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Busy band on their way: Jonathan Richman with The Modern Lovers
As preparations are hastily made for a special event at the Song Bar, guest playlister Hoshino Sakura tries to organise the artists nominated from last week's topic. But will it all come together in time?
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Spongebob Squarepants. Getting it done, or just swamped?
From juggling duties and spinning plates for family, social life, relationships, work or other chores, name songs that talk about that struggle to keep concentration when there's a long list of distracting tasks
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Feast your eyes on Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Fairy-tale dreams to strange train journeys, Visions of Johanna to Elvis Presley's lost Jesse, guest writer Severin takes us into weird and wonderful world inspired by last week's song nominations
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Time to log on …
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
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Ooh Betty. Davis.
Inspired by last week's pyroclastic flow of song suggestions, the Song Bar Landlord takes a visit to see who is playing at the House of Funk and finds a vibe that is both super cool and hot, hot, hot
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Prince, Godfather and King. Three funky greats, among others …
To commemorate a year since the passing of the Purple One, let's get into the groove to find out what funk is all about, with fat, sexy bass lines, and rhythmic, syncopated riffs running through the body
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Hidden lines … Nick Drake
Digging out treasures of all shapes and sizes from last week's topic, guest playlister Maki cracks open songs ranging from Gorillaz to The Jam, REM to Nick Drake
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What Easter egg has Jarvis Cocker hidden?
Hidden tracks between vinyl grooves to ghost tracks in pre-gaps or at the end of albums on CD, this week's Easter special is all about finding those secret treasures, jokey or serious, but always tasty
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Johnny Depp and Patti Smith - mutual admiration
Marilyn Monroe to Jodie Foster to Johnny Depp, Sidney Poitier to Sigourney Weaver, this week's playlists made by guest Mnemosene2 from last week's topic create a constellation of stars. Let's roll the credits …
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Stars of screen, but what about music?
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
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The Ramones … slightly regretting opening that door …
Brexit or breakup? Heartbreak or international crisis? Hitting the hurt and mistakes hard, from Ramones to Radiohead, guest writer Violet Vivid tells a personal tale of woe with a wonderful set of playlists from last week's topic
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Jump they say? Or just an almighty cockup?
Ever get the feeling an almighty cockup is on the cards? This week we look at why gaffes and blunders are made – across culture, history and psychology – and also songs on this topic
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Antony Hegarty, now known as ANOHNI
Through the haunting voices of Antony Hegarty and Karen Dalton to memories of Syd Barrett and racing with the Boss, this week's guest writer ParaMhor plays through the pain barrier with perfects lists inspired by last week's topics
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Tina Turner ... turning suffering into art just like JMW Turner (see below)
Hurt can be the source of most songs, but this week we look at the when pain can be positive, and suggest songs that take the upbeat, or even pleasurable view of pain in the mind and body
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Relaxing with Elbow, in time-honoured fashion …
Busking on the beach to sailing with Jacque Brel, sipping beer with Elbow to looking at old photographs with Al Stewart, this week's guest writer Barbryn brings balm to any soul with two beautiful playlists
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Cat contentment
Want to escape from chaos to a state of stillness, simplicity and calm? This week we explore music and songs that aspire to, or express, a physical or mental place we can all yearn for
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Who's going big on a Saturday night? Kirsty MacColl, of course.
Lazy Sundays to stormy Mondays, wet Wednesdays to going big on Saturday night, our guest writer EnglishOutlaw fills out a week of wonderful music inspired by our most recent topic
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Band of the week: the performing planets
Blue Mondays to lazy Sundays, strange Tuesdays to Fridays on your mind, peruse your calendar of titles and lyrics to make it a cultural and musical week to remember
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The Platters
Beach Boys to Byrds, Gladiators to Platters, this week's guest writer Hoshino Sakura makes beautiful harmony by interweaving voice choices from a huge chorus of nominations from last week's topic
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The Puppini Sisters
Barbershop to Bulgarian, folk to rock, church, gospel to swing, from the sacred to the profane, it's time to suggest songs where two or many more voices sing closely formed, but independent melodies
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