Dom Top 10
I Get a Kick Out of You - Frank Sinatra
The joy of hearing this for the first time without scratches was unreal. My dad had played his album to death, then Gerard and Michael wrote all over it, years went by and I started listening to it. I bought myself a new pressing of Swing Easy/Songs for Young Lovers and fell in love with that voice, providing, of course, if I could hear it above Iron Maiden coming out of my other brother's room next door :-)
Suspicious Minds - Elvis
In my very early days I can remember my dad upstairs listening to the Beatles, John Lennon, Queen amongst others while my mum would be cooking downstairs with her wee tape machine playing Elvis. When I joined the band in Madrid I intrinsically knew all the words of all the songs. This one is great to play live and this live version has the added bonus of not fading out and in and out again at the end.
Theme to Margaret - Level 42
I love this piece of music because of the bass, the brilliant bit when the guitar plays groovy chords, but most of all for the vivid memory of Gerard Joseph getting right into it and blasting South Central Carbrain, air guitar is for poofs - how about air bass, drums, keyboard and guitar simultaneously! Gerry you are my hero.
Happiness is a Warm Gun - The Beatles
I could've taken just about any track from the White Album, I love it all. This one is 2.44 of pure genius.
Saturday Morning - Eels
This song cheers me up and reminds me of getting up on Saturdays in Madrid, just makes me happy.
Thieves Like Us - New Order
I could've chosen hunners of New Order songs but I love this one. I think I might like the singing on the instrumental the best, there's only a wee wooo hoo but it's class. I remember when I went to London my brother Gerard made me a tape on which he had mixed the instrumental into the song - 15 minutes of pause-button-busting action. I've lived my life on alcohol, I've lived my life on drugs.
A Promise - Echo & The Bunnymen
I had to have a bunnymen song and Paul already stole my choice (My Kingdom). But this one has it all.
Reel Around the Fountain - The Smiths
Will never forget seeing them on the tube and then waiting 2 years for a studio version of Barbarism Begins At Home. Meanwhile we had a couple of singles and then the first album. For a spotty b*stard the opening track was and still is sheer bliss - I dreamt about you last night....
Charmed Life - The Divine Comedy
This is the song Neil Hannon wrote after his daughter was born and I think it's lovely. Most of yous have daughters, go on, have a wee greet :-)
Shadows in the Rain - Sting
When I could play Barbarism Begins At Home on the bass I thought I was doing OK. When the fast version of this appeared and I mastered it I began to have the confidence to play. I know Sting is a prick, but he writes some good stuff.