412. Finding It So Hard - Archive (2002)

 

 

I'm finding it so hard

To let myself be with you

'Cause this selfishness won't go away

I lock myself up when you're with me

 

Every Archive song I add to this countdown sounds so different to the one before. This fifteen minute epic has a drum'n'bass sound to it combined with electronica. It's from their third album 'You All Look The Same To Me'.

 

Edited July 20, 20187 yr by King Rollo

411. Barcelona - Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe (1987)

 

 

I had this perfect dream

Un sueno me envolvio

This dream was me and you

Tal vez estas aqui

 

Written for the Barcelona Olympics,this got to number 8 on its initial release in 1987 and then to number 2 when the games took place in 1992,kept off the top spot by 'Rhythm Is A Dancer' by Snap.

 

 

Edited July 20, 20187 yr by King Rollo

410. Isn't Life Strange - The Moody Blues (1972)

 

 

Each breath that we breathe

With love we must weave

 

This was the Moody Blues' fourth and final top 20 single (barring re-releases of Nights In White Satin). They were more of an albums band,releasing seven in just six years from 1967-1972 with three of those topping the album chart. This constant recording and touring schedule took its toll on them and it would be 1978 before they released their next album. The wonderful 'Isn't Life Strange' is six minutes long with lots of different instruments being played.

 

 

413. Barber's Adagio For Strings - William Orbit (1999)

 

Classic track, and far superior to the much lauded Tiësto version.

409. Let Down - Radiohead (1997)

 

 

Don't get sentimental

It always ends up in drivel

 

This doesn't seem to be on youtube on its own. There is just this clip of it plus the next song on the 'OK Computer' album so you only have to listen to the first five minutes if you choose to play it. I like the big drum sound and the Phil Spector style production which they were deliberately trying to re-create.

 

 

408. Afterglow - Genesis (1976)

 

 

And I would search everywhere

Just to hear your call

And walk upon stranger roads than this one

In a world I used to know before

 

From 'Wind & Wuthering' a relatively short song written by Tony Banks. Phil Collins' vocals here are really powerful. When played live,it was often the climax of a medley of songs which started with 'In The Cage'.

 

407. Frozen - Madonna (1998)

 

 

You're so consumed with how much you get

You waste your time with hate and regret

 

The second and final song on my countdown by Madonna. It was her first single to debut at no.1 on the UK chart. I love the strings on this and William Orbit's production.

 

 

Frozen is stunning, such a moment in a discography full of moments :wub:

406. Every Little Thing (12 inch version) - Jeff Lynne (1990)

 

 

You've gotta stop all your reservations

Am I for the chop or is it celebrations?

 

A really upbeat pop song by Jeff Lynne with contributions from Richard Tandy and George Harrison. It was his highest charting solo single,reaching number 59. The Solid Gold dancers seem to be the American equivalent of Legs & Co.

 

405. Be There - UNKLE featuring Ian Brown (1999)

 

 

You don't wanna be there

Over sea and onto land

 

One of the best trip hop songs from the 90s,this was originally an instrumental track called 'Unreal' on their 1998 album 'Psyence Fiction'. This version,with Ian Brown from the Stone Roses on vocals,reached number 8,the only top 30 single for UNKLE. The video was filmed at Mornington Crescent tube station.

 

 

 

404. In Denial - Pet Shop Boys and Kylie Minogue (1999)

 

 

My life is absurd,I'm living it upside down

Like a vampire,working at night,sleeping all day

A dad with a girl who know's he's gay

 

From the 'Nightlife' album,Neil Tennant's character in the song is the father of Kylie Minogue's character. An orchestra and choir are added to give the track a bit more scale.

 

Frozen is brilliantly atmospheric.

 

The Radiohead song 'Let Down' is quite nice, I assume the next track 'Karma Police' will be appearing in your countdown (if it already hasn't done so)?

Doing a quick check,I see Karma Police was at number 687.

403. Don't Let Him Steal Your Heart Away - Phil Collins (1982)

 

 

And don't pack my suitcase,I'll be back

And don't take my pictures off of the wall

 

One of many songs from Phil Collins' first two solo albums that he wrote about his divorce. It missed the top 40,only getting to number 45.

 

402. This World Of Water - New Musik (1980)

 

 

No entry no exit

I like to be beside the sea

 

The follow up to 'Living By Numbers' which was further down my chart. It only got to number 31 but it's the better of the two songs. It doesn't sound 38 years old at all.

 

401. Rubber Bullets - 10cc (1973)

 

 

Well we don't understand

Why you called in the National Guard

When Uncle Sam is the one

Who belongs in the exercise yard

 

The first of three number 1 singles for 10cc. There's so much to like here:the intro,the lyrics,the speeded up guitars and the slowed down bit in the middle. The British army were using rubber bullets at the time in Northern Ireland,leading to the BBC restricting its airplay but not quite banning it.

 

 

400. MacArthur Park - Richard Harris (1968)

 

 

Someone left the cake out in the rain

I don't think that I can take it

'Cause it took so long to bake it

And I'll never have that recipe again

Oh no!

 

A song written by Jimmy Webb who also wrote 'Wichita Lineman' for Glen Campbell (no.563 on my chart). At a time when most singles were under three minutes long,it was brave to release this 7 minute single which had no radio edit. It got to number 2 in the US and number 4 here. During the 70s,I was only familiar with the instrumental break from 5.00 to 6.30 which was used as background music by a Radio 1 or Radio 2 DJ,I can't remember which one,when he was talking between records. I think it might have also been used for a chart rundown. It's only in the internet era that I've come to know the rest of the song. The lyrics and over the top orchestral arrangement led to it being voted worst song of all time in an American poll but there are many others who love its uniqueness. A cake really was left out in the rain but its more of a metaphor for Jimmy Webb's breakup with his girlfriend who he often met up with in MacArthur Park for lunch. Donna Summer's disco cover version was an American number 1 in 1978.

 

399. Broken/Head Over Heels/Broken(Live) - Tears For Fears (1985)

 

 

This is my four leaf clover

 

Three tracks from the 'Songs From The Big Chair' album but they are segued together to form one piece of music. 'Broken' was originally the B side to 'Pale Shelter'. An edited single version of 'Head Over Heels' got to number 12.

 

398. Can't Keep Me Silent (12" Original Mix) - Angelic (2001)

 

 

In the pressure of the situation

I won't let my tongue get tied

A silent voice in the congregation

I refuse to live a lie

 

Angelic were Darren Tate and Judge Jules. Darren Tate made an early appearance in my chart at number 990 under the name of Jurgen Vries with Charlotte Church (The Opera Song). Vocals on this great trance tune are by Judge Jules' wife,Amanda O'Riordan.

 

Edited July 23, 20187 yr by King Rollo

397. Master And Servant - Depeche Mode (1984)

 

 

Domination's the name of the game

In bed or in life

They're both just the same

Except in one you're fulfilled

 

Depeche Mode pack a lot of different sounds into this song,not a second of it is wasted. It was banned in parts of the US and almost got banned by the BBC but when the staff vote took place one of the ones who wanted it banned was away on holiday.