THE FRIDAY FIVE – 1.12.2017

1. Tom Grennan – Found What I’ve Been Looking For
2. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – If Love Is The Law
3. Sia – Santa’s Coming For Us
4. Embrace – Wake Up Call
5. The Divine Comedy – Something For The Weekend

First of all, an apology. To the entire nation of Scotland. Yes.

Yesterday was St Andrew’s Day and I forgot to do a themed chart last week. So, belatedly, here is a St Andrew’s Day chart, celebrating two of the best things on earth – Scotland and people called Andrew.

FIVE SONGS BY SCOTTISH ARTISTS

1. Pilot – Magic
2. Simple Minds – She’s A River
3. The View – Blondie
4. Aztec Camara – Somewhere In My Heart
5. Strawberry Switchblade – Since Yesterday

FIVE SONGS BY BANDS FEATURING AN ANDREW

1. Wax – Bridge To Your Heart
2. Wham – Freedom
3. Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again
4. INXS – Afterglow
5. Primal Scream – Jailbird

Sorry to Oasis, Duran Duran and OMD, but this chart is for Andrews only, no Andys.

It was announced that Blossoms will be supporting Noel Gallagher on his European tour next year. Fingers crossed they’ll be supporting him on his UK dates as well. The fact they’ll be touring in 2018 means we can hopefully expect new music from them as well. They’re brilliant by the way. If you haven’t already, you should check them out.

If there are any readers in the South-East of England, Victorious looks like it has a decent line-up on the Friday night : Lightning Seeds, Shed Seven and Kaiser Chiefs all playing on the Friday. Admittedly, Libertines headlining is underwhelming. Still, you can just use the time to get a bite to eat/go to the bar/go home early. Not going to lie, i’m jealous of that line-up.

….. and talking of Shed Seven, they’ve announced a Belfast gig to go with their rearranged concerts that were recently cancelled. Now that’s what I call a stroke of luck. I’ll be trying to get a ticket later this morning.

Finally, it’s the World Cup draw today. I’ll be doing a themed chart for each group with songs by artists from the countries when it comes along in June. I’d rather be including Baltimora than Yello to be honest. I’m over it, i’m over it. Ok, i’m still not over it. If Switzerland end up in a group with Panama, Russia and Iran, I might just cry.

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 2.6.2017

1. Liam Gallagher – Wall Of Glass
2. The Courteeners – Don’t Look Back In Anger
3. Maggie Rogers – Alaska
4. OMD – Isotype
5. Ray Davies – Broken

In gig news, Erasure have announced a tour for early 2018 with no Belfast gig. Boooo. I’m pining my hopes on Belfast Pride saving the day. Come on, be the heroes we need. DISCLAIMER – I have no inside information, i’m just letting my imagination run wild. What’s the point in having an imagination if you can’t let it run wild?

Liam Gallagher’s first solo show on Tuesday night sounded rather good. I know this, because it seemed like everyone was broadcasting it onto social media via their phone. A reminder that not all heroes wear capes.

I’m not saying I have a favourite Gallagher brother, but Noel does Belfast gigs when he goes on tour.

Hopefully, a full tour will follow when the album is released towards the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Top Of The Pops juggernaut on BBC Four has reached 1984. The Story Of 1984 is on tonight at 9pm.

So, to celebrate, here’s a 1984 chart for you.

FIVE SONGS FROM 1984

1. Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Two Tribes
2. Wham! – Freedom
3. Duran Duran – Wild Boys
4. Depeche Mode – Master and Servant
5. Strawberry Sitchblade – Since Yesterday

Ryan Adams update. Still looking for a ticket for his Ulster Hall gig in September. Standing, Face Value.

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 6.3.2015

1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – You Know We Can’t Go Back
2. Carly Rae Jepsen – I Really Like You
3. Taylor Swift – Style
4. The Kooks – She Moves In Her Own Way
5. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – The Ballad Of The Mighty I

This Sunday, is International Women’s Day. So, to get you in the mood, here’s some female inspired playlists to get you in the mood.

FIVE SONGS BY FEMALE SINGERS

1. St Vincent – Digital Witness
2. Charli XCX – Boom Clap
3. Rae Morris – Under The Shadows
4. Annie Lennox – No More I Love Yous
5. Nina Nesbitt – Peroxide

FIVE SONGS BY ALL FEMALE BANDS

1. Tegan and Sara – Closer
2. Strawberry Switchblade – Since Yesterday
3. The Ronettes – Be My Baby
4. Girls Aloud The Promise
5. Appleton – Fantasy

FIVE SONGS WITH FEMALE NAMES IN THE TITLE

1. Steve Winwood – Valerie
2. Siouxsie and the Banshees – Dear Prudence
3. Eddy Grant – Give Me Hope Johanna
4. The Strypes – Blue Collar Jane
5. Jamie T – Shiela

FIVE SONGS WITH GIRL IN THE TITLE

1. OMD – Tesla Girls
2. Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl
3. Kate Bush – Rubberbabnd Girl
4. Stone Temple Pilots – Sour Girl
5. Katy Perry – California Gurls

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 28.11.2014

1. McBusted – Air Guitar
2. Becky Hill – Losing
3. Alexa Goddard – So There
4. Erasure – Always
5. Ting Tings – Shut Up And Let Me Go

This Sunday, is St Andrew’s Day. Do, how about a chart? How about two charts? One for all things Andrew, and one for all things Scottish.

FIVE SONGS BY ACTS WITH A MEMBER CALLED ANDREW

1. Wham! – Freedom
2. Wax – Bridge To Your Heart
3. Roachford – Cuddly Toy
4. Andrew WK – Party Hard
5. Andrew Cole – Outstandin

FIVE SONGS BY SCOTTISH ACTS

1. Biffy Clyro – The Captain
2. Chvrches – Recover
3. Prides – Messiah
4. Strawberry Switchblade – Since Yesterday
5. Bay City Rollers – I Only Wanna Be With You

Last week, was International Men’s Day. Being the big sexist that I am, I forgot about it. So here, is a chart to commemorate it.

FIVE SONGS ABOUT MEN

1. Mansun – Electric Man
2. Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror
3. REM – Man On the Moon
4. David Bowie – The Man Who Sold The World
5. The Verve – Lucky Man

FIVE SONGS WITH MEN’S NAMES IN THE TITLE

1. Oasis – Little James
2. Paul Simon – You Can Call Me Al
3. Bat For Lashes – Daniel
4. Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Geno
5. Fine Young Cannibals – Johnny Come Home

Last week, on X-Factor, was Elton John v Whitney Houston, that well known rivalry. They’re not even trying any more.

FIVE SONGS BY ELTON JOHN

1. I’m Still Standing
2. Made In England
3. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
4. Step Into Christmas
5. Kiss The Bride

FIVE SONGS BY WHITNEY HOUSTON

1. Your Love Is My Love
2. I Wanna Dance With Somebody
3. How Will I Know?
4. I’m Your Baby Tonight
5. If I Told You That (ft George Michael)

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 24.10.2014

1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – In The Heat Of The Moment
2. Per Gessle – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
3. Simple Minds – Midnight Walking
4. Foo Fighters – Something From Nothing
5. Cheryl – I Don’t Care

So, the live finals of X-Factor have started, and as is tradition, a Top Five based on the previous week’s theme. In truth, I haven’t watched any of it yet. Fell behind watching it and haven’t really bothered to catch up. Might just tune in for the final.

Unlike the X-Factor, my chart will feature songs that actually meet the criteria of the theme.

FIVE SONGS FROM THE 1980s

1. Falco – Rock Me Amadeus
2. Paul Hardcastle – The Wizard
3. Glenn and Chris – Diamond Lights
4. Starship – We Built This City
5. Strawberry Switchblade – Since Yesterday

Meanwhile, the news we’ve waited 11 years was announced this week – that S Club 7 are reforming. Albeit, just for Children In Need, but we can dream of a full comeback.

To keep you occupied until then, here’s an S Club Top Five.

5 SONGS BY S CLUB 7

1. Bring It All Back
2. Reach
3. You’re My Number One
4. Alive
5. Don’t Stop Moving

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : OCT 17 – OCT 23

Welcome to this week’s 50 Years Of Top Of The Pops, which doesn’t have any Calypso songs urging people to vote UKIP.

We do though, have the newly reformed S Club 7, as they made their final TOTP appearance.

And Alvin Starudst, who died today, feeling like Buddy Holly.

It’s a quiet week this week, not much in the way of pop birthdays or death anniversaries.

We move on to Wyclef Jean, such a Perfect Gentleman.

Karl Wallinger turned 57 this week. The name might not be instantly recognisable, but he did write this.

Double Fugees birthday this week, Pras also blowing out candles

Meanwhile, Tom Petty is a year away from being an OAP.

If you want to get Mark King from Level 42 a birthday present, some hand insurance sounds like a good idea. I’m guessing Pete Powell is a fan of Level 42.

This song, by Strawberry Switchblade, is a sadly forgotten classic.

Time for a bit of Bluetones

Dan Woodgate from Madness celebrated a birthday this week. He was also in Voice Of The Beehive between Madness split and early 90s reunion. Yep, that’s him with the ponytail.

PS : I’m going to see Madness in 8 weeks. Thought i’d share that with you all.

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 29.11.2013

1. U2 – Ordinary Love
2. Birdy – Light Me Up
3. Bruce Springsteen – High Hopes
4. Imagine Dragons – On Top Of The World
5. Rudimental ft Emeli Sande – Free

So, last week’s X-Factor celebrated ten years of X-Factor. X-Factor. Yep, lots of nice Product Placement for X-Factor. X-Factor.

FIVE SONGS BY ACTS FROM X-FACTOR

1. Matt Cardle – It’s Only Love
2. Olly Murs – Army Of Two
3. Little Mix – Wings
4. Leona Lewis – Forgive Me
5. Jedward – Lipstick

And don’t worry Scottish folk, I haven’t forgotten you. Happy St Andrew’s Day.

FIVE SONGS BY SCOTTISH ACTS

1. Simple Minds – Don’t You Forget About Me
2. Biffy Clyro – The Captain
3. Pilot – Magic
4. Bay City Rollers – I Only Want To Be With You
5. Strawberry Switchblade – Since Yesterday

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 30.11.2012

1. Bruno Mars – Locked Out Of Heaven
2. M83 – Midnight City
3. Alicia Keys – Girl On Fire
4. The Vaccines – I Always Knew
5. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA …. What A Life (Acoustic)

Time for the usual X-Factor themed chart, except last week, it was a double theme …… ABBA v Motown, those well known rivals. It’s not often you see ABBA and Motown in the same sentence, except, just there.

This will be a bit hard for me as I think ABBA are, whisper it, a bit rubbish.

FIVE ABBA SONGS

1. Knowing Me, Knowing You
2. Lay All Your Love On Me
3. SOS
4. Super Trouper
5. Chiquitita

And now, some Motown songs. If Berry Gordy was still alive ……. oh wait, he is. If you wondering what i’m referring to, Louis Walsh said after a performance last year “If Berry Gordy was still alive” …..

It was almost as funny as the time he said a contestant reminded him of “A young Lenny Henry”

FIVE MOTOWN SONGS

1. Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke
2. Supremes – Stop, In The Name Of Love
3. Jackson 5 – I Want You Back
4. Smokey Robinson – Tears Of A Clown
5. Martha and the Vandellas – Dancing In The Street

Today, is St Andrew’s Day, so to celebrate it, here’s a Scottish themed chart for you

FIVE SONGS BY SCOTTISH ACTS

1. Strawberry Switchblade – Since Yesterday
2. The Proclaimers – Letter From America
3. Cosmic Rough Riders – Melanie
4. Travis – Side
5. Sandi Thom – The Devil’s Beat

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 27.1.2012

1. Lloyd – Dedication To My Ex
2. Lana Del Ray – Born To Die
3. Silhouette – Can’t Keep Up
4. Flock Of Seagulls – I Ran
5. The Beatles – Taxman

Seeing as it was Burns Night this week, though i’d do a Top Five of songs by Scottish acts. Why not?

FIVE SONGS BY SCOTTISH ACTS

1. Strawberry Switchblade – Since Yesterday
2. Edwyn Collins – A Girl Like You
3. Waterboys – Whole Of The Moon
4. KT Tunstall – Black horse And The Cherry Tree
5. Del Amitri – Roll To Me

TOP FIVE BURNS

1= Aaron/Billy Joe
3. Gordon
4. Montgomery
5. Pete

And seeing as it was Australia Day this week, why not have a chart countdown of Australia’s finest songs?

Sadly, New Seekers aren’t Australian enough for this chart, so “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” isn’t on the chart.

I’m awaiting angry abuse from Jason Donovan fans for him being left out of this chart.

FIVE AUSTRALIAN SONGS

1. Stefan Dennis – Don’t It Make you Feel Good
2. Midnight Oil – Beds Are Burning
3. Kylie Minogue – 2 Hearts
4. Mental As Anything – Live It Up
5. Angry Anderson – Suddenly