Top Ten

For some reason, at 4.20am this morning, I lay awake thinking of what my top ten songs would be (because obviously I didn’t have anything better to be doing at that time, like sleeping, for instance).

I’m sure you’ve done the same and it’s a tough choice, so I’m not saying this list is absolute, or all-inclusive (a top 1000 wouldn’t even be that), or that it wouldn’t ever change depending on my mood, but these are the songs I came up with and the reasons why (in no particular order – because I’d still be there now if I tried to do that):

Paul Young – Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)

I’ve loved this song since I was little, not only because I like the sentiment of the lyrics and Paul Young’s voice, but because they were playing it everywhere when I went on holiday aged seven or eight with my family and my grandparents.  I can almost TASTE the nostalgia every time I hear it because it reminds me of my Grandad who died when I was twelve:

Roberta Flack – The First time Ever I Saw Your Face

This was my husband and I’s first dance at our wedding; I chose it because I love the lyrics and I told my husband this was how he felt about me when we first met (whether he realised it or not).  He agreed that, yes indeed, it was a perfect choice and of course he had felt that exact same way, partly because I was a Bridezilla with PMT and partly because he’s a bloke, and it meant less work for him:

Kings of Leon – Use Somebody

Goosebumps and THAT voice.  That is all.  Apart from the fact that my husband and I would have had this for our first song if it had been released at the time:

Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2U

I love this song SOOOO much.  The lyrics are so heartfelt and I remember watching Sinead O’Connor crying so elegantly in the video and thinking that if it were me, there’d be snot dribbling out of my nose which I’d probably be wiping on my sleeve, mascara running in rivers down my cheeks and my eyes would be red and puffy and whatever man I was singing to would be running for the hills thinking he’d had a very lucky escape:

No Doubt – Just a Girl

Bring on the teenage angst!  I used to listen to this on loop in my bedroom as a teenager, thinking that the lyrics were so apt because life was SO unfair! (Cue a ‘Kevin’ strop and probably some door slamming):

Pink – Just Like a Pill

My husband will tell you that I have a MAJOR girl crush on Pink, especially since seeing her in concert.  I love most of her songs but this one has a funny effect on me each time I hear it.  I always get a lump in my throat and feel on the verge of tears, which is OK in your own home but was really embarrassing when they used it as one of the tracks at Body Pump and I had to stop myself from becoming a blubbering idiot in front of loads of hard women lifting weights.

I think it’s because she sings everything with such meaning and I like the powerful metaphor of love being a drug:

Beyonce – Best Thing I Never Had

I love and hate Beyonce in equal measure; I love her because she’s beautiful and talented and I hate her because…well, she’s beautiful and talented.  This is a song that I just keep putting on repeat on my I Pod and singing at full pelt (much to the dismay and embarrassment of my family).

My husband would call this ‘angry women’ music but I’m all for a bit of Girl Power:

The Script – The Man Who Can’t Be Moved

I love a man who’s in touch with his feelings, don’t you?  I have issues with some of the lyrics to this song because he met this girl ‘on the corner of the street’ (dubious) but I love Danny’s voice (see, first name terms) and I’m a hopeless romantic at heart:

OK so far?  Respectable choices? (Even if they’re not what you would pick?).  Yes, well, I’m about to destroy all that.

Wham – Wham Rap!

What’s not to love about Wham?  George and Andrew will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart and I make no apology for that.

Obviously all of Wham’s songs are iconic classics, but I’ve chosen this one because it reminds me of being a rep in Cyprus when I was twenty one, driving with my flat-mate and buddy, Becky, in 40 degree heat, singing full blast with the windows wound down (despite only having had about three hours sleep the night before):

LMFAO – Sexy and I Know It

I’ve already lost your respect so I may as well carry on and admit that yes, I DO have a guilty crush on the lead singer of LMFAO and I love how tongue-in-cheek the song and video are.  There’s also nothing as cute as watching a 7, 3 and 2 year old doing the ‘wiggle, wiggle’ bit with lots of enthusiasm and laughter.  Enjoy (you know you want to):

I’d love any comments about your favourite songs and your reasons or just give me feedback on mine (even if it’s to tell me I have crap taste in music!) 🙂