Tag Archives: Royal Blood

THE SOUND OF 2021

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It’s that time of year where people do End Of Year Lists and this blog is no different with the now traditional chart of the best songs of the year.

Nothing scientific, just a scroll through The Friday Fives and trying to put them in order of songs I love the most.

Enjoy, hope i’ve helped you discover something you’ve never heard before

  1. Maneskin – Zitti E Buoni
  2. Gaspard Auge – Force Majeure
  3. Alfie Templeman – Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody
  4. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – The Mighty Quinn
  5. Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under
  6. Wesley Gonzalez and Rose Elinor Dougall – Greater Expectations
  7. Tears For Fears – Tipping Point
  8. The Weeknd – Save Your Tears
  9. Lonelady – There Is No Logic
  10. Chvrches – Good Girls
  11. Rag n Bone Man – All You Ever Wanted
  12. Amy Montgomery – Anywhere
  13. Lorde – Solar Power
  14. Coldplay – Higher Power
  15. Laura Mvula – Got Me
  16. The Anxiety – Meet Me At Our Spot
  17. Griff – One Foot In Front Of The Other
  18. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – We’re On Our Way Now
  19. Dermot Kennedy – Better Days
  20. Tom Grennan – Little Bit Of Love
  21. Taylor Swift – All Too Well (Taylor’s version)
  22. Sting – Rushing Water
  23. Holly Humberstone – The Walls Are Way Too Thin
  24. Marshmello and Jonas Brothers – Leave Before You Love Me
  25. Griff – One Night
  26. Royal Blood – Limbo
  27. The Alarm – The Red Wall Of Cymru
  28. Tears For Fears – No Small Thing
  29. Tix – Fallen Angel
  30. Chvrches – The Killing Moon
  31. Harry Styles – Treat People With Kindness
  32. The Roop – Discotheque
  33. Sigrid – Burning Bridges
  34. Baby Queen – Dover Beach
  35. Maisie Peters – John Hughes Movie
  36. Villagers – So Simpatico
  37. Alphabeat – Danmark’s Dynamite
  38. Jendrik – I Don’t Feel Hate
  39. Hooverphonic – The Wrong Place
  40. Jeangu Macrooy – Birth Of A New Age
  41. Andy Bell – Skywalker
  42. U2 – Your Song Saved My Life
  43. The Fratellis – Yes Sir I Can Boogie
  44. Olivia Rodrigo – Good 4 U
  45. Chvrches – He Said, She Said
  46. Mike Patton – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turles
  47. Olivia Rodrigo – Deja Vu
  48. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – We’re Gonna Get There In The End
  49. The Divine Comedy – The Best Mistakes
  50. Franz Ferdinand – Billy Goodbye

So congratulations to Maneskin. There isn’t a formal prize on offer, but you can still bask in the glory of coming top of this poll and joining the Hall Of Fame below.

2020 Tame Impala – Lost In Yesterday
2019 Vampire Weekend – Harmony Hill
2018 Lovelytheband – Broke
2017 Liam Gallagher – For What It’s Worth
2016 The Strumbellas – Spirits
2015 Blossoms – Charlamagne
2014 Jamie T – Zombie
2013 Haim – The Wire
2012 Taylor Swift – We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
2011 Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA What A Life
2010 Marina and the Diamonds – Shampain
2009 Little Boots – New In Town
2008 Sons and Daughter – Darling
2007 Feist – 1, 2, 3, 4
2006 Kasabian – Empire

THE SOUND OF 2020

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We haven’t had our first 24 hours of 2021 yet and I can’t imagine that many want to look back at 2020, but it’s time for my annual look back at the best songs of the past year.

I’m not going to insult you by cutting and pasting the usual about how it was a great year and all that. It really wasn’t.

Even though we got treated to some interesting covers and live online concerts from bored pop stars in lockdown, i’d swap all that for a return to normality.

As much as i’ve loved Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco, i’d rather it not have to exist, if you know what I mean.

I actually have concert tickets for 2021, unsurprisingly, most are carried over from 2020.

Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott are first up in April, although that is looking ambitious, considering that Paul Weller scheduled for the week before has already been put back to November.

Also in the diary is Lightning Seeds, Ash, Doves and Beabadoobee.

Hopefully, when I do get back to concerts, it won’t be in the first batch. Let’s be honest, they’ll be full of tanked up bellends determined to “make up for” what they’ve “missed out on”.

You don’t realise how much a sound crowd adds to a concert until you’re surrounded by bellends.

So, enjoy the best songs of 2020. Hopefully, i’ve introduced you to something you’ll like.

Let’s hope 2021 will be a lot better than 2020, although we’re working off a very low bar.

  1. Tame Impala – Lost In Yesterday
  2. The Weeknd – Blinding Lights
  3. Powfu ft Barbadoobee – Death Bed
  4. Post Malone – Circles
  5. David Guetta and Sia – Let’s Love
  6. Royal Blood – Trouble’s Coming
  7. Beabadoobee – Care
  8. Paul Molloy – Dungaree Day
  9. Shader – Don’t You Forget About Me
  10. Georgia – Running Up That Hill
  11. Declan McKenna – Beautiful Faces
  12. Tom Grennan – Amen
  13. Andy Bell – Cherry Cola
  14. Lady Gaga – Stupid Love
  15. Dea Matrona – Roll With It
  16. Blossoms – Paperback Writer
  17. Dermot Kennedy – Giants
  18. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Wildflower
  19. Blossoms ft James Skelly – Dreaming Of You
  20. Beabadoobee – Together
  21. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Come On Outside
  22. Crowded House – Whatever You Want
  23. Tom Grennan – Something Better
  24. Samara Ginsberg – Inspector Gadget
  25. Dermot Kennedy – Power Over Me
  26. Oasis – Don’t Stop
  27. 24kgoldn – City Of Angels
  28. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – We’re Gonna Get There In The End
  29. Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott – Some Might Say
  30. Samara Ginsberg – Knight Rider
  31. Declan McKenna – Rapture
  32. Samara Ginsberg – Thomas The Tank Engine
  33. Liam Gallagher – All You’re Dreaming Of
  34. Beabadooebee – Worth It
  35. Karen O and Willie Nelson – Under Pressure
  36. Tate McRae – You Broke Me First
  37. Declan McKenna – Be An Astronaut
  38. Two Mad Men And A String Quartet – Madness Hits Medley
  39. Blossoms – It’s Going To Be A Cold Winter
  40. Arlo Parks – Black Dog
  41. New Order – Be A Rebel
  42. Izzy Bizu – Faded
  43. The 1975 – If You’re Too Shy
  44. David Latto – Geordie Munro
  45. Magnum Haus – Rip It Up
  46. Swim School – Dignity
  47. Ash – Darkest Hour Of The Night
  48. Doves – Broken Eyes
  49. AC/DC – Shot In The Dark
  50. Tom Ogden – Everyday I Write The Book

PAST WINNERS

2019 Vampire Weekend – Harmony Hall
2018 Lovelytheband – Broken
2017 Liam Gallagher – For What It’s Worth
2016 The Strumbellas – Spirits
2015 Blossoms – Charlemagne
2014 Jamie T – Zombie
2013 Haim – The Wire
2012 Taylor Swift – We Are Never Getting Back Together
2011 Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA …. What A Life
2010 Marina and the Diamonds – Shampain
2009 Little Boots- New In Town
2008 Sons and Daughters – Darling
2007 Feist – 1, 2, 3, 4

THE SOUND OF 2017 : 1-25

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So, here it is, the Top 25 Songs Of 2017

1. Liam Gallagher – For What It’s Worth
2. Rose Elinor Dougall – Closer
3. The Killers – Run For Cover
4. Paramore – Hard Times
5. Liam Gallagher – Bold
6. U2 – Get Out Of Your Own Way
7. Liam Gallagher – Wall Of Glass
8. The Killers – The Man
9. Rose Elinor Dougall – All At Once
10. Haim – Little Of Your Love
11. Arcade Fire – Everything Now
12. Liam Gallagher – Come Back To Me
13. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – She Taught Me to Fly
14. U2 – You’re The Best Thing About Me
15. Royal Blood – Lights Out
16. Biffy Clyro – Friends and Enemies
17. Tears For Fears – I Love You But I’m Lost
18. Kasabian – You’re In Love With A Psycho
19. Lorde – Green Light
20. Arcade Fire – Creature Comfort
21. Kasabian – Bless This Acid House
22. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – If Love Is The Law
23. Bastille – Basketcase
24. Paloma Faith – Crybaby
25. John Hassell and the April Rainers – Intercity 125

Congratulations to Liam Gallagher, emulating his brother in winning this prize in 2011. Get in touch and I’ll arrange some sort of presentation when you’re in Belfast for Belsonic.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this rundown and discovered some new songs you had never heard before.

If you haven’t heard the winning song yet, here it is.

We’ll end, with the list of previous winners.

2016 The Strumbelles – Spirits
2015 Blossoms – Charlemagne
2014 Jamie T – Zombie
2013 Haim – The Wire
2012 Taylor Swift – We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
2011 Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA …. What a Life
2010 Marina and the Diamonds – Shampain
2009 Little Boots – New In Town
2008 Sons and Daughters – Darling
2007 Feist – 1,2,3,4
2006 Kasabian – Empire

THE HALF-TERM HALF CENTURY, 2017

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We’ve reached that time of year when we are halfway through the year and it is time to do the Top 50 songs of the year so far.

There’s no scientific formula to it. I just went through The Friday Five, and tried to assemble them into some sort of order.

If you love pointless stats, there are three former “The Sound Of …..” winners in the chart.

Remember, it can all change by the time of the main chart in December.

It could even be a Gallagher brother duopoly.

1. Liam Gallagher – Wall Of Glass
2. Rose Elinor Dougall – Closer
3. The Killers – The Man
4. Paramore – Hard Times
5. John Hassell and the April Rainers – Intercity 125
6. Rose Elinor Dougall – All At Once
7. Royal Blood – Lights Out
8. Blondie – Long Time
9. Kasabian – You’re In Love With A Psycho
10. Pale Waves – There’s A Honey
11. George Ezra – Don’t Matter Now
12. Harry Styles – Sign Of The Times
13. Lorde – Green Light
14. Arcade Fire – Everything Now
15. Beth Ditto – Fire
16. Dagny – Wearing Nothing
17. Haim – Want You Back
18. The Kooks – Be Who You Are
19. Haim – Little Of Your Love
20. The XX – On Hold
21. Coldplay – Something Just Like This
22. Amy MacDonald – Dream On
23. Erasure – Love You To The Sky
24. Ed Sheeran – Castle On The Hill
25. Rag n Bone Man – Skin
26. Liam Gallagher – Chinatown
27. The Charlatans – Plastic Machinery
28. James – Sit Down (Game Of Thrones 2017 version)
29. Joy Williams – Ordinary World
30. Liam Gallagher – Bold
31. Muse – Dig Deep
32. Shed Zeppelin – Good Times, Bad Times, Disco Down
33. Barry Manilow – New York State Of Mind
34. Kasabian – Bless This Acid House
35. Robin Bengtsson – I Can’t Go On
36. Black Grape – Pop Voodoo
37. Imagine Dragons – Believer
38. Matt Maltese – As The World Caves In
39. The Courteeners – Don’t Look Back In Anger
40. Maggie Rogers – Alaska
41. Ryan Adams – To Be Without You
42. Miley Cyrus – Malibu
43. Cast – Faith
44. Blossoms – In Da Club/Carelss Whisper
45. Imelda May – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
46. Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus – Don’t Dream It’s Over
47. Rory Lavelle – Poor Pride
48. Rose Elinor Dougall – Hell and Back
49. Amy MacDonald – Automatic
50. Paul Draper – Things People Want

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 26.5.2017

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1. Muse – Dig Deep
2. Matt Maltese – As The World Caves In
3. Royal Blood – Lights Out
4. Rory Lavelle – Sonny
5. George Ezra – Blame It On Me

On Monday, is Noel Gallagher’s 50th birthday. I know it’s purely coincidental, but we can pretend that a national holiday has been declared in honour of Noel Gallagher turning 50.

How else will this blog celebrate? With a a five song chart.

Seeing as i’m in a good mood, i’ll give you two.

FIVE NOEL GALLAGHER SUNG OASIS SONGS

1. She Is Love
2. Where Did It All Go Wrong?
3. Don’t Look Back In Anger
4. The Masterplan
5. Angel Chil

FIVE NOEL GALLAGHER SOLO SONGS

1. AKA …….. What A Life
2. In The Heat Of The Moment
3. You Know We Can’t Go Back
4. Ballad Of The Mighty I
5. I Wanna Live In A Dream (In My Record Machine)

Noel Gallagher at Titanic Belfast 2016

Noel Gallagher at The Odyssey 2015

Noel Gallagher at Custom House Square 2012

Noel Gallagher at The Odyssey 2012

Ryan Adams update. Still looking for a ticket for his Ulster Hall gig in September.

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 19.5.2017

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1. Matt Maltese – As The World Caves In
2. Naviband – Story Of My Life
3. Royal Blood – Lights Out
4. Audioslave – Like A Stone
5. Robin Bengtsson – I Can’t Go On

It’s been an interesting week for concert announcements in Belfast, with four, yes FOUR bands I like all announcing concerts – The Divine Comedy, Ocean Colour Scene, The Charlatans and OMD. The first three I have seen previously in the last two years.

To celebrate this, i’m going to do a Top Five for each of them

FIVE SONGS BY THE DIVINE COMEDY

1. The Pop Singer’s Fear Of The Pollen Count
2. National Express
3. Something For The Weekend
4. Generation Sex
5. Love What you Do

FIVE SONGS BY OCEAN COLOUR SCENE

1. Better Day
2. The Circle
3. The Riverboat Song
4. July
5. The Day We Caught The Train

FIVE SONGS BY THE CHARLATANS

1. Love Is The Key
2. Blackened Blue Eyes
3. North Country Boy
4. My Beautiful Friend
5. One To Another

FIVE SONGS BY ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVERES IN THE DARK

1. Walking On The Milky Way
2. If You Want It
3. If You Leave
4. Enola Gay
5. Dreaming

Ryan Adams update. Guess what? Still looking for a Standing ticket to see him at Ulster Hall in September.