Song 19 - A view to a kill by Duran Duran

On a Friday night, you are probably wanting to go out for a drink so "A view to a kill" by Duran Duran is a good 80s tune to get the weekend started. Written in 1985 for the 14th bond film and the last for Roger Moore, it was the first Bond them to reach number 1 in the US chart. Duran Duran wrote the theme with John Barry, after the band approached the film producer to compose the song. With a 60 piece orchestra, the song was released in May 1985, and earnt the band and Barry a Golden Global for best original song. It was the last song Duran Duran released before the band spilt.

I don't remember anything to do with the film; but I do know that my sister had the single and we used to play it on an old record player that I think my dad bought at a sale for our local bowling club. Happy memories

To relive your own memories, listen here:

A View to a Kill by Duran Duran

Written by John Barry and Duran Duran

Released: May 1985.

Album: A View to a Kill, 

Song 18 - The James Bond Theme by Monty Norman

First heard in the first James Bond film, Dr. No, The James Bond Theme is as famous as "Old MacDonald had a Farm" and I challenge anyone to try and listen to the tune without thinking of the iconic film image of James Bond in the white circle and the black slowly turning to red. As much as you could never imagine James Bond without the lead actors who have played him, you can't have the movies without its unmistakeable theme tune. 

The unforgettable "dum di-di dum dum" rhythm of the guitar in the first few bars fills me with a familiarity of the films and I know I am in for a roller coaster ride with our hero as he travels the global to bring down his arch enemies, breaking a few hearts along the way. 

The guitar riff  gives way to the jazz arrangements of trumpets; trombones saxophones and all together creates the character on the large screen for the audience. Having played the trombone at school; I can safely say that this is a theme that I would have loved to play as there is fun to be had to actually had a chance to play music so well known.

There is a great debate who wrote the theme with Monty Norman being credited as the composer since 1962 and has collected around £485,000 in royalties between the years 1976 and 1999. However; it is  John Barry who arranged the tune for Dr. No and Barry himself went on to be one of the most prolific composers for the James Bond films. Many would claim that John Barry wrote the music but as courts has twice ruled in favour of Monty Norman and he has won libel cases against publishers who have argued Barry's cases; you will forgive me if I credit Monty Norman as the composer of the tune. 

The James Bond Theme; since appearing in Dr No, has been used in all James Bond films; with many of the arrangements being written by John Barry and in Adele's Skyfall you can here the theme tune coming through around the 2 minute mark.  Adele's Skyfall will be talked about on another post.

The original recording of the theme happened on the longest day (21st June) 1962, using five saxophones, nine brass, a solo guitar and a rhythm section. The guitarist, Vic Flick, who played the famous riff for the first time was paid a one-off fee of £6, which in today's money who not even let him into watch a Bond film at the cinema.  They would have had no idea that the piece of music would be as famous as it now is. 

The film, Dr. No, was released on 5th October 1962, and grossed $59.5 million at the box office. With Sean Connery as 007, the released of the first film was to start a franchise which is now worth over $6,000 million; it would be interesting to know how much Vic Flick would charge now to play the riff.

To be taken to the world of James Bond, listen to its unforgettable theme here:
James Bond Theme by Monty Norman

Written: Monty Norman
Arranged by: John Barry
First recorded: 1962
First album: Dr. No, 1962

Song 17 - Live and Let Die by Paul and Linda McCartney, performed by Wings

"When you were young and your heart was an open book, you used to say live and let live (You know you did, you know you did you know you did). But if this ever-changing world in which we're live in, makes you give in and cry. Say Live and Let Die. Yes carrying on our Bond theme, and my love for Beatles, "Live and Let Die" is the next song to go into the jukebox. I love this track, because for me when I hear the opening lyrics, I can imagine a single figure in the darkness singing them and when they reach the "Live and Let Die", where the thumbing chords and percussion comes in, I  see flames appearing as though someone is walking away from the destructions they have caused. It is no wonder that "Live and Let Die" is the theme for the 8th Bond film of the same title and the first film where Roger Moore played Bond.  

Paul McCartney was invited to write the theme before the film script was finished in 1973, by the film producers, Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli. But there was some debate from the producers to whether Wings would sing it, until McCartney said that he would only allow them to use the song his band performed it. This was a changed for Bond theme which up to that point had been sung by solo artists. The track was produced by George Martin and went on to be the first Bond theme to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Film Song. The song lost out on the Academy Award to the theme song from film "The Way We Were". Unfortunately since 2001 and the trade centre attacks; the song has been on Clear Cast Channel of inappropriate song titles.

Like the song; the film "Live and Let Die", as well introducing Roger Moore as Bond, moved away from the previous plots of megalomaniac super-villains and move its focus onto drug trafficking. The film is set around areas of Harlem and New Orleans, which are African American culture centres as well as the Caribbean Island. It is also the first Bond film to feature a African American Bond Girl  Rosie Carver, played by Gloria Hendry. Unlike Goldfinger, I am not too familiar with the film but the theme is a tune which makes me play air guitar and makes me imagine fire trailing behind me. It is a show tune and is a fitting way to introduce a Bond film; that you know will be filled with epic stuns, explosions and villains. 

The song would later by covered by Guns N'Roses in 1991, on their Use Your Illusion 1 Album, and released as a single. Their version of "Live and Let Die" lead them to be dominated for a Grammy for their performance of it. 

To live the music again listen here:

Live and Let Die by Paul McCartney

Or to hear Guns N'Roses' version:

 Live and Let Die, performed by Guns N'Roses

Written by: Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney, 1973

Performed by: Wings

Album: Live and Let Die Soundtrack.

Song 16 - Goldfinger by John Barry.

With the world premiere of Spectre, the 24th Bond film, happening tonight, what better way is there to celebrate the launch of the film than having a week's worth of bond themes being added into the Jukebox. Having been debating in my head all day on which Bond theme to start with, I've decided to go for an absolute classic; "Goldfinger" by John Barry, Anthony Newton, Leslie Bricusse and sung by the unmistakable Shirley Bassey. The only way you would not know this song is by never hearing it. It has an unmistakable tune and lyrically it is as golden as the film.



Goldfinger is the third film of the James Bond series; starring Sean Connery,  Honor Blackman and Gert Frobe and is one of the most popular film of the series. Who can forget the role of Oddjob, who is one of the greatest villains of the big screen. He kills someone with his hat and then attempts to cut off James Bond's crown jewels. Considering the film was released in 1964, some of the scenes are unforgettable.  It is understandable that the song needed to be as strong as the film. 

The first recording of the song was in May 1964; and recorded by Anthony Newley, the version was dumbed creepy and terrific by Barry, but it was never intended to be use on the soundtrack. Barry had worked with Bassey before and decided that hers was a voice that he needed to record the song. She wasn't the favourite of everyone, Saltzman, one of the film's producers didn't like the song and if it hadn't been that they had been running out of time he would have commissioned another song. Thankfully for everyone, they didn't go down this route as the song, like the film is iconic ,both to 007 films and also to Shirley Bassey. The iconic two note phrase which is the basis for the track's introduction was not in the original orchestration but occurred to Barry during a general tea break after an hour and a half of rehearsal with Bassey and the orchestra, with Barry having written the figure into the orchestration by the time the musicians returned after twenty minutes. 

Sam Smith, who recorded "Writing on the Wall" for Spectre can only hope that his song becomes as iconic as Goldfinger. 

For all the James Bond fans out there:
Enjoy the unmistakable Shirley Bassey

Written by:  John Barry, 
Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley 
Released: 1964

Song 15 - Stars by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel

What song is this you may ask, as the readers may not now this song, but they will know the musical it's from, Les Miserables, which first came to the West End Stage in 1985. The musical's premiere was in 1980 in Paris, being based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo.  The song, "Stars" is the 19th song in act one of the musical and  is mainly a solo for Javert, who finds out that his most hunted rival Valjean is still alive and the lyrics open up his personal feels for his determination to capture Valjean and why he is passionate about upholding the law.   It is a strong lyric for a determined character and it is interesting that Javert only has two solo, Stars and his own suicide song; both of which are essential songs for character and plot alike.

This is where we see as in novel, how important the choice of songs are for musical and the story telling, if you have seen either the musical or the film, Javert's character doesn't appear to be a hero at the start of the movie.  Javert is a man on a mission to get Valjean back behind bars again and yet, he finds himself in the hands of to Valjean's mercy in the second act; which shatters Javert because it changes his own perception of right and wrong. I am probably not doing the musical any justice because it is one of the most powerful musical I have seen and I think I was moved from the beginning of the opening music right the way through to the end.

I remember listening to the music of Les Miserables from the late 1980s when my dad and sister came back to with the double album LP of the original West End cast after a shopping trip. It had the young Michael Ball playing the young Marius on the original recording. Up to this purchase, I knew the musical of Andrew Lloyd Webber but this music was different to the Cats and The Phantom of the Opera tapes we had.  I remember too the trip we had with the School to go and see Les Miserables in Manchester. This was the first time that I had seen a musical without parents; the first  time I had been to Manchester; and the first time I had willing sat in the gods at the theatre (something I refuse to do now). There was also a bit of me that was very excited that I was getting to see it before my family.

To listen to it
Stars, sung by Philip Quast at the 10th anniversary concert
Album: Les Miserables, original song track 1985.

Song 14 - You're my star by Stereophonics

It took me till the second line of this song to know that this would be a keeper in my eyes and whilst yesterday's song was 76 years old, this song is new to me as I have just found it as it is a bonus track on Stereophonics' newest album "Keep the Village alive"; but was in fact written for their greatest hits album. In fact it couldn't be much more different that "When you wish on a star", but you still feel a bright star at the heart of the song. It is realistic, which I think I said about  Mr Writer  but Stereophonics lyrics offer a very different inspiration to the ones written for Disney songs.

If you don't see the song sparkling like the stars then try again; the lyrics to me shout out to someone singing about the love of having someone there in their lives who is there without question. Someone who never fails to amaze or like the lyrics says "You make my Monday come alive". If this song isn't about love; then I don't know what is.

Having spend most of my life believing I would be the eternal bridesmaid; this song appears to me because when I met my hubby, I didn't believe that someone could make you feel the way he makes me feel. He is my source of inspiration and my best friend; and when I have felt although life was loosing light, he has filled it with all the stars in the sky just by being able to walk beside me. I hope I never forgot how lucky I am to have my own star right beside me.

The song was written in 2008 and received mixed reviews from the critics. Kelly Jones apparently refused to revel his muse for the song. Perhaps it was because they couldn't understand his inspiration and needed a story to understand the lyrics. To me sometimes you don't have to understand every little detail to understand the meaning of the song.


Hear it now:
You're my star by Sterophonics

Written by Kelly Jones, 2008.
Album: Decade in the Sun, Sterophonics Greatest Hits

Song 13 - When you wish upon a star by Harline & Washington

I hesitated with putting this song into the jukebox because it is so well known but the fact that the version from Pinocchio will still give me goosebumps when I listen to it suggest that it should definitely be there. "When you wish upon a star your dreams comes true". Perhaps there is a message in there for everyone that you should never give up on your dream no matter how difficult following them can be. Even more fitting is stars make bright the darkest of nights. I also have a live version of the song being sung by the EELs live at the Albert Hall, which is fantastic; and gives the song a rustic feel, which shows the brilliance of the song.

Written in 1940 by Lee Harline and Ned Washington it is sung by Cliff Edwards on the soundtrack recording of Pinocchio. Pinocchio was the 2nd film released by Walt Disney after the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The song is featured at the start and the end of the movie. Jimmy Cricket becomes the conscience of Pinocchio and guides him through the adventures of the movie to reunite Pinocchio with Geppetto and Gideon the cat. The song went on to be the first song from a Disney movie to win an Oscar and has become a musical reference to everything Disney. It is funny to thing that the song makes you think of princess and the magical castle logo of Disney and yet there were no princesses involved with the singing of the song. What's also lovely about the original version recorded for the soundtrack is the orchestration of the middle part of the song, which supports the animation of the film; which takes you into Geppetto's workshop where you first meet the main characters of the film. The strength of Disney no matter what film you're watching the music is always as strong as the animation and that why a song which is over 70 years old still spark happy memories to a kid who is 5 years or a 40 year old today. I know there is Disney in my DNA and I would never remove it.


To listen to the original one;
When you wish upon a star, sung by Cliff Edwards

For the Eels' version:
When you wish upon a star, sung by Eels

Written by: Lee Harline and Ned Washington
Song by: Cliff Edwards
Recorded: 1940

Song 12 - Stars by Erasure

I know feel completely stupid writting up this blog post about Erasure's "Stars" as I have just read something about how the song is a protest against nuclear war and yet up till tonight I hadn't seen that. It is really clear with this lyric "We go waiting for the stars, To come showering down, From Moscow to Mars, Universe falling down." This has always been one of my favourite dancing songs from the pop duo and Erasure knows how to get my toes tapping.

Written in 1990 for their Pop Album "Wild", which was their fourth album. I remember either borrowing and buying the album on cassette from one of my school friends. The song has an amazing introduction before Andy Bell's vocal comes over the top of the synthpop beat of Vince Clarke. I remember reading articles with Erasure in Smash Hits and I think Andy Bell was the first pop-star where I was aware that he was gay as he would openly talk about it with interviewers. Although known as a pop duo, some of their slower songs from their albums are heartbreaking and I think sometimes I think I forget how important a band they were for me growing up. I think it was the album before "Wild", The Innocents" which first really started my listening relationship with Erasure; it takes me back to my yellow bedroom in Braco and my red & black tape recorder that was a Christmas Present from my parents.

Erasure is a band who can make you dance and also bring issues into their songs. I know this will not be their only song in the Jukebox.

To have yourself a dance listen to the track here;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU4xdsMbQ28

Written by Andy Bell and Vince Clarke, 1990
Album: Wild

Song 11 - Little Star by Stina Nordenstam

As we have broken the barrier of 10 songs, I feel that I am now on the way of putting 500 songs in the Jukebox (!) I think for the next few songs I am going to try and do the songs by theme if only to help make some order on the blog; and I think I am going to with stars. The most obvious song that everyone sings about stars is "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star, How I wonder what you are?" If you didn't learn that as a child you were robbed. Stars are important part of life, something to gaze at - whether you are looking at the stars in the sky or stars of the screen, it is unsurprising that stars make up a high portion of song titles.

"Little Star" by Stina Nordenstam first came to my ear when Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet was released in 1996. A modern day adaption of Romeo and Juliet set in Venice Beach, but keeping the Shakespearian dialogue.  I remember how loud the movie was when we saw it in the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh (or perhaps the sounds was due to was the hangover I had from this night before).  Romeo and Juliet has a soft place in my heart as I studied it for Higher English. For anyone who knows the play in any depth, there are many references to stars throughout the prose. Here is one of the most famous quotes:

"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she. . . .
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp; her eye in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.” 

The song itself, for me, captures an intimate mood between two lovers waking up together at the start of their romance. The voice of Stina has an original softness to it and stands out against some of the louder tunes on the soundtrack. It is also different from Gabrielle's "Kissing You" which became an instant hit off the soundtrack. Stina Nordenstam is a Swedish artist who could be labeled as a one hit wonder as I don't know any other records by her but this is a beautiful song to have on any jukebox. 

But like any song, you can decide for yourself by listening here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JNb93N3-ek

Written by Stina Nordenstam, 1994.
Albums: And she closed her eyes (1994) and Romeo and Juliet (1996)

Song 10 - Dancing through Life from Wicked the music

The sign of Wicked on Broadway, New York

Saturdays are Strictly nights and what better song to reach the tenth record in my jukebox than Dancing through Life from the musical Wicked. There is so much loveliness in this song and it is just a wonderful title- who doesn't want to dance through life?

Wicked is the untold story of the Witches of Oz that premiered in New York in May 2003 at the Gerwin Theatre. The musical is based on the 1995 book of the same title by Gregory Maguire; and explores the story between Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch) when they are at school. The musical is a very witty musical that takes almost untouchable characters from Wizard of Oz and make them into younger stars that are as strong as their iconic older characters. The whole musical pays makes a respectful nod to its famous parent.

The song "Dancing through life" appears in this first act after Flyero, Prince of the Winkies appears at the school. All of the main characters have their parts in this song and it is filled with lines like "life is painless for the brainless", "You're perfect, we're perfect so we are perfect together. It is jovial, upbeat and gives the message out that you don't have to follow the conventional path. The lyrics also build in some of the things that will happen in the future, with Flyero being turned into the Scarecrow.


Personally I got to know the song when I was doing my final exams of my CIM exams after a number of friends raved about Wicked and the show was featured on Ugly Betty . I had bought the soundtrack at the time when I was just starting to go out with my now husband. The excitement and butterflies I had at this time was incredible as I could feel something changing in me, with is almost referring to another song in Wicked that I talk about in another blog. The excitement of new love is
captured in this song and it gives me goosebumps now because my feelings I had at first play of this
song were true and what seemed like wild dreams have come true. My hubby and I had seen Wicked twice, once in London and New York.

To hear the song
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p6rqbzuOFtA

Written by: Stephen Schwartz, 2003

Musical: Wicked

Song 9 - Friday I'm in Love by the Cure

Simply song tonight to bring in the weekend Friday by the Cure. I have five days before my journey changes again.

Written by: The Cure
Date: 1992

Hear it here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mGgMZpGYiy8

Song 8 - Fever - sang by Peggy Lee, Elvis and many more...

The best thing about reading this blog is that I am not trying to sing these songs to you so I can't ruin them for you. We were in the car two days ago and "Fever" came on the radio as we drove onto Lothian Road as it has been re-released by Elvis and Michael Buble.  "... You give me fever, fever when you touch me, fever when you hold me tight. Fever in the morning and Fever all through the Night." You have to imagine the deep husky voice of your choice and the delicious rhythmic baseline beat. It is listening to a very expensive liquor travelling through you body making you feel heat in all the right place. When the tune came on the radio; I turned to hubby and said this is a universally sexy song and regardless of whether it is a female or male voice; it sends shivers down my spine.

Written by Eddie Cooley and John Davenport; it was first released by Little Willie John in 1956; but has been released by many artists over the year; with Peggy Lee's version probably being the most famous especially as the song is credited as be her signature tune. Peggy Lee recorded the song in 1958. Other artists of note that have recorded the tune include Elvis, Madonna and Beyoncé.

The song is described as soul, rhythm and blues song and even if you couldn't sing in a husky voice, if you are anything like me even being able to snap your fingers to the beat of the blues base line would make you happy. There used to be a soul club in Edinburgh that we went to during university in a back street off the West End of Princes Street and the lyrics of the song makes close my eyes and sway to the deep dusky beat.

Peggy Lee's version:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JGb5IweiYG8   

Elvis's version
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OSeyfWTLnWg

Song 7 - Three Little Maids by Gilbert & Sullivan

"Three Little Maids" comes from the comic opera The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan. The duo wrote 14 comic/light operas in the late 19th century; and I think I am the only person on my mum's side of the family who hasn't been in one of the operas written by them but their music is part of my musical DNA. My love for Gilbert and Sullivan comes from my mum and her stories about my Grandad putting on the operas at the schools he taught at. The twist in this story is that some of the schools were all boy schools and it is the thought of groups of males singing the soprano parts in the
opera. My grandad was the most musical person I knew and his talent washed through his family and
is probably the reason I am writing this blog and have a diverse taste in music. We had an old record  of Gilbert and Sullivan and I am sure that my mum played it to me when I was in her womb.

Although the Pirates of Penzance was the first of their operas I saw, "Three little maids" holds a personal  place in my heart as I sang it in Aladdin when I played one of the princess's handmaidens at the start of Act 2. I remember how high the end of the song goes and it was a relief to have it sung every night. Also I think it was my mum's way of getting to see her youngest daughter singing Gilbert and Sullivan; and now that I look back I'm glad she did as Aladdin was her swan song.

The Mikado was first performed in 1885, and is about a wandering minstrel who falls in love with Yum-Yum, but for their union to happen they have contend with Katisha and Ko-Ko. The opera has so many good tunes like "Flowers that bloom in the spring" and "I've got them on my list". Opera can often put people off and seem like an boring way to spend three hours but trust me open your ears to
new possibilities and start today by listen to this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mXWkIZUPmDY

Written by Gilbert and Sullivan, 1885.

Song 6 - Hometown Glory by Adele

Sometimes you can forget songs and then they take you back to a place and time where you realised how much of you future was shaped in the past. I had just left my job at the bank when Adele's 19 was released and I was given the CD to as best new comer to the company. I think that was also the night that a close work college/friend and I were called a pair of hobbits. Hometown Glory is the last track of the album and there is a strongly independent lyric to someone just listening to the city that they live it. I know that being in the middle of composting my novel; I would use Edinburgh as a place to walk through my prose. A independent woman walking around, seeing the city through the eyes of her characters. I would normally spend my time listening to songs connected to be characters, but this song says something about me and the independent streak inside of me. I think the line that stand out for me "I like it in the city when two worlds collide". Edinburgh maybe a city but it is a village and even if you think two lives are separate; it is amazing how quickly one world connects to another.

When I heard this song today, in the pouring rain on the way to work, I had forgotten how much of an impact this song had over the change of direction in my life and as I am in the process of changing lanes again; I had my vision of standing firm in the direction of my choice.

Adele burst onto our music scene in 2008 after winning the Critic Choice award at the Brits; and her impact on the music scene is already legendary. She has become a household name and I hope that the familiarity of her music doesn't take away from her talent. If you need time with your own soul, this is the song for you

Listen to the track here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BW9Fzwuf43c

Written by Adele, 2008
Album: 19

Song 5 - Listen to the man by George Ezra

This song is in the jukebox as it is a happy song. George Ezra burst onto the music scene last year with his amazing deep voice and the first five tracks of his superb album and it is the music that I dance to on the treadmill. There was a time last year whenever  his songs were played on the radio, I claimed the George Ezra was stalking me! Unfortunately he is wasn't but it created much fun at work.

If anything can be taken from this song; I would say that the line "Listen to the man who loving you" reminds me to watch who I listen to - the world is a very opinionated place and actually it is only the advice of those who love us really matters especially in the world where social media can make us all critics.

To give yourself some happiness; listen to the man (see what I did there)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=taADLPtyDb0

Song written by George Erza & Joel Pott, 2014
Album: Wanted on a voyage

Song 4 - In the Sun by Joseph Arthur

This story and the origins of why this song is on the jukebox is a universal story that anyone who listens to music can relate to.  I first heard a snippet of In the Sun by Joseph Arthur as part of a promo commercial for Dawson's Creek. With the lyrics of the opening lines touching my soul immediately.  I then spent a number of weeks trying to match the lyrics to the song. This was in the days before Shazam. It wasn't until singing the opening lyrics "I picture you in the sun wondering what went wrong" to a friend did I come close to solving the mystery. Two days later my friend came back and told me name and the love affair with the whole song started. I love this tune as its lyrics and melody appeal to me whether I am happy or sad. For me whenever I hear it it always leaves me feeling humble and grateful for everything I have.

The song was written by Joseph Arthur in the 1990s and was covered by Peter Gabriel, who discovered Joseph Arthur, on the tribute album for Diana, Princess of Wales. It wasn't until 2001 that it was released as a single from the album "Come to where I'm from" in 2001 by Arthur himself. There weren't many copies of the single released. I wish I owned one of them. 

In 2005, in response to Hurricane Katrina, Michael Stipe of R.E.M recorded the song to raise money for the relief programme. I found this recording on itunes, where it was exclusively released and I instantly bought the EP. The EP has about four versions of the song, which include recordings with Chris Martin of Coldplay, Will.I.AM and Justin Timbelake as well as Joseph Arthur himself. Stipe's version has a piano accompaniment to it where as the original has guitar at the start of it. It may be quite strange to some people to have about 5 different version of the same song in one collection; but I think it is credit both to the strength of the song and the artists who recorded that I will quite happily listen to all five versions and despite the number of times I have heard it, it can still bring a tear to my eye. 


R.E.M and Coldplay will be featured in the Jukebox in their own right as they are two pillar of my musical diet; and I would say that Coldplay's X&Y album was one of the most inspirational albums I listened to when I was writing the first draft of my novel.
Listen to the song and accept it as a musical hug from me to you (sorry nearly put a Beatles reference in here)
The original version
Michael Stipe and Chris Martin's version
Written by: Joseph Arthur



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QotZ7TIaztw
I think he looks like John Lennon singing this at Glastonbury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9wNSXLNgOw

Album: Come to where I'm From 

Song 3 - Jupiter Movement from The Planets by G. Holst

For today's choice I have gone classical to try and put some mixture in the jukebox. Not before you think this is an off beat choice - have you ever watched International Rugby and listened to the tune to the tune "World in Union"? Yes, then you already know some of the music.  If you haven't heard any of it I would recommend spending the 7 minutes to discover it. The whole movement is like a group of friends sharing a jolly meal. The phrasing of the brass and the woodwind section is as rich to listen to as cleverly worded prose. Rightly named Bringer of Jollity, it is a piece of music that always brings a smile to my face.

Written between 1914 - 1916 by Gustav Holst, Jupiter is the fourth movement, but wrote Mars, Venus and Jupiter in 1914. Some believe Jupiter is the centre of The Planets suite. There was no Pluto movement written by Holst as Pluto wasn't discovered until four years before the Holst's death. Pluto has significant for me as one of the first characters I ever created for a homework story, was an alien from Pluto, called Zappie. I know the name was really originally, but this was the first time I found myself caught up in creating a world of fiction and appeared in the first collection of short stories that I sold around my high school for charity. There is still a part of me who would like to do something with the character Zappie.

Getting back to the music; even though finding a new planet must have been really significant Holst had no intension of writing a new movement for his piece of music. The Pluto movement was eventually written by Colin Matthews. The World in Union's lyrics were written by Charlie Skarbek.

Listen to it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz0b4STz1lo

Written - Gustav Holst, 1914
Album - The Planets

Song 2 - Mr Writer by Stereophonics

Keeping up with writing theme for the second song "Mr Writer" by Stereophonics has always, for me, been a gritter song about the writing profession whilst Paperback Writer  is all about pleasing a market, Kelly Jones's tones is telling Mr Writer to tell it like it really is. The song itself is the band's response to a negative write up by a journalist.

For me, I have a mix on iTunes that I put together for the novel that I am writing. Running next to Paperback Writer; it sends a message to me about keeping my writing real especially when talking about discrimination in the book. I think for me, it about watching the pace of my writing as you can't always have your character at crisis point, there has to be calmer period in the book so the impact of the words at critic points are there. For me you have to keep it honest in the framework of your ecosystem of the characters.

"Mr Writer" is the third single from the album Just Enough Education To Perform, which was released in 2001. The song has a raw and honest lyric together with a strong melody; which makes me always reach for the volume.

To listen to Mr Writer by Stereophonics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwOMnIuAGOY

Written by: Kelly Jones/Marshall Bird
Album: Just Enough Education to Perform

Song 1 - Paperback Writer by The Beatles

For me I have to start with a completely obvious tune for anyone who knows me for two reasons. First reason; Paperback writer is the career choice I am actively seeking and I love the lyric "It's a thousand pages, give or take a few, I'll be writing more in a week or two; I could make it longer if you like the style.." As it hits the nail on the head that writing  is as much about being able to write for a market than just writing away in your head hoping that someone other than your great Aunty will like it.  

Paperback writer is a magical gem of a track and has a really recognisable guitar rift. There is always a smile on my face when I hear this tune and fond memories of singing it with friends in high school. 

The second obvious choice is starting with a tune from the Beatles as they are one of my favourite bands; I think you can find a Beatles song for any occasion. Now before you think this is going to a list of Beatles songs;trust me it won't be. There will be more Beatles songs but I am saving my Beatlemania for another blog.

Paperback Writer was a standalone single released in 1966. Although credited to Lennon and McCartney, it is largely considered to be a McCartney song. Written over a period of two consecutive days during the Revolver Sessions. The song is said to be the son of Day Tripper, it's release marked the end of the release schedule the Beatles had had of 4 singles and two albums per year.

YouTube link

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=taADLPtyDb0

Written by Lennon/McCartney, 1966.

Album: Past Masters

Music clears away dust from everyday life!

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Berthold Auerbach.

If someone said you could have either a pen to write or an iPod to listen I would be torn for music inspires the creativity for the pen and vice versa. the power music has is of universal reach;  it can be a companion through life; something you can dance to; cry to; make love to. It is something people can come together and dance to or it can be a comfort in solitude. Music can be anything to anybody.

For me music is a friendship; familiar songs are like old friends that take me to places of fond memories. New songs are like stars in the sky waiting on to be discover. Here on this blog, I want to offer a song for the next 500 days. My aim is simply to share music; music I like, to start a musical conversation; if you want to join in drop me a note.