21.

Lucky Soul – Lips Are Unhappy

I first heard aboot this tune through a mate on a message-board, when he upped it as part of a cheeky compilation he had whopped together. So cheers, Jan.

Fuck me, this is great. Its like a long-lost soul-swinger from the 60’s that’s been found in a sparkly velvet-lined box in the back of a cupboard and salvaged for future generations.

Beautiful melody, lubbly light production, soaring gorgeous vocals.

An absolute belter, Ted.

Let this classic into your life, you'll love me (or Jan) for it!

22.

Carole King – It's Too Late

Earlier in this list, I added “Heartbreaker” by Dionne Warwick for two reasons.

1. It was a tune that reminded me of my childhood as my Dad loved it and by way of him playing it I had been introduced to it at an early age, and it had been completely ingrained in my consciousness ever since.

and

2. I believed it was a great, great tune.

The same applies here.

My Dad told me years ago that his all-time favourite album was “Tapestry” by Carole King. Years later, once I had the ways and means of trying out new or unheard music without actually paying for it (I.E. ver Internet), I decided to nab it and see what the fuss was about.

While overall the record didn’t do much for me, this tune deffo did. In fact, it completely blew me away.

I’m happy to go down on record, here and now, as saying this is one of the greatest tunes ever written, or indeed, ever will be written.

Impossibly moving, unstoppably lovely.

23.

The Libertines - Don't Look Back Into The Sun

I fucking loved The Libs. They were the first band since Oasis who really seemed to have it all. The passion, the drive, the charisma, the utter unshakeable belief in what they were doing and why, and most importantly, the tunes.

As with Oasis’ debut album, it took a while for “Up The Bracket” (The Libs’ first) to really click with me. But once it did, it really did. I played it every day, almost religiously. It struck a chord just when I really needed something, anything to inspire & excite me. I was having a hard time personally, and a morning spin of The Libs' ragged opus seemed to wash all my worries away. It really grabbed me and hasn’t let go since.

This tune was released as a stop-gap single between “…Bracket” and their much anticipated follow-up album “The Libertines”, yet for me it really stands out as their greatest, most definitive moment.

Shuffling drum intro, uptempo licks from geetar-heaven, Messrs Barat & Doherty sharing vocal-duties as only they could, and a tune bigger than that bloke who sells the Big Issue in Kingston. And twice as sexy.

The biggest compliment I can give The Libs, is to mention the time when I went to see ‘em at Brixton, 3 or 4 years ago.

I went with my mate Wayne, and despite him never hearing their music before, we had an amazing time. We jumped up and down, threw our fists in the air, nodded our drunken heads with the excitement & passion only great music can bring, and went home with grins as wide as your Mum's thighs on our faces. I still regard it as one of the nights of my life, and I cherish the memory.

A great single by a sorely-missed, once-in-a-lifetime band.

24.

Sparks - Amateur Hour

I only got into Sparks about a year or so ago. I downloaded a “Best Of” collection, and within the first few tracks I was utterly smitten.

Every track bounded along effortlessly with infectious jollity, melody, & creativity, and the lyrics (mainly about shagging girls n that) made me cackle heartily.

One tune stands out as an absolute personal favourite, though. Amateur Hour is pure musical Gold.

A rarely-mentioned (despite reaching the giddy heights of No.7 in the UK charts upon release) treasure of a single that blasts from the speakers dipped in such fun-filled brilliance that you’ll find yourself craving a second or third listen the second it climaxes. A true hallmark of a great, timeless single.

Sod analogies and wanky in-depth analyses. This is an absolute classic tune, and it makes me ruddy smile. If you’re yet to hear this tune, then download it right now, and I hope it does the same for you.