8/12/17: The music of my week

Hey everyone! Here’s another weekly post of music gems. This week will be a journey through the old and the new.

“Don’t Wanna Lose You” by Gloria Estefan

“‘Cause baby, I’ve finally found
The courage to stand my ground
But if you want me
I’ll be around, forever.”

Released in 1989, this mellow number has a very 80’s pop feel. Gloria sings of “getting through somehow” and her lovely voice pulls on the heart strings. Some fun facts about the singer? She is married to the keyboard player of her old band Miami Latin Boys (later known as Miami Sound Machine) and there is even a musical about her! For the music video, I would probably not try to question what the dancers are doing – rather bizarre indeed! Even a woman faints at one point…

“You’re More Than a Number In My Little Red Book” by The Drifters

“All it had to take me was just one look,
My heart began a thumpin’,
Babe you had it jumpin’,
Cause’ you’re more than a number in my little red book.”

This 1976 soul track is joyful, catchy and boogie-worthy to the core! Also known for hits such as “Under the Boardwalk” and “Like Sister and Brother”, The Drifters have an extensive catalogue of beautiful music. Their vocal harmonies are just delightful! To say the least, this song is more than an addition to this week’s playlist. Check out the matching purple suits and cracking dance moves here!

“No Night So Long” by Dionne Warwick

“No night so long that you can’t find the day
No day so wrong that you can’t find your way
Call on me like you used to do
I still can show you who you are.”

After her success with Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Dionne Warwick is considered as among the 40 biggest hit makers of pop by Billboard. After Aretha Franklin, she is the most-charted female singer of all time. I absolute adore her! Now if that doesn’t knock your socks off, “No Night So Long” will. This beautiful track starts with some wonderful piano melodies, and then develops a particularly epic feel. It has a rhythmic and ballad-esque chorus too, which is the kind you’d belt out too! The lyrics are some of the most beautiful ones I have ever found. Check out a performance of the song from 1980 below:

“Though it’s dark and you have travelled far
Every long night gives you one bright shining star.”

“Fairground” by Simply Red

“Love can bend and breathe alone
Until the end it finds you a home.”

This pop number on the other hand is very 90’s. The 1995 “Fairground” has a dance music and club rhythm vibe. It is wonderful! This track spent 4 weeks at number 1 in the UK, and even made the Top 10 in Germany, Austria and The Netherlands. “Fairground” is my Simply Red favourite! And yes, the video is just as club-like and 90’s as the song! It is just one massive trance really…

“When You Walk in the Room” by Paul Carrack (cover)

“Baby it’s a dream come true
Standin’ right along side of you
Wish I could show you how much I care
But I only have the nerve to stare.”

Jackie DeShannon’s 1963 hit has been covered by more than 35 artists. However, Paul Carrack’s 1987 version (of Squeeze, Mike & The Mechanics fame) is by far my favourite. It is the ultimate butterflies song, and one that captures that moment of complete captivation. It is so upbeat! The video is also fun and fantastic, as you soon realise that the girl in question belongs to someone else. It even has Paul Carrack trying to impress this girl as he gradually gets battered and bruised. When you think the music video could not get any better, it even features Tony Robinson and the cast of the comedy Who Dares Wins, a sketch show that has certainly gone into obscurity.

“Long Time” by Blondie

“Take me, then lose me, then tell them I’m yours.”

New music by Blondie?! Oh yes, please! Their 2017 album, Pollinator, even reached #1 on the UK Vinyl charts upon release. “Long Time” is the perfect blend of 80’s new wave and modern Rock, and I am absolutely obsessed with it. Debbie Harry’s voice has also evolved, and it sounds really beautiful. You know what? She’s as cool as she’s always been. In the video, she is seen having a great time and having a style that is still electric and iconic. Go Blondie!

“International Blue” by Manic Street Preachers

“You wrote your autograph on the far side of the sky
You recorded the falling rain but you never told us why
You painted with fire only the ashes now remain
The monochrome desire you left us too young to explain.”

“International Blue” is the stand-out song for this week. Yes, alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers are back, and I could not be any happier about this! “International Blue” is the first single from their upcoming album (April 2018), and it is an absolute belter! James Dean Bradfield’s voice has matured, and it has so much energy. The electric guitar is also excellent on this track! During a recent interview with Radio X’s Chris Moyles, Nicky Wire has promised that the new album (named Resistance is Futile) will be energetic and epic. Check it out here. April come quick!

“Here’s my gift to you, a soundtrack to the void
The deepest of interludes, the myths that you destroyed
And I saw that colour through a clear wide window
And I saw that colour and I knew I had to go.”

Two lots of lyrics, because they are that great!

That’s it for this week! For last week’s post, click here.

Until next week,

From Sophia with Love x