Feel the magnetism. It’ s a quality of presence, an aura, a warmth, an energy, eyes and voice. It inspires and attracts others to good, or sometimes bad effect. But it isn’t only in the famous, but also unknown people brought to light in song
Read moreSole power: songs about footwear
Walk this way and press play …
Shoes, boots, slippers, high-heels, trainers, loafers, brothel creepers, brogues, to clogs to spats and a whole lot more, from the sexy to the silly, the stylish to the smart, let’s get the sole of this subject in this lyrical theme
Read morePlaylists: songs with wordless vocals
Lusty: Bas Sheva
This week’s playlists, picked by guest pejepeine, are simply beyond words – joiking to scat, konnakol to yodel, inspired by from last week’s nominations larynx and lips combine to take music to a whole new place
Read moreYou Tarzan, Me Cheeta: songs about famous or specific animals
Cheeta with his co-stars Jane and Tarzan, aka Maureen O’Sullivan and Johnny Weissmuller
Dogs, cats, horses, apes, pigeons, elephants and more, stars of film, TV, science, history or art, in fact or fiction, this week we’re calling for songs that mention, or are chiefly about famous creatures, usually with a specific name
Read moreI know why the caged bird sings: songs about or expressing empathy
Maya Angelou: “I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it.”
I feel for you. Reach out and I’ll be there. This week we’re seeking song-related understanding and connection the form of songs about empathy, and though it’s different perhaps also little secondary sympathy, in form or content
Read moreWho's pulling the strings? Songs about puppets and puppetry
It’s time to play the music …
It’s all about manipulation. This week’s theme could centre around relationships, work, politics, or other forms of entertainment, where also the puppets do the performing and play on the theme of who is really in control …
Read moreIn full swing: songs and instrumentals from New York City
There’s more than one way of having in ball in New York. The 1930s …
It’s the city of the world that never sleeps, but this week let’s explore what kind of music, particularly instrumentals, but also lyrics, capture the particular spirit, culture, feel and rhythms of its extraordinary five boroughs
Read moreFourth of July? Songs about parades and processions
Onwards!
They express the joys, hopes, triumphs and tragedies of the human race coming together, – mixed emotions, war to civil rights, weddings to funerals, religious and sports to military might to floral festivals. But where do they come up in song?
Read moreBright and beautiful: songs about the colour orange
Orangutan. Of course
From animals to objects, plants to birds, and all of its cultural associations, the meeting of red and yellow, symbol of change, joy, entertainment and also warning, this week let’s explore songs are about anything clearly of this colour
Read moreBostin'! Songs from or about Birmingham and The Black Country
Roy would …
This week’s topic takes a particular accent towards music inspired by the great British West Midlands city and its surrounding area, a rich cultural mix of ethnicities and styles, industrial history, upheaval and humour
Read moreCurrent topic: songs about electricity
Bright sparks ArcAttack make the Tesla connection
Capacitance, or resistance? This week on the circuit it’s time for bright sparks to plug in and make lyrical connections with songs that refer to electricity in all literal or metaphorical forms, from famous inventors to natural forces
Read morePlaylists: songs enhanced by impressive videos
Over the moon with Smashing Pumpkins
What a production! Cartoons to big-screen movie references, emotional stories, quirky comedies and extraordinary dancing, from a massive choice, this week’s guest Marco den Ouden chooses two perfectly eye-popping playlists
Read moreOut of this oeuvre? Songs and music that defy genre definition
Genres? What are they?
This week let’s push the envelope and dig out often lesser known artists and works that wriggle away from definition, those who or mix sub-genres and styles with such originality it’s hard to place them. But can you still define them?
Read morePlaylists: songs about joints of the body
Hip priestess? Shakira video
Shoulders to toes, hips to knees, this week’s playlists, picked by our flexibly skilful guest Noodsy from last week’s topic connect up through all the styles and genres, from Shakira to Sparklehorse, The Beat to The Beach Boys …
Read morePlaylists: worst songs outside the comfort zone
The striking ex-Welsh miner Adrian Street. But what song has he wrestled into total submission?
Worst week ever? Just how low can we go? This week’s counterintuitive topic brought hundreds of highly entertaining gems, out of which the wonderfully mischievous guest playlister Olive Butler created two terrifically torturous lists
Read moreDo your wonderful worst: songs out of the comfort zone
Do your wurst: What could go horribly right? The Producers (1967) starring Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel
The brilliantly bad to the awesomely atrocious, whether in sound or lyrics, this week it's time to stretch the realms of musical and lyrical taste into the outer regions, and boldly go where we've never been before
Read moreWe're only human: songs using lyrical personification
Faces in rock: Samples from Japan’s famous Rock Museum
Rock face? This week we explore lyrics that attribute human characteristics to objects, concepts, natural forces and many other non-human things. Enjoy a few famous, inspiring examples in songs, poetry, literature and photography
Read moreSongs that contain words of wisdom, this week’s topic is
Yoda. Seeing the lighter side
This week we’re not being clever,, simply seeking wisdom in individual lyrics or across a whole song. From philosophers to musicians to authors, how is is it gained, through humility, experience, courage, or a just turn of phrase?
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