S4L Radio Show Playlist #12

It's been a couple of months since the last S4L Radio Show Playlist so I thought I had better rectify that.

This time around there are new tracks (Smashing Pumpkins, Amy MacDonald, Def Leppard, Bruce Springsteen and Chvrches), cover versions (Sonic Youth, Paul Heaton + Jacqui Abbott, Glen Campbell and First Aid Kit), songs that feature on new collections released this year (R.E.M., Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, and Primal Scream) and a few other rocking tunes for good measure.

Hope you enjoy it.

On The Playlist
Mexican Radio - Wall of Voodoo

Old, New, Borrowed and Blue:
I'm An Adult Now - Pursuit of Happiness
Travels - Smashing Pumpkins
Ca Plane Pour Moi - Sonic Youth
Grey Skies Turn Blue - MxPx

Got Each Other (feat. Rancid) - The Interrupters
Woman of the World - Amy MacDonald

Cover Me:
Heal the World (Live on BBC Radio 2) - Paul Heaton + Jacqui Abbott (Michael Jackson Cover)
Personal Jesus - Def Leppard
Running Up The Hill (Live) - First Aid Kit
Time of Your Life (Live) (Good Riddance) - Glen Campbell

Miracle (Hansa Sessions) - Chvrches
Red Aces - The Aints
Thinking (Live) - Duncan Reid and the Big Heads
Punk Rock Girl - The Boys
London is Burning - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros
World Leader Pretend (Live BBC 1991) - R.E.M.
Rocks (Original Memphis Sessions) - Primal Scream
Every Saturday Night - Graham Parker

Parting Shot
Land of Hope and Dreams (Live on Broadway) - Bruce Springsteen

S4L Radio Show Playlist #11

I woke up very early today, around 4am, and was thinking that it's been sometime since I last did a Radio Show Playlist so amid the cobwebs of the dusty mind and the quietness of the morning I threw this little lot together.

There's old music and new music gathered from many different artists but all have one thing in common, they have invaded my ears with the beautiful sound of guitars, drums, bass, keyboards and vocals (and whatever instruments they could find) to bring delight and wonder.


The Playlist



On The Playlist
Radio Radio - Spear of Destiny

Who doesn't like a good song about the Radio? 

7" Singles - Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott
Recently released video spotlighting a track from a new collection tracing Paul Heaton's musical journey entitled 'The Last King of Pop'

45 - The Gaslight Anthem
They have been out and about playing The 59 Sound album as well as other tracks from their catalogue including this one.

45RPM - The Alarm
Another ode to the the 7" single. The Alarm will be back on the road in the USA and Canada starting in Hollywood 25th October and finishing up in Toronto 15th November. They then launch out on another UK Tour starting in London 28th November. For all details of all dates go to their website (click here).

That Song - The Bouncing Souls
Sometimes there is a song you just want to play over and over again because it's just that good.

Don't Come Close (40th Anniversary Mix) - Ramones
Taken from Road To Ruin 40th Anniversary Edition. It's a nice package that comes with a Remastering of the the 1978 album, a special 40th Anniversary Mix, B-sides, Demo and Acoustic versions and a live hometown show from 31st December 1979 in NYC.

Just Breathe - Thrice
From the brand new album Palms on Epitaph Records.

Prayers - Good Charlotte
From their latest Generation Rx project that follows on after the success of Youth Authority from 2016.

Head Above Water - Avril Lavigne
Now I'm not usually fussed about Ms Lavigne but I heard this song unaware of who it was and really liked the lyrics on it and so was mightly surprised to discover it was Avril!

Downhearted Town - The Textones
Opening track from their album Old Stone Gang on Blue Elan Records. Must admit I know nothing about the band but what I've heard from the album I quite enjoyed.

High Cost of Loving You - Scott Sharrard
From his latest album Saving Grace. Another artist I know little about but I love the mix of Blues and Soul that runs through his latest album.

Girlfriend - Anderson East
So as I begin thinking about the list of the Top Albums of 2018 I'm sure Anderson East will be on it somewhere. His album Encore is one of my favourite releases of the year.

Confidence - Candi Staton
Taken from her 30th album Unstoppable that includes covers of Patti Smith's People Have The Power, and Nick Lowe's What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding. It was released in August this year and has received a lot of good press for her. Another one that might show up on my end of year Best of list.

Save Me - The Saints
Drifiting back in time to 1978 and this wonderful cover of a track that first appeared in 1967 on Aretha Franklin's I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You album. This version was on Prehistoric Sounds, the third album by The Saints, released on Harvest Records in October 1978 and was the last album to feature Ed Kuepper who had been one of the founding members of the Australian band.

Wanderlust - Glen Matlock
Taken from his recently released album Good To Go on the Peppermint label. Ex-Bowie guitarist Earl Slick and Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom feature as musicians on the album.

Movin' On - Paul Weller
Brand new video from Mr Weller spotlighting a track from his latest album True Meanings. It sees Weller in a more quieter and acoustic frame of mind.

I Am The Highway - Ann Wilson
Taken from her latest album Immortal in which she has chosen the songs of musicians she loves and respects who have passed away in the past few years. I Am the Highway is her tribute to Chris Cornell. Also included on the album are tributes to Tom Petty, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Glenn Frey, Jack Bruce, George Michael, Amy Winehouse, Lesley Gore and Gerry Rafferty.

My Way - Willie Nelson
Album number 68(!) from Willie Nelson and this time around he's paying tribute to Frank Sinatra! His album Last Man Standing from earlier this year was a wee gem and if this latest collection of shows anything it is that you can't put Willie Nelson in a box because he just comes along and blows the box up!

The Parting Shot
Goodbye, Goodnight - Jars of Clay
Taken from their 1999 album If I Left The Zoo.

That's your lot until next time. Until then whatever you play, play it LOUD!

S4L Radio Show #10: The Seventies

This time around on the S4L Radio Show our ears are to be enlightened by the music of the 1970s. We go from long hair and flared jeans to short cropped dyed hair and drainpipes. From old hippies to young punks.

It's a nice mixed bag of Classic Rock, Glam, New Wave and Punk. The Playlist is loaded with music that I love from that particular decade and the reality is that it could have had a lot more songs than 23 because there was so many great records released back then. It's easy to dismiss a lot of stuff that came before the whole Punk and New Wave Scene and many did and thus miss out on some terrific music. Hopefully you'll find maybe a few tracks here that will make you tap your toes.

On The Playlist
Rock and Roll - Velvet Underground
Into The Mystic - Van Morrison
The Shape of Things To Come - Slade
Looking At You - MC5
Roadhouse Blues - The Doors
As Long As I Can See The Light - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Changes - David Bowie
48 Crash - Suzi Quatro
Teenage Rampage - Sweet
The Golden Age of Rock and Roll - Mott the Hoople
Search and Destroy - The Dictators
Lust For Life - Iggy Pop
Land - Patti Smith
Little Johnny Jewel - Television
In The Flesh - Blondie
Sheena is a Punk Rocker - Ramones
Psycho Killer - Talking Heads
Neat Neat Neat (Peel Session) - The Damned
Police & Thieves - The Clash
Your Generation - Generation X
Schooldays - The Starjets
(My Baby Does) Good Sculptures - The Rezillos
The Beginning of the End - Eddie and the Hot Rods

S4L Radio Show Playlist #9: Singing Song Songs

When I was playing my iPod recently on shuffle I noticed that quite a number of songs following each other had the word "Song" in them. Of course this got me thinking about put together a wee playlist under the banner of Singing Song Songs.

It's a mixture of the wild and whacky (what else would it be from me?) from the seriousness of Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash & Joe Strummer to the plain daft of The Yobs!
There's Pop, there's Rock and everything inbetween and outside the lines. Hope you enjoy it.

The Playlist


On The Playlist
Radio Song (Tower of Luv Bug Mix) - R.E.M.
The Gold Song - Bouncing Souls
Song For A Future Generation - The B-52's
Song For Whoever - The Beautiful South
Wrote A Song For Everyone - John Fogetry (ft Miranda Lambert & Tom Morello)
Song For A Friend - Aztec Camera
Sing All The Saddest Songs - The Mighty Wah
The Worm Song _ The Yobs
Swansong - The Alarm
Tower Of Song - Leonard Cohen
This Is A Love Song For The Loveless - The Juliana Theory
The Mystery Song - Transvision Vamp
The Breakup Song - The Greg Kihn Band
Sea Song - Penetration
Looking For A Song - Big Audio Dynamite
Redemption Song - Johhny Cash & Joe Strummer
Empire Song - Killing Joke
Festival Song - Good Charlotte
Fort Bragg (The Kool-Aid Song) - Beki Hemingway
Like A Song - U2
Authority Song - John Mellencamp

The Parting Shot
The Last Song - Thousand Foot Krutch

S4L Radio Playlist #8

It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted anything. So here's a new playlist to kick off.

It's a wonderful mix of the old and new with more new than old.

On The Playlist
On The Radio - Donna Summer

We kick off as usual with a song about the Radio on the only Radio Show that's not really a Radio Show at all! I had forgotten about how good this one from Donna Summer sounded all these years on from its release.

Get On Out Of The Rain - Roger Daltery 

Although he's been in my bad books a little for some of his recent comments regarding political issues here in the UK I still have some respect for the voice of The Who on his latest solo offering. Quite like this track (one of many good ones on the album). 

The Kids Are Alt-Right - Bad Religion 

 Heard this one only yesterday and thought it was a pretty interesting take on stuff that's going on in America at the moment. Not sure that I would consider that all the kids though fall under the banner of the Alt-Right though!

Tell Me One More Thing - Wilko Johnson

Good seeing Wilko back recording new music again. Blow Your Mind is a pretty tidy album of trademark blues from the former Dr Feelgood guitarist.

I'm A Mess - Bebe Rexha

 I was slightly put off at first by Bebe Rexha mainly because I really disliked that song she did with Florida Georgia Line (who seem like a kinda fake Country band to me!). But I was quite taken with some of the material on her album Expectations.

Bigger - Sugarland

Another spot of Country Music with the title track to their latest album.

Beautiful - The Alarm

The new album = (Equals) get released tomorrow and here's a track from it. The video was released a short while back.  Maybe it's going to give Mike Peters and The Alarm some exposure beyond their usual fanbase and MP is undertaking some promotional duties with signings and playing live (check out The Alarm website for details).

Love Is A Wonderful Colour - The Icicle Works
Don't Worship Me - Pele 

The two Ian's (McNabb of The Icicle Works and Prowse of Pele and Amsterdam) have had pretty long careers playing in bands and as Solo artists and I have to admit that I do prefer Mr Prowse. I don't really know too much of his band Pele though (apart from a few songs here and there) and must give myself some time to listen to more.

As for Mr McNabb, there's quite a number of of his albums with The Icicle Works that still sound good to my ears and he's done some decent Solo records as well (Head Like A Rock is the best I think).

Knobheads On Quiz Shows - Half Man Half Biscuit

Taken from the brand new album 'No One Cares About Your Creative Hub so Get Your F*****' Hedge Cut'. Half Man Half Biscuit come up once again with a set of songs with some of their best ever on their latest record including Man of Constant Sorrow (with a Garage in Constant Use) and Harsh Times in Umberstone Covert.

I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous - Frank Turner

There's a Special Edition of Love Ire and Song to celebrate its Tenth Anniversary of release. It's one of my favourite Frank albums.

Gave You Everything - The Interrupters

 Taken from the new album Fight the Good Fight that is released tomorrow. It's been a couple of years since their last album and they are sounding in fine form with that Punky/Ska edge that is their trademark sound.

Caught In The Middle - Paramore

Another single taken from the excellent After Laughter album.

Don't Be Hiding - Middle Kids

This lot were new to my ears and I really like them a lot. This is taken from their debut album Lost Friends. The video was released yesterday. The album by the Sydney, Australia, trio was released back at the start of May 2018. They have toured recently with the likes of Ryan Adams and the Cold War Kids.

Latchkey Kids - Family of the Year

 Another band who were new to me just a year ago with their fine self-titled debut album have their second album out at the moment entitled Goodbye Sunshine.

The Walking Wounded - Roseanne Cash

Taken from the excellent Johnny Cash: Forever Words album that contains songs written by The Man in Black that were found in various notebooks and hence unrecorded and unreleased. A real quality album that contains Alison Krauss and Union Station, Brad Paisley, Kris Kristofferson, T Bone Burnett, John Mellencamp, Elvis Costello and many others.

Beautifully Broken - Plumb

It's been a few years since the last Plumb album and so it's cool to see Tiffany Arbuckle Lee releasing another record of down to earth pop songs that have issues of faith at their heart. This is the title track to the new album.

 
My Lucky Scars - Hilary Williams
Waiting On June - Holly Williams

Holly Williams is someone I have spoken of with great affection on this blog before and it's nice to see her sister Hilary finally recording some music as well. My Lucky Scars is the title track of her debut album. Waiting On June is taken from Holly's impressive album The Highway.

The Parting Shot
Drift Away (Live) - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

I was listening to the Dobie Gray version of this a few days back and it's a song I've loved for years. Fortunately Springsteen has played it a few times live over the years as well and I always get a kick out of his version. This one is taken from a performance in 2013 in Hannover, Germany on The Wrecking Ball Tour.

S4L Radio Show Playlist #7

Welcome to another edition of the S4L Radio Show (that's not really a Radio Show but merely an excuse to throw together a bunch of music in a Playlist for your listening pleasure). 

Here's a few things I've been listening to lately. As usual it's a real mix of sounds both old and new with a few live performances thrown in for good measure.

What's On The Playlist
1. Pirate Radio - Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper
2. Take Me With You - Tremonti
3. Where Are All The Dreams? - Jesus Jones
4. Two Rivers - The Alarm
5. Lost My Mind - Lily Allen
6. Miracle - Chvrches
7. Walk The Walk - Gaz Coombes
8. Reasons Not To Be An Idiot - Frank Turner
9. The '59 Sound (Letterman) - The Gaslight Anthem
10. People Have The Power (Live at The Roundhouse June 2018) - Patti Smith
11. Beds Are Burning (Live in Dublin June 2018) - Patti Smith
12. Fall Apart - Maps & Atlases
13. Bad Luck - Neko Case 
14. Into My Arms (Nick Cave Cover) - Roger Daltrey
15. No Surrender (Bruce Springsteen Cover) - Holly Williams

16. Cover Me (Live at Hard Rock Calling) - Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
17. Soulfire (Live NJ Hall of Fame May 2018) - Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul
18. Dedication - Gary U.S. Bonds
19. Bad Bad News - Leon Bridges
20. End - MxPx

S4L Radio Show Playlist #6 Shout To Silence

It's been a wee while since the last playlist so thought I'd put another one together spotlighting the theme of Noise and Silence. I know, it sounds an odd combination but it's actually something we constantly deal with in life. Noise is all around us and sometimes we have to fight for silence in order to grab a precious moment where we can connect with God or ourselves afresh.

So here it is twenty songs with Shouts, Loudness, Screams, Banging, Noise, and eventually Quiet and Silence!

Enjoy.
 

The Playlist

Shout To Silence

On The Playlist:

Shout:

Shout - Sham 69

Shake and Shout - Secret Affair

Shout To The Devil - The Alarm

Loud:

Play It Loud - MxPx

Live Life Loud - Hawk Nelson

Scream:

To The Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children - The Juliana Theory

Better Scream - Wah! Heat

Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly) - The Icicle Works

Bang:

Bang A Gong (Get It On) - T. Rex

Bang Bang - Squeeze

Don't Bang The Drum - The Waterboys

Noise:

Shout Above The Noise - Penetration

Noise Noise Noise - The Damned

A Big Bad Beautiful Noise - The Godfathers

White Noise - The Interrupters

Quiet:

All Quiet On The Eastern Front - Ramones

Quietly Alone - Kirsty MacColl

Silence:

Code of Silence (Live) - Bruce Springsteen and The East Street Band

The Silence Between Us - Bob Mould

Silence - Jars of Clay

 

 

 

 

S4L Radio Show 2018 Playlist #5

It's been awhile since the last Playlist so I thought I'd throw together a new one with some of the things that I've been listening to over the last couple of months whilst absent from posting here.

As usual it's a mixed bag of everything from Country to Indie, Rock to Pop, and Folk to Gospel.

The Playlist

On The Playlist

Radioland - Ashley McBryde.

For You - Nina Diaz.

Starcrossed Lovers - The Fratellis.

Time Will Be The Healer - Glen Hansard.

Distant Colours - Manic Street Preachers.

Kandy Krush - Kim Wilde.

Virginia Plain - Roxy Music.

Long Distance Love - Rick Parfitt.

The Lion and The Lamb - Meg'n Jez (TV Smith Cover).

Oblivion Kids - Last Great Dreamers.

Just What To Say - Dashboard Confessional.

To The Music I Belong - Kate Nash.

No More Tears For Daddy - Alan Bishop (The Red Eyes).

The End of Things - Bob Mould (Live On Colbert Show).

The President Sang Amazing Grace - Joan Baez (Zoe Mulford Cover).
Absoulte Reality - The Alarm.
Physical - Julianna Hatfield (Olivia Newton John Cover).
My Father's Gun - Miranda Lambert (Elton John Cover).
Them Double Blues - John Mellencamp (Johnny Cash song).
Liberty Song - The Levellers. 

The Parting Shot
Change The World - Snoop Dogg feat John P. Kee.
 
 

S4L Radio Show 2018 Playlist #4

And we're back with another installment of the S4L Radio Show. This week we have loads of new music as well as a few choice "oldies". Hope you enjoy it.

The Playlist

On The Playlist

Radios In Motion - XTC
From the Debut Album White Noise which is 40 years old this year!

Unsafe Building - The Alarm
Remastered and due for release as part of the Eponymous 1981-1983 album due out soon. For more details check here.

Barrowland Stars - Simple Minds
Taken from the brand new album Walk Between Worlds.

Little Thing Gone Wild - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
From the latest album Wrong Creatures.

Standing On The Edge of Tomorrow - The Damned
From their soon to be released album Evil Spirits. Great to see Paul Gray returning to the band on Bass as well.

Rose-Colored Boy - Paramore
New video of a track that features on the excellent After Laughter album.

1933 - Frank Turner
From the soon to be released album Be More Kind.

If Your Prayers Don't Get To Heaven - Brian Fallon
Taken from his excellent second solo album Sleepwalkers.

The '59 Sound - The Gaslight Anthem
They'll be back out on the road soon to celebrate the Tenth Anniversary of one of their most loved albums.

Connections

I always love finding musical connections. These ones are quite obvious though but that matters not because they are all pretty tidy in their own right.

#1

Stay Alive - Hollie Cook
From her third studio album Vessels of Love. Daughter of former Sex Pistol Paul Cook, who of course is currently out with his own band again, The Professionals.

Let Go - The Professionals
Taken from their return to the musical fold album What In The World. The album is nominated for Album of the Year by Vive Le Rock.

#2

Thinking - Duncan Reid and The Big Heads
Taken from the Debut album by Duncan Reid and The Big Heads. Duncan "Kid"Reid was once a member of The Boys before launching out on a journey with his new backing band. Their latest album Bombs Away has been nominated for Album of The Year by Vive Le Rock.

Never Listen to Rumours - Honest John Plain
A current member and songwriter of The Boys and also an established solo act.

Outlaws - Casino Steel
Casino Steel is the keyboard player and songwriter for The Boys and was with them right back at the start as well. He's had a very varied musical career outside of The Boys as well.

What's The Matter With Morris - The Boys
The Boys are still out and about playing shows from time to time and this one is taken from their latest studio album Punk Rock Menopause. Matt Dangerfield, Casino Steel and Honest John Plain are the remaining original members of the band.

More New Music for 2018

Music Is Worth Living For - Andrew W.K.
I never even realised that he was still making music. The original Party Hard dude is back with a spring in his step with a new album entitled You're Not Alone.

 Every 1's A Winner - Ty Segall
This guy never seems to stop. There's always one project or another going on and getting released. This is from his latest album Freedom's Goblin and is a cover of the song made famous by Hot Chocolate.

Nothing Has To Be True - First Aid Kit
A bit of change of pace. A live performance of a song taken from their 2018 album Ruins.

Cheetah Tongue - The Wombats
Taken from the brand new and wonderfully titled Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life album!

Every Third Thought - David Duchovny
Title track of the new album from Duchovny. The X-Files star is certainly making a mark for himself in music.

The Parting Shot

Let The Day Begin - The Call
Still love this song to bits.

"Let the Day Begin, Let the Day Start"

Until next time, thanks for checking out Soundtrack4Life

S4L Radio Show 2018 Playlist #3: Sunday Morning With Mum

I don't often do really personal stuff here on the blog apart from spotlighting the music that has played and continues to play a part of my life but this week I thought I would go a little bit of a different route with the S4L Radio Show Playlist.

Our Mum passed away on 28th December 2017 and on Wednesday 24th January we had her funeral down South in Blue Bell Hill, Medway.

One of the things we were reminded of during the service was that my Mum had a bit of a Sunday Morning ritual of playing her records quite loud (that's where I get it from then! 😀) irrespective of the fact that others in the house might have only been in bed a couple of hours after partying or clubbing hard on a Saturday Night! My brother expressed his great dissatisfaction particularly of her love for Country and Western Music and said how much he hates Country Music to this day, which is quite funny really because I am the total opposite and have a real affection for Country Music that I never really had when I was younger apart from the likes of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and in small doses even Jim Reeves (though I do have to confess that I now own his complete catalogue... 😁)!

Mum had a love for music that took in all sorts of sounds from the lame pop of Barry Manilow (I honestly couldn't bring myself to include a song of his on the Playlist!) to Soul, Rock, Big Band, Blues, Rock and Roll, Doo Wop, Show Tunes, Film Soundtracks, Crooners, Balladeers, Classic Rock and more besides. 

So, for one more Sunday Morning, I dedicate this post to Kim, Paul, Julie and Scott + Neices, Nephews, Grandkids and our Extended Family spread out across the UK and abroad.

I present to you 19 songs that were often played (the choices could have been many more of course!) breaking the sound barrier and disturbing the peace of the day of rest!

The final song on the Playlist is one that is much newer and was played during the funeral service and is by The Ginger Kid, Ed Sheeran, who somehow managed to encapsulate in a song some of the sense of feeling of gratefulness and loss that we all share as we have said our goodbyes to our Mum.

As Noddy Holder and Slade used to sing: Thanks for the Memory!

The Playlist

On the Playlist

Radar Love - Golden Earring

"The Radio plays that forgotten song..."
This was one that was played in our house a lot when it came out in 1973! (Wow, can hardly believe it is that old!).

Some of the songs on the Playlist might be considered by some to be "forgotten songs" but they are imbedded in my memory so clearly!

Junior's Wailing - Status Quo

Found this particular song on an album that was in my Mum's vinyl collection but the album actually belonged to me! It was released in 1975 (I was 12 years old) and was one of those cheap albums you could pick up in Woolworths for just over a Pound or something like that. It was an album that I loved a lot and obviously my Mum did also!

Hard Working Woman - B.B. King

Found this one on one of my Mum's CD's. It was a German Release called Portrait from 2002 that included a whole bunch of B.B. King songs recorded at various sessions between 1949-1952. 

I Get The Sweetest Feeling - Jackie Wilson

Soul Music was something my Mum loved and I mean real Soul Music not that plastic stuff that you would often see on Top of the Pops when we were younger and Jackie Wilson (not Jocky Wilson...the darts player, though he was loved in our household when we were kids as well! 😉) was one of many who could be heard on Sunday mornings.

The Great Pretender - The Platters

I recall this one and others by The Platters getting a spin. I remember I quite liked this one after watching the Rock Around The Clock film on the TV when I was knee high to a grasshopper!

Happy Talk from South Pacific

My Mum had a Soundtrack album in her collection and of course this was years before a certain chap called Captain Sensible had a hit single with it! I'm not sure what Mum would have made of that version!

Nobody's Child - Hank Snow

The picture sleeve above is exactly the same EP that my Mum had. It was originally released in 1958 on RCA in the UK. Nobody's Child is a song that The Traveling Wilburys would record and release in 1990!

I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton

Another RCA release and the original recording from 1974 of the song that would be a huge hit for Whitney Houston (another of Mum's favourites). The version on the Playlist is from a Country Music Television Special with Dolly playing and singing the song live after giving the reasons for writing the song in the first place.

Honky-Tonk Girl - Johnny Cash

I could have chosen many more famous tracks by Mr Cash but opted for this one which was originally a B-Side to the 1960 Single Second Honeymoon. The reason I chose it was because it was a Compilation of Cash's music that my Mum had (and now I have).

True Love Ways - Buddy Holly

Another B-Side orginally of Bo Diddley from 1963 (though not on the UK release which was It's Not My Fault). I picked this one because it was played just prior to the start of the funeral on Wednesday. Also, the music of Buddy Holly has always been special to me. His song Rave On is my Favourite Song of All-Time! 

The Whole Town's Laughing At Me - Teddy Pendergrass

Pendergrass was once involved with Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes (whom Mum also liked) so I guess it was a given that she would take note of Teddy's Solo career (and she had quite a number of his albums even though 1988's Joy was the only album to have charted in the UK!). I picked this one mainly because it is one of his most widely known songs, though it only peaked at #44 in the UK back in 1977.

Dream A Little Dream Of Me - Mama Cass with The Mamas and The Papas

My love for The Mamas and The Papas traces directly back to my Mum. She had a Greatest Hits LP of theirs and I cannot even think how many times I heard it growing up and would never tire of hearing those sweet Californian Harmonies. As soon as I was able to afford it I bought copies of the all the albums (now long lost), and have over the years got CD copies, Boxsets, Anthologies and Reissues of everything they have played on. Still thrills me whenever I hear the opening line of California Dreamin': "All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey".

(If Paradise is) Half As Nice - Amen Corner

Another record as a kid that I loved and was often played in the house. A #1 record as well. Still sounds excellent as well. Andy Fairweather-Low joined Roddy Frame to record a version by Aztec Camera which is pretty tidy as well and was released on the album Covers and Rare that was a Japanese release back in 1994.

Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) - Edison Lighthouse

Another #1 single in the UK (#5 US) and they never bettered this at all. Here's a piece of trivia for the Pub Quiz if it ever comes up: Lead Vocalist Tony Burrows would also have hits with The Pipkins (Gimme Dat Ding), White Plains (My Baby Loves Lovin') and with an early version of Brotherhood of Man (United We Stand), who with an entirely different line up would win the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976!

Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell

One of the last albums I bought for my Mum was Adios! by Glen Campbell a few weeks after his passing out of this world. This particular song was a favouite of hers as was Gentle On My Mind. 

Some Kind of Wonderful - The Drifters

Mum had a few albums by The Drifters, she seemed to enjoy these types of groups with the matching suits and snazzy dance moves! Chose this one because it is one of those great songs penned by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

Get Ready - The Temptations

Another of those great "Suit" Groups and once again there were so many songs to choose from but I decided to go with the 1966 Single that reached #10 in the UK when reissued in 1969.

Do You Love Me - The Dave Clark Five

Do You Love Me was the first charting single for The DC5 back in 1963 and they followed it up with a #1 Single in Glad All Over.

The Parting Shot Part 1

One More For My Baby (and One More For The Road) - Billie Holiday

Taken from the 1958 album Songs For Distingué Lovers. Mum had a 1997 CD Remastered Version of the album that had been expanded from the original six tracks to twelve.

The Parting Shot Part 2

Supermarket Flowers - Ed Sheeran

From the 2017 album  ÷ (Divide).

As I mentioned above this was played during the Furneral Service and was actually very emotional listening to the lyrics as they are pretty powerful and so I'll post a few of them to close: 

And I hope that I see the world as you did 'cause I know
A life with love is a life that's been lived

So, I'll sing Hallelujah,
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go, when God takes you back
He'll say, "Hallelujah, you're home."

Hallelujah,
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
You got to see the person I have become
Spread your wings and I know
That when God took you back, he said, "Hallelujah, you're home."

Eileen Watson

Mum, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Auntie and a Friend 

20th May 1939 - 28th December 2017