music of my week.

29/12/17: The music of my week (end of 2017 special)

Welcome to the last music post of 2017! Hopefully this post will take you into the new year on good spirits! 🙂

“My Way” by Frank Sinatra

“My Way” is the perfect song to help find your strength again. As 2017 turns into 2018, you can look back at how you battled whatever came your way and how you, well, did it your way! Sinatra shines with his amazing voice, and that build up is second to none. It is very popular at university karaoke events (usually after a couple of drinks), and it is the perfect song to get everyone singing at the top of their lungs! It will certainly be a royal addition to your NYE playlist.

“Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way.”

“Castles in the Air” by Don McLean

“Hills of forest green where the mountains touch the sky
A dream come true, I’ll live there ’til I die
I’m asking you, to say my last goodbye
The love we knew, ain’t worth another try.”

Want to make a big move in 2018? Then seek some inspiration from “Castles in the Air”, the ultimate song for leaving the city (and everything within it) for a quiet life in the country. Okay, maybe escaping to the country to get away from your soon-to-be ex isn’t the best way to go about things, but it is a wonderful song! Don McLean is an absolute legend, and his lovely voice and American country sound makes for some beautiful, easy listening.

“Bend and Break” by Keane

“If only I don’t bend and break
I’ll meet you on the other side
I’ll meet you in the light
If only I don’t suffocate
I’ll meet you in the morning when you wait.”

One of the lesser known Keane songs, “Bend and Break” is beyond wonderful! It is Richard Hughes’ (the drummer) favourite Keane song. When you hear it, you can understand why! Tom Chaplin’s voice is delightful, and the chorus has a spirited kick. The song is from Hopes and Fears, my favourite Keane album which also has “Somewhere Only We Know” and “Everybody’s Changing”. It even won the band “Best Album” at the Brit Awards in 2005. Could it BE any more perfect?!

“She’s a Star” by James

“She’s been in disguise forever
She’s tried to disguise her stellar views
Much brighter than all this static
Now she’s coming through.”

If you have not heard of James, then you’re welcome. And no, it is not one man called James. This alternative rock band makes some stellar music, including the spirited “Sit Down” – I know right, so much energy for a pretty sedentary song? Okay I will let myself out… Anyway, back onto “She’s a Star”, a song which has some great guitar riffs. Also, the lyrics are absolutely sublime! Check out a 1998 live performance of the song below.

“Weekend in New England” by Barry Manilow

“Time in New England
Took me away
To long rocky beaches
And you by the bay
We started a story
Whose end must now wait”

This epic song by Barry Manilow is on par with “Looks Like We Made it.” “Weekend in New England” has a punchy chorus and an orchestral, piano-driven charm. Of course, the build up takes you on a ride and a half. It gives me goose bumps! You know the song means business when you hear Barry belting it with everything he’s got. End your 2017 the right way! Think you’ve heard this song before? It was famously used in Friends, where Joey & Chandler reminisce about their pet duck. Maybe you can also stare into space and look over the happy memories of the past year?

“And tell me, when will our eyes meet?
When can I touch you?
When will this strong yearning end?
And when will I hold you again?”

“Things Can Only Get Better” by D:Ream

“You can walk my path
You can wear my shoes
Learn to talk like me and be an angel too.”

Of course, no positivity post is complete without the reassurance that things can only get better. “Things Can Only Get Better” epitomises a lot of that 90’s dance spirit, like some kind of strobe-lit club time machine. Did you know that Brian Cox used to be a keyboard player for the band? How’s that for trivia! This club hit was also used as the Labour Party’s campaign song in 1997, and projected the idea that things are dire and can’t get any worse. It is also the cheesiest political broadcast ever. So yeah, if things haven’t gone great in 2017, listen to this and keep your chin up! You never know, you might also achieve a landslide victory in 2018.

 

Just a personal note: I will be travelling for two months, so there will be some travel blogs up along with sporadic music ones. There will still be a range of music posts, but they will be less frequent until my return in late February. So hang in tight, and I hope you enjoy the new content until I’m back. Upon my return, I shall provide the usual trappings of From Sophia with Love. Until then, I hope you all have had a wonderful 2017 and have an even better 2018! 🙂

From Sophia, with Love x

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