My Favourite Fifty Songs

James writes about his fifty favourite songs

Lists – Outliers and Weirdos

James thinks a little about lists and the value of spotting the outliers and weirdos.

The 750: Why?

Why on earth do I do these? They are pretty silly, no? The bottom line is that I enjoy it. I like lists. I like writing lists - on music mainly, but other things too. I like reading lists. I'll read lists by complete strangers on music I barely know. They're prompts, inspirations, conversation starters,…

750 – #35 & #36

Day 18. We're almost 5% through. #35 - Iggy Pop - The Passenger (1977) https://youtu.be/-fWw7FE9tTo One of the few songs I know how to play on the guitar. I'm still rubbish at it, but hey.. I know the chords. #36 - Lloyd Cole & The Commotions - Perfect Skin (1984) https://youtu.be/DDoJQH8Pz8s Teenage James loved this…

750 – #33 & #34

If you don't like these tunes, you're dead to me. (Not really... but perhaps a little.) #33 - Lizzo - Juice (2019) https://youtu.be/XaCrQL_8eMY Lizzo should be my therapist - she's a ray of sunshine. #34 - Billy Joel - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) (1977) https://youtu.be/7nfEYV7nWc0 Does anyone not love this?

750 – #31 & #32

Another Monday, another reason to pull the shades and pretend it isn't happening. #31 - The Supremes - You Keep Me Hanging On (1967) https://youtu.be/oZkGaAqK-Nk If you don't think that this is a stone cold classic, I don't know what's wrong with you. #32 - The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary (1985) https://youtu.be/ZCOSPtyZAPA No goth…

750 – #29 & #30

Two more. I'm enjoying this. First song here is one of the best (just sayin') #29 - Sweeney's Men - Dreams For Me (1969) https://youtu.be/l6CAzIHVQtY Without a doubt one of my most favourite tracks of all. So beautiful. #30 - Mutya Buena - Real Girl (2007) https://youtu.be/Tb2c7gAcMeg Pure pop. Nothing clever just devilishly catchy.

750 – #27 & #28

I hope your weekend is shaping up nice. #27 - Pixies - Where is my Mind (1988) https://youtu.be/OJ62RzJkYUo Nothing to add - great track. #28 - Ben E. King - Young Boy Blues (1961) https://youtu.be/XGKvXnLjgWk The way he soars when he gets to the chorus. Ben E. King is an incredible singer.

750 – #25 & 26

It's Friday. To celebrate here are two cast-iron killer tracks #25 - Blind Faith - Can't Find My Way Home (1971) https://youtu.be/PJJnA6zEcGk I think I prefer the album version, but this is cool too. It's also cool to see Winwood, Baker, etc. do their thing. #26 - Oumou Sangare - Ah Ndiya (1990) https://youtu.be/1ZbV17bnhAw Again,…

750 – #23 & #24

Hello again. Still not sick of me? I wouldn't blame you. #23 - The Viscounts - Who Put the Bomp (In the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp) (1961) https://youtu.be/-9fIbhyACU8 A British cover of Barry Mann's nonsense classic, and against the odds a definite improvement, I think. But once it starts, there's precious little chance that I'll not…