another track from the 'Nightlife' album. I like the production which almost has a trip hop sound to it in places.

 

707. Eat Y'self Fitter - The Fall (1983)

 

 

The musical chairs have been swallowed up

By a cuddly group who land and rub off

 

The Fall have released over thirty studio albums,none of which I have bought. I only know this song as it's one of a few by them that I recorded onto a blank cassette from John Peel's Radio 1 programme. I like its mad eccentricity. It was one of the songs Peel chose for his appearance on Desert Island Discs. We sadly lost Mark E Smith earlier this year.

 

 

706. New World Rising/Ocean Breakup (reprise) - Electric Light Orchestra (1973)

 

 

I see no sorrow now

Nobody has a care

 

From ELO's third album 'On The Third Day' which was not a big seller. It wasn't until the fourth album that they used a full orchestra so all the cellos and violins here are played by the group's own string section.

 

705. Watching The Wildlife - Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1986)

 

 

The beast within you

Eats your heart out

Get free from hate and get in love

 

From their second and final album 'Liverpool' which wasn't as good as the first and this is the only track I have chosen from it. The single was a minor hit,getting to number 28.

 

704. It Comes And It Goes - Nero (2015)

 

 

All the night time is the hardest time

 

Nero are my favourite dance act from the last few years. Unlike many of the others,they have a regular lead singer,Alana Watson,rather than having different featured singers for each song. 'It Comes And It Goes' is from their second album 'Between II Worlds' and combines Alana's vocals very well with all the electronic sounds.

 

Don't know that Nero song. I wonder if my personal favourite Nero song, 'Guilt' will be appearing on this list?

Oh yes,'Guilt' will be quite high up.

703. Darkness - Peter Gabriel (2002)

 

 

Don't mess with me my fuse is short

Beneath this skin these fragments caught

 

This is the opening track on Peter's seventh album 'Up' and it starts very quietly,forcing the listener to turn the volume up. There is then a huge crashing sound to make him/her jump. It certainly caught me out the first couple of times I played the CD. It might have broken somebody's speakers maybe. So if anyone is going to listen to it,don't say you weren't warned. I like the way the song shifts from heavy aggressive sections to softer piano parts.

 

702. Turn Away - East India Youth (2015)

 

 

At the point of passion I am inflamed

But now it seems those points are due to be changed

 

East India Youth is one man band William Doyle. He's like a 21st century version of Howard Jones or Nik Kershaw but a bit more cool. This is from his second album 'Culture Of Volume'.

 

701. Instinction - Spandau Ballet (1982)

 

 

Cold floor,nice and raw

Eat the meat that's on the floor

 

After their last two singles only reached no.30 and no.49,Spandau Ballet were close to being dropped by their record company so they turned to Trevor Horn for help. He remixed this song from their 'Diamond' album and it was a top 10 hit. I've just listened to the album version for the first time and it's very flat and lifeless so this shows what a production wizard Trevor is.

 

This is the opening track on Peter's seventh album 'Up' and it starts very quietly,forcing the listener to turn the volume up.

 

Needs Steve Wright and his sound compression to even the sound out! :basil:

 

Instinction is a great new wave track!

 

I wonder why Paint Me Down flopped, its a great track, the funky bassline reminds me a bit of the style of the one in The Beautiful South - Perfect 10.

Edited March 17, 20187 yr by The Hissmobile

700. Gone To Pieces - Nik Kershaw (1984)

 

 

I'm tired of going to the wall

When I had nothing but the best intentions

I'm sick of answering the call

Of Alexander Graham Bell's inventions

 

Another track from his debut album 'Human Racing'. A good pop song with a catchy chorus.

 

699. You Make Me Feel - Archive (1999)

 

 

Some trip hop from Archive's second album 'Take My Head'. You might recognise this one as it was used in a TV ad for Garnier Olia.

 

 

 

 

698. Forbidden Colours - David Sylvian & Riuichi Sakamoto (1983)

 

 

Senseless years thunder by

Millions are willing to give their lives for you

Does nothing live on?

 

From the soundtrack to the film 'Merry Christmas,Mr Lawrence',this was a top 20 single. I like the orchestral arrangement.

 

697. I Took You Home - 10cc (1980)

 

 

I looked at your father and I smiled

He said it was time for me to go

 

This is the highlight of 10cc's relatively disappointing seventh album 'Look Hear?' It was written and sung by Eric Stewart who was recovering from a car accident which affected his sight and his hearing.