Summer Songs

*original post on my wordpress here*

I find that there are always certain songs that remind me of summer, whether I associate them with a memory, or just because they're feel-good. These are my top 10 I listen to pretty much every summer. Why? Because I do.

1. JET - Are You Gonna Be My Girl. This is certainly a favourite in my family. I can't count the amount of journeys we've made when this has been on the playlist. It's catchy, upbeat and great to sing along to.
2. Belle Histoire - Stay Awhile. I discovered Belle Histoire a good few years ago now, and this has to be my favourite of their songs. It's sweet and chirpy, just like summer should be, which is why I always listen to it to get myself in a good mood.
3. Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent. Although I'm a firm believer that their first album is their best, this track is perfect for summer. Dangerously close to being a little poppy, very few people have never heard this track, so it's great for groups of people.
4. Paramore - For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic. My favourite track off Riot! by far. Despite the seemingly negative subject matter, the track itself is super upbeat with a pop beat that's great for summer dancing (or, if you're me, jumping around like someone possessed. What can I say. I was gifted with two left feet).
5. You Me at Six - Save It For The Bedroom. This song makes me feel 15 again, and reminds me of all the summers I'd sit in my best friend's room and waste time on youtube or trying to get our friends together for a barbecue that never happened. Nostalgia in a song.
6. Muse - Starlight. To be honest, almost anything off Black Holes & Revelations I associate with summer, but this is probably the one track I can put on at a barbecue that everyone will know. Off what is arguably Muse's best album, it a perfectly positive summer track.
7. Hey Monday - How You Love Me Now. Another song that reminds me of my teenage years. It was one of the first songs I tried learning on guitar and I always play it in summer. It just about defines pop rock, with Cassadee Pope's vocals suiting the genre down to a T.
8. Away We Go! - City of Sin, With a Twist of Tulips. I could never really place my finger on what I liked about Away We Go! They're definitely strong pop rock, but Ray's unique vocals always brought something different to the table for me.
9. The Killers - Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll. Does what it says in the title - I suppose Mr Brightside would have been a more obvious choice, but this song is both relaxing and very summery.
10. Razorlight - Stumble and Fall. Another car playlist appearance. Or, if you're my Dad, you put on Up All Night but only end up playing this song on repeat. It's upbeat, positive, and (take it from me) very catchy indeed!

**next week's blog will be Thursday**

Top songs to get you in the mood for Christmas

   It is, once again, that most wonderful time of year...or so we're told. Not feeling it? How about 5 of my favourite Christmas songs to get you in the mood, because there's nothing like good music to put a smile on anyone's face!

1. Kids in Glass Houses - Secret Santa. 
   Certainly a must for anyone looking for a bit of festive cheer verging on the utterly daft. It has all the characteristics of the standard Christmas songs - bells throughout, overuse of the word 'baby' (but not quite to the extent of Justin Bieber) - with the added bonus of almost sarcastic lyrics (such as 'Now you're stumbling into the tree/ 'Cos this time of year you're drunk by three') and an equally funny video to go with it. It's upbeat, littered with tongue-in-cheek, strangely true references to Christmas and a sly dig at other Christmas songs, 'Do you promise you'll try,/ Try to feed the whole world,' and best of all it's a completely original song! Guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face.
   
2. No Doubt - Oi To The World.
   Originally The Vandals song, 'Oi To The World' brings punk to Christmas, with no bells but a whole lot of trumpets in this version. In the least Christmassy video to accompany a Christmas song, this is certainly for all the scrooges. Or people who are indeed to cool for Christmas cheer. Grungey guitar riffs and a catchy chorus are enough to make anyone listen up, and Gwen Stefani's voice suits the song perfectly. Definitely a must-listen for anyone who wants a Christmas song without he Christmas!
   
3. Slade - Merry Christmas Everybody.
   No Christmas would be complete without hearing Noddy Holder shout 'It's Christmas' at least once, so this is a must listen and a dead certain as far as Christmas spirit goes. Following on from No Doubt, it's more rock than most standard Christmas songs which is probably why it's so popular even 40 years after its original release. Although you hit a few cheesy lines along the way, it will always be played every Christmas and is possibly one of the only explicitly Christmassy songs that won't make you wish it was January after hearing it for the 50th time.
   
4. The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York.
   Even if Spider Stacey's voice isn't to your taste, no-one can deny this is another fantastic Christmas song. Well, the lyrics aren't exactly optimistic in the usual 'I wish it could be Christmas every day' way, but it's still played every year. No cover of this song will ever match up to the original - Kirsty MacColl's raw vocals mixed with Stacey's own create an entirely individual duet that could never be replaced, which is what makes the song so special.
   
5. VersaEmerge - Santa Baby.
   You are guaranteed to find no other cover of this song that sounds so vastly different from the original. Rather than adopt the cheery, upbeat attitude adapted by the majority of artists who cover this song, VersaEmerge have taken a more...creepy attitude. The electronic vibes are a far cry from Eartha Kitt's bouncey original, and the video adds to the atmosphere VersaEmerge create (more like that of Halloween than Christmas). Definitely a song for anyone who wants to hear a Christmas song that sounds nothing like a Christmas song, and the best part is you can listen to it all year long (that is, if you want to).