365 Songs You Should Hear : Number 30 Rick Springfield 24th April 1981

When I first decided to do this blog, I put this song title in my phone to remind me to put it up on today's date.

I never thought for a moment that it would became what will now forever be the same day that I lost my father.

R.I.P. Dad, wherever you are.

XXX

 Ronald L. Freedman

1933-2013

365 Songs You Should Hear : Number 29

Got out of my death bed to post this, 'April's Fool' by Swedish powerpoppers, The Merrymakers. Co-written with the Godlike Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish...

#checkthemout

365 Songs You Should Hear : Number 28 The Incidentals : Alisha's Attic

Karen Poole, along with her younger sister Shelly, make up pop duo Alisha's Attic.

Their father is Brian Poole, of The Tremeloes.

Although I'm not a huge fan of the band, I can appreciate Karen's songwriting talent. Among the many names she has written songs for are: 

Annie Lennox

Janet Jackson

Kylie

Lily Allen

So Solid Crew

This song is simply gorgeous...

365 Songs You Should Hear : Numbers 14 - 27

Man, it's been a while.

My apologies. Hopefully these will fill your heart with joy...


First up, it's that smashing Rockney duo, Chas'n'Dave.
This was the biggest hit of their career, and on 17th April 1982 (I was actually at a Duran Duran concert that day. Oh, the things you remember...), it was sandwiched between 'My Camera Never Lies' by Bucks Fizz, and Macca and Stevie Wonder's 'Ebony And Ivory' of the U.K.'s top three positions that week.
#great song

I'm sure you've heard all about the hoo-ha over this song.
Imaginatively and uniquely covered by the talented Jonathan Coulton, this was blatantly stolen (and yet, denied) by the GLEE team, note for note. Even the bit where Jonathan gives himself a namecheck.

         And here they are, side by side.
         Hmmm...

I'm going to get this in whilst Rolf is still a free man (allegedly...).

A work of genius.

    And while we're on the subject of things being stolen, what        massive hit does this song remind you of???

  

I'm not Reggae's biggest fan, I must admit. But I lurve Pluto Shervington. Just fab...

Here is a seminal R & B Aussie band, The Loved Ones...

Barnes & Barnes comprised Bill Mumy (of Lost In Space fame) and Robert Haimer. This song is a classic. Honest. And the video is astonishing. (One of these statements might not be 100% true...)

This amazing record by The Moody Blues didn't even chart in the U.K., and it barely scraped the Australian charts (I remember it getting a lot of airplay though). Reached number 12 in the U.S.

             'Hot Dog'!!!

One of the most heart-breaking songs ever...

               I give you 'Julia' by Pavlov's Dog...

Seriously good song; 'King Of The Kerb' by Echobelly...

Quite an 'unTeutonic' sound for this band, Fool's Garden, hailing from The Fatherland...

Is this the best song Noel ever wrote? I think yes. 
Ridiculously tucked away on the b-side to the 'Wonderwall' CD single.

365 Songs You Should Hear : Numbers 5 - 13 A Buncha Power Pop Songs By Artists Beginning With 'B'...

Folk fortunate enough to know me will be aware of my obsession with the genre known as Power Pop.

You know, that jingly-jangly sound of the Rickenbacker, those close harmonies and just brilliantly-crafted songs.

Such as all of these...

365 Songs You Should Hear : Number 4 Sofa Hyundai Administration : McFly

OK, so this ain't no 'Imagine'. And it doesn't come close to 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'.

But, hey, the McFly lads made up this song after being given a measly half hour to write it, courtesy of Jeremy Clarkson and his Top Gear gang.

As far as musicianship goes, they've got it in spades...

Here's a bonus McFly track. It's one of their best.

You should give it a listen.

I don't understand why this was never a single.

It's a perfect summer release...

365 Songs You Should Hear : Number 3 Taxi Mary : Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons

Today's song features two great Melburnians; Joe Camilleri (born in Malta) and Jane Clifton (born in Gibraltar)...

This was Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons' biggest hit, peaking just shy of the Australian Top Ten in 1982 (or number 7 if you go by Wikipedia).