As my first music blog for Her Campus, and seeing as though it is summer and I am away from the cocoon of loveliness that is Leeds, I am going to be entirely selfish and take advantage of this opportunity to give my humble opinion on my favourite artists from anywhere, not just Yorkshire.
I have compiled a playlist of 15 beautiful songs to see you through the summer. The playlist can be found on Spotify – search HC Music blog 1.
I like to think of myself as quite generous with my ears, and listen to a lot of good (and fairly shocking) music. I’m a bit of a player when it comes to artists, I tend to have brief romances with them and move on fairly quickly after over-playing their songs for a few weeks. However, there are a few long standing favourites of mine that I will share with you, general public, in the hope that you are a) enlightened and b) put in a mood to kiss kittens, do good deeds etc. Feel free to discard my opinion as you wish.
1. Riverside – Agnes Obel
This song brings my blood pressure dangerously low (in a good way.) Its ivory tickling got me through exam stress. A sitting in a field with a picnic kind of song.
2. California Soul – Marlena Shaw
As my good friends are wholly aware, when this song comes on in a club I go ape. Ultimate Monica-dancing song (seriously, you should know this reference, “Friends” Monica).
3. Blue Orchid – White Stripes
Sadly, this duo are no longer together. Watch the video for seriously high shoes. Never again will you complain about your 4-inchers.
4. Mykonos – Fleet Foxes
I first heard this from the BBC Radio One Live Lounge, and that is the version I listen to (Spotify has the studio recording).
5. As Much As I Ever Could – City and Colour
Ex front-man of Alexisonfire Dallas Green donates his voice to folk band City and Colour and creates the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Listen to the whole album, if you can.
6. Lovesong – Adele
One of the few non-originals from phenomenally popular album “21”. A truly inspired arrangement of a beautiful song.
7. Lady Grinning Soul – David Bowie
Bowie is my favourite artist. This song is one I am only recently acquainted with, because of the film “The Runaways” with Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning (see video). The lyrics are haunting and bohemian. The film, for the record (ha,ha) is amazing.
8. Vienna – Billy Joel
If you have seen “13 going on 30” you might recognise this. ‘Slow down, you crazy child…’
9. Frozen – Madonna
Proper, massively eerie. It is one of the less novelty-like songs by Madge. My mum used to play the “Ray Of Light” Album frequently back in the late nineties, and it enamoured me.
10. You Make My Dream – Hall & Oates
Feel good tune. If you wake up in the morning happy (not guilty of this…) play this in your head and I suppose you will be Lorraine Kelly happy.
11. I’d Do It All Again – Corinne Bailey Rae
From the magical album “ The Sea”. Written about the artist’s late husband, jazz musician Jason Rae. He was alive at the time of its conception, written literally just after Rae had walked out on Corinne (for a few minutes, anyway) after a row.
12. If There Is Something – Roxy Music
One of those special songs that never get tiring to listen to. It is a bit hefty (6:34), but it’s an oldie. Again, another song I discovered from a film soundtrack. It was “Flashbacks of a Fool” with Daniel Craig. If you like the 80’s and the blue eyed sex-Bond give it a go.
13. Talihina Sky – Kings of Leon
This song got me through the weeks leading up to University. It conquered the nerves and produced excitement and appreciation for how privileged we are to have the option to do what we want after college. I’ll think about the debt and change my mind when I leave…
14. Mamma Knows Best- Jessie J
Vocal gymnastics by the unitard wearing Southerner. Pre-drinking song, where we sound ‘just like Jessie’ in our cloudy beer world.
15. Lover, You Should’ve Come Over – Jeff Buckley
Buckley’s popular version of ‘Hallelujah’ re-entered the charts after Alexandra Burkes’ X- Factor hit a few years ago. For the late Jeff Buckley it was not a one hit wonder, almost every song he produced was a gem. I hope this song will open you up to a world of his voice, if you hadn’t heard it already.