371. Tokyo - 10cc (1978)

 

 

Transistorised and anodised

Chrome plated,squeaky clean

 

Taken from 10cc's sixth album 'Bloody Tourists' which had 'Dreadlock Holiday' on it. This is more of a mid-tempo ballad,written and sung by Eric Stewart.

 

I agree that The Chemical Brothers have superb music videos! My favourite has to be 'Star Guitar'. Hooray for them and The KLF popping up here just now :wub:

Yes Jade,'Star Guitar' has a wonderful video.

370. Sorry For Laughing - Propaganda (1985)

 

 

I'm not being mean so don't take it hard

When I ask you to run round the yard

 

Another track from 'A Secret Wish'. I played this album for many years without realising that this track is a cover version of a song from 1981 by Scottish post-punk band Josef K.

 

 

369. Sing For Absolution - Muse (2003)

 

 

Lips are turning blue

A kiss that can't renew

 

A typically dramatic Muse song from their third album 'Absolution'. There are some great vocals from Matt Bellamy here.

 

372. Last Train To Trancentral - KLF featuring The Children Of The Revolution (1991)

 

Fun fact about this: Exeter City run on the pitch at every home game to this. I know because I used to live opposite the ground and get woken up by it when sleeping between night shifts! Never worked out why they play this though as the KLF are most definitely from Scotland /Liverpool and not Devon. Great song though, but not my favourite from KLF.

Really like Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol were the first band I was properly into and so glad they've finally made a comeback.

Atomic is great also, didn't hear it until about a year ago but the music is really good!

Giving Every Little Thing a listen now, liking the saxophone riff a lot.

Not heard How Soon Is Now before but it does sound very different to the other Smiths singles I've heard. His voice is still very distinctive though :P

Let Forever Be sounds familiar somewhere in the back of my mind on listening, never realised they'd collaborated with Noel before though :o

whoop slipped again in my comments, been on hols, in London, hectic etc excuses excuses :lol:

 

Those that I really like a lot:

 

JJ72, ELO (Shine), Midnight Oil, Elton, Prefab Sprout, Jean-Michel Jarre, Jeff Lynne, UNKLE, Pet Shop Boys & Kylie, New Musik, LIverpool Express, Lightning Seeds, Roy Oribison...

 

Those I adore:

 

Tatu, Blondie, Moody Blues (Isnt LIfe Strange) - underrated by even me in my own charts - Madonna, ELO (Telephone Line), 10CC, Richard Harris, A-ha, Paul McCartney, Waterboys, Smiths, Wizzard, KLF. I was OBSESSED by See My Baby Jive for 10 weeks over the summer of 73 when it topped my charts throughout, and then some afterwards, starting off a 5-record run of number ones for Roy Wood/Wizzard.

 

I didn't know that Godley & Creme track. I Pity Inanimate Objects. "Experimental" it would have been called...but 10CC together or solo can do no wrong for me... :)

Thanks for the comments,all three of you. :)

368. I Wish It Would Rain Down - Phil Collins (1989)

 

 

I never meant to cause you no pain

But it looks like I did it again

 

From Phil's fourth album '...But Seriously',this was a big worldwide hit,including six weeks at number 1 in Canada. Featuring Eric Clapton on guitar,the last couple of minutes are particularly striking with the gospel singers,the guitar and Phil's lead vocal all together.

 

367. All Rise - The Delgados (2002)

 

 

But if I had confessions,I'd have concessions

 

The third song on my chart from the Delgados' excellent fourth album 'Hate'. It takes them half the song to get to the chorus but when it comes,it's euphoric,especially when it's repeated at the end.

 

 

366. Rent (Extended Mix) - Pet Shop Boys (1987)

 

 

But look at my hopes,look at my dreams

The currency we've spent

I love you,you pay my rent

 

The album version is very good but I prefer this extended mix from the 12 inch single. The lyrics are about a kept woman. Liza Minelli recorded a great orchestral cover version.

 

365. Illusion - VNV Nation (2007)

 

 

Please don't go,I want you to stay

I'm begging you please,please don't leave here

 

The third of the four songs in my countdown that I have discovered from Buzzjack. From VNV Nation's sixth album 'Judgement' this didn't even qualify from its semi-final in one of last year's Buzzjack Song Contests. I wasn't in that semi and I don't always listen to the non qualifiers from the other semi. I'm glad I did that time. What were the voters thinking not voting for this emotional song?

 

'Rent' is great from the Pet Shop Boys, one my favourite songs from them and possibly my favourite chart hit of 1987. I like the dark atmospheric instrumental.

364. The Eve Of The War - Jeff Wayne (1978)

 

 

The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one

But still,they come!

 

This is the full nine minute album track from 'Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds' with Richard Burton's narration and Justin Hayward singing. The string riff at the start is so sinister. The album has spent more than 300 weeks on the album chart.

 

 

The Eve Of The War is brilliant! I like how dramatic it is!

363. Jungle Ride - Fish (1997)

 

 

The glazed eyes of porcelain clowns stare skywards at clouds

of goldfish madly circling their own silent plastic worlds

 

Co-incidentally,there is narration on this song as well with Fish speaking some of the lyrics in his familiar Scottish lilt. It's from his album 'Sunsets On Empire' which was produced by Steven Wilson who also plays some of the guitars and keyboards.

 

 

362. Sweet Breath Of Your Rapture - Black (1991)

 

 

I could lose myself in the curve of your hips

Aching to kiss your sweet lips

 

From Colin Vearncombe's third album under the name Black. As well as his usual perfect vocal,I like the organ sound and the percussion on this one.

 

361. Broken Wings - Mr Mister (1985)

 

 

The book of love will open up and let us in

 

The third and final song on my chart by Mr Mister. This was a number 1 single in the US and the song they are best remembered for even though the follow up single 'Kyrie' also got to number 1 and both were big hits over here. This is a well constructed song which gets better as it goes on.

 

360. Don't Walk Away - Electric Light Orchestra (1980)

 

 

Is it a dream,when will it end

When everything we've ever known has ended and I'm all alone

 

From the soundtrack to Xanadu,one of Jeff Lynne's more underrated songs. It only reached number 21,ending a run of 14 consecutive top 20 singles. The bridge between the verse and the chorus is almost like a chorus itself and I've always thought of this song as having two choruses with two different melodies. The song title is sung in both of them.