Nothing erodes time during a long shift at work like listening to some good music on the radio and having a quiet sing-along. That is apart from maybe hiding in the toilet or chain brewing, but those bring consequences. When I still worked at my previous job, my radio station of choice was always XFM.
However, due to some corporate shenanigans, it underwent a re-branding and a personnel cull to become Radio X. My verdict of it? To be honest, I’m sort of wishing that Tim Cocker, Clint Boon and co. were back making the selections. That is with the exception of Vernon Kay’s show – which I’ve taken quite a shining to.
The feature I particularly enjoy is ‘Your Life in Music’. Vernon invites Mr Joe Public to choose a different song each day from Monday to Friday, and before playing it, the guest explains its significance to their life. Some reasons held real reverence to testing or inspiring moments in life, whilst some were downright daft. But that’s the power music has – different songs evoke different emotions in different people.
I frequently pondered my own selection in case I fancied ringing up, but realised they wouldn’t really work with Radio X’s genre constraints.So I decided to compile my choices for a hypothetical station that literally plays any record in existence. Still not easy, there’s a lot of good (and bad) memories attached to a myriad of music.
If you’ve read this far, I hope you’ll already feel compelled to start thinking of your individual five songs. If that is the case, feel free to comment them at the bottom with your reasoning; then when they finally let me back on a radio show, I’ll invite you on to play them.
So here’s mine:
However, due to some corporate shenanigans, it underwent a re-branding and a personnel cull to become Radio X. My verdict of it? To be honest, I’m sort of wishing that Tim Cocker, Clint Boon and co. were back making the selections. That is with the exception of Vernon Kay’s show – which I’ve taken quite a shining to.
The feature I particularly enjoy is ‘Your Life in Music’. Vernon invites Mr Joe Public to choose a different song each day from Monday to Friday, and before playing it, the guest explains its significance to their life. Some reasons held real reverence to testing or inspiring moments in life, whilst some were downright daft. But that’s the power music has – different songs evoke different emotions in different people.
I frequently pondered my own selection in case I fancied ringing up, but realised they wouldn’t really work with Radio X’s genre constraints.So I decided to compile my choices for a hypothetical station that literally plays any record in existence. Still not easy, there’s a lot of good (and bad) memories attached to a myriad of music.
If you’ve read this far, I hope you’ll already feel compelled to start thinking of your individual five songs. If that is the case, feel free to comment them at the bottom with your reasoning; then when they finally let me back on a radio show, I’ll invite you on to play them.
So here’s mine:
Oasis - Whatever
Being a Mancunian, there’s something unsurprising about the inclusion of an Oasis number, but it’s a couple of memories in particular that set this one above the rest of the Gallagher brother’s creations.
Flash back to May 2011, at Wembley stadium. A Yaya Toure strike was enough for Manchester City to see off Stoke and lift the FA Cup and the first trophy in mine and many other City fans lifetimes. I was buzzing, then Whatever came on through the stadium speakers and the tens of thousands of City fans sung along. I don’t think I could of asked for a better song to represent that moment.
Jump forward three years to May 2015 and the song once again held reverence after becoming the first I played after handing in my final piece of uni work. The elation and relief of completing such a mammoth task, a degree, was perfectly matched by the lyrics relating to freedom (I’m free to do Whatever I, Whatever I choose and I’ll sing the blues if I want). Although, I must of looked a right maniac walking home after an all-nighter with my arms aloft and a cheesy grin across my chops.
Flash back to May 2011, at Wembley stadium. A Yaya Toure strike was enough for Manchester City to see off Stoke and lift the FA Cup and the first trophy in mine and many other City fans lifetimes. I was buzzing, then Whatever came on through the stadium speakers and the tens of thousands of City fans sung along. I don’t think I could of asked for a better song to represent that moment.
Jump forward three years to May 2015 and the song once again held reverence after becoming the first I played after handing in my final piece of uni work. The elation and relief of completing such a mammoth task, a degree, was perfectly matched by the lyrics relating to freedom (I’m free to do Whatever I, Whatever I choose and I’ll sing the blues if I want). Although, I must of looked a right maniac walking home after an all-nighter with my arms aloft and a cheesy grin across my chops.
Deadmau5 - Strobe
I would go as far as to call this song a masterpiece – the Mozart of electronic music. Anyone who disagrees has obviously never been inebriated with a bunch of friends, with the lights darkened and listening to this audio adventure take you through a mind full of memories.
Guaranteed to garner goosebumps, it’s always a good way to finish the night. Even the memories of that alone fully warrant its place on the list, although the real speciality of this is found when you play it through a set of earphones and close your eyes.
What’s unique about Strobe is the metamorphosis from melancholy to euphoria. Beginning with memories of less desirable times, the track soon changes your thoughts of disdain to nothing but positivity and joy via the build up and subtle key changes.
Guaranteed to garner goosebumps, it’s always a good way to finish the night. Even the memories of that alone fully warrant its place on the list, although the real speciality of this is found when you play it through a set of earphones and close your eyes.
What’s unique about Strobe is the metamorphosis from melancholy to euphoria. Beginning with memories of less desirable times, the track soon changes your thoughts of disdain to nothing but positivity and joy via the build up and subtle key changes.
Todd Terje - Inspector Norse
This is another jam synonymous with good times spent hanging out with friends. It doesn’t even hold memories refined to just one group of friends, as I can’t recall ever listening to Inspector Norse with someone who didn’t absolutely love it.
I think that’s part of the charm – it’s impossible to feel bad after hearing it. Furthermore, it’s always guaranteed to get everyone on their feet; whether that be at pre-drinks, the small hours of the morning or straight after waking up.
But what immortalises this gem from other feel-good tracks, is that it was also the final song we ever played on our radio show; Danny and Dean’s Happy Hour of House. Our award-winning, bootlegged house show was amongst the zenith of my university experience and this song remembers it perfectly.
I was also lucky enough to see Todd Terje at Parklife in 2013 and to quote the cliché, ‘it went off’ when Inspector Norse was dropped. I could literally play it on repeat.
I think that’s part of the charm – it’s impossible to feel bad after hearing it. Furthermore, it’s always guaranteed to get everyone on their feet; whether that be at pre-drinks, the small hours of the morning or straight after waking up.
But what immortalises this gem from other feel-good tracks, is that it was also the final song we ever played on our radio show; Danny and Dean’s Happy Hour of House. Our award-winning, bootlegged house show was amongst the zenith of my university experience and this song remembers it perfectly.
I was also lucky enough to see Todd Terje at Parklife in 2013 and to quote the cliché, ‘it went off’ when Inspector Norse was dropped. I could literally play it on repeat.
Rise Against - Heaven Knows
After adding a couple of house tracks to this list, the inclusion of a particularly obscure punk & alternative record may seem rather odd. Believe it or not, this was once my most played song on iTunes by some distance.
With it being played so many times, it’s justifiably attached forever to my mid/late teen years. I don’t know what it was, I just loved this song above all the rest. Collar-length hair, DCs, baggy jeans and band tees. Skateboard in one hand, can of White Storm in the other. I certainly looked the part for the genre.
Rise Against was one of my first gigs and needless to say I went crazy at this song . It was one of my first attempts at the frivolous act known as ‘mosh-pitting’. One friend lost his shoe, I lost my phone – totally worth it though.
With it being played so many times, it’s justifiably attached forever to my mid/late teen years. I don’t know what it was, I just loved this song above all the rest. Collar-length hair, DCs, baggy jeans and band tees. Skateboard in one hand, can of White Storm in the other. I certainly looked the part for the genre.
Rise Against was one of my first gigs and needless to say I went crazy at this song . It was one of my first attempts at the frivolous act known as ‘mosh-pitting’. One friend lost his shoe, I lost my phone – totally worth it though.
The Courteeners - Not Nineteen Forever
Without being my out and out favourite song of all time, I think I’m right to say it became something of an anthem for anyone who went out in Manchester often.
After reaching the legal drinking age, it become the norm to frequently visiting establishments such as Fifth Avenue, 42nd Street and Factory. In those places, you’d bet your student loan on hearing it during the night. The catchy tune and lyrics made it a facile drunken chant, bolstered massively by the fact most of the club were around the age of 19. Hideously overplayed, but always delivering a full dance-floor.
For these reasons, it has to emerge as the soundtrack for years worth of exuberant weekends which have since blurred into one. I know it seems strange, but things they change.
Those were my very divergent choices, which you may now assume are primarily linked to my drinking escapades. But boozy undertones aside, I could listen to any of them in any state and still feel nostalgic. I’m sure you will probably have mixed thoughts about the selection – thus the beauty of music.
Don’t forget to to pipe up with your own song choices. If nothing else, it’ll give you something to ponder whilst you struggle through the next long shift at work.
After reaching the legal drinking age, it become the norm to frequently visiting establishments such as Fifth Avenue, 42nd Street and Factory. In those places, you’d bet your student loan on hearing it during the night. The catchy tune and lyrics made it a facile drunken chant, bolstered massively by the fact most of the club were around the age of 19. Hideously overplayed, but always delivering a full dance-floor.
For these reasons, it has to emerge as the soundtrack for years worth of exuberant weekends which have since blurred into one. I know it seems strange, but things they change.
Those were my very divergent choices, which you may now assume are primarily linked to my drinking escapades. But boozy undertones aside, I could listen to any of them in any state and still feel nostalgic. I’m sure you will probably have mixed thoughts about the selection – thus the beauty of music.
Don’t forget to to pipe up with your own song choices. If nothing else, it’ll give you something to ponder whilst you struggle through the next long shift at work.