This year
I’ve been waving goodbye to each month with a musical interlude. The month of May is
going to be treated in the same way but instead of concentrating on one particular artist, I thought I
would do something slightly different and offer a song for each decade that I
have been alive.
Regular
readers will know that I am in my early fifties, which means that I am now in
my sixth decade of walking this planet, ranting and generally being an
arse.
Rather than
choosing obscure artists, I delved into my iPod library and have selected for
your pleasure (or otherwise) a pop song that I love from each ten year period.
1960’s – The
Rolling Stones – Sympathy for the Devil
To be honest, I like both bands because they are responsible for some terrific songs.
My dad hated them and my exposure to bands was limited until the 1970’s and by then it was all over in terms of airplay. I have listened to both since then and have edged towards the Rolling Stones in terms of preference. If I were to list a top ten of both bands then Sympathy for the Devil would be number one. I can tell what you’re thinking:
“You like heavy metal and this song is about the devil. It’s no surprise you like it.”
That’s pure
coincidence, dear reader, because as you know, loving heavy metal does not make
you a Satanist.
1970’s – Kate
Bush – The Man With the Child in His Eyes
Kate Bush is
a rather eccentric artist. I actually laughed when I heard Wuthering Heights
for the first time, simply because it was weird enough to be a one hit wonder.
After all, there were plenty of them about in the seventies, weren’t there?
This song was her follow up to that strange single and completely different. There’s something about the song I like – I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.
It’s difficult to admit it, particularly since I was discovering heavy metal at the time.
“You mean you like Black Sabbath AND Kate Bush?”
This song was her follow up to that strange single and completely different. There’s something about the song I like – I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.
It’s difficult to admit it, particularly since I was discovering heavy metal at the time.
“You mean you like Black Sabbath AND Kate Bush?”
The answer
is yes – and I don’t mind confessing it now.
1980’s -
Icehouse – Hey Little Girl
After the
trauma of climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, I was shaking like a leaf. I said
to Mrs PM:
"Right – let’s find a pub! I need a drink!”
"Right – let’s find a pub! I need a drink!”
We found a
pub in The Rocks and I marched up the barman and said:
“Give me a beer – ANY beer.”
As the cool, cold liquid gushed down my throat, I started to breathe more deeply and I looked into the eyes of the woman who had made me suffer, a woman who, incidentally, was very apologetic but desperately stifling a fit of the giggles.
“Give me a beer – ANY beer.”
As the cool, cold liquid gushed down my throat, I started to breathe more deeply and I looked into the eyes of the woman who had made me suffer, a woman who, incidentally, was very apologetic but desperately stifling a fit of the giggles.
“Do you feel
better now?” she asked.
“Yes,” I
said.
And I did
feel better. I started to take in my surroundings and realised what I had just
done. I was quite proud, despite my dissipating terror. I listened to the
dulcet tones of the other patrons of the establishment and noticed the
song that had just started.
That song was Hey
Little Girl.
“Do you
know, something?” I said to Mrs PM. “I really like this song.”
Mrs PM grinned
but said nothing.
At that
precise moment, and just for a couple of minutes, it was my favourite song in
the world.
1990’s – k.
d. lang – Constant Craving
This is a
really nice song and not one that people would usually associate with my taste.
It’s a simple pop song with a really nice tune. What I like most about the song
is the voice of k. d. lang. She sings beautifully.
I don’t
think there is anything more to say, other than sit back, relax and enjoy this lovely song.
2000’s –
Goldfrapp – Train
There is
little overlap in my musical taste and that of Mrs PM but a couple of Goldfrapp
songs occupy that special place. This is essentially a dance song but there are
elements of the electronic style I like from the early 1980’s and hints of the
1970’s in there too.
Of course, Mrs PM’s transient taste means that it is over for her (after all it is over ten years old now) but I will continue to fly the flag for it.
The video is slightly naughty (in case you are a little sensitive).
Of course, Mrs PM’s transient taste means that it is over for her (after all it is over ten years old now) but I will continue to fly the flag for it.
The video is slightly naughty (in case you are a little sensitive).
2010’s –
Gary Numan – My Last Day
Way back in
the 1980’s Gary Numan was at the forefront of the revolution in electronic
music. I was amazed a few years ago to discover that he is still producing
music thirty years later.
His new style is darker and the music has evolved, so much so that this year I bought his latest album (released two years ago).
You will hear more about this in my musical round up of 2015 later in the year. My Last Day is the last song on the album and is a slow burner. It builds up to an amazing crescendo with terrific keyboards and drums – just the kind of song I like.
If Gary Numan continues to produce music of this high calibre I will be buying his next album for sure.
His new style is darker and the music has evolved, so much so that this year I bought his latest album (released two years ago).
You will hear more about this in my musical round up of 2015 later in the year. My Last Day is the last song on the album and is a slow burner. It builds up to an amazing crescendo with terrific keyboards and drums – just the kind of song I like.
If Gary Numan continues to produce music of this high calibre I will be buying his next album for sure.
And finally
…
I hope you
liked the songs.
