I am incredibly inconsistent. This decision reaches you from the inevitable quarantine bedroom where my plan to post weekly blogs has, also inevitably, faltered. Amid postponed essays and a Tiger King binge, I’ve been tempted to take part in the 30-day song challenge, but knew I’d forget to do a day and then try to make up for it with two in a day before quitting altogether. This is why I’ve decided to just get it out of the way and do it all in one go, therefore fulfilling the completionist within whilst simultaneously saving my Instagram followers from thirty days of nonsense. I’ll offer a line or two as to why certain songs have been selected for their corresponding days for anyone interested. So, without further ado, let’s kick it off.
1. A Song You Like With a Colour in the Title: BROCKHAMPTON – ‘GOLD’
A solid, solid pick for day 1, I think. Taken from 2017’s ‘SATURATION’, ‘GOLD’ was BROCKHAMPTON’s gateway drug in many senses. The members of the self-confessed “boyband” line up one-by-one on the track, introducing their own unique flows and deliveries atop a killer beat, punctuated by a braggadocious hook which demands respect from their contemporaries. As good an introduction as any.
2. A Song You Like With a Number in the Title: Radiohead – ’15 Step’
Perhaps my favourite band of all time, Radiohead open their seventh (eighth if you count ‘I Might Be Wrong’) studio album with an infectious body mover which really comes to life when the band perform it live. Thom Yorke cannot keep still whilst he delicately sings over the top of this unimaginably clever musical masterpiece. This is the song that makes any listener into an involuntary body-popper and it’s great.
3. A Song That Reminds You of Summertime: The Libertines – ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’
This challenge really had to do this to us didn’t it. Just when summer looks like it’s already over for so many of us, it wants us to think of that golden pub garden paradise that is summer. Oh well, if we’re gonna go there, it might as well be to ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’. The Libertines gave us Brits possibly one of the most iconic British songs of all time and is ingrained in the hearts of many. Everyone’s belting this one out, dark fruits in hand.
4. A Song That Reminds You of Someone You’d Rather Forget: Drake – ‘Nice For What’
A great song, truly. Definitely one of the better efforts from 2018’s ‘Scorpion’ which was a bit of a mixed bag, let’s be honest. However, as is custom with songs that remind you of someone you’d rather forget, this one gets the skip treatment when it sneaks onto the shuffle. Next!
5. A Song That Needs to be Played Loud: IDLES – ‘Never Fight A Man With A Perm’
“CONCRETE TO LEATHER” – who is not screaming that out when the chorus comes round? IDLES gave us a contender for album of the year in 2018 with ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’, filling it to the brim with unapologetically explosive head-bangers and when performed live, the anthem puts the crowd into a euphoric trance, with the band commanding the mosh pits as if they were a charmer and the audience the snake.
6. A Song That Makes You Want to Dance: SAINt JHN – ‘Roses – Imanbek Remix’
A relatively new track in comparison with some of the others that have come before it in the list, ‘Roses’ has you moving before you even realise you’re doing it. I’m currently praying this song is still in DJ cycles by the time quarantine is over because I know full well I’ll be cutting shapes I didn’t know were possible to this track after a few jaeger bombs.
7. A Song to Drive to: The Neighbourhood – ‘Sweater Weather’
It’s a bit of a meme now; a 2013 dream in leather and ripped denim. The ultimate sad boy anthem. This is the song that originally made teens across the world wish they were in a film noir as they cruised down the American highway in their convertibles. I wonder if its possible to recreate this down the A11 in a VW Golf?
8. A Song About Drugs or Alcohol: The Verve – ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’
A heartbreakingly beautiful ballad of woe where nothing, not even drugs, can provide even the slightest relief from the pain of separation. I had the pleasure to witness Richard Ashcroft sing this acoustically at Liam Gallagher’s Finsbury Park show in 2018 and hearing the crowd sing every word back to him fully impassioned was haunting. One of the all time great songs and criminally underrated.
9. A Song That Makes You Happy: Crystal Fighters – ‘Love Natural’
FIFA players know. Potentially the most iconic song from the FIFA franchise and its youthful spirit makes us all dream of international football on the big screen, beer in hand. The BBQ’s on and ready for half time. England through to the semis? Getting drunk with people you don’t know but by the end of the night they’re your brothers? Inject it into my veins.
10. A Song That Makes You Sad: Frank Ocean – ‘Self Control’
It just had to be a Frank Ocean song here, didn’t it? ‘Self Control’ is breathtaking. It tells the tale of failed love and the pitched up Austin Feinstein vocals sound so youthful and innocent, making the reality of the heart break even more unbearable. By the time the second part of the song is upon us, even the driest of eyes are shimmering. Frank finishes the song with accepting that the damage done is irreparable, and the defeat masked by his angelic vocals is far too relatable for frequent listens.
11. A Song You Never Get Tired of: Travis Scott – ‘Goosebumps’
This track came on at my University’s night club recently and I’ve never seen the room bounce like it did at that moment, (granted, it’s rare you can recall a night spent on student-priced alcohol). ‘Goosebumps’ is one of those songs that sticks out immediately, even on a first listen. It’s a colossal banger and still hits just as hard as it did the first time you heard it. Travis Scott warned everyone he was here to stay with this tune and, after seeing it performed live twice, it creates one of the most dangerously unpredictable environments, but that’s why we love it.
12. A Song From Your Preteen Years: The Kooks – ‘Naïve’
Quintessential indie for day 12 and one of those songs nearly every Brit of a certain age knows word for word, even if they never wanted to. Incredibly, this track still gets an “Ohh, yesssss!” every time it comes on regardless of where it is played. It’s just one of those beloved songs that is on a collision course with immortality.
13. A Song You Like From the 70’s: Pink Floyd – ‘Wish You Were Here’
Timeless. The 70’s was a pretty decent decade for the Floyd, wasn’t it? Sandwiched between two of the greatest albums of all time in ‘The Wall’ and ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, ‘Wish You Were Here’ is the title track of the 1975 album and is possibly the greatest of all the Pink Floyd songs. David Gilmour excruciatingly retrieves the most intense emotion from his guitar in what is actually a fairly simple tune to play. Beauty in simplicity, really. “Two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl” is devastating imagery from the band and has inspired tattoos for decades.
14. A Song You’d Love to be Played at Your Wedding: Courteeners – ‘Small Bones’
It always seemed to me that this song was what it was all about. One of my personal all time favourite tunes, it is blissfully real and grounded in the sort of experiences and encounters that many of us will go through at some point. Liam Fray is a hugely underrated lyricist and a true poet, and ‘Small Bones’ is delicate yet triumphant, a true testament to what Courteeners are capable of.
15. A Song You Like That’s a Cover by Another Artist: Nirvana – ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night’
I nearly put in The Last Shadow Puppets’ cover of ‘Moonage Daydream’ before I remembered the best cover of all time. Originally performed by Leadbelly, Nirvana took the song for their MTV Unplugged performance and gave the world an example of musical excellence. ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night’ is moody and ambiguous, connoting an atmosphere of danger in the story telling infused with the unpredictability of the narrator. Kurt Cobain releases an ear-piercing, earth-shattering scream on the tail end of this track that is the embodiment of pain itself. It is frightening how talented Cobain was.
16. A Song That’s a Classic Favourite: Neil Diamond – ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’
I owe this one to Skate 3. What a tune. It’s so unbelievably chilled and feel good, as is the Neil Diamond way. There’s just something about this song that makes you smile, whether its the rhythmic guitar or Diamond’s fantastic singing. A very suave geezer.
17. A Song You’d Sing a Duet with Someone on Karaoke: Lorde – ‘Homemade Dynamite – REMIX’
Let’s get a whole crew for this one, everyone pick a part. Whether it’s Lorde, SZA, Khalid, or Post Malone, each vocalist offers something different to this track of epic proportion, and ironically, something us bladdered karaoke wannabes could only recreate to drunken ears. Nevertheless, I’m willing to give it a go if anyone fancies it.
18. A Song From the Year You Were Born: Moby – ‘Porcelain’
It appears that 1999 was not the greatest year for music but amongst the industry plants and frosty tipped boybands exists Moby’s ‘Porcelain’ – a kaleidoscopic exploration of forbidden and ultimately doomed love. It is instantly recognisable and undoubtedly holds a place in musical history. Honourable mentions for this entry include ‘Still D.R.E’ from Dr Dre, and ‘Californication’ from Red Hot Chili Peppers.
19. A Song That Makes You Think About Life: Fleet Foxes – ‘Helplessness Blues’
Awarded the second best song of the 2010’s by Anthony Fantano, Fleet Foxes’s ‘Helplessness Blues’ is humble and honest with its listener whilst providing the sort of philosophical questions required for a song that makes you think about life. “I was raised up believing I was somehow unique/ like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes/ unique in each way you can see” begins the song, alluding to how all snowflakes are unique but from a distance they all look the same. Deep.
20. A Song That has Many Meanings To You: Radiohead – ‘True Love Waits’
I tried to keep this to one song per artist, but we’ll have to make an acceptation for a song I literally have tattooed on my arm. ‘True Love Waits’ reworked for ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’ tells of Thom Yorke’s battle with losing his partner to cancer and it is harrowing. He sings of the nuances of true love and what really matters in so few words, because, essentially, true love doesn’t need to be glossed up and glamourised. The track teaches the listener to not take love or life for granted from the perspective of someone who has lost everything. It is the single song that has had the biggest impact on my life.
21. A Song You Like With A Person’s Name in the Title: Lily Allen – ‘Alfie’
I had to get Lily Allen in here somewhere and this is perhaps the perfect moment to do so. Not only does ‘Alfie’ perfectly portray Lily Allen’s sharp wit and sense of humour but also details to us what Theon Greyjoy’s life was like before the whole Ramsay Bolton business. In all honesty, Lily simply slags Alfie Allen off for the duration of this song and its remarkable that this stoner character she creates has become such a successful actor. Fair play to him.
22. A Song That Moves You Forward: Fredo – ‘They Ain’t 100’
A powerful motivator when pushing for one more rep. For some reason, I react better during a workout to aggressive music, so what better than one of Fredo’s biggest hits? It’s cold and remorseless, dangerous and daring, marking Fredo as one of the biggest personalities in the current UK music scene. This slot could just as easily gone to Digga D’s ‘No Diet’, but Fredo’s aggressive flow is far more motivating that Digga D’s calm and calculated demeanour.
23. A Song You Think Everybody Should Listen to: U.S. Girls – ‘Pearly Gates’
As if this category wasn’t every single one on this challenge. However, this one you should really, really listen to. This song is nuts. It feels menacing yet heavenly at the same time and theres a sense of suggested tension that permeates throughout the track, making the listener yearn for the story that gave birth to this track. It’s a movie for the ears and has your brain scrambling to create the scenes for this sensual cinema. So far, I’ve got a vision of a film noir femme fatale. I wonder what other listeners have…
24. A Song by A Band You Wish Were Still Together: The Smiths – ‘Panic’
I’ve seen Johnny Marr live and it was surreal. God knows how great it would be to see the whole band back together. Regardless of what you think about Morrissey’s politics, The Smiths are musical legends and ‘Panic’ is what The Smiths were all about. Only they could write a song screaming “Hang the DJ” and make it sound like they were singing anything but. So, so, so many amazing songs that are just dying to be played live by them, just one more time. Go on lads, you know it makes sense.
25. A Song You Like by an Artist no Longer Living: Joy Division – ‘Disorder’
Ian Curtis only made it to 23 years old but was there ever a greater catalogue of work produced in such a short career? ‘Disorder’ is one of those tracks that is fairly timeless due to its unique sound accompanied by Curtis’ vocals. Masterpiece.
26. A Song That Makes You Want to Fall in Love: Clairo – ‘Bags’
Does it make you want to fall in love or run as far away from it as you can? Who knows? I’ve written about this track before and Clairo’s excellent analysis of herself in moments of romantic struggle, but I think this song is perfect for this category because of what it is not. It isn’t a glorification about what love is when its all going well. Instead, it hints at what could be and perhaps that is what matters the most. She is willing to risk it all for this person regardless of whether they have reciprocated interest or not just for a shot at there being something between them.
27. A Song That Breaks Your Heart: Natalia Lafourcade – ‘Danza de Gardenias’
Sung in the Spanish language, this Mexican folk song from Natalia Lafourcade has the speaker appeal to an absent subject, asking them not to cry and be sad as they will eventually come back again form their misery. We are not told what event has happened to bring on such pain, but perhaps we don’t need to be told. This way, the listener can apply their own experiences to the purity of Natalia Lafourcade’s voice and find the heart break in that.
28. A Song by an Artist Whose Voice You Love: The Weeknd – ‘A Lonely Night’
Bloody hell has The Weeknd got some pipes on him. He’s reinvented himself time and time again over the past decade and even when he’s explicitly singing about what he may or may not do to his partners, he still manages to sound classy just from how glossy his voice is. ‘A Lonely Night’ is one of my favourite cuts from 2016’s ‘Starboy’ with its nostalgic groove which encourages dances both innocent and not so.
29. A Song You Remember From Your Childhood: T.I. – ‘Whatever You Like’
Before T.I. was creeping us all out with his strange fascination with his daughter’s hymen, he was actually making decent music. I’d forgotten this track for several years before some anonymous shuffle brought it all right back. The noughties was a great decade of music globally and ‘Whatever You Like’ was just one of the American exports that touched base with a UK audience.
30. A Song That Reminds You of Yourself: Arctic Monkeys – ‘Do Me a Favour’
To end this list, I had to go to the first band I ever truly fell in love with. I’m far from alone in saying that Arctic Monkeys soundtracked my teenage years, but I guess that’s a sign of their greatness that millions of people can have such a deep, personal connection with their music and still have a different experience with it than the next person. ‘Do Me a Favour’ is probably my favourite song from the band. It feels like an ever-escalating story, climaxing in an explosion of sound that leaves you breathless upon each listen. I can’t count the amount of times I’ve listened to this song and chances are I won’t be able to count the chances I will listen to it from here on, either.
So, that’s it. There are some artists that could have reappeared countless times due to the nature of this so-called ‘challenge’ (Frank Ocean, I’m looking at you), but 30 songs will never be enough to include all the artists you might want. I’m gutted I couldn’t shoehorn in acts such as Wolf Alice, Fleetwood Mac, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Paramore, and Tame Impala just to name a few, but I think I’ve done a pretty stellar job of selecting appropriate tracks for each category. I’d recommend giving all of them a listen if you haven’t done so already, but remember, Carole Baskin knows more than she’s letting on.
The Turntable 