Where will it all lead? What are the conditions? Are they zero, first or second? All the ifs and thens are revealed in these wittily entertaining lists compiled by guest Severin, inspired by songs nominated in last week’s opening topic of 2024
Read moreA sharper tone: songs with insults and sentiments that may offend
Look sharp! This week we’re adjusting our tone with lyrics that really sharpen the spear, but capture the full spectrum from light, friendly jibe, gentle put-down, discourtesy, invective to scornful verbal attack in killer lines to whole songs
Read moreFamiliar? It's a Christmas special: songs that sound like other songs
The topic over the Christmas holiday season is a form of convivial, parlour game in which pairs of songs can be nominated that share musical or other echoes - but which came first and where are the comparisons? You decide …
Read moreWall of sound? Let's enter some songs about rooms
Bluesy bathrooms to calypso kitchens, Britpop bedrooms to lovers rock lounges, whether big or small, green or blue, closet or cloister, suggest yours to create a whole building of musical adventure
Read moreHang on a minute … it's songs about waiting
Anticipation, excitement or apprehension, for anything from the rapture to Robert De Niro, opportunity or a bus, the light, love or in limbo, place your songs in our waiting room and see what happens …
Read moreReflect on this: songs about love songs
It's a musical meta-topic! Hear examples, then suggest more songs that refer to others in lyrics, titles, artists, through musical echoes, or, with nuance, those that variously praise, seek or reject love songs
Read moreMy log saw something … songs about the strange, disturbing and surreal
Log Lady to Blue Velvet, Beefheart and fantasy fish, doppelgängers and all-seeing owls, this week we delve in an alternative world where lyrics and music capture an area between dream and reality
Read morePlay that again: songs inspired by movie and TV stars
Brando, Dean, Bette Davis to Bart Simpson, in titles, lyrics, quotes or even sampling, let’s roll the credits to see which stars of the silver or small screen gathering at the bar will get their rock’n’roll moment
Read moreSo hard to do? Upbeat breakup songs
Is the heartbreak over? Perhaps, but this week it's time to name songs with a positive element, showing that, whether in lyrics or style, the sadness is shifting to gladness
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